A friend of mine, who is American, is planning to extend his retirement visa in Nong Khai next month. He will base his extension on monthly income. He obtained the notarized affidavit from the U.S. Embassy, which states his income.

Last year, I read several reports, of some immigration offices(s) requiring Americans to take their income letters to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be certified.

I would like to know if anybody has extended his retirement guy's visa, based on monthly income, in Nong Khai in November, December, or this month, and whether Nong Khai Immigration required the letter to be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Thanks in advance

This doesn't answer your question, but I'm hoping that Lopburi will see this and verify the following:

"The order which required letters of income to be verified by the MFA was rescinded not long after it was published"

I remember reading this on thaivisa, there was a lot of controversy over it. Anyway I've done a search a while back but unable to find it, so I'm hoping Lopburi can a clear it up.

Also, I recently did my marriage extension. My income letter did not have the MFA verification stamp, it was accepted as is and no mention of MFA requirement.

My letter (Stat Dec) from the Australian embassy stating my pension income was accepted by Immigration in BKK in March 2008 without any other certification required.

John

Renewed my retirement visa last June.No MFA certification of income letter from British embassy was required.However for the first time ever, I had sufficient money on deposit in this country as well.(In anticipation of falling exchange rates)Mr Happy looked at it, gave me a thumbs up, said"very good" and gave me an extension.My wife questioned him about that as the rules do state"Either or a combination of both" His reply, "We like to see both"

There never was any such requirement - it appeared to be Pattaya based misinformation.

Thank you, Lopburi13.

Ahhh...yes, amplified Pattaya Immigration rumors. I hope this thread did not further amplify this one.

And thank you for spreading your expertise to this forum.

I would strongly recommend that your friend check with immigration in Nong Khai as to what their requirements are concerning income before he makes the trip. They just do not follow the rules as stated on the Immigration Bureau website. My friend just called me today. He was told today at Nong Khai that in order to get his one year extension he would have to have, in addition to his embassy letter of income,a letter from the bank and bank statements showing the 65,000 Baht being deposited every month. Not only this but he was also asked for proof of residence and a medical certificate. None of these things are required officially as far as I know.

If it is a retirement visa,medical cert. and having to show 65,000 deposited in a Thai bank each month is a new request if you have the letter of income from the Embassy!NK has always differed from the others,asking for proof of residence each extension!

don't forget, different countries or origins have different requirements along with any officer in any office on any different day. so you need to ask, at the immigration office you plan on visiting, what they what. allow enough time to do this. i always go a week or 10 days before my renewal, with everything i think i need. gives me plenty of time if something else is asked for. i personally always take a med cert, tho not required to renew, but so far has only once not been asked for. took 3 visits one time to get a bank letter to their special standard.

to the OP, take everything they say, and anything else you think of. 2 copies of every page in passport and bankbook. if you need, you have, if not, save till next time.

I got my retirement extension late December 2008.
Had embassy letter certifying 65K+ plus less than 800k in the bank with certified bank letter.
Copies of passport pages, bank book, no med certificate.
Not married obviously but wanted GF to sign a paper I live at her place (it's the other way round, but you know how it ends up here )

The did insist I would need a NEW certificate of income each year not driving the 80k road, in which case the money must be in the bank 2 months before first time, 3 months when renewing.

Hope this helps.

No way I will EVER bring 65k every month, they did not ask for that. If ever they do I will go the 800K road or move to a more farang friendly country

So if you have 800,000 baht in the bank, you are over 50 and in good health they will give you a retirement O-A visa valid for 12 months?

Are you supposed to maintain this money in the bank - or can you spend it?

Also, does the money have to be in a Thai bank - or can it be in a foreign bank?

This particular visa 'sounds' better/easier in theory than the marriage visa (although you are allowed to work on a marriage visa).

What do you guys think? Marriage or retirement visa - which is best?

Update, just returned form Bkk head office Im migration.
Points to note
1, they now have anew form which when you number is called they give you which you have to fill out this is causing many delays as you can expect, but after that all was ok.
2 letter of Immigration obtained for UK Embassy accepted, suggest you get a Thai transalation ( cost about 400 baht), NO OTHER DETAILS REQUIRED about money/ accounts etc:-
3. 2nd time tried to get marriage vise, they insisted on giving me retirement, why it takes THEM time and time is obviously in short supply and they quote what if she dies, or you divorce etc, in the end I agreed.
4 last and not least, had to sogn a short note stating I would always renew at BKK, why I do not know and they didn't tell me, maybe due to Nong Khai's problems I do not know, I was about to tell her, but she was not listening, so somethings afoot, what I have no idea but there you are.
mere farangs will be the last to know.

FOR INFO, if you meet the criteria for retirement it is the easiest, quickest and by far the least complicated way to do things.

Nick@AUA wrote:So if you have 800,000 baht in the bank, you are over 50 and in good health they will give you a retirement O-A visa valid for 12 months?

Are you supposed to maintain this money in the bank - or can you spend it?

Also, does the money have to be in a Thai bank - or can it be in a foreign bank?

This particular visa 'sounds' better/easier in theory than the marriage visa (although you are allowed to work on a marriage visa).

What do you guys think? Marriage or retirement visa - which is best?

There is no such thing as a marriage, or retirement, visa.

To the best of my knowledge you cannot get a non A-O in Thailand. You need to get it from a third country - generally your home country, as you need a police check.

The O-A visa lasts for 12 months, after which you can apply for an extension (12 months) within Thailand.

After the 2 year period, you can then apply for further 12 month extensions in Thailand, based on marriage, or, if over 50, retirement. It is now you need the money in the (must be a Thai) bank, or income, or combination.

I have only used the "Retirement visa" (non O-A), so cannot comment on whether it is better than the extension based on marriage. However, despite being married, I will continue to use the non O-A, coupled with the 12 month extension - giving me a total of nearly 24 months without any need for border runs.

What you obtain in Thailand is a one year extension of stay for whatever reason. It is not a visa and does not allow entry into Thailand (you must have a re-entry permit for any travel).

Khun Paul post:
1. They have a one page form that lists your bio data and that the officer signs as the person responsible. That used to be filled out by officer but they now have applicant fill out top parts. That sound like it?
2. No requirement or reason to translate an English language document.
3. If you qualify it is easier for all concerned - and you don't have to return in 30 days or have wife with you.
4. They are getting serious about only obtaining service in your home area and as of the 15th it will be nationwide.