3 replies to this topic

[chinalove]

I am over 50 and retired from U.S.A. on Social Secutity. Enough to qualify for retirement visa. When my year is up do i need new statement from U.S. Social Security ?  and where is best place to renew visa. At imigration here in Pattaya or go to U.S. embasy in BKK and ask for letter of income ?

Thanks All !

[Colin in Pattaya]

Hi Chinalove,

First you need a non imm O visa which you can get from a Thai consulate in the US.

This allows you to stay up to 90 days in Thailand, during which time you approach the local Thai immigration office in Jomtien and apply for a retirement extension to your visa. This will extend your stay from 90 days out to 365 days.

To get this you need, amongst other things, either 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account or proof of an income from the US of 65,000 baht/month. The money in the bank route is easier as you don't need any confirmation letter from your embassy.

To RENEW your extension after a year, you need to show you have had at least 800,000 baht in the bank for the last 3 months. This is done with a letter from your Thai bank and an UP TO DATE photocopy of your bank passbook. You renew your retirement extension at Pattaya Immigration in Jomtien. Not sure if they need a further letter from the embassy confirming your income.

If you are in Pattaya now, go round to the Immigration office. They usually have an expat volunteer on duty who can help with queries, otherwise one of the Thai staff can answer your questions.

[hedonist]

Colin in Pattaya, on 16 August 2009 - 08:24 AM, said:

Hi Chinalove,

First you need a non imm O visa which you can get from a Thai consulate in the US.

This allows you to stay up to 90 days in Thailand, during which time you approach the local Thai immigration office in Jomtien and apply for a retirement extension to your visa. This will extend your stay from 90 days out to 365 days.

To get this you need, amongst other things, either 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account or proof of an income from the US of 65,000 baht/month. The money in the bank route is easier as you don't need any confirmation letter from your embassy.

To RENEW your extension after a year, you need to show you have had at least 800,000 baht in the bank for the last 3 months. This is done with a letter from your Thai bank and an UP TO DATE photocopy of your bank passbook. You renew your retirement extension at Pattaya Immigration in Jomtien. Not sure if they need a further letter from the embassy confirming your income.

If you are in Pattaya now, go round to the Immigration office. They usually have an expat volunteer on duty who can help with queries, otherwise one of the Thai staff can answer your questions.

While the "money in the bank " seems best on the face of it, its not without its dangers.
This for instance (and its NOT such an unknown occurance either):
http://www.pattayada...NEWS=0000008078
Try getting anywhere with the bank and you might just feel like its a case of "som nam na" for all the good it will do ya
There are also a lot of stories going round where Thai wives (not necessarily married to farangs, btw) are getting shoen by bank managers how to access their husbands accounts in emergencies when their husbands are away ........etc, etc
My advice is to leave the minimum you can in a Thai bank.....going the monthly income route if need be (its not that difficult)
You can always transfer what you need into the account as and when needed, and take the lot out the day it arrives
That way you dont have to have the money languishing in Thailand, or have to "season" it for months prior to any 90 day reporting or renewal.

Hedonist

[Colin in Pattaya]

Have to agree that when they f*ck something up, it very quickly becomes your your problem and your fault.