What are the steps for applying for a retirement visa in Thailand while waiting for a house registration?

Jun 20, 2023
2 years ago
Cilene ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello πŸ‡ΉπŸ‡­πŸ™πŸ˜ŠπŸ€

My husband and I are trying to apply to retirement visa . We did already the 30 days extension ( 18/07/23), we opened a bank account in Koh Samui, we bought a house last year in Koh Phangan which will be ready in July / August 2023. We don’t have a leasing agreement with the place that we are staying right now.

Our house will be in the blue book only in August. Any suggestions please how we should proceed?

Thank you in advance πŸ‡ΉπŸ‡­πŸ€πŸ™.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user, along with their husband, is seeking guidance on applying for a retirement visa in Thailand. They have recently extended their stay, opened a bank account in Koh Samui, and are in the process of having a house built, which will not have its blue book until August 2023. Several comments suggest that they need to ensure they have the required funds in a Thai bank account, which should ideally be transferred from abroad. There is also discussion around the implications of not having a rental agreement and the challenges they might face without proper documentation. Participants in the discussion recommend using a visa agent and highlight the importance of meeting financial requirements and managing the TM30 registration process.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Graham *******
I think what you are saying is that you are having a house built and will not have a blue book till its finished? If you bought a house, then its in a company name or will it be leasehold? You will not get a blue book in your name unless its leasehold! Someone can tell me I am wrong! I just bought a condo and have a 12 month extension of stay. Personally, I would forget the retirement visa! If you do not have a blue book or a lease/rental agreement you will find it hard to do anything because you do not have a tm30! Again people can tell me I am wrong!
Todd *********
@Graham ******
yes, you are wrong. 1. You can obviously fix that easily with an agent. 2. If you choose to get the retirement via immigration, your company holds the blue book and you register yourself as the occupant for the TM30
Graham *******
@Todd ********
ok, the take away for me, according to u, is that a thai company can hold a blue book! Further that the company can issue TM30! Thanks πŸ€₯
Todd *********
@Graham ******
I believe that to be the case Graham. It is what I and several friends were doing here on Samui. And it did withstand direct scrutiny from immigration officers during a home visit. I’m sure there are people here who will know more.
Graham *******
@Todd ********
I would love to here from them! The huge question I have in respect of leasehold houses is! If you sign a 30 year lease (keeping in mind that the only enforceable agreement is the one and only one is which is lodged at the land office and signed by the freeholder and leaseholder) do you the lease holder receive a blue book (no i suspect not), In case of a leasehold occupancy, who is responsible for creation of the TM30, the freeholder or the leaseholder?
Cilene ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham ******
good question πŸ˜‘. I speak Portuguese lol, but I believe is the freeholder. I can sell and rent my house 🏑 anytime; however, If I rent it, it will be through the company I bought it from, and they are all responsible for the marketing, contract, etc; for sure I have to pay them a commission. Everything is in the contract. Everything is new for me too… I believe the investors are the β€œ bridge β€œ between us : the house owners, and Thai landlord …
Stevan ***********
VIP visa
Todd *********
@Stevan **********
you mean LTR or Elite?
Stevan ***********
@Todd ********
they will help you with any questions

And she will come to you if you want
Todd *********
Stevan Heathcote oh it’s a visa agent. They are in BKK?
Stevan ***********
@Todd ********
pattaya they are on Facebook
Colin *******
Which bank opened an account for you on a tourist visa? And what paperwork did you present to them, if you would be so kind.
Cilene ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Me too lol 😝, but I went there few weeks ago to check the house, then we went to the bank after .
Colin *******
Cilene, may I ask which branch of BKK you visited as each branch appears to have different 'rules' depending on how much they think they can charge you. I was quoted 16,500 bht only this week, which I declined.
Colin *******
Ah, I'm on Samui :-)
Cilene ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin ******
TrueπŸ˜‘.

We used the one in Koh Phangan, in Thong Sala.
Colin *******
Interesting. Thanks
Cilene ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin ******
that is the letter the bank asked to get in the immigration office .
Colin *******
Thanks.
Cilene ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin ******
We went to a Bangkok bank, passports, house contract ( Original ), and a letter from immigration which the bank showed us which one was, 500 BHT deposit; then she said she will change our status in the account after we have the retirement visa or O, one of them; I don’t remember now.
Frank **********
You bought a house last year on a tourist visa,?
Todd *********
@Frank *********
you can buy on a TV. Just have your lawyer work it out
Cilene ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank *********
nop, we bought when we traveled back to USA .
Richard *********
Check into any hotel:

once they register you in the system< ask for a screen shot of the tm 30 submission<

Once you have that, go to immigration and apply for ur 90 day NON O visa< after 2 months convert that visa to a 1 year extension<

HOW do u own ur house?
Cilene ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Richard ********
we bought through a company Boho Villas
Richard *********
@Cilene *****
have them write you up a lease which you will use to register your address for ur TM 30
Cilene ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Richard ********
I think we will need to use the TM87 form…
Richard *********
@Cilene *****
HUH #20 tm 87???

**********************************************


Tm 30 is registering ur address>>>
Thomas *********
I definitely would have a good independent lawyer. Unfortunately not just in Thailand but worldwide I don't trust real estate agents or builders.
Timothy **********
Boarder run and repeat 30 day extension
Steve *******
Your main priority is to bank 800k per person into your Thai bank accounts with proof of transfers from abroad. You can then apply for your Non Imm O visas based on being 50 or over.
Lopsee **********
@Steve ******
does it need to come from outside or can come from, inside Thailand as well?
Michel *************
@Lopsee *********
I have never been asked where they came from. Just meet the financial requirements and bring your bank book
Lopsee **********
@Michel ************
even for the initial one? Already have bank account there amd it is earning from Thailand.
Michel *************
@Lopsee *********
Never been asked, but they can find that in the bank statements that you must bring (plus a letter from your bank)
Lopsee **********
@Michel ************
ah thanks so have to bring in.
Cilene ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lopsee *********
I’m not sure, but ours are from outside.
Steve *******
Lopsee Shrestha I believe it needs to be transferred from outside the Country.
Cilene ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
yes we are working on this transfer, thank you 😊
Todd *********
@Thai *****************************
is a great agent and keeps your life very simple. Not need to bring in the money and stand around uselessly in wait lines hoping for a positive visa result. A good agent is very good option
Albert *********
@Todd ********
Hi

I don't understand the part no need to bring in the money!!

I ve also text thai visa center no needx to show the money..

as I understand you need 800,000 bht seasoned for 2 / 3 months before applying for a retirement visa... yes yes deposited from abroad...

why visa agents giving a different view ???
Michel *************
@Albert ********
same law, don't be fooled
Todd *********
@Albert ********
who cares? It's simply the fact. It's their job and they do it well.
Graham ******
Over 50 you can get a Non-O for retirement with any address, just need the financials seasoned
Michel *************
@Graham *****
not true, you need a proof of residence. I have a retirement visa
Frank-Steven ***********
I would proceed with caution. Though maybe it is a bit late for that already. How did you buy a house if you cannot own the land it is on?

As for changing to Non-O retirement visa, I believe the major requirement would be to have the requested amount of money on that new Thai bank account, showing it came from abroad. But maybe one of the many older fellows in this group can chime in on this one, better.
Dan ********
@Frank-Steven **********
there are ways and means of buying, owning and selling property and land, on paper (if ever under scrutinization) and in practice, if you understand and are happy with these 'ways and means'. I wouldn't use up my entire life savings if I might need it back in a hurry. I have heard the phrase "only if you can afford to lose it".

I'd be more concerned about the value for money on any '30 year lease' versus 'buying' or 'not buying', and any rules/restrictions about construction/renovation or even simple DIY like changing a light fitting on the property.
Cilene ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank-Steven **********
we bought the house through a company Boho Villas, and we pay yearly leasing for 30 years .
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