Can someone explain Visas?

KB_Texas · Post by **KB_Texas** » September 18, 2011, 8:41 pm

Ok, I need a little information/advice from the experienced folks that have gone through it before me...

I am retiring to Udon Thani in 3 weeks. We have a house rented until we can build ours.

I will arrive in the Kingdom on a tourist visa, which is good for 60 days I think. At the end of that 60 days, I will get an extension of the tourist visa. (another 60 days?) In April we will return to the States to visit, and then return to Thailand. Either before we leave or after we get back, I will apply for a marriage visa. (I realize the 400000 baht for 2 months requirement...it will be met)

So is this plausible? Do I need some sort of other visa? I have read a LOT of information on visa's and the like, and it is all rather confusing to someone who basically only stayed for 2-3 weeks at a time before now and never needed an extension or the like. I am trying to get an idea of what is needed to make it as painless as possible.

Any information and/or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any help offered.

Best Regards,
KB_Texas

Post by **jonny_w** » September 18, 2011, 9:24 pm

get your retirement visa before you leave the USA at a Thai consulate
that will save you a lot of trouble and give you time

Post by **Ray.Charles** » September 18, 2011, 9:47 pm

I would 'ditto' that, if you are 50+ and can meet the income/savings requirement. Get the multiple entry, and you would be good for nearly 2 years. I did it twice through U.S. priority mail; it took less than 1 week round trip each time. Good luck. For more advice, you can PM me with your telephone # in the U.S.

KB_Texas · Post by **KB_Texas** » September 18, 2011, 11:59 pm

Ummm, I thought that the requirement was that the funds were in a THAI bank for 2 months? And I want to do a marriage visa vs a retirement visa, since I understand that on a retirement visa, you can't work at all? Am I all confused?

Thanks,
KB_Texas

Post by **joebloger** » September 19, 2011, 2:18 am

The best advice is to do what Jonny suggests

Post by **Bandung_Dero** » September 19, 2011, 6:21 am

Agreed!

The 2 month deposit requirement applies to the marriage 'Extension'. In that case you arrive here with a 3 month non immigration 'O' visa deposit your funds and get the 12 month extn. after 2 months.

You will only get 30 days on your 60 day tourist visa. Truck loads of info on thaivisa.com

Post by **bamakmak** » September 19, 2011, 8:18 am

KB, while you're back in the States, visit your nearest Thai Embassy/Consulate and request a multi entry Non-Immigrant "O" Visa (a single entry Non "O" Visa will also be okay, but a multi-entry will give you greater flexibilty). Once you return to Thailand, while your Visa remains valid, you go to Thai Immigration and request a one year extension. That extension can be based on marriage or retirement, depending on your circumstances and preference.

Even with a marriage Visa, you are not allowed to work in Thailand unless you have a work Visa.

Post by **jackspratt** » September 19, 2011, 9:47 am

The alternative is to get a 12 month multiple re-entry non-immigrant O-A visa from the Thai consulate/embassy while you are in the US.

To qualify you will need:

- to be over 50

- the US$ equivalent of ฿800,000 in a US bank

- a medical certificate

- a police clearance

The visa will be good for as many trips in/out of Thailand as you need in the first 12 months. Every time you come back, you will be given a further 12 months permission to stay.

If you leave and come back just prior to the expiry date of the original visa, you will be given a further 12 months - effectively allowing you 2 years from the original visa.

If you depart Thailand during the second 12 month period, you will be required to get a re-entry permit from Thai immigration, which will be good for the balance of the second 12 month period.

Towards the end of the second 12 month period you can either:

- return to the US and get another O-A visa, under the same terms as above; or

- apply in Thailand for an extension, based on marriage or retirement.

Post by **jonny_w** » September 19, 2011, 10:19 am

you may only have to prove you have $2000 in a US bank, and pay a fee of $175 for the visa
(I am only asked to show my 1 year lease agreement for my apartment)

when you apply in Thailand, then you have to show 400K or 800K that had been PARKED for 3 months in a Thai bank

either a mutiple O or a retirement visa good for a year is what you need

if you are going to do a mail in to the consulate, start soon!

Post by **Asiaphile** » September 19, 2011, 10:38 am

jackspratt wrote: - the US$ equivalent of ฿800,000 in a US bank

Or monthly income equivalent to B65,000 or a combination of the two (monthly income and money in the bank).

jonny_w wrote:... either a mutiple O or a retirement visa good for a year is what you need

As far as I know there's no such thing as a "Retirement Visa"

Post by **jonny_w** » September 19, 2011, 11:10 am

Asiaphile wrote:
jackspratt wrote: - the US$ equivalent of ฿800,000 in a US bank
Or monthly income equivalent to B65,000 or a combination of the two (monthly income and money in the bank).
jonny_w wrote:... either a mutiple O or a retirement visa good for a year is what you need
As far as I know there's no such thing as a "Retirement Visa"

http://www.google.com/search?q=thai+Ret ... -1.1.3l5l0

Post by **Asiaphile** » September 19, 2011, 11:42 am

These are the only types of visas that the Kingdom issues.
OP can apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa and extend it annually, based on retirement. He must be able to show he has had 800,000 Baht deposited in a Thai bank, for a period of at least three months (2 months the first time) before the application for visa extension, or he must prove that he has an independent income of at least 80,000 Baht per month being transferred into his Thai bank account.

Post by **Sateev** » September 19, 2011, 2:08 pm

Tons of mis-information here.

First, let's define terms:

Visa-Exempt entry - a stamp, given upon arrival, that gives you entry, and a number of days permission to stay, depending on your nationality, and whether you enter by land or by air. Not a TOURIST VISA, or VISA-ON-ARRIVAL.

Visa - a document that allows you to enter the country, for a specific purpose, and for a prescribed number of days. This is ALWAYS issued outside the country, at a Consulate.

Permit to Stay - a document that allows you to continue to stay, based on a specific purpose, and for a prescribed number of days. This is ALWAYS issued in country.

Validity - the time during which an entry may be made on a visa. Usually 90 days, 180 days, or one year. Note that this is NOT the same as the length of stay.

Length of Stay - the number of days you are allowed after an entry on a visa. Note that this is irrespective of the visa's validity, i.e., you can enter on the last day of validity, and still get the full length of stay corresponding to the visa.

Single-entry - a visa that may be used to enter the country ONE time, for the number of days (length of stay) corresponding to the type of visa.

Multiple-entry - a visa that may be used to enter the country any number of times during the visa validity, with each entry allowing a length of stay corresponding to the type of visa.

Re-entry permit - a document that allows you to continue your permission to stay after leaving and re-entering the country, either once (single) or unlimited times (multi), during your permission to stay.

You can work on any VISA EXCEPT a Tourist visa, or the so-called 'Retirement' visa, otherwise known as a non-immigrant O-A visa. The non-O-A is obtained only at a Consulate in your home country, and can be either single or multiple-entry. Tourist visas may be obtained at ANY Thai Consulate (theoretically).

Similarly, you can work on ANY type of permission to stay, EXCEPT that granted for retirement or tourism. The work permit has NOTHING to do with Immigration; it is applied for at and granted by the Ministry of Labor. Once granted, Immigration will usually grant you permission to stay based on employment, to match the duration of your work permit.

Your biggest problem seems to be how to stay legally in Thailand between early October, and April, when you will revisit the US.

A double-entry tourist visa would give you 60 days, extendable by 30 days, for each of two entries, for a total of just under 180 days (under, because the validity will be from the date the visa is issued, but your first entry will be some time afterward). If you count the days, you might be able to do it that way.

As Jonny and others have said, the simplest course would be for you to apply for a multiple-entry non-O-A visa in the US, which will give you an initial year in Thailand, PLUS allow you to leave anytime and return within that year, getting a one-year entry EACH time. This means that if you leave and re-enter Thailand just before the visa's validity expires, you will have a total of almost two years. No need to bring money to Thailand, and money in an investment, 401(k), IRA or other in a US bank will suffice. It will need to be in an amount equaling THB800,000, NOT $2000. You need a police letter of good conduct, and a medical certificate, which can be downloaded from the Thai Embassy/Consulate website in the US, as well as a letter from your bank stating that you are their customer and that your balance exceeds the dollar equivalent of THB800,000, attached to a statement of your account. I have found the Consulate to be very helpful in gathering the required paperwork, IF you take the time to call and ask them questions before you submit the application.

If you want to leave Thailand and come back AFTER the initial visa validity expires, you MUST get a re-entry permit before leaving, THB1000 (single), or THB3800 (multiple).

Later, after you are married, you can apply for permission to stay, based on marriage, but you will then have to meet the financial requirement for a permit to stay, based on marriage.

I am now on the second year of my non-O-A Retirement Visa. I got my O-A in July 2010, entered Thailand in August 2010, and won't have to apply for Permission to Stay until July 2012, about 23 months since I first entered. My money stays in the US, in my IRA, without having to withdraw (and pay taxes on the distribution), until I have to get the Permission to Stay.

Previously, I had a B (business) visa, as well as a bunch of Tourist visas. Things are harder now.

Chew on all this for a while, and then come back with any questions you may think of.

Glad to help.

Post by **bamakmak** » September 19, 2011, 2:23 pm

I'm always hesitant to get involved in postings concerning retirement Visa, because it seems like there are always experts out there, each with their own interpretation of what is necessary to get a retirement Visa. However, here are my two cents:

There are two Visas which can be used for retirement purposes:

1. Visa O-A (Commonly refered to as a "Retirement Visa". This Visas may be obtained in your home country and are used for strictly for retirement purposes. Jackspratt is very familar and a great source concerning the advantages and requirements of this Visa. I would defer to him when he says that you only need the necessary bank balance in a bank account IN YOUR HOME COUNTRY.

2. The second type of Visa which can be used for Retirement purpsoes is the Non-Immigrant "O" (which can be obtained in a country which is NOT your home country). The Non-Immigrant "O" (sometimes erronously referred to as a Retirement or Marriage Visa) is a catchall kind of Visa, good for 90 days and can be issued as a single entry or for multiple entries. The vaildity of the Visa does not exceed one year.

Both the "O-A" and the "O" have their own set of pros and cons. For example, the "O-A" requires more information to obtain ie: criminal history and medical certificate. But, once issued, has advantages over the "O" visa concerning Thai bank requirements and, if managed properly, can be valid for two years of residency in Thailand versus one year.

The "O" Visa is generally more simple to get, but requires you to apply for a one-year extension while the Visa is valid (90 days in the case of single entry, one year in the case of multi entry). Of course, when applying for the one-year extension, you have to meet the necessary financial requirements (800,000 THB in a Thai bank for a minimum of three months before applying or an Embassy letter confirming 65,000 THB/per month, or some combination of both.

Eventually, If you permantly reside in Thailand, both Visas will require an annual visit to Thai Immigration for a one-year exetension and you will have to meet the same financial requirements mentioned above.

Post by **Sateev** » September 19, 2011, 2:40 pm

Actually, technically, an O visa, as you point out, is a catch all, but issued at the discretion of the Consulate, based on your stated intention to enter for a specific reason. You can be granted a one-year extension for an entirely different reason, once you are in Thailand.

An O-A visa is special, because it not only allows you to enter for purposes of retirement, but provides a pre-approved, automatic one-year extension of stay, based on retirement, EACH time you enter the country. You CAN NOT change an O-A to another type of visa, but must leave and apply outside Thailand for a B, O, ED, etc. visa, and then enter and apply for a permit to stay.

In any case, the OP's problem seems to be how to stay the six or so months before he returns to the US for a visit. An O-A would seem to fit the bill. As for the paperwork, it's n ot all that hard, ONCE you find out what is needed. The hardest part is the bank letter, but only because the Embassy and Consular websites are poorly written, referring to the document as a 'guarantee', and stipulating that it must be 'notarized', as must the 'medical certificate'. It is not clear what the notary is to certify. In practice, you just need to sign the medical and bank statements, and have the notary certify that it's your signature. No need to drag a bank officer or doctor down to have their signatures notarized...

The police letter also will vary; in my case, I told the County Sheriff's office that I needed it for a visa, and they knew EXACTLY what form to use, and offered notarization as part of the service.

I called the Thai consulate several times to clarify the required formats, and they were unfailingly helpful.

Getting an O-A will allow the OP time to get his situation sorted, and to make arrangements for his eventual permission to stay.

Post by **bamakmak** » September 19, 2011, 3:00 pm

Factually, I agree with everything Jackspratt and Sateev say about the advantages of the O-A. I think, however, they discount the ease and advantages of the "O".

In my case, I walked into the Thai consulate in Denver Colorade six years ago with my passport and $80 (the cost back in those days for a Non "O".) No medical certificate, no criminal history report, no U.S. bank statement. I walked out 15 minutes later with my Non "O". I've done a one-year retirement extension on that Non "O" Visa every year since.

Post by **Sateev** » September 19, 2011, 3:10 pm

Not discounting the ease, but the OP will need to stay close to six months initially. A non-O visa would give him 90 days. Possibly, he could get a multi-entry, but I'm not sure. I know they have tightened up what the Honorary Consuls (like Denver, Houston, etc) can do - for sure, they can no longer do O-A visas.

And honestly, if I knew then what I know now, I'd be even MORE reluctant to bring a big chunk of cash here, until I'd had some time on the ground to see if I could live here. The O-A is perfect for that...

Never bring more here than you can walk away from.

KB_Texas · Post by **KB_Texas** » September 19, 2011, 9:42 pm

Thanks guys. I just found out that there is an honorary Consul here in Atlanta, where I am staying with my daughter. I am going to go down there and talk with someone about what is needed after I gather the documents. It appears the easiest is either a Non-Immigrant O, with adjustments after entry, or an O-A. I would prefer the O so that I can then apply for the marriage extension when in Thailand. (It appears you need to do that in country)

The doctors certificate is an issue since my primary care doctor is 800 miles away, and the Quick Care clinics will not touch the form. I am still trying to figure out how to get the Police letter. I called the police department where I lived in Texas, but have not received a call back.

I appreciate all of your input and help. Heh, it is a bit confusing for a newbie...as I told Ray when I chatted with him, I am a programmer by trade and prefer A-B-C...Z solutions. He suggested Singapore vs. Thailand.

Again, thanks for all the information and patience.

Best Regards,
KB_Texas

Post by **randerson79** » September 19, 2011, 10:08 pm

KB if you ask 100 people about Thai visas you are going to get 100 different answers.

I came here on a tourist visa. Then converted it to a 90 OA visa. Then when the time was up I got a one year extension based on retirement. Not a big deal at all. No money in the bank. Just got a letter from the US embassy. No police report. No medical report. Piece of cake. Don't stress over it. Enjoy your retirement!

Post by **Sateev** » September 19, 2011, 10:16 pm

randerson79 wrote:KB if you ask 100 people about Thai visas you are going to get 100 different answers.

I came here on a tourist visa. Then converted it to a 90 OA visa. Then when the time was up I got a one year extension based on retirement. Not a big deal at all. No money in the bank. Just got a letter from the US embassy. No police report. No medical report. Piece of cake. Don't stress over it. Enjoy your retirement!

And if he asks you, he's going to get the WRONG answer. There is no such 90 day O-A visa.