Retirement Visa

[Admin]

Retirement (Non Imm O-A)       
Non-Immigrant Visa  “O-A” (Long Stay) Extension     

This type of visa may be issued to applicants aged 50 years and over who wish to stay in  Thailand for a period of not exceeding 1 year without the intention of working. 

Holder of this type of visa is allowed to stay in Thailand for 1 year.  Employment of any kind is strictly prohibited.

1. Eligibility

            1.1 Applicant must be aged 50 years and over (on the day of submitting application).

            1.2 Applicant not prohibited from entering the Kingdom as provided by the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979).

            1.3 Having no criminal record in Thailand and the country of the applicant’s nationality or residence.

            1.4 Having the nationality of or residence in the country where applicant’s application is submitted.

            1.5 Not having prohibitive diseases ( Leprosy, Tuberculosis, drug addiction, Elephantiasis, third phase of Syphilis) as indicated in the Ministerial Regulation No. 14  B.E. 2535.

2. Required Documents

                         - Passport with validity of not less than 18 months.

                         - 3 copies of completed visa application forms.

                         - 3 passport-sized photos (4 x 6 cm) of the applicant taken within the past six

                         months.

                        - A personal data form.

                         -A copy of bank statement showing a deposit of the amount equal to and not less than 800,000 Baht or an income certificate (an original copy) with a monthly income of not less than 65,000 Baht, or a deposit account plus a monthly income totalling not less than 800,000 Baht.

                         - In the case of submitting a bank statement, a letter of guarantee from the bank (an original copy) is required.

                         - A letter of verification issued from the country of his or her nationality or residence stating that the applicant has no criminal record (verification shall be valid for not more than three months and should be notarised by notary organs or the applicant’s diplomatic or consular mission).

                         - A medical certificate issued from the country where the application is submitted, showing no prohibitive diseases as indicated in the Ministerial Regulation No.14 (B.E. 2535) (certificate shall be valid for not more than three months and should be notarised by notary organs or the applicant’s diplomatic or consular mission).

- In the case where the accompanying spouse is not eligible to apply for  the Category ‘O-A’ (Long Stay) visa, he or she will be considered for temporary stay under Category ‘O’ visa.  A marriage certificate must be provided as evidence and should be notarised by notary organs or by the applicant’s diplomatic or consular mission.

3. Channels to submit application

                         Applicant may submit their application at the Royal Thai embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General in their home/residence country or at the Office of the Immigration Bureau in Thailand located on Soi Suan Plu, South Sathorn Road, Sathorn District, Bangkok 10120. Tel 0-2287-4948 (direct)  or  0-2287-3101 - 10  ext. 2236. Or applicant must submit their application at their local Immigration office.


4. Visa fee

            2,000 Baht for single entry
            5,000 Baht for multiple entries

5. Recommendations for foreigners with Non-Immigrant Visa “O-A” (Long Stay) while staying in the Kingdom

            5.1  Upon arrival, holder of this type of visa will be permitted to stay in Thailand for 1 year from the date of first entry.  During the one-year period, if he or she wishes to leave and re-enter the country, he or she is required to apply at the Immigration office for re-entry permit (single or multiple) before departure.  In the case of leaving the country without a re-entry permit, the permit to stay for 1 year shall be considered void.

5.2  At the end of the 90-day stay , the foreigner must report to the immigration officer in his or her residence area and report again every 90 days during his or her stay in Thailand.  The foreigner may report to the police station if there is no immigration office in his or her residence area.

5.3  Foreigner may report to the competent authority by post and should provide the following:

       - A report form (Tor Mor 47).

       - A copy of passport pages showing the foreigner’s photo, personal details, and the latest arrival visa stamp.   

      -  A copy of the previous receipt of acknowledgement. 

       - A self-addressed envelope with postage affixed.

      Such documents must be sent to the Office of the Immigration Bureau, Soi Suan Plu, South Sathorn Road, Sathorn District, Bangkok 10120, and must be submitted 7 days before the end of every 90-day period.  A receipt of acknowledgement will be given and should be used for future correspondence. 

5.4  Foreigner who wishes to extend his or her stay shall submit a request for extension of stay at the Office of the Immigration Bureau with documented evidence of money transfer or a deposit account in Thailand or an income certificate showing an amount of not less than 800,000 Baht or an income certificate plus a deposit account showing a total amount of not less than 800,000 Baht.  A one-year extension of stay shall be granted at the discretion of the immigration officer to the foreigner as long as he or she meets the above requirements.

http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2493 

[Admin]

So, Let's say you're 50 years old or over.

Which Visa is the best for you to apply? Retirement OR Marriage? 
*Assuming of course that your finances are good enough for either.

Retirement VS Marriage visa for 50 years old and over foreigners/farangs

Why to choose Retirement?

A retirement visa can be issued the same day as application, as the decision is made by the local officer.

The marriage visa can only be approved after vetting by Bangkok Imm.
During this time your passport is stamped "under consideration" with a further one month to report back each time.
This delay is caused by a police check for previous criminal activity as well as ensuring that you and the wife ARE living together.

So reason number one: Convenience.

Work permit: Not allowed on a retirement, but possible on a marriage visa.

On a retirement visa you do not have to perform a legally binding marriage.
You can choose to live together or have the Buddha ceremony, or even stay fancy free.
So some might see that as giving them more freedom.

Now the danger of a visa based on marriage. If for any reason the relationship ends, so does your visa.
Under Thai law if divorced you are not allowed to remarry for a period of 310 days.
One year in the case of death of the partner.

If your split is acrimonious the lady could report to immigration that you are no longer living as man and wife, you would then be called in, your visa cancelled and given 15 days to leave the country.
This situation has happened in the past.

In the final analysis only you can decide. 

[dave the dude]

In the final analysis only you can decide. 

All good points but the other very important aspect to consider is financial.
Although it is easier to get an 'OA' extention, the financial requirements for a marriage extention are less e.g. 40,000b male farang monthly income or 400,000b in Thai Bank.

Dave

[Admin]

That's true.

Retirement visa need to show a deposit of the amount equal to and not less than 800,000 Baht or an income certificate (an original copy) with a monthly income of not less than 65,000 Baht, or a deposit account plus a monthly income totalling not less than 800,000 Baht.

Marriage visa need to show a deposit of the amount equal to and not less than 400,000 Baht or an income certificate (an original copy) with a monthly income of not less than 40,000 Baht, or a deposit account plus a monthly income of the male foreigner onle(!) totalling not less than 400,000 Baht.

As I have said;
*Assuming of course that your finances are good enough for either.
 

[nookiebear]

I see no mention that in the case or a retirement visa the fact that your 800,000baht has to be deposited for a minimum of 3 months before you apply initially,& 2 months every time you renew it.........

[dave the dude]

Hi
I have never heard of these restrictions about re-marriage after divorce/death of spouse. I am not questioning your knowledge Admin, but are you 100% sure of this and where did you find this out?

Hopefully, I will not need to deal with this personally, but I am a bit worried for a friend of mine who has just divorced and intends to re-marry.
 

Dave

[Admin]

Found it on the net and it's 310 days before you can get married again UNLESS... (read below)

Thai Law for Marriage

For the marriage to be recognized in your home country, you should take into account your own country's marriage laws as well as those of Thailand. The requirements of Thai law are listed below.

•A couple must be of legal age (17 years) upon filing for marriage registration, otherwise permission must be granted by a court.

•Permission from the parents is required for parties under legal age.

•Both parties must not be registered as married to anyone else (multiple marriage registration is prohibited).

•The parties must not be direct blood relatives nor be sister or brother through either parent.

•Adopting parents shall not be permitted to marry their own adopted child.

•No service fee is required whatsoever.

•A widow or divorcee will be permitted to remarry not less than 310 days after the previous marriage has expired,
unless:
◦has given birth to a child
◦remarrying the same person
◦not pregnant, as certified by doctor (in case of early remarriage)
◦approval to remarry from a court is obtained

[swimming pizza]

Retirement if you have the money. no question about it. less hassle and more flexibility