JerryinBA
3/8/2016 17:48 EST
I have been living, legally, as a tourist in a Latin American country for 13 years. I must leave within every 90 day period. I am a U.S. citizen..
I would like to move to Chiang Mai. Since I am not a "resident" where I live, the Thailand Embassy will not issue me a visa. I was told that I would have to to a Thailand Consulate in the U.S. to apply for a visa. This is not possible.
Do I have any other options to get a long term or retirement visa?
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hawkesk
3/8/2016 19:28 EST
Here is the absolute bottom line for retiring in Thailand.
1. You must be age 50 or over.
2. You MUST have either the equivalent of 800,000 Thai baht (approximately $23k USD) in a Thai bank ; or a monthly income of 65k Thai baht (approximately $1900); OR a combination of the two. For example, $12k in the bank and $1k monthly income.
3. You need a non-immigrant "O" visa which then converts to a retirement visa.
This is a simple process I am going through right now. I made the initial mistake of NOT getting a non-immigrant "O" visa in the US so I am having to obtain one here. I won't get into the details of the corruption here - just get the non-immigrant "O" BEFORE you come to Thailand!!! If you don't, it will cost you an additional $600.
Once you have the retirement visa, you will need to establish residence - get a rental agreement, or a cable bill, electric bill, internet bill - ANYTHING with your name on it. You will need this for your initial 90-day check-in to Thai immigration. Once you're settled and have started the process, you will just need to show up to THE SAME IMMIGRATION every 90 days with your passport only.
Some folks say you can travel around Thailand and do the 90-day at other immigration offices, but I've heard horror stories about immigration refusing to accept the check-in. I just make sure and do the check-in at the same immigration office, no problem.
Once you're established, each year is an easy renewal process. Check back with me in a year if you get that far and good luck.
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hawkesk
3/8/2016 19:28 EST
Here is the absolute bottom line for retiring in Thailand.
1. You must be age 50 or over.
2. You MUST have either the equivalent of 800,000 Thai baht (approximately $23k USD) in a Thai bank ; or a monthly income of 65k Thai baht (approximately $1900); OR a combination of the two. For example, $12k in the bank and $1k monthly income.
3. You need a non-immigrant "O" visa which then converts to a retirement visa.
This is a simple process I am going through right now. I made the initial mistake of NOT getting a non-immigrant "O" visa in the US so I am having to obtain one here. I won't get into the details of the corruption here - just get the non-immigrant "O" BEFORE you come to Thailand!!! If you don't, it will cost you an additional $600.
Once you have the retirement visa, you will need to establish residence - get a rental agreement, or a cable bill, electric bill, internet bill - ANYTHING with your name on it. You will need this for your initial 90-day check-in to Thai immigration. Once you're settled and have started the process, you will just need to show up to THE SAME IMMIGRATION every 90 days with your passport only.
Some folks say you can travel around Thailand and do the 90-day at other immigration offices, but I've heard horror stories about immigration refusing to accept the check-in. I just make sure and do the check-in at the same immigration office, no problem.
Once you're established, each year is an easy renewal process. Check back with me in a year if you get that far and good luck.
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wealthychef
3/8/2016 19:48 EST
Question: my intention is to roam about freely -- does exiting Thailand once I have an "O" visa or a retirement visa jeapordize or otherwise affect my status?
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hawkesk
3/8/2016 19:52 EST
Not at all. Once you're settled, a multi-entry visa is 3,800 baht. No limit to the number of times you come in/out.
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JerryinBA
3/10/2016 12:43 EST
Since I am not a legal resident of Argentina, I cannot get an "O" visa here.
What does one need to get an "O" visa in Thailand if this is possible?
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caughtintheact
From: Thailand
3/10/2016 20:28 EST
I think you are talking about an O-A (Long Stay) visa, which includes retirement., but as far as I know you have to follow these rules: http://www.thaiembassy.org/hochiminh/en/services/54613-Non-Immigrant-Visa--%E2%80%9CO-A%E2%80%9D-%28Long-Stay%29.html
You can visit the forum at www.thaivisa.com to see if anyone can offer any other suggestions.
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hawkesk
3/11/2016 05:38 EST
Are you an American citizen? If so, you should get it in the U.S.
It is possible to do in Thailand, but the paperwork is daunting. I am currently doing exactly that, getting a non-immigrant "O" visa which then converts to a retirement visa, but it's costing me an extra $600 to have immigration handle the whole ordeal. Absolutely illegal and very common practice here in the Land of Smiles.
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JOKAMAURICE
3/15/2016 09:43 EST
With this retirement visa are you stopping to be a fiscal resident in your home country. Lets suppose you have sources of incomes in other countries than USA (in your case) and Thaïland where are you paying taxes since Thaïand doesn't tax foreign incomes?
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hawkesk
3/15/2016 10:31 EST
I HIGHLY recommend you join ThaiVisa.com
This is a free web forum where people have probably gone through what you are attempting and can give you the best information.
ThaiVisa.com
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caughtintheact
From: Thailand
3/15/2016 12:06 EST
I can only speak for U.S. citizens. The rules in other countries may be different..
Thailand has no retirement visa per se. Those who wish to retire here need a non-immigrant visa., and if they meet all the requirements they can apply fr an extension of stay for the purposes of retirement.
U.S. citizens retired in Thailand are still required to file income taxes in the United States, as long as they are U.S. citizens and their tax return is required to show income from just about all sources.
If a person retires from a country that does not have a tax treaty with Thailand they may have to pay taxes to the Thai government on money they bring into the county
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hawkesk
3/15/2016 19:47 EST
Regarding U.S. citizens paying taxes, the first $80k + is tax exempt - you report it and pay NO tax on it. Google it yourself for the exact number, but so few jobs pay anywhere NEAR that here, you basically pay no tax.
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