Moving to Thailand

23POSTS

12 years ago

We have been holidaying in Thailand twice a year for some time. We have visited many parts of Thailand and the decision to move here really was a no-brainer.
Once we had decided he rest was relatively easy. We found a unit to rent in Phuket for a fraction of the cost of one in Australia. We will live in Phuket for the first 6 monhs while aw take a Thai Language course. After that, who knows? we may spend several months in various parts of Thailand while we decide!
The Visa Maze was tricky. For the first 6 months we will have student Visas. After that we evidently need to return to Australia to obtain 3 month visas from the Thai Embassy, which we will convert to Retirement Visas on return to Thailand! This of course may change as Regulations alter from time to time.
We arrive in Thailand in early Aril and would love to meet and get to know other Expats as we settle in!

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Never done that Serial expat

453POSTS

12 years ago

Well you can get a NoN O Visa 90 days from home country on the grounds of retirement, and change that to 1 year extension on the grounds for retirement in the last 30 days of the first 90 days and still go to school.

If you use you NoN o Ed-Visa when you come for the first 90 days(that normal) and 90 days ED-Extension,then you have your first 6 month, then you can at the last 30 days of that time change the Ed Extension to 1 year Extension for the grounds on retirement.

If that not possibly at Phuket Immigration (Yes not all Immigration follow the same laws/rules here)
Then you can travel to Laos and get a Non O 90 days for the grounds of retirement, and inside the last 30 days of this, change it to 1 year extension on the grounds for retirement.

For the Visa / extension on retirement you of cause need to qualify for the requirements.

Hope you all the best.

Virginia48 Member

23POSTS

12 years ago

Yes, we have had several conflicting theories about Visas in General.
We CAN go to closer countries rather than return here, but need to return to sort some Tax, etc, so we will apply from Australia after our first 6 months here
We'll sort the medical stuff & police checks at the time, so hopefully we can sort it all with the minimal amount of trauma!
We already have the Bank Account sorted & maybe should have an address in Thailand to return to even if it means extending our lease?

gary lee Member

11POSTS

12 years ago

Been here 12 years, wish I knew then what I know now.
Hua hin and surrounding areas be the place.... where the king lives.
Love the place.... will be moving there in days. Phuket expensive and dangerous.

Virginia48 Member

23POSTS

12 years ago

Hi Gary
I there a lot to do to occupy yourself in Hua Hin?
We holidayed there a couple of years ago & found that long term rentals were very expensive - do you have any tips re contacts for Real Estate?
Agree about Phuket, but have enrolled in the Language Course so will stick it out for 6 months.
How is Pattaya for Expats? We see you ate there now. We have also visited there & it seems quite inexpensive.
Cheers

Virginia

gary lee Member

11POSTS

12 years ago

Virginia
Pranburi and Paknampran outside Hua hint are also fast becoming destination for foreigners who are looking for a tranquil lifestyle...
Two new floating markets, new macro and new big c coming near macro. Also new hospital already in operation in Hua Bin..
If you look on internet will always be expspensive..have to do the ground work and or check the forums... I found it cheaper in Hua than pattaya...for a apt, you really need to drive all over h.h.
Many very reasonable places even house....I know cause did the ground work..
The idea situation is looking for a bungalow which have two bed rooms usually AND OR a condo.
Electric halph the price..4 baht kw....and security and usually with a pool..
Pattaya I not recommend for many reasons, mostly for safety....much crime here and police not on your side.... many crazy reckless motor cycle drivers who want to self destruct and take you with them.
King of Thailand already check out Hua hint , good enough for him... lives there. He already do the ground work... also not as polluted as other destinations and many police even rail way... check out safety in Hua hin.... on internet... they also have a new night market... looks like your in Holland. Beautiful.
I always wanted to get out of the bed early... to enjoy and be apart of the lifestyle of Hua hin..
Can not say that about any other towns in Thailand..
No place is perfect... but I found Hua Hin to be the best option ever.

Gary

gary lee Member

11POSTS

12 years ago

Also Virginia if your Australian and 50 or above can get retirement visa...
No money in bank or proof of income..only two country can do this... U.S. and Australia.

Virginia48 Member

23POSTS

12 years ago

Wow! Gary that sounds great.

We are committed to being in Phuket for the first 6 months as we have enrolled in a Thai Language course and rented a unit.

After hat, though, we will come& check you out!

Cheers

Virginia

thetefldon ViP

469POSTS

12 years ago

#10

gary lee wrote:
Also Virginia if your Australian and 50 or above can get retirement visa...
No money in bank or proof of income..only two country can do this... U.S. and Australia.

Gary can you give us some more details of this?

I wasn't aware US and Austrailian citizens were exempt from retirement visa rules.

chinacanuck Active member

50POSTS

12 years ago

#11

They aren't, unless the rules have changed in the last few weeks.

I just retired here earlier this year. My wife is American and would have had to satisfy the retirement visa requirements if she had been over 50 and applying for a retirement visa. Instead, she is piggybacking on my retirement visa as a dependent.

Gravitas ViP

9040POSTS

12 years ago

#12

According to the income tax rules, you are taxed on funds you bring into Thailand from overseas to live off. Worth clarifying how this works, if you are not working, retired and on an overseas pension?

1.Taxable Person
Taxpayers are classified into resident and non-resident. Resident means any person residing in Thailand for a period or periods aggregating more than 180 days in any tax (calendar) year. A resident of Thailand is liable to pay tax on income from sources in Thailand as well as on the portion of income from foreign sources that is brought into Thailand. A non-resident is, however, subject to tax only on income from sources in Thailand.

http://www.rd.go.th/publish/6045.0.html

gary lee Member

11POSTS

12 years ago

#13

To get a retirement visa in Thailand is to have proof of a western pension of at least 65,000 baht ($2,031) a month. This can come from either a government pension or a private pension, or pension funds, but it must be certified by your embassy before the Thai government will accept it as proof of income. Note, this is a total of 780,000 baht for the year, so slightly less than the 800,000 baht required in a bank account.
you tell your embassy what you get, no proof..,,they notarize document..u.take to imigration...get retirement visa...americans and australians only.
you need this kind of money to live here anyways..thailand getting exspensive..

thetefldon ViP

469POSTS

12 years ago

#14

gary lee wrote:
To get a retirement visa in Thailand is to have proof of a western pension of at least 65,000 baht ($2,031) a month. This can come from either a government pension or a private pension, or pension funds, but it must be certified by your embassy before the Thai government will accept it as proof of income. Note, this is a total of 780,000 baht for the year, so slightly less than the 800,000 baht required in a bank account.
you tell your embassy what you get, no proof..,,they notarize document..u.take to imigration...get retirement visa...americans and australians only.
you need this kind of money to live here anyways..thailand getting exspensive..

Aah now I understand your reference in an earlier post to Austrailians and US citizens not needing money for retirement extension(not visa):

"Australian and 50 or above can get retirement visa...
No money in bank or proof of income..only two country can do this... U.S. and Australia."

So what you are saying is that its ok if you swear a false statement to your embassy for the purposes of certifying income?

Emmm.........

Gary the rules are the same for everyone.

What if Immigration asks to see proof of your income.......which they are quite entitled to do?

Virginia48 Member

23POSTS

12 years ago

#15

Yes the Visa situation can be complex.

We are both applying for the Student Visa (6 month) through the Embassy in Australia. We have supporting documentation from the Language School & have been assured by the Embassy that this will not be a problem.

We are then committed to return to Australia at the end of that time for other reasons. e will be returning to Thailand in November. At that time my husband applies for the O Visa & I am able to "Piggy Back".

The O Visas can be converted to Retirement Visas in Thailand.
Tricky, but "Do Able"

Virginia48 Member

23POSTS

12 years ago

#16

As we see it & have been told by the Consul, My husband needs either:

1) Proof of 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank
2) AND /OR proof of a pension to the value of 65,000 Baht a month.

This needs to be shown every 12 months if on a Retirement Visa.

I can still "Piggy Back"

gary lee Member

11POSTS

12 years ago

#17

NOT EXEMPTED
YOUR UNDER OATH AT EMBASSY DECLARING YOUR INCOME TO BE AT OR ABOVE THE 2,031 DOLLAR A MONTH...THEY TAKING YOUR WORD UNDER OATH...COST APPROX 1550 BAHT FOR THIS DOCUMENT
GO TO THAI VISA.COM FOR MORE DETAIL INFORMATION OR CONSULT YOUR EMBASSY.
ANY OTHER COUNTRY OTHER THAN U.S. OR AUSTRALIA WILL NEED TO PRODUCE DOCUMENTATION, AND PROOF OF INCOME, ETC.

Priscilla ViP

42358POSTS

12 years ago

#18

Hi everybody,

Please note that some offensive and rude comments have been removed from this topic.
I think that it would be nice if we can speak calmly here please.

Thank you

Priscilla
Expat.com team

1 member reacted to this post

gary lee Member

11POSTS

12 years ago

#19

i agree, it is wrong for one to twist words and make false accusations.
sorry but irritated by in my opinion a non productive , word twisting , mr serial expat.
negativity and harrasement not needed here with a great and helpfull forum as Expat.com.
lived in thailand 12 years...
thank you
gary

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Never done that Serial expat

453POSTS

12 years ago

#20

What is "piggy back" ???

If it is "dependent extension" you talking about, plase remember to read up on the rules/law, as that have change in Dec 2013. Before a Married couple only need 800,000 together, now the need 1.6 mill together, OR 800.000 pr one own account
.
Here is some of the new rule/law.

New Visa Restrictions for Foreign Married Couples

BANGKOK: -- The Thai Immigration Bureau has announced that the foreign wives of expats with a one-year retirement visa will in future need their own separate pension income or cash in a Thai bank.

In the past, these wives have been able to join their husbands visa by simply showing a marriage certificate and a current non-immigrant visa in their passport. It was not necessary for both partners to show their own income or cash.

Under the revised guidelines, both foreign partners in a marriage will separately need to demonstrate yearly income in the first country of at least 800,000 baht equivalent or maintain separate bank accounts of the same minimum amount, or provide a combination of both.

Letters from an embassy are still required as proof of the income whilst the 800,000 baht in a Thai bank must have been there for three months prior to the application (2 months 1st application) and be supported by a letter from that financial institution.

The toughening up of the rules on retirement visas is believed to have been caused by concerns that some farang-farang marriages are not genuine or may have broken up.

The requirement for each partner to show evidence of 800,000 baht in cash or income, or a combination of both, is seen as the best guarantee from an Immigration Bureau viewpoint. Nor is it possible for a married couple to present a joint bank account. Each partner is now treated as a separate entity.

Some visa specialists say that the move is aimed at strengthening immigration regulations ahead of the onset of the ASEAN Economic Community in two years time which is likely, in the medium term, to lead to more migration across the regional 10-member block.