Retirement Visa

[doogle]

My wife (UK citizen, aged 48) and I (UK citiizen, aged 50) are looking to spend more time in Thailand and would appreciate some advice please on the best approach to obtaining the correct visas. We own a condo and also have the blue book and a Thai bank account. I qualify for a non-immigrant visa on the basis of retirement via the savings route.

I have done some research on what visa to obtain but have confused myself!

I thought we could both obtain 60-Day Tourist Visas in the UK and then go to the Immigration Office in Hua Hin and convert these into non-immigrant 'O' visas. Mine would be based on 'retirement' and my wife would be able to obtain a non-immigrant 'O' visa as my spouse. This would then give us both a 90 Day non-immigrant 'O' visa and we could then extend both of these visas to 12 months.

However, I think my wife may not be able to convert to a non-immigrant 'O' visa from a Tourist Visa?

If this approach would not work I think the alternative route would be for us to both obtain a non-immigrant 'O' visa in the UK before we depart for Thailand and then extend these to 12 months in Hua Hin? If this is the correct way to go I am not sure on what basis we can get these visas in the UK and even if my wife qualifies for a non-immigrant 'O' visa obtained in the UK?

Any help with this, the process/paperwork requried and the costs greatly appreciated.

We are just trying to ensure we get the correct visas before we leave the UK.

I think the simplest route is to get 60 Day tourist visa in the UK and convert these in Hua Hin as outlined above if this is permitted.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Best wishes

Doogle

[hhfarang]

Why don't you just get the non immigrant O-A 1 year visa (for reason of retirement) before you leave the UK... then your set for a year after entry except for 90 day reporting.

[doogle]

Thanks for your response.

I thought they had put an age 65 restriction on the issue of O-A visa based on retirement in the UK now?

[HHTel]

Not true doogle. Just a rumour.

[caller]

Not true doogle. Just a rumour.

I agree it's not true, but wasn't aware of the rumour!

[doogle]

Great - thanks for advising.

What visa would my wife get in the UK if I go down this route?

[lomuamart]

Your best bet would be to get the O visas in the UK first. You'd qualify on the basis of retirement (over 50) and I would think your wife will as your dependent. Check the situation out with Hull, The Thai Embassy or wherever it is you'll be applying to.
One thing to note is that if you're going to do your annual extension here on the basis of having 800k THB in a Thai bank account, you'll need to have already got this in place as HH Imm want to see the money seeded for 3 months before applying for the extension so the single entry O visa (90 days) won't give you enough time. If doing on the basis of income (65k THB a month) then you'll be OK.
If your wife is having trouble getting the O visa then certainly get a tourist visa for her but why not get an O for yourself? At least one step is sorted out prior to arrival.
I don't see any reason why your wife won't be able to convert to an O visa here as your dependent. You're not the only couple that has faced this with one partner under retirement age.
Make sure you bring your marriage certificate with you as you'll need to prove that the marriage is legitimate and current.

[HHTel]

Someone posted the rule of having to be over 65 on another thread but there's no evidence of this.

Taken from the Embassy website just a few moments ago:-
----------
Category
"O-A"

To applicants aged 50 and over who wish to stay in Thailand for an entended period without the intention of working.

Non-Immigrant Type O-A

Proof of income with a minimum of £1,400.00 per month or £1,400.00 or £16,500 anuually for those who have been issue category O with multiple entries Medical Record Criminal Record check

[doogle]

Thanks for advising. I have checked the London Embassy web site too and seems going down the O-A route could be a good option as:

8. In case wishing to be accompanied by spouse, the marriage certificate will be attached. But spouse will be granted Non-Immigrant “O” instead of “O-A”(Long Stay)

What is not clear is whether my wife needs to meet any of the other criteria listed, in particular the income requirement:

4.Copy of bank statement having in possession of annually income equivalent to Thai currency at least 800,000 Baht or monthly income 65,000 Baht. (approximately GBP 14,000.00/annum).

This has a big impact on whether to go down this route.

Any ideas on this?

Medical checks and police clearance issued only from Scotland Yard (from applicants residing in the United Kingdom) are required so it is a bit more involved applying for an O-A in the UK than applying for an extension to a non-immigrant 'O' visa extension within Thailand (I understand medical and criminal checks are not required within Thailand) but it still might be the best option.

[doogle]

Not sure if the non-immigrant "O" visa is an option from the UK (anymore) for 50 to 64 year old retirees as the Embassy web site states:

Category "O"
To visit Thai spouse, children, parents, voluntary job, Retirement (with State Pension)

I would post the url but as a newbie it won't let me until I have submitted 10 posts.

This is where I think the 65 years of age comment is coming from as to receive a State Pension in the UK you have to be 65 years old.

As a result, it may be the "O-A" is the only option to obtain a visa based on retirement from within the UK between age 50 and 65 years?

This takes me back to my original thoughts that if an "O-A" is not the best route we both get Tourist Visas in the UK and then convert mine to a non-immigrant "O" visa in Hua Hin on the basis of retirement (where I think the 50 year age limit applies) and hope my wife can convert her visa into a non-immigrant "O" visa too.

[SunandFun]

Sounds like a good plan. Mai pen Rai. If you can't get a Visa for your wife, it might be easier to get a new wife. LOL
Just kidding, I know you will sort it out. If you come here and then go to immigration, they will definitely assist you in the best way to move forward. Everything is possible, just dress nice and be polite. You will get the assistance you need. Please keep us updated as we all like to know what happened.

[HHTel]

The difference between a 'retirement' visa from 50 to 64 and over 65 is the income requirement. 50 to 64 requires the 800k or equivalent. 65 and over only requires you to show a state pension and there's no minimum.

My aged mother uses that all the time and her state pension is miniscule but her age covers it.

[Houdi]

HHTel, everybody I know that is over 65 (including me) is still having to prove the 800,000 Baht figure when re-applying for the retirement visa.

Can you point us to the appropriate document that says this does not apply if you are over 65 and in receipt of a state pension please?

Thanks

[hhfarang]

^ Or a pension (or other overseas income) of at least 65k per month.

[HHTel]

The concession for over 65's (no minimum state pension) is only to obtain a non-o visa. Under 65's require the big bucks for a non-o. It also requires 90 day visa runs when in Thailand. Regardless of under or over 65, when applying for an extension of that visa based on retirement, then you must show the 800k or equivalent.

You can't permanently live in Thailand on your state pension only.