Is it easy to get a retirement visa?

[Siani]

Is it easy to get a retirement visa? I have been reading several topics etc. Does everyone of retirement age have to go to the border every 90 days to renew their visas? Seems a real pain if so. Thanks Siani

[Big Boy]

One of the experts will probably pick this up later, but I think the main criteria are:

- Over 50 years old.

- Income of 800,000 Baht per annum or 800,000 Baht in the bank or combination of both.

- Every 90 days report to local immigration (not a border run).

[Siani]

Thanks for the info. I seem to hopefully qualify for all three. There is such a lot to think of when moving to another country.
This forum is really great, everyone is so helpful. Thanks so much. Siani

[lomuamart]

As BB said, to get an annual visa extension on the basis of retirement you have to be over 50, have overseas income of 65k THB a month (as evidenced by a letter from your Embassy in BKK), or have 800k THB in a Thai bank account (it must have been in there for two months before the first annual extension and for three months for subsequent ones. It can't drop below this figure during that period), or have a combination of income and savings as long as the total over a year exceeds 800K. The cost of the extension is 1,900THB and is fairly painless to get.
The above is for a retirement extension and you have to extend off a Non Immigrant visa - usually category O - so if you're going to get one make sure you have the correct visa before you arrive here to make life easier. The extension application can be made within the last 30 days of any 90 day permitted to stay period.
A retirement "visa" is different to the above. That's an OA visa (also known as a long-stay visa) that you get from your home country before you arrive. For more info see here:
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2493
Once you have a retirement extension, you only need to report to Imm every 90 days. No need to exit the country.

[mr lonely]

As above as long as paperwork correct.
90 day reproting
24 hour reporting if you leave the country and return
Get a visa from Hull before you come, then get a " visa based on retirement here. Although they can be a pain in the backside sometimes, HH immigration are ok really.
The applicant's spouse does not need the 800,000 in the bank, only the 'main applicant'. They can then piggy back the visa without the financial requirement.
As an aside you only have 6 months to bring over household effects, after that they will sting you for huge taxes on it.

[PET]

As an aside you only have 6 months to bring over household effects, after that they will sting you for huge taxes on it.

They will 'sting' you for around Bht 25,000 within the 6 month period also !!!

[mr lonely]

I didnt pay anything tax wise when I brougt in a load of household goods / effects.
All I got was a request for 3000 BHT tea money for the customs dept. Paid up and goods delivered to my door within 48 hours of arrival at Bangkok port
As I nderstand, no tax should be levied if goods are brought in within 6 months from initial visa.

[Siani]

As an aside you only have 6 months to bring over household effects, after that they will sting you for huge taxes on it.

They will 'sting' you for around Bht 25,000 within the 6 month period also !!!

Thanks for that info very good of you to be of help. Better just bring my toothbrush! Siani

[Siani]

As BB said, to get an annual visa extension on the basis of retirement you have to be over 50, have overseas income of 65k THB a month (as evidenced by a letter from your Embassy in BKK), or have 800k THB in a Thai bank account (it must have been in there for two months before the first annual extension and for three months for subsequent ones. It can't drop below this figure during that period), or have a combination of income and savings as long as the total over a year exceeds 800K. The cost of the extension is 1,900THB and is fairly painless to get.
The above is for a retirement extension and you have to extend off a Non Immigrant visa - usually category O - so if you're going to get one make sure you have the correct visa before you arrive here to make life easier. The extension application can be made within the last 30 days of any 90 day permitted to stay period.
A retirement "visa" is different to the above. That's an OA visa (also known as a long-stay visa) that you get from your home country before you arrive. For more info see here:
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2493
Once you have a retirement extension, you only need to report to Imm every 90 days. No need to exit the country.

Thanks for that info very good of you to be of help. Would you advise me to get the retirement visa in Hull or HH? Would it be easier to come over on a year visa then apply for the retirement visa? Siani

[Siani]

As above as long as paperwork correct.
90 day reproting
24 hour reporting if you leave the country and return
Get a visa from Hull before you come, then get a " visa based on retirement here. Although they can be a pain in the backside sometimes, HH immigration are ok really.
The applicant's spouse does not need the 800,000 in the bank, only the 'main applicant'. They can then piggy back the visa without the financial requirement.
As an aside you only have 6 months to bring over household effects, after that they will sting you for huge taxes on it.

Thanks for that info very good of you to be of help. Maybe I will get the retirement in HH if not too difficult. I am applying for my police report soon. Thanks so much... Siani

[Siani]

I didnt pay anything tax wise when I brougt in a load of household goods / effects.
All I got was a request for 3000 BHT tea money for the customs dept. Paid up and goods delivered to my door within 48 hours of arrival at Bangkok port
As I nderstand, no tax should be levied if goods are brought in within 6 months from initial visa.

Thanks for that info very good of you to be of help Sound quite easy, which is reassuring, many thanks Siani

[bapak]

What lomuamart says is correct..
What you get from Hull is a O Visa... then following your arrival here, you go to HH Immigration and apply for an Extension to Stay based on marriage. This is not a visa. Visa are only issued at Thai Consulates.
Local immigration do not normally ask for a police certificate.

[lomuamart]

Siani,
A lot will depend on whether you've already got a Thai bank account and are going to apply for an annual extension on the basis of money in that account.
An OA visa - which you can't get from Hull, only the London Embassy - will give you a year's permitted to stay stamp when you enter Thailand. There's no need to exit, but you have to report every 90 days. You can actually get a multiple entry OA - it'll cost more - and if you exit just before the VISA expires, you'll get another year, report every 90 days. But at some point, you're going to have to extend within Thailand.
Basically the OA visa is a sort of "pre-approved retirement extension", but it's only obtainable from Embassies and you'll need medical and health checks and income/savings proof to get it (savings don't have to be in Thailand at this stage. The equivalent in the UK will do). See the link I put up before.
An O visa you can get from Hull painlessly. They come in two varieties - single entry and multiple. You'll get a 90 day permitted to stay stamp on either at entry, but with the multiple, you can exit and re-enter and get another 90 days. This can continue as many times as you want as long as the VISA is still valid.
So, if you're retiring here the correct visa from the UK will help enormously at the start - ie either O or OA. If you're applying later for the extension on the basis of savings here, you need the money to be in the bank for the specified period - as explained before. Maybe a multiple entry O visa will help you do this within the time frame?
If you're doing it on the basis of income or already have the money here, then a single entry will be fine. You apply for the extension within the last 30 days of a 90 day permitted to stay stamp.
Hope that's clear?

[Siani]

Siani,
A lot will depend on whether you've already got a Thai bank account and are going to apply for an annual extension on the basis of money in that account.
An OA visa - which you can't get from Hull, only the London Embassy - will give you a year's permitted to stay stamp when you enter Thailand. There's no need to exit, but you have to report every 90 days. You can actually get a multiple entry OA - it'll cost more - and if you exit just before the VISA expires, you'll get another year, report every 90 days. But at some point, you're going to have to extend within Thailand.
Basically the OA visa is a sort of "pre-approved retirement extension", but it's only obtainable from Embassies and you'll need medical and health checks and income/savings proof to get it (savings don't have to be in Thailand at this stage. The equivalent in the UK will do). See the link I put up before.
An O visa you can get from Hull painlessly. They come in two varieties - single entry and multiple. You'll get a 90 day permitted to stay stamp on either at entry, but with the multiple, you can exit and re-enter and get another 90 days. This can continue as many times as you want as long as the VISA is still valid.
So, if you're retiring here the correct visa from the UK will help enormously at the start - ie either O or OA. If you're applying later for the extension on the basis of savings here, you need the money to be in the bank for the specified period - as explained before. Maybe a multiple entry O visa will help you do this within the time frame?
If you're doing it on the basis of income or already have the money here, then a single entry will be fine. You apply for the extension within the last 30 days of a 90 day permitted to stay stamp.
Hope that's clear?

Thanks for the info. At the moment I do not have anything at all..no visa..no Thai bank account etc. I will have to transfer my money from the sale of property when my house sale is finalised. I was thinking of an off shore account for this. I want to apply for a visa that is easy to renew in Thailand. I have my mother who is 91 and will not be able to nip across borders etc just to renew this. I think the best option is the OA visa. Leaving money in a Thai bank account would not be a problem. I will go back and read it all carefully from the link you sent me before. Man thanks...it is a bit of a minefield when you don't know what you are doing..like me!! Thanks so much. Siani

[Khundon1975]

lomuamart

During my "retirement" there, I reported every 90 days by post (sent off the tear off section of the form with yellow SAE) and renewed in BKK after a year. Is that method still available under the 800k retirement rule?