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What is the best approach to obtain a retirement visa and enter Thailand in February?
Retirement VisaNON-O VisaVisa Application ProcessImmigration AdviceMoving Personal EffectsAirlinesBank StatementsCurrency ThresholdsCOVID-19 Regulations
Jan 1, 2021
5 years ago
Anise *******
ORIGINAL POSTERHi
I'm selling my house and the proceeds will be my income initially to get a retirement visa. Pensions will be available, but holding out drawing on them at mo.
What's the best way to enter Thailand this February ( hopefully )
1. Do I need to have money in the bank for a set time to get retirement visa
2. Or what visa is best and then cinvert to retirement visa.
3. Which airline would you recommend from London
4. What's the best way to get my personal effects over ( mainly small stuff and clothing )
I've read so much that I'm total confused, so personal experience would be great.
And if anyone is kind enough to be able to help me with the process, even better x
Thank you
I'm selling my house and the proceeds will be my income initially to get a retirement visa. Pensions will be available, but holding out drawing on them at mo.
What's the best way to enter Thailand this February ( hopefully )
1. Do I need to have money in the bank for a set time to get retirement visa
2. Or what visa is best and then cinvert to retirement visa.
3. Which airline would you recommend from London
4. What's the best way to get my personal effects over ( mainly small stuff and clothing )
I've read so much that I'm total confused, so personal experience would be great.
And if anyone is kind enough to be able to help me with the process, even better x
Thank you
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is looking for advice on the best way to enter Thailand in February and secure a retirement visa. Key questions include: the need for proof of funds, the most suitable visa type, recommended airlines from London, and shipping personal belongings. Community responses suggest entering visa exempt and converting to a NON-O visa for retirement in-country, as well as mentioning various airlines like Emirates and Qatar for travel. They also discussed options for shipping personal effects, with recommendations on managing luggage. The conversation highlights important factors like the need for specific funds in a Thai bank account and considerations of COVID-19 regulations.
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.
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Steve *********
Thai is the only one currently flying direct (1 flight a week, on Sundays) at the moment. Qatar would be your best alternative.
David *********
If you qualify the retirement visa Type O would be your best option. An O Visa you apply in Thailand and an OA Visa you apply at a Thai embassy in the country where you live. With a OA visa you need to provide proof of medical insurance. At the present time this is not a problem because you need the COVID insurance. Once in Thailand go to a Visa company and they will look after everything for you. But this will cost you between 25,000 to 30,000 BHT The renewals after you can do on your own for 1,900 BHT with either money in a Thai bank or proof of income from home.
I would fly Emirates
I would fly Emirates
Steve *******
@David ********
You apply for the O and OA visas outside Thailand. Much easier to get the O visa from an Embassy or Consulate rather than in country. If you do apply for the Non imm O in country then it's 2000bt NOT 25,000-30,000btDavid *********
@Steve ******
you really do not know the reality about getting a retirement visa for the first time when you do not meet all the requirements. Anise *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@David ********
well I'm pretty sure I'll be able to meet the requirements, so no need for dodgy visa. Plan to do this the right way as don't want my daughter to suffer the consequences Jane ***********
@Anise ******
If you can get a retirement visa in your home country it can be better because you don’t need the funds to be ‘seasoned’ in Thai Bank account, just in your home account. But it is possible and quite easy to do in Thailand too (through seasoning).Anise *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jane **********
.... keep reading conflicting info .... how long does it need to Season ?Jane ***********
@Anise ******
It has changed recently but I believe it's 3 months prior (and 2 months post). ************************************************************************
Bear in mind that it will take some time to open an account, which can be tricky (but not impossible) with an O visa.Stuart *********
@Jane **********
wrong. Two months prior and three months after. Stuart *********
Yeah rules changed a while back. Now it needs to be 2 months prior, three months after, never less than 400k year round and topped back up to 800k two months prior to the next extension.
Anise *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jane **********
.... not going to be able to season it in time then :(Reply to
Anise *******
Reply
David *********
Everything and any thing is possible. Nothing is as you would imagine. Paying the Pied Pipper is worth it until you are renewing your Visa the next year.
Anise *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@David ********
seriously *****
bht ? Why that much. Surely can convert visa cheaper than thatSteve *******
@Anise ******
Go for the Non Imm OA visa. It'll give you up to 2 years in Thailand before you replace it or apply for an extention of stay.David *********
@Anise ******
The fees you give an agency would get you a Retirement Visa in less than 10 days when you do not have all the requirements to get the Visa. Read between the lines. Anise *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@David ********
but I do have the requirements I believeReply to
Anise *******
Reply
Gerhard ***********
Hey just to let you know Thailand’s a great and cheap place to live but is still much corrupted ( the officials)
Andrew *****
@Gerhard **********
now tell us something we don’t know local officials doing a covid check today Reply to
Andrew *****
Reply
Gerhard ***********
Hey try putting everything in suitcases up to weight limit pay extra suitcases that’s if you don’t have to much stuff
Gerhard ***********
Maybe we should try to communicate on messenger lol to open here and not really for chat back and forth
Gerhard ***********
Can you keep each suitcase 50 lbs max. ?
Gerhard ***********
Like I said don’t know what you all have
Gerhard ***********
So try to keep at 50lbs
Anise *******
ORIGINAL POSTERAirlines charge for excess baggage weight
Gerhard ***********
For plane
Gerhard ***********
Someone told me (don’t know if that’s really true) that it’s customs way for getting extras in the pockets
Anise *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gerhard **********
probably too much for suitcases on one trip.Gerhard ***********
@Anise ******
you have more then 4 big suitcases? First 2 free then a charge for the next 2 women always have at least 10 suitcases of clothes at least lol all my ex wife’s and current one just like Guys tools , sporting crap etc.Ruth *******
@Gerhard **********
That was quite sexist. This woman was looking at this exchange thinking, "Boy, I'm sure glad I don't need to worry about importing anything and will only be bringing a suitcase." Meanwhile, my tool collection before I sold my house likely would have made you drool.Anise *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gerhard **********
but surely it goes on weight allowance Gerhard ***********
@Anise ******
yes like 50 lbs. eachAnise *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gerhard **********
definitely more than 40 kgs (88lb) lolReply to
Anise *******
Reply
Gerhard ***********
@Anise ******
yeah. Break it down to see what everything is worth and then look up on internet what gets taxed and how much and if you need permits or license then see if it’s worth bringing Anise *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gerhard **********
good advice. Thank youReply to
Anise *******
Reply
Richard ********
Yesterday SWiSS air ( Paris/Zurich /bangkok )refused me boarding with visa exemption
I had COE and complete documents to fly
I m really happy......
BOYCOTT SWISS AIR
I had COE and complete documents to fly
I m really happy......
BOYCOTT SWISS AIR
Carsten ************
@Richard *******
no visa means no complete docs. Exemptions are historyRichard ********
@Carsten ***********
you work for SWISS air ? Richard ********
@Garrett **********
I know that and have COE and all documents but today I m still in France ....Reply to
Richard ********
Reply
Garrett ***********
@Car****
Wrong. Thailand resumed visa exempt entries 2 weeks ago. Reply to
Garrett ***********
Reply
Andrew *****
@Richard *******
flights from the uk to Switzerland was cancelled due to the new strain of covid from what I understand Richard ********
@Andrew ****
maybe from UK but not from Paris Andrew *****
@Richard *******
it’s a mixed up world Reply to
Andrew *****
Reply
Garrett ***********
@Ric****
Doubtful the reason they refused you entry was because you didn't have a visa. Richard ********
@Garrett **********
100% true , incredible but true Reply to
Richard ********
Reply
Michel *************
Juste arrived with Émirates... Dubaï airport was a total mess. I have been VERY lucky... Avoid Emirates at all costs...
Gerhard ***********
If you arrive visa exempt they are currently stamping for 45 days, so after ASQ you have 29 days. Just visit your local immigration office and explain you want to convert to non O for retirement purposes.
Gerhard ***********
Forgot to say all packages coming into Thailand depending on what it is is subject to VAT tax 7% import tax again you need to look it up depends on what is in the box up to 40% lol cars no no it’s 300% and maybe even a permit and license and Believe me they will open the package to see what they can make money off on ( corruption) but when you live here and order something to ship here again ( order from a store) it’s fairly easy and no problem that’s why I won’t have my sons ship me anything again last time a bunch of goodies and lithium batteries and tv converter holly crap I got fined on the batteries and need license and permits for the damn batteries and converter Jesus Christ!!!!!
Darrell *******
If it is not too much and not too heavy might be best just to bring an extra suitcase and pay extra luggage fees.
Anise *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gerhard **********
its mainly my own person bits. No cars, no furniture, a few small electrical bits maybe... nothing new.Reply to
Anise *******
Reply
Gerhard ***********
Also are you 55 or older? If it’s just clothes and small stuff try getting estimates from postal service
Anise *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gerhard **********
yes , over 55 lol. Taking retirement Gerhard ***********
@Anise ******
good retirement visa requires 55 and upReply to
Gerhard ***********
Reply
Gerhard ***********
Flight wise don’t matter save money go cheap. Any kind of money works $800,000 baht for retirement visa, $400,000 if married to a Thai. Money in the bank yes need to show proof of funds. Entering Thai there will be a waiting list and 2 weeks quarantine and crap load of forms being Wuhan free lol. As for moving depends how much stuff you have I shipped a 20 foot packed shipping container with ins. 2 years ago from Portland Oregon USA for around $2,500 on 8 weeks time to deliver but if you want faster it will cost more
Mike *********
Following, going to go same way at about same time 👍🙏
Ray *****
Emirates for the airline, come on the visa exempt and convert to non O in country, you will have time to season your money during the under consideration period.. Depends how much you have to ship. Couriers are doing deals but sea freight would be cheaper.
Ray *****
Steve King mine is a non 0 and I got it at CW
Anise *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ray ****
is it easy to convert once there ?My daughter and her husband are living in BKK (5yrs now) and I'll be living with them.
Ray *****
@Anise ******
yes very easy. If you arrive visa exempt they are currently stamping for 45 days, so after ASQ you have 29 days. Just visit your local immigration office and explain you want to convert to non O for retirement purposes. There is a very useful Facebook group call Thai Visa Advice. Join that and they will explain the process in great detailAnise *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ray ****
thai visa advice group declined my post lolRay *****
@Anise ******
just reach out to Tod Daniels he will help you outReply to
Ray *****
Reply
Andrew *****
I can help with the freight stuff we have been sending things with our business for years if your interest pm me
Anise *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andrew ****
pm sentAndrew *****
@Anise ******
answered Reply to
Andrew *****
Reply
Mark *********
Qatar
Madz ******
3. Emirates or Qatar
Angie *******
@Madz *****
not emerites nightmare when flights are cancelled no cumunaction at allReply to
Angie *******
Reply
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