Retirement: Long term residence difficulties?

[KNJ]

It is one year at a time, with reporting every 90 days, limited rights to own property. Balanced against that good, food, weather, relatively cheap.
Malaysia and Philipinnes make it much easier for retirement visas,
In Malaysia you can take all your household and even a car in Tax free.
Cambodia just seems turning up is enough stay as long as you want.
Indonesia is possible but total restrictions on owning property (don't listen to anything different that other people tell you )
Singapore is possible if you have plenty of money.
Aussie and NZ if you have very deep pockets

[Glen10]

Most of the stories you can read on the forums are horror-stories, because it doesn't seem to make sense to write down the success-stories (not interesting enough).

When babies are happy they are quiet. When babies are unhappy they cry

[Newforestcat]

I would like to join in to say that the safest place on earth you feel is often your native country. We all are less than keen on the unknown and unexpected. That is why a lot of people never think of emigrating anywhere and some only do because of their financial needs.

As a Thai having been living in the UK for many years, I think settling in Thailand is much easier than doing the same anywhere in Europe for any outsiders. The reasons of rules being tightened in Thailand are, IMHO, goverment's paranoia, fears of over-population, public facilities being over-stretched, house price rise in certain areas and criminal abuse. There is no difference from Europe in general. You are never guaranteed to be, on a permanent basis, in any country of which you are not a citizen. But no foolish government will try to turn away or kick out expats who bring more wealth and growth to the country. If the Thai government even start talking about that, a lot of people including me will be outraged and voice our concern very strongly. In general, Thais either welcome or do not mind any expats. This land has been a refuge for many nationalities for many centuries due to its location and weather. Some Thais are even proud that you like their country enough to want to move here.

Talking about the exchange rate issues, if you have enough savings to afford airplane ticket (s) to go to your home country as soon as needed, on a very low level of income by farangs' standard as of now, you can still live a relatively good life in Thailand. Let me give you an example, on the lowest government pension you get from the UK for a single person of approx £85 or 4,200 Baht per week or just under 17,000 a month, you should be able to pay for your food, rent and health insurance. You won't have a flashy life style, but some rural Thai families only live on 30-50% less. For the same money, I don't think I would be able to pay for anything except very cheap food and some utilities bills in the UK. I would possibly be sent to prison for failing to pay my taxes and live a much better life inside. If you are paranoid, just don't buy any house or big-ticket items. You can book a plane ticket on your smart phone within 20-30 minutes, pack your suitcase in 15 minutes and then leave for goods.

Having said all that, I know that Thailand has been losing its appeals fast due to the on-going political conflicts. I think we are no longer in the days where civil wars could have started without any warnings. All of the world's dictators are living in fear of the power of the media and the citizen, they no longer are able to do anything they wish especially kill expats or seize all their possessions.

[bkk]

Originally Posted by GeoffreyLevens

From all I have read, it seems to me that someone wishing to retire to and remain in Thailand will always be in a bit of an unstable, uncertain position in regards to visa status. How certain is it that you will get renewed every year? If I really move there, I would hate to get booted after few years!

Thank you

I have retired to Thailand and it's very easy to get a retirement visa and to renew it every year. The only catch is that you need enough money to meet the visa requirements. Currently (2012) you need either 65,000 baht per month regular income (e.g. pension, rental income, etc) or 800,000 baht in a local bank account for 3 month before applying for the visa.

If you meet these requirements that there is no reason that you won't be able to renew your visa every year. Of course, these amounts could rise in the future. Also, currency movements could go against you. But that is life. Things aren't certain even if you stay in your own country. But if you have enough money and are over 50 then you won't have any problem at all. Thai immigration are very friendly and helpful. The want foreigners to retire here because it's good for their economy.

[jebadad]

I don´t think that what was said above (that there is no country which irreversibly grants you permanent residence unlesss you become a citizen) is correct. E. g. South Africa and some Caribean islands will (provided you have enough money).

[Andrew Hicks]

Originally Posted by GeoffreyLevens

From all I have read, it seems to me that someone wishing to retire to and remain in Thailand will always be in a bit of an unstable, uncertain position in regards to visa status. How certain is it that you will get renewed every year? If I really move there, I would hate to get booted after few years!

Thank you

Someone retiring to Thailand aged over fifty can get annual visa renewals by presenting a bank book with at least 80,000 baht in it. You also have to report your residence every 90 days.

Renewal should be automatic but there is always an element of doubt for the future, though the general policy is unlikely to change.

The process is irritating but you can easily swallow that if you like the place enough.

Need I add that there are lots of books about retiring to Thailand.

Andrew

[Cer]

Originally Posted by Andrew Hicks

Someone retiring to Thailand aged over fifty can get annual visa renewals by presenting a bank book with at least 80,000 baht in it. You also have to report your residence every 90 days.

Renewal should be automatic but there is always an element of doubt for the future, though the general policy is unlikely to change.

The process is irritating but you can easily swallow that if you like the place enough.

Need I add that there are lots of books about retiring to Thailand.

Andrew

You probably made a mistake because it should be 800.000 baht and it should be in your account for at least a period of 3 months before requesting your extension.
It is also possible to present a proof of a monthly income of 65.000 baht (proved by your embassy) OR.... a combination of both.
There is a big possibility that the immigration will ask you for proof of monthly spending (copy of your bankbook printed on the same day of your extension request.
As a retiree with "retirement" visa, you are not allowed to work,so they like to know where your income is coming from.

[Mweiga]

Originally Posted by Cer

You probably made a mistake because it should be 800.000 baht and it should be in your account for at least a period of 3 months before requesting your extension.
It is also possible to present a proof of a monthly income of 65.000 baht (proved by your embassy) OR.... a combination of both.
There is a big possibility that the immigration will ask you for proof of monthly spending (copy of your bankbook printed on the same day of your extension request.
As a retiree with "retirement" visa, you are not allowed to work,so they like to know where your income is coming from.

... and if it's Pattaya immigration you deal with , that's 3 calendar months for the 800 grand - not 12 weeks ! They now check the dates very carefully against credit balance in your bank passbook and it must not drop below 800,000 for 3 calendar months prior to renewal date otherwise you face the frustrating process of a temporary visa extension and then have to do the renewal application all over again , paying twice of course.

Otherwise if you follow the quite simple rules to the letter you'll have no problem and the one year non-imm visa is actually a breeze - (at the moment !).

[xtr3mx7]

As a long term expat here, I find that staying in Thailand isn't that all troublesome.

But, the 90 day reporting is becoming more and more bureaucratic with more papers to deal with. They now request that you photocopy all your passport pages + the departure card.

I find it amusing that my wife has already gotten her residence permit from my country (i.e. after 6 months from date of application - NO FEES whatsoever) whereas here, I'll have to pay huge sum to get that. And the top of all, it's not even guaranteed that I'll have the permit.

The only trouble you'll get is the lazy officers that don't even try to understand what you are telling them. Some aren't helpful at all (e.g. Songkhla Immigration) but if you are lucky enough, you might meet the nicest officers of all (e.g. BKK Nonthaburi Immigration). Unfortunately, I'd to move to the South and now have to deal with lazy officers.

If you are the kind that hassle free and you're better off in your country (have assets etc unless there's nothing retaining you there), I'd recommend to visit Thailand from time to time rather than a permanent relocation.

[GeoffreyLevens]

Originally Posted by joseph44

...if you meet the requirements (financially, behavior and health) there is no problem.

Hate to be the Cassandra but that is just it right there. When all is well, all is well, but when it isn't, then you are screwed. As we get older, all of us are very likely to run into health problems. Also, as the global economy implodes, we are very likely to run into financial problems. IF you have a fat bank account or some such, maybe relatives/a place to land back where you came from, you can always bail out. But if you are ill and or broke and get tossed out of the country w/ no resources and nowhere to go, you could be in for a fair bit of grief... Of course my fantasy is that I will live happily ever after and never get ill and always have plenty of money and die in my sleep with a smile on my face. Sadly, it seldom works out that way for people. And too often you don't see "it" coming until you are under the wheels, so to speak.