Visa Rumbilings

@arthow1847 I am in the same position. For me it will take about 2 more years before I will be able to relocate. Oh no, I do hope that it will stay the way the requirements are now, that we just need $ 1500,- per month to show on a bank account. Because I will not receive an giant pension.

@oshudofsky

If you're 55 or over you don't need to show income, retirement status plus passport and money is enough for a one year extension based on retirement.

If you're under 55 you have to prove your retirement status (like disability) but no amount of money is mentioned.

Cheers.

Joe

@arthow1847

Stop listening to rumblings, gossip, bar talk and other rumours mainly raised in bars after a few drinks.

There is no intention to change the highly favourable retirement visa system of Cambodia, probably the best in SE Asia

Cheers.

Joe

@oshudofsk Don't worry, could only be talk.

@JoeKhmer Thanks, Joe, being a former bartender I am aware of how bar talk can go, and also the gossip trolls on the negative side.

You may find these rumblings about Retirement extensions of stay have started in Thailand, regarding the rorts that have been going on for years with long stay visas .

And, there is a crackdown going on there at the moment with reportedly over 100 immigration police suspended .

Education Visas, Muay Thai visas , volunteer visas etc.  People under 50 have been getting them, but never show up to language schools & boxing classes.

Retirees have been avoiding putting 800k THB into a bank account  as evidence of solvency, or proving a monthly income  by slinging an “agent” $1000 to smooth things over .

Russians have been flooding into Thailand to escape the War also & they are clearly the largest arrivals.  Now , there's loads of healthy young Russians walking the beaches with Retirement extensions of stay.  Also , Chinese with criminal links have been getting the same deals and now the sh#ts hitting the fan.

They need money to live on & have been illegally working & operating “businesses”.

The worlds changed since covid & the problems in other countries.  People are fleeing their former homes & looking for better lives & SE Asia is destination of choice for a lot of them.

So don't be surprised if more stringent screening of who's arriving with intentions of long term residency.

@Ontheroad57 So any of this go for Cambodia also? I was aware that things have changed in Thailand and many Russians flocking there to escape the war via comrade Putin's grip on power and plus the Chinese mafia types, etc. However, I hear a lot more of the Russians now day's. Just hope that most of Cambodia is not overrun with hoards of coming attractions.

@arthow1847

Who knows.

Vietnam has tightened up Visa regs, Thailand is doing the same now.....and Cambodia is in the middle watching on.

In phnom penh recently , some foreign buskers ...jugglers, acrobats, magicians, etc set up on Riverside & pan handling for money.

No prizes for guessing where they're from.

The local police soon run them off.

If further issues evolve of trouble with illegal workers....like I said, expect more scrutiny of long term visa applications

Also..there's no shortage of English speaking foreigners living rough in PP and hitting people up for money.

How many more do you want...😀

@Ontheroad57

Your analysis of the Thailand situation is correct and update.

But don't drag it into Cambodia.

There is no high influx of Russians here and Chinese have been here for years.

The visa system has been tightened for the business visa extension which is now quite hard to get.

But as we were talking about the retirement extension there has been no change and there won't be a change soon.

Joe

@Ontheroad57 Look at all the homeless situations in the USA this type of thing has been around for years in many parts of the globe. I was in Vietnam about 4 years ago and lots of Russians were on holiday there but they had money to spend also. So far no Nam retirement program for ex-pats. The majority of western ex-pats have a good to decent enough income to support themselves to live quite independently and thus contribute to the Cambodian economy. If Cambodia were to enforce harsh restrictions on its present ex-pat immigration requirements it could cost them in the end. Thailand has been overrun as a playground for years including the not-so-desirable types. Malaysia now has over-the-top financial requirements but things change and it is what it is. Just saying the stable ex-pat types shouldn't have to pay for the undesirable or non-income types and one reason Cambodia welcomes us.

Cambodia is also drafting a 10 year resident Visa, subject to conditions being met .

Google it....

They certainly are welcoming to retirees.

Yes, but still not the only option to stay in Cambodia for long-term retirement unless you are aware of something most of us aren't. The year-to-year (ER) visa option still holds.

@arthow1847

Good post, you understand the differences in SE Asia.

Retirement in Cambodia is a breeze, attracting more and more expats from Thailand.

And don't believe gossip about a 10 year visa, it simply doesn't exist.

Joe

@Ontheroad57 hahaha that is amusing...most expat retirees I know are in their late 60's early 70's, and don't even buy a month's worth of groceries at a time, let alone a 10 year visa - thats really tempting fate!

@JoeKhmer There are always some that seem to vent on the negative side no matter the subject but it is what it is. The 10-year (Golden Visa) if put forth would be to attract investment ventures and has nothing to do with the ER visa whatsoever.

@hdgh29

yeah, ya got a point there. An old bloke I know liked my new sandals & asked where I got them. I told him they're a good product, long lasting & comfortable.  He actually said , they'll probably be the last footwear he'll need & likely see him out 😳

For most retirees , the simple 12 mth extension procedure “in country” is ideal.

Actually, I don't buy anymore than 4 bananas at a time for my morning cereal . After 4 days the last one is looking grim. Just about to peel the last one now 😉. Then it's time to restock.

@Ontheroad57

I agree with you re shopping every couple of days.

The advantage in SE Asia is that there is an enormous supply of fresh products at markets and shops, surely for fruits and vegetables.

But also seafood should be purchased fresh and not kept in the fridge for a day.

Living in the tropics is different and you have to adjust your purchases.

I live a bit outside but I go every day downtown, be it to purchase something or have a meal at a restaurant, or even a beer on a cafe terrace.

Life is relaxed for a retiree and as most retirees have adequate income there is no problem there.

Even as $800 would be enough most retirees spend $1000-1500 a month and a lot even more, like $2000-4000.

Going from an average of $2000 and an expat population of 250K it contributes $500 million to the economy per month, or $6 billion a year.

Not bad at all I would say.

Cheers.

Joe

If I relocate there as I am seriously considering my budget would presently be around $1600 monthly and I don't drink or smoke nowadays either. I am single and plan to continue that way at this stage in my life, I am rather excited about my first visit to Cambodia(Siem Reap) later this year and if things work out I could be actually living there by this time next year. Phnom Penh is out of the question since I have lived in big cities most of my life and now desire a less hectic small-city lifestyle.

@arthow1847 That is a pretty tight budget. However doable when I lived there 10 years ago.

You are the first one who mentioned this being "a pretty tight budget".I plan to really feel how far the dollar will go after I visit there later this year.

Ive been here for 5 months now and I am very comfortable on about $700 US. I dont drink or get high so that may be my advantage.

I think it partially depends on what type of accommodation you want and where it is located. A one bedroom or studio apartment can be found for $200 or less per month.  A  house would cost $400+.  Lifestyle is also a consideration.  Will you be going on tours, taking language lessons, eating out, buying and running a vehicle, etc?  $1600 would be very reasonable for someone living a quieter, less lavish life.

@arthow1847

Don't worry, your budget will give you a good life, first get yourself a nice apartment for about $200 and go from there.

Cheers.

Joe

@JoeKhmer I don't drink or smoke and I get by on the same budget here in the states just fine because my rent is one-third of my monthly income(affordable senior housing) and I have no major debts currently. My only concern thus being 76 years now is a need for health insurance cost but may just go with self- insure perhaps. However, will check that option during my first trip later this year.

@arthow1847

Forget about health insurance unless you expect trouble.

It's too expensive once you are over 69 as insurance companies don't really want to pay.

I'm 2 years younger than you and without health insurance.

I'm in good health and had no major medical expenses to pay in the 16 years that I'm in SE Asia.

But things can go wrong, I'm aware of that.

It's a personal decision. If you feel vulnerable stay in the US with health insurance. If you feel healthy and strong come here and finance your own medical expenses.

Cheers.

Joe

Thanks Joe, self-insure seems to be my only practical option. Having asthma for most of my adult life colder climates for the most part bothers me with no serious attacks in years now. I know that in many countries I can access all meds as inhalers I might require over the counter unlike here in the USA. I am actually pretty fit for my age and activity.

  I spent around 2 years in Panama with no health insurance it can be very hot&humid there but I had no health issues during my time there either.

@JoeKhmer it's just a pity what the Chinese did to the little fishing village of Sihanoukville. I saw "before and now" pictures, sad. Do you think they are planning to ruin SR or Kampot too?

@arthow1847 wow are you a copy of me or what hahaha. I am thinking exactly the same. No big city, a bit rural and for me preferably near the sea as I am big on scuba diving (which will problably eat a big chunck of my monthly pension money of around € 1700,- .   I don't like the taste of beer and with my medication do not drink alcohol. To be honest cigarette smells I PURE PERSONALLY find disgusting. I rachter spend that money on.............diving.  So I have more my eye set on Kampot.  I am single too and for sure want to stay in that position for quite a while as of yet. 

I guess we will meet next year at the airport in line waiting to receive our visa 

I use to scuba but too expensive from the day's when I made real money. Perhaps I may try it again after I get settled in Siem Reap and visit the islands for old-times sake.

@oshudofsky If the Chinese move in on SR then cancel me out. They seem to ruin everything are able to move on and couldn't care less about culture or the environment. Angkor Wat could be one huge casino if they had their way. The Chinese mafia is well known for its troubles also.

@arthow1847 OMG please don't say such a thing as that the Chinese are coming to invade Angkor Wat hahaha a big casino indeed.

And yes they really do not care at all about other countries culture and its people. And again, same here if the Chinese invade Kampot (and of course SR, etc.) I will move on........

@arthow1847 true, scuba might be too expensive once I receive my silly little pension but I rather eat just simple rice with vegetables or noodle soup then give up the diving. That is also one reason I want to check out Cambodia as it it close to all the major beautiful scuba countries, and flights are not that expensive then as the countries are much more close by then booking a flight from Holland ?!

@arthow1847 I am living in a much smaller budget and as I don't drink or smoke it goes a long way

Yes Rose, this is one main consideration for my interest in relocating to SR long term now.