Retirement Visa

[lomuamart]

Sure. It can be made up of pretty much any income. The questioner has only mentioned a state pension so far.

[brianks]

Why would you want to have 800,000 baht tied up in Thailand? Read the financial requirements for the Retirement Visa. If you can move your eyes past the first one and on to the second one you will see that you only need to show income of 65,000 baht/month for the visa. Unfortunately for you brits your embassy has made that verification a nightmare from what I have read. We in the US only need to fill out a form stating our monthly income and have it notarized at the embassy.

This subject has been discussed over and over and it is still surprising to me that so many only think the 800,000 baht deposit in Thai Bank is the only way to go. As an American I don't want over 300,000 baht in a Thai bank account so I don't have to report it to the US government at the end of the year. Now all the rest of your non US farangs are blessed in that regard.

[Big Boy]

Personally, I'm quite comfortable with tying up 800,000 for 3 months. IMHO a lot less hassle than proving income.

I will hold the 65,000 in reserve, in the event I can't muster the 800,000 any year.

[Gregjam]

If you apply to get the consular letter from the embassy confirming income does it just confirm the amount or does it state the source of the income. Just asking as the 'retirement' visa is probably the best option being over fifty but working abroad and only staying here for three months at a time and not wanting to have to renew abroad each year. 800k not possible at the moment but something that may be likely in a couple of years.

[hhfarang]

I do it every year on 65k+ income from a combined company and U.S. government pension. A pension is a pension; if you are going to get it until you die it counts towards an annual extension of an OA non-imm (retirement) visa!

[lomuamart]

The British Embassy state where your income comes from - at least they do on my letter.
Look here https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... mmigration to see the form used if applying for the letter by post. That gives an indication of how they'll classify things even if you apply in person (as I have done in previous years).
They'll break things down in terms of pensions, income from property, income from investments etc.

[brianks]

U.S. Notarized Document merely states that you swear that you have a monthly income of XXXXX $. It does not state or ask for the source of the income.

[lomuamart]

You're lucky, in some regards, at the US Embassy in as much as you don't have to show proof of income.
However, and I know it hasn't happened at HH yet, US citizens were being asked by some Imm offices for further proof of income beyond the letter a little while ago. It was certainly happening in Phuket, for one.
Not only does the Brit embassy ask for proof of income but they also state on the letter that you have supplied evidence of it.
I always take the same proof to Imm as I showed the Embassy but have never been asked for it and I certainly won't volunteer it unless it starts to set a precedent.

[Nereus]

Why would you want to have 800,000 baht tied up in Thailand?

Because I do not have a pension!

Read the financial requirements for the Retirement Visa.

Yes, I have thank you, and that is why I have 800k in a Thai bank!

Everyone has different circumstances, that is why there are different options.

[JohnTBaptist]

Thanks for all the help & info peoples - but - now SORTED! It turned-out good for the Retirement Visa. NO, I repeat NO show money is needed. All I needed was proof of my pension & the cost for the "90-day retirement visa" which was £50 + 10 to return my passport. Done & dusted! Let me see - Passport, coach travel ticket - air ticket & cash Sterling plus a weeks worth of undies & overs - see you guys on the beach!?

[Big Boy]

I'm confused. Can anybody explain the above please?

[lomuamart]

Think he's talking about getting a single entry O visa.

[musungu]

I'm confused. Can anybody explain the above please?

I think he got the visa without any under table payment and is now getting his possessions together to make the trip here ( I know what you mean BB !! )

[Big Boy]

Thanks guys, so he's got a visa to investigate retirement. It sounds as though there could be some surprises when he tries extend the visa based on retirement then.

[bapak]

You're lucky, in some regards, at the US Embassy in as much as you don't have to show proof of income.
However, and I know it hasn't happened at HH yet, US citizens were being asked by some Imm offices for further proof of income beyond the letter a little while ago. It was certainly happening in Phuket, for one.
Not only does the Brit embassy ask for proof of income but they also state on the letter that you have supplied evidence of it.
I always take the same proof to Imm as I showed the Embassy but have never been asked for it and I certainly won't volunteer it unless it starts to set a precedent.

Yes, there has been instances that I am aware of where US citizens have been asked for further proof (mainly in Bangkok)..