How can I convert my tourist visa to a retirement visa while in Phuket and open a bank account without a work permit?

If u do it here they will need more the. 2 weeks on your visa and need more then 2 weeks for the check in bangkok .....So it could,be to close....better in Penang and get it direct...

Best fly firefly direct from phuket to Penang, Monday's, wensdays, fridays but pick up the passport means u can not fly direct back because it's after 2:30 pm and the flight back is on pm so ...may be back with air Asia via kualalumpur or stay one day more .....

Means the visa needs to the next day and the consulate close early.....ask Jim he can tell when and what....

Realy easy....and a nice stay...

Or better ask hi. Direct on messenger.....he knows everything....I did it there he is a pro and u no need to go yourself with a taxi and wait hours......

Yes , Passwort with more then 2 Pages, 2 Fotos of u, And yes a affidavit from your embassy or consulat, that your Pension is more then 1650 Euro per month, or bankstatement with more then 800.000 Thb on your bank, all translated in thai ( your embassy does this) .....

And to save time I would go to an angency like Jimmy place at chulla road...give him all and pic it up next day afer noon...so u not have to go for yourself....and can look this beautifull Georgetown on Penang....

For Brits there is a document similar to the Income Affidavit - however the British Embassy in Bkk requires proof of the monthly income from whatever sources.

You mention American citizens for the income method and visa, how about British citizens? Is it the same rule? baht and affidavit? Thank you.

Also contact the Visa Agent Jim or who ever you choose and get them to define the list of documents you bring.

I think you will need an original of your lease / rental agreement in Thai language for Penang

Easier if the bank draft is in Thai Baht for 1750 Baht from any Thai Bank.

@Mike *******

For US Citizens:

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok is pleased to provide services in Phuket.

Date: Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Time: 8:00AM to 11:00AM

Venue: Millennium Hotel, Patong

Address: 199 Rat-Uthit 200 Pee Road, Kathu, Patong, Phuket , Thailand

Hotel phone: (66) 7 660 1999

…/millennium-resort-paton…/

All payments at U.S. Embassy Outreach Events must be made in the form of a BANK DRAFT.

SERVICES OFFERED AND OFFICIAL EXCHANGE RATES ON NOVEMBER 15, 2017

3,850 THB- Renewal of adult passports

3,675 THB- Renewal of minor (under age 16) passports

4,725 THB- Renewal of first adult passports

4,725 THB- Replacement of adult lost/stolen passports

3,675 THB- Replacement of minor (under age 16) lost/stolen passports

1,050 THB- Adult passport card

525 THB- Minor passport card

1,750 THB (per notary stamp)–Notary- including income affidavits

Above fees are based on an exchange rate of 35 THB to 1 USD

This is the downloadable Visa App Form

I suggest you take at least two recent passport size photos. And the original and copies of your Rent / Lease Agreement.

Remember don't leave the Original of your Embassy Income Affidavit at the Penang Consulate - you have to have to apply for the one year Extension of Stay.

Jim the agent can get the O Visa done and he can fill you in on any particular info needed for you to bring.

Here is the link to the Penang Consulate website... I find it a bit confusing as under Category O the reason for applying for it as a first step in an Extension of Stay for being age 50 or over - Retirement is not listed. Also some where on this site should be a downloadable Visa Application Form with the Penang Consulate name on the top. I will keep looking

Also I suggest using an Agent in Penang - many if not most people do. Most times the fee is fair. This man is often given as the best...

Jim Tachinamurthy



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You will need a Visa Application Form and check the box for Non Immigrant - I suggest even writing it on the Form Non Imm O 90 day.

First - ignore the TM.7 - that is an Extension of Stay Form

It is not wanted...

The best way to establish the latest rates inside Thailand is to use daytodaydata.net... Which shows nearly live exchange rate changes for the top ten or so Thailand banks and Exchange Houses

A suggestion on the amount of Dollars you put on the Affidavit form - check the Exchange Rates... Before you enter the amount. And if it were me I would put amount equivalent to at least 75,000 baht each month because you may run into an officer who will look you straight on the eye and say the rule says 75,000 not 65,000. Remember for Americans there is no proof requirement - just a sworn statement.

They seem to not publish the location until very close to the event - something about security. I recall having to use an email address I found on the site and asking for the location... Browse around for that email address. They change sites every visit as far as I know

Again you have missed my point - as you accuse me of missing your point. You want to be the 'expert' then be so. The website tells all perfectly and without confusion. You are taking offense where none has been intended. Apologizing for interrupting your show. 555+

You missed my point entirely which was based on a number of experiences with people trying to understand about transferring money this way.... The posts I have seen and the personal discussions I have had show people frequently cannot break away from the International Funds transfer concept and try to shoehorn such things as Swift Codes into it. Many people have problems understanding that it is a Domestic USA transfer. Also, people often assume that one has to get an account at BB NY no matter what they are told. My objective was to give background to the short and concise instructions which people often ignore because they just cannot believe it can be so simple. I have spent a career helping people with computer problems and feel I know how to head off problems in a new situation. Your method of trying to educate me is / was not welcome as it should have been obvious that I knew the subject matter already. Go educate someone else.

@JD ******

I was reading the information you were posting and feel that the procedure, simple as it is, could be found at the Bangkok Bank website easily and concisely. I have been using the system myself for years now and find that it works perfectly once set up. Just a feeble attempt on my part to save you some time and direct folks to the bank's information as well. Don't take offense as none was intended.

Bangkok Bank Chiang Mai (Kad Suan Kaew Branch) has a list of minimum requirements posted, I was just there to deal with account issues. You could open account with minimum the reference letter from the US Consul

@Fred ********

- I don't get your point Fred... I am not asking questions on how to do it ... I know how to do it... I have been doing it every month for 18 months -- I have the procedure down to a routine... I was explaining it to others in a slightly different way and pointing out pitfalls and misunderstandings... I am not sure that you are even reading anything I have been posting on this subject.

That's exactly what I posted

As I stated, go to the Bangkok Bank website for the information - as well as taking what might be said here into account.

What I just posted works perfectly well and is quite correct. Certain extra info I provided is to help people avoid common mistakes and missssumptions. Even American bank personnel when performing this task for customers mistakenly jump into International Wire Transfer mode as soon as they hear the word Bangkok. People who try this often believe incorrectly that they must open an account at Bangkok Bank NY. Etc., Etc.

@JD ******

Just check out the Bangkok Bank website for complete and correct instructions. Works very well.

Also - One does not setup a bank account with Bangkok Bank NY - not needed and you cannot anyway since it is a Commercial Bank. Just use the Routing number

About transferring money from an American Bank to your Bangkok Bank account in Thailand please note: Using an online banking interface of your American bank use the Thailand Bangkok Bank account number and the Bangkok Bank New York Routing number. And that the funds transfer is considered a Domestic USA bank transfer called ACH Automated Clearing House. This is not classed as an International Fund Transfer or Wire transfer. The Routing number for Bangkok Bank New York can be found using Google.

Also check closely on payment arrangements as they stopped taking cash.

The website will have info about the location or when the location will be announced

Go to the Embassy website - you have to go to the appointment area of the site for this outreach event - make an appointment

In my opinion, for an American it is easier to get the Non Immigrant O Visa using the Income Method - then Apply for the One Year Extension of Stay - Retirement (age 50 or over). With the Extension of Stay it is much easier to get a bank account for future use.

@Mike *******

Notarization here is not the same as you may be accustomed to in 'merica. Check in with them before going to the expensive and time consuming effort to do so and see what they will accept.

Fred provided some excellent advice and I had the same experience. They did require that I go to my consulate and get a signed and notarised photocopy of my passport before they would open me an account but, once I had that, it was a breeze.

Generally there are English speaking staff in the larger branches. Best to keep your financial details as confidential as possible and not involve other people. Just a word to the wise.

I am in Chiang Mai area so can't help you there. Usually it is best to go to a major branch as the staff there will be more accustomed to dealing with expatriate customers.