Retirement Visa for Thailand

[chicowoodduck]

Originally Posted by chicowoodduck

I'm just finishing up with the paperwork for the Retirement "O-A" visa and well, proof of income, is just the tip of the iceberg. A cost breakdown goes something like this....Bank of America statement verification letter ($10), FBI criminal clearance letter / fingerprints ($52), Thai visa ($65), US Priority Mail ($22), visa photos ($20), Four copies of all the paperwork ($6), Thai Retirement Visa (IF approved).....Priceless!

Just a follow-up to this post, this whole process took about seven weeks to complete as the bank was very slow to get my VOA (Verification Of Assets) letter back with a "wet" signature, my retirement pension letter came back unsigned and had to be re-issued and the Thai Embassy process took almost three weeks to be completed. Good thing I had other business to complete before getting my bags re-packed for LOS.

Visa and all that stuff. Copy what you said Chicowoodduck and also read your previous comments. I like the check in analogy with the weather. You're right on that point. Also the money trail. Well mate Im of to the Ross Sea, Antarctica for 3 months this friday, so no need to worry about anything. catch u all later

[oddball]

In a nutshell , this means you can ONLY earn money outside of the Thai borders and need the proof to show it at visa renewal time .Colin

Hi Oddball

Well it is good to know that you can leave to earn money out of country. Myself I keep my bank statements and contracts as proof, along with all money transfers from abroad to here. So I guess mate when I am ready to do the retirement visa route I'll be alright thanks to you guys and girls out there with the positive feedback.

[chicowoodduck]

You can't go wrong having a dedicated banking account showing debits and credits that have transpired over the course of the year. I have a separate U.S. business banking account that is solely for my retirement pension check and living expenses. It provides a most beautiful paper trial of all my trials and tribulations for the previous year.

[owenjones]

Hi,

I believe that you still have to prove an annual income of, or a Thai bank account containing, 800,00B if you are single or half that if ou are married to a Thai. It can also be a combination of the two. I have to renew my retirement visa next week 24/03/08 and will be taking a letter from my Thai bank.
I find the new website of the Pattaya Immigration Police (Jomtien Soi 5) very helpfull and the Pattaya ExPats Club too. Both have websites if the links are stripped out of this post.

Regards,
Owen.

[KhwaamLap]

Average monthly income of 65k or 800k lump sum (400k if married to a Thai) - this needs to be shown every renewal.

[owenjones]

Or a combination of the two - cash and income/pension.

[prince20260]

My advice would be to visit Thailand and in Pattaya you find several offices who can help u. There is no problem for u to get a visa ... But it is more easy to make it in your own country. Just ask the Thai ambasy and make a non immigrant O visa. 12 month visa is important !

[oddball]

I would laugh but there is no sound , you make it sound soooooo easy , go back in threads on this forum , read the many obstacles,trials and tribulations even after living in Thailand for several years on Thai-visa . Sometimes some people get an o visa with no problem , but p-l-e-a-s-e read all of the pitfalls before being so blatant , it is far better to warn newbies of the problems so they are at least aware of the inconsistances of Thai visa law (?) Colin