retirement visa redux!

[Chas]

Yes I have done a quick search and found that this topic comes up here and there, often in general discussions and I confess to not finding what I want from all the explanations I looked at.

You guys seem to know more about the Thai visa situation than Immigration! And I want to tap into this wealth of knowledge with a couple of very specific questions.

1. In considering the 800,000 baht requirement, will they accept a joint Thai/farang bank account for all or part of this amount? ( That is a joint bank account with either party being able to deposit and withdraw)

2. Will they consider investments in something like the Aberdeen fund?( stocks and bonds I think, international investment in part, held in baht of course)

3. What would be the exact time frame involved in moving from a Non-O visa with a work permit into a retirement visa (AO?) Has anyone done this? Do I just walk into the soi 102 Immigration office when one is about to expire with my bank/income statements/ embassy notarization/ health cert in hand and make the switch? ( Knowing that TIT I doubt it would be that easy. . probably wishful thinking on my part.)

4. What leeway if any is there upon the expiration of a Non-Imm B/Work permit before you have to leave the country. Do they give you some time to pack or what? (Say your work permit/visa expires on the 10th of July, do you have to be on a plane out of the country on the 11th?

Thanks

[Winkie]

Can only help you with Point 4.

for the last 2 expats that we had leave, they were given a 7 day stamp upon surrendering the WP

Winkie
_________________
Only the crumbliest, flakiest Winkie....

[buksida]

[Chas]

Thanks guys. One hopes it does not come to this, but it is good to know that you get a week to get out of town.

[Chas]

Ok Not being a math whiz here. . .and just floundering about in the retirement visa forums here and there. . .I have another question.

The money requirement is set at 800,000 baht total in the bank OR an monthly income combined with this to total 800,000.

So I would need say 40,000 a month times twelve is 480,000 a year.
Plus 320,000 in a Thai bank.

480,000 +
320,000
800,000


Am I figuring this thing correctly?? And is this how Immigration does it?
To further complicate. .my pension will be in US dollars. This fluctuates of course. . .Immigration must calculate on the rates at the time of application. Right?

[Huahinian]

Chas - you are correct. Remember also that Immigration will want a letter from your embassy to certify your income be it pension or otherwise.
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21 years in Hua Hin and still learning!
If patience is a virtue, I must be a saint!

[lomuamart]

Chas,
Didn't see your OP as my computer blew up for a while, but I'll try and help as much as possible. I'm no expert on retirement extensions, however. First off, take a look at this:
http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/2notice/rtp606EN.pdf
section 7:21 is the one applicable to you. I'd therefore say that your above calculation is correct. Because of the volatility of the dollar, I'd have a bit extra knocking around to be sure. I'm not sure exactly how they calculate the exchange rate. You'll need to check with them. Bear in mind the 3 month rule. Your savings must not drop below whatever figure you claim during that period. The same will go for income.
As far as the OP is concerned:
1. I think you may have a problem with a joint account. You'll need to check.
2. Not sure whether you're asking about the income or savings part. If you're using the investments for income, I should think it would be OK. I'd be less certain with savings. Reckon they'd want to see hard Baht cash in a Thai bank account for that.
3. First off, the AO visa is a different kettle of fish to what you're talking about. They're for retirees applying for a year's visa in their home countries before coming over here.
I assume you're asking whether you can use the original Non B that you have (for the work permit) and get that extended for a year on the basis of retirement. I'd doubt that very much, as retirees can't work, so I reckon you'd need to nip down to Penang and get a single entry Non O visa (good for 90 days) and apply on the basis of that for the extension withing the last 30 days of your entry.
They're really not too bad down at Imm here. your best bet is to pop in and get their lowdown. After all, they'll be making the decision, despite what any police order might say. I wouldn't want to mislead you.
PS: Looking again at your OP, do you have a Non O visa? Are you sure it's not Non B? If it is Non O, you might get away without the Penang trip.
However it turns out, please let us know as the more information we can get here, the better.
_________________
"I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars - the rest I just squandered". George Best.

[big jimmy]

Went to Thai consulatein hong Kong last week..and this is what I was told...

Copy of bank statement showing a deposit at the amount equal too and no less than 800,000 baht.

An income certificate with a monthly salary no less than 65,000 baht..

Deposit account plus a monthly income of no less than 800,000baht

In the coming years I would expect this figure to rise to a million plus so if you are planning on retiring for 20 years (till the lights go out) then 800,000 baht is borderline for a long stay. Of course you can always borrow the extra few thousand and that would be factored into your cost of staying there. There is no rule ( at present ) that you must spend the 800,000 but be careful with your calculations.

[Chas]

Thanks for all the info. This is VERY helpful as I am getting things clear in my mind.
I do know that I need a notarized statement of pension income from the US Embassy. I understand that it is easy to do.

I think I am all set with understanding the requirements, what needs to be in place etc.

I am less clear on exactly HOW to move from an non-IMM B with work permit into a (non-working of course) retirement visa. The timing seems critical. I am in country and have lived here for six years now. So that may be different from someone applying from outside the country to enter on the retirement visa. Not sure how.

I do have hard cash invested with Aberdeen. It is in Thai baht and I wonder if this is acceptable as deposited in a Thai bank

I have been down to Penang a couple of times and enjoyed the visit.

So one scenario comes to mind here. Let me run it by you. Work out my work permit/ non-imm b visa.
Turn in in for the one week "get out of town" visa.
Go to Penang. Get a 90 day visa (Non-O) but this will need all the appropriate documents to obtain right?
Return and within 90 days, nip over to Soi 102 and, appropriate documents in hand, apply for the one year retirement visa thing. How does all this sound?

I am getting the impression that moving directly from a NON-Imm B/work permit visa into a retirement visa at Soi 102 is just not possible.

But I have my 90 day report coming up. I will see if I can clarify the timing with them and get their take on the whole business. Any recommendations on who to ask for there? Is an interpreter a good idea?

[lomuamart]

As I said initially, I'm no expert with retirement extensions, but I would hazard a guess that you've got your scenario about right. I'm pretty sure that you can't change from a Non B to Non O within the country.
I doubt you've have much trouble in Penang getting a single entry Non O, based on being over 50 and looking to retire. You've got a history here already and if you go with financial evidence, I'm sure it'll be a piece of cake.
Quite what HH Imm will allow in terms of savings and income, I don't know. As you say, checking it out with them when you do your report is the best thing. They'll almost definitely have a good idea of what Penang will want to see to issue you the Non O also.
The only difference between you and someone applying for retirement outside of Thailand is that they can get the year visa there and then - mind you police reports are necessary. It's generally more arduous to get a Non AO and in any case, they'll be having to do what you're doing after the first year (except getting the initial visa).
I don't think you'll need an interpreter. Take all the documents (financial) along with you when you report and see what they say.
Good luck.
_________________
"I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars - the rest I just squandered". George Best.

[Chas]

Went in yesterday for my 90 day report and asked them directly about changing from a non-B with work permit into a retirement visa. The friendly girl in"90 Day" called a colleague and we discussed the process.

Turns out that, with the bank statement and the notarized pension statement from the embassy, and a "letter of intent" it should take about an hour to do right there in the Singkhon Hua Hin Imm office. It will be a one year visa.

Most difficult part appears to be having to negotiate that horrible road!

This good news for me. Now if the laws or personnel dont change, I am all set. I did discover that the bank book is all they look at. They dont consider investments, even in Bkk in Thai baht at all.

[Ken]

Sorry Chas, I have been away so didn't see your posts. I made the change a few months ago. Going from a work permit to retirement is very simple and you most definitely do not need to leave the country. I think they take the view that if you have achieved their strict criteria for a work permit then they are happy to grant you a retirement visa provided you satisfy their financial requirements. I gave them my bank book, paid a few baht for them to make copies, signed a couple of forms, answered a few simple questions and within 30 minutes, I had my retirement visa valid for 12 months. As I go in and out of the country a bit, I also sorted out a multi entry permit at the same time which took about another 15 minutes. All I have to remember now is to do my 90 day reporting.

[Chas]

Thanks so much, Ken, for confirming that what they described actually can be done!!
It helps SO much to have confirmation from somebody who did it recently.

I hadn't thought about the multiple entry thing but I will need something similar as I have a couple of trips planned for next year. Have to look into the details.

They did give me a form for the retirement visa though, even though I am not absolutely sure I will go for it next month.

[norm]

Chas

There is a new thread on retirement visa regarding dependents. You may want to look into that to see if it will have any impact on you.

[Chas]

Thanks for the heads up Norm.
No dependents involved here. Just hope they dont start changing other things.