Do I need a medical report or police clearance to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand?

@Gregor *********

correct. Each of us can tailor make our plans to suit...that's nice.

you can do the "One Year Extension of Stay based on Retirement" ANYTIME during your 365 days permitted stay, IF you have the minimum of 800,000 THB deposited on a thai bank in your name for a minimum of two months before application. . . ANYTIME means YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT until 3 months left on your permitted to stay stamp. You are free to choose the date wisely and fitting your travelling plans. The date you apply for the extension will be the same date for all future yearly applications for an extension, so normally people choose the date carefully, with their travelling plans in mind. For example my extension is due on Januray 4th . . a date on which I am in Thailand EVERY year FOR SURE. On the contrary, I would not want to put the date for an application for the next extension into the summertime, as I won't be in Thailand between May and September. Of course you can use a Non-Imm-O/A until the last extent, giving you almost 2 years, but if you happen to apply for an extension in July, this will remain to be your date for all your future yearly extensions

OR...if you wish to bring 800,000 Thai baht and deposit it into a Thai bank...do it 3 months before the end of your second year of the O-A visa with extension.

At end of second year return to Los Angeles and repeat the process...NO money required to be deposited in a Thai bank.

NO...Upon arrival yu will be stamped in for one year (365 days)...prior to the end of that year...leave and return to Thailand....you will be stamped in for 365 more days. The first year is Multi-entry...no need for a reentry permit. During the second year...if you leave Thailand buy a reentry permit before you leave. 1,000 Thai baht.for Single/ 3,800 for multiple reentry permit.

@Phil ****

hey Phil, can you msg me. This forum is for visa stuff. I can explain, in great detail what works and what won’t.

@Marty *******

I’m also planning on moving to Thailand from Florida. How are you shipping your house goods there ? Company name please. Good luck & thank you

@James *******

thank you. Yes, there is a time window of 1 month before and up to 6 months after. Custom fees will still apply except on clothes, books, etc. I have already rented a home in Chiang Mai and might arrive, get the lease and TM30, then residency certificate which may eliminate most of my customs duties.

Sorry, I know this forum is for visas but this info may help others coming to Thailand to retire as a certain type of visa is required to lessen the customs burden.

Also, in order to establish a Thai bank account, a RESIDENCY CERTIFICATE gets you a letter from IMMIGRATION for the banks to ‘open’ a bank account in your name (no joint account).

And

@Marty *******

what I have told the other Gent is correct...as it relates to his visa need.

@Marty *******

....

...a visa run is not required during the first year of the O-A visa ...

...however in order to get stamped in for the second year you need to depart and reenter Thailand just days before the ENDING DATE OF THE FIRST YEAR...which is THE DATE THE O-A visa was approved and pasted into your passport.

...The O-A is a Multi-entry visa...but no need to depart Thailand until just before end of first year. As explained above.

...I am not familiar with the shipping if your household goods to Thailand. But I believe you have a tine period allowed to avoid customs fees.

...NO proof of medical insurance is required.

...and as I have said before...transfer or have deposited an amount greater than 65,000 Thb...as exchange rates fluctuate.

@James *******

you have confused me.....again! Since I do not actually know my departure date from the U.S. because of the sale of my house, I have waited until now to file for my Non O-A. Yes, I realize I may ‘burn-up’ a month or 2 of that 1st year but I need the visa for my household goods shipment as it must accompany the Bill of Lading. You are telling this other ‘traveler’ that no money needs to be in a Thai bank, unless he wants to do that 800,000 b deposit (I understand that). I am going to do the 65,000 b into my Thai Bank account beginning the month of my arrival. I thought I needed that 1 years worth when filing for the 1 year extension.

What am I missing here, and thanks again for the help.

A separate note: the Thai LA Consulate states that they do not need ‘proof’ of medical insurance when over 50 and applying for this Non O-A, but suggest you can show it if asked on arrival. Also, why would I need a multi-entry version of that visa? My understanding is a ‘visa run’ is never required with this type of visa.

Alan Harrison hmmm...that is what we did up to a few weeks ago. Now the Consulate requires the police clearance certificate be issued by one of two agencies. It is listed in their requirements. I will have to look.

Letter of verification stating that the applicant has no criminal record (verification have to valid for not more than three months and must be issued from a state or Federal Bureau of Investigation only. Online criminal record without authorizer’s signature is unacceptable )

@Alan *********

you are welcome😉

@Alan *********

the O-A is your best option by far IMHO. TAKE CARE...we are here to help.

Time your application to submit a few weeks before your desired departure date. The first year validity of the O-A starts when its officially issued by Los Angeles Thai Consulate.. NOT from the date you arrive into Thailand.

Many helpful posts from others will appear. Feel free to ask questions.

Use search top of forum...enter O-A USA

Read TOPICS "O-A Visa" section in this forum

I have mine from the LA Thai Consulate. Easy to obtain.

@Alan *********

you are lucky to be so close to the Los Angeles Thai Consulate. Get your required documents and apply in person. Two day approval walk in service.