Another (sorry) visa question

[migrant]

OK, I deal with tax law, and that is relatively easy, but visa's make my head spin a little.
Please bear with this thick skull because, in one way, or another, you have answered me, but I need to process in a linear way.

Here is my plan, please correct, or suggest, as necessary, but type slow for me.

I am 58, married to a Thai national and retired. I currently have more than 800,000 baht in the bank, and should have (if I can keep Mrs M from spending all on Thai food) for the rest of my life.

Starting around May of 2016 I will receive $4,000 usd per month for 15 years as payment on my business I sold, private buyer not a government pension

In 2020 I will receive government social security of around 1,700 usd per month.

I arrived in Thailand Oct 19 on a tourist visa. Will leave Thailand Feb 13, 2016 and return April 30, 2016. This leaving mid February, returning end of April will be repeated indefinitely

My plan;

1) Prior to 60 days, Dec 19, I will go to Hua Hin immigration and get an automatic 30 day extension to Jan 19, 2016.
2) Prior to Jan 19, I will leave the country for a 1 week trip.
3) Upon return my new 60 day tourist visa will get me through my Feb departure.
4) While in the states, in Feb, I will apply for my 1 year visa (OA?) with multiple entries. My bank account will support the 800,000 requirement.
5) Each year, while in the states in Feb, I will apply for a renewal of the one year visa
6) When I stop going to the states, I will apply here in Thailand.
7) With the one year OA visa I am required to visit immigration every 90 days.

Has my battered brain got it correct? Any suggestions, or better ways?
I could apply for the OA visa while here, once my 800,000 has seasoned, but my understanding is it is easier to get in your home country, most my money is in the states, and one year coincides with my visit to the states.

Thanks for putting up with me!!

[Big Boy]

IMHO it'll probably work, but why not simply get a Retirement extension with multiple re-entry permits. Surely less complicated, and less expensive. They are more likely to refuse a yearly OA than a Retirement extension, which is simple.

[migrant]

IMHO it'll probably work, but why not simply get a Retirement extension with multiple re-entry permits. Surely less complicated, and less expensive. They are more likely to refuse a yearly OA than a Retirement extension, which is simple.

Ahh that was my mistake, thought the OA was retirement, thanks BB!!

[Big Boy]

No, just turn up at Immigration a couple days before your current visa expires with the necessary paperwork and 1,900 Baht (plus I think 2,800 Baht for multiple re-entry permit) and you'll be sorted. The guys can look fierce , but if everything is in order, they are pussy cats.

[Dannie Boy]

IMHO it'll probably work, but why not simply get a Retirement extension with multiple re-entry permits. Surely less complicated, and less expensive. They are more likely to refuse a yearly OA than a Retirement extension, which is simple.

Ahh that was my mistake, thought the OA was retirement, thanks BB!!

The OA is commonly referred to as a retirement visa. If you do get yours when back in the US then you can extend it in HH when it expires, assuming you are in country. The initial visa will be valid for 12 months but if you leave Thailand and return before the 12 months is up, you will be granted a stay of a further 12 months from the date of your return on the original visa, so depending on timing, you can in theory get almost 2 years before you need to extend, which as I say can be done in HH assuming you are here. During the second 12 months you need to get a re-entry stamp in your passport before leaving, either a single entry (if you only expect to do one journey), or multiple entry if you expect to do a lot of travelling.

[robcar]

I'm due to do my first retirement extention next month here in Hua Hin. I have looked around for a listing of required documents needed, can't even see one on the Immy Web page. I'd very much appreciate being pointed in the right direction if possible.

Sorry I omitted to mention that I have a Non-Imm 'O' Retirement visa and I have the necessary 800k tucked up in Kasikorn

Regards

[PeteC]

"800,000 in the bank" I think needs to be in a Thai bank in order to go to HH immigration and get a retirement extension. That point wasn't clear above as to where it is. Pete

[robcar]

Thanks prcscct, post edited

[PeteC]

Thanks prcscct, post edited

OK, but I was replying to Migrants posts as I hadn't seen yours yet. No harm....I'm sure Lomu or other will be along shortly to give you the other info you need. Pete

[Big Boy]

This is the thread I always refer to - always works for me viewtopic.php?f=9&t=22421

[robcar]

Brilliant. Many thanks BB. Just what I need

[migrant]

Thanks prcscct, post edited

OK, but I was replying to Migrants posts as I hadn't seen yours yet. No harm....I'm sure Lomu or other will be along shortly to give you the other info you need. Pete

Thanks Pete, yes I wasn't clear on that!

[lomuamart]

There's good info above and I'd agree with others that the easiest way to do things would be to get an annual extension to a visa on the basis of retirement whilst here in HH. and it appears that you'll qualify easily.
One thing to be aware of though is that whilst you can get the extension on the back of a tourist visa, you will have to upgrade said visa to a Non Imm O whilst here. So, your proof of funds, form filling, running around etc will have to be done twice. The process to upgrade will be exactly the same as for getting the extension. Annual extensions can only be granted on the back of a Non Immigrant Visa - be that O or OA. It'll probably be easier for you to get the Non Imm back in the States and therefore cut out an extra step.
Anyone who is here for more than 90 consequtive days needs to report to Imm. If you leave the country before the 90 days is up, then the clock resets to day 1 when you return.
As above with re-entry permits depending on what type of visa you have or whether you get an extension. 1000 THB for single re-entry, 3,800 THB for multi.

[hhfarang]

Did you check with your Thai Embassy or Consulate in the U.S. to see how long an OA usually takes there? Mine only took a few weeks, but that was years ago and a different locale may take longer. Just make sure you have time to do it while you are there if you plan to do it in the U.S.

[migrant]

Good advice all, thanks!