Retirement visa - New Problems

[PeteC]

If you are going the lump sum route (rather than pension), they said the medical was no longer necessary.

I love the possible reasoning behind this part? Are they saying that if you have the lump sum, don't bother with the physical as if you drop dead, the funds may possibly revert to our government if not claimed? However, if you have a pension, yes, we want to assure that you are healthy so it can be deposited regularly into our banks? Pete

[sargeant]

Just a thought but it seems to me that maybe just maybe the thais are really after those working on visas they are not allowed to work on.

I as stated earlier think all visas will be based on funds from abroad

The changes may be to try and stop 800,000 cartels as guess stated
I aint sure why 80 days or if that will make any difference but it points to some sort of direction the thai authorities are taking

It was made crystal clear to my girl and myself that although the 800,000 deposit was ok for the first year. The second year i had to show my bank book each and every year thereafter and for 2 years now they have asked for it.

[sargeant]

I have just popped down my soi to my friend who completed his retirement visa after following my advice a mere 14 days ago, at Hua Hin immigration offices.

Firstly he was explicitely told that the 800,000 baht deposit was only good for the first year. I emphasise the FIRST year (the same as me)

Secondly he was explicitely told he must produce next year a bank book with payments made into it every month of not less than 65,000 baht a month but adds up to a total of 800,000 baht.(the same as me)

This is a retirement visa based on a pension from the u.k. the (same as me)
He also had to produce a medical cert from a hospital the (same as me.)

This seems to be pretty consistant to me for anyone on a pension.

It is also consistant with my personal belief the thai authorities want your money to come from abroad.

Ref 3 month non o visas I had hundreds of them and was never asked about finances but i am hearing they are asking now my friend above a case in point (vientianne) see previous posts as i reported on his progress

[troopie]

For those who are NOT following the pension route, what should be remembered about the 800,000 rule is:
a) You need to have that sum in a Thai bank for 3 months before you first apply.
b) Once your visa is granted, I believe (but do not know for sure) that you can use that money to live on.
c) However, you will need to have 800,000 in your account again at the end of a year, be it the same 800,000 or whatever.

Whether you need to have that sum in the bank for 3 months before each renewal, I cannot say but the xenophobic way Thailand is going, it just might be so!

Nice to know we're so popular, isn't it!