Answered8 years ago
What options do a US citizen and her college-enrolled sons have for visas in Thailand if facing high financial requirements?
Friend just discovered that she needs 3 times the $2200/month for retirement visa to bring her 2 sons into Thailand. Kids are 18 and enrolled at CMU. If she was making a quarter of a mil a year US she probably wouldn't be coming. US citizen.
Suggestions?
Suggestions?
Answer summary
A US citizen seeking to move to Thailand with her two college-enrolled sons is confused about the financial requirements for a retirement visa, which reportedly need three times the income. Comments suggest the sons can apply for education (ED) visas based on their enrollment at CMU, which do not require financial proof from the parents. The mother may qualify for a retirement visa under conditions for individuals over 50 by demonstrating sufficient income or savings. It is also advised that the family applies for tourist visas prior to entering Thailand to buy time for settling their documentation issues.
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Mary ********
OPThanks to EVERYONE this has been very informative and helpful.
Tod *********
Keep in mind that Chiang Mai immigrations requires that you have at least 21 days remaining on your current 30 day visa exempt entry or your 60 day tourist visa entry to apply for a Non-Immigrant type visa at the immigration office there.
That's why I said they should ALL get single entry tourist visas before they come here, it'll buy them enough time to get here, get their ducks in order and then go apply without running out of time. ;)
That's why I said they should ALL get single entry tourist visas before they come here, it'll buy them enough time to get here, get their ducks in order and then go apply without running out of time. ;)
Tod *********
The first step is getting here and going to the immigration office in Chiang Mai to set an appointment for applying for the Non-O visa.
I am not 100% sure if the kids can get a 90 day Non-Immigrant Type ED visa issued inside the country at the immigration office based on attending a thai university or not.
Some immigration offices will do it and some immigration offices make the students go get a 90 day single entry Non-ED visa from a thai consulate in a nearby country. It depends totally on the immigration office.
With the documentation from CMU I have no doubt the two children could go to the thai consulate in Vientiane and get 90 day single entry ED visas.
Then once they're back they would take documentation from CMU to the immigration office and apply for a yearly extension of stay.
I am not 100% sure if the kids can get a 90 day Non-Immigrant Type ED visa issued inside the country at the immigration office based on attending a thai university or not.
Some immigration offices will do it and some immigration offices make the students go get a 90 day single entry Non-ED visa from a thai consulate in a nearby country. It depends totally on the immigration office.
With the documentation from CMU I have no doubt the two children could go to the thai consulate in Vientiane and get 90 day single entry ED visas.
Then once they're back they would take documentation from CMU to the immigration office and apply for a yearly extension of stay.
Tod *********
@Mary *******
, where are you getting the information that the kids going to college on ED visas would need income statements?As far as the mother you're confusing the requirements to get a Non-O-A visa from a thai consulate OUTSIDE the country with the requirements to get a Non-O visa (note there is no A after it) INSIDE the country at the immigration office, she wouldn't need a police back ground check or a medical certificate to apply for a 90 day Non-O visa.
The best advice I could give would be for ALL of them to get single entry tourist visas from a thai consulate before they wing their way here. That's because they'll get stamped in for 60 days and they could extend that by another 30 if they needed to at the immigration office for 1900baht. That 90 days would certainly buy them enough time to get their ducks in a row documentation wise so that the kids can apply for a 90 day ED visa and the mother can apply for a 90 day Non-O visa.
Mary ********
OPThank you Todd and David.
I asked about police and medical documentation because on this very forum people have mentioned needing at least the police report for re-entry from some ports of entry. Would not want them to have to try to get those documents from overseas.
I asked about police and medical documentation because on this very forum people have mentioned needing at least the police report for re-entry from some ports of entry. Would not want them to have to try to get those documents from overseas.
Tod *********
David, good on you for answering her, but IMHO anyone that asks about a police background check or a medical certificate is definitely confusing an O-A with an O visa. ;) Sorry.
Bob **********
If she’s from the US she can get a financial statement
Mary ********
OPAnd you missed mine. I was responding to Todd. Some embassies/consulates accept their citizens sworn statements when issuing the income form that the citizen uses in applying in Thailand for various visas.
Others require actual bank statements, retirement funds verification, etc. Before they will issue the form.
My suggestion was create a list of those that require actual physical paperwork versus those that take sworn statements.
Merely as a service to other expat readers.
Sometimes these documents can be rather difficult and have a lengthy process to obtain.
The suggestion was strictly for expat/Thai immigration purposes. The world of consulate to consulate communication/documentation is a pit of vipers I am not touching.
Others require actual bank statements, retirement funds verification, etc. Before they will issue the form.
My suggestion was create a list of those that require actual physical paperwork versus those that take sworn statements.
Merely as a service to other expat readers.
Sometimes these documents can be rather difficult and have a lengthy process to obtain.
The suggestion was strictly for expat/Thai immigration purposes. The world of consulate to consulate communication/documentation is a pit of vipers I am not touching.
Bob **********
@Mary *******
your missing my point all Consulate accept this certificate from US Embassy and yes other countries are required to show actual proof of incomeMary ********
OPCorrection to earlier comment. Start a list of consulates that require physical documentation versus sworn statement of their citizens. Obviously regardless of country of origin Thailand requires we have sufficient income for visas or extensions.
Bob **********
@Mary *******
the financial certificate at the US Embassy requires only your word and you swear the information is correct,as to that all countries have to show that they have enough of an income to satisfy Thai immigrationMary ********
OP@Tod ********
I merely mentioned the Italian one because a) it is the only one I can personally verify has required documentation and b) for the benefit of any Italians reading this forum.Maybe we should start a list of countries requiring financial documentation in Thailand for the income form? Just a suggestion.
Tod *********
@Mary *******
so do the UK, the Canadian, the German and a few other consulates here BUT many do ot.Mary ********
OPSo she arrives and gets a 30 day airport issued tourist visa.
Can the boys get their paperwork from CMU and head over immediately to immigration? They don't have to provide income statements?
She needs to proceed how?
Does she still need all the documentation she would have to have in the US? A police background check? The medical certificate? Income?
Does she need to get a residency certificate? Before she can apply for a "retirement" Visa. Aka non immigrant O?
Can the boys get their paperwork from CMU and head over immediately to immigration? They don't have to provide income statements?
She needs to proceed how?
Does she still need all the documentation she would have to have in the US? A police background check? The medical certificate? Income?
Does she need to get a residency certificate? Before she can apply for a "retirement" Visa. Aka non immigrant O?
Mary ********
OPItaly requires proof. For those reading this.
Tod *********
Actually
@B**
, most consulates will notarize the affidavit of income from abroad without the person showing any proof. There are just a handful of consulates that require proof when you get that letter from them.Bob **********
David Broadfoot God bless America
Fred *********
Suggestion - have her get her facts straight and do not panic.
Tod *********
There has to be some wires crossed somewhere.
Is the family already in thailand?
Where did your friend get the alleged financial requirements?
Is the family already in thailand?
Where did your friend get the alleged financial requirements?
Mary ********
OPFamily arriving August 1.
Mary ********
OPSome company in the US! And they suckered her into $1300 worth of immunizations for some disease supposedly epidemic in Chiang Mai province.
Tod *********
I would say she needs to do more "discovery" :O
The kids can get their own ED visas based on them being enrolled in college (that requires NO financial proof on the parents part)
AND
if she's over 50 she can get her own "retirement visa" using the 800K baht in a thai bank account OR a letter from her consulate stating she gets 65K baht a month in income (pension etc) OR a combination of banked and income that totals 800K baht in a year.
The kids can get their own ED visas based on them being enrolled in college (that requires NO financial proof on the parents part)
AND
if she's over 50 she can get her own "retirement visa" using the 800K baht in a thai bank account OR a letter from her consulate stating she gets 65K baht a month in income (pension etc) OR a combination of banked and income that totals 800K baht in a year.
Shawna ********
If the kids are enrolled at CMU they should qualify for education visas of their own
Tod *********
correct (y)
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