retirement visa........anyone give accurate information please????????? thanks in advance?
can anyone give up to date (pre coup) and accurate information on the specific requirements to hold a retirement visa in the l.o.s. i am 51.....single....and have sufficient funds to live in l.o.s using investments as funding but am concerned about the visa requirements. i believe the requirements for teaching english is a degree ..... i am a former british navy officer....holding navy quals in navigation and communications and was lecturing officer for 10 years.................... but do not own a piece of paper with the word DEGREE written on it. i am aware of the advisabilty/requirement of studying for a celta....but would welcome any genuine advice on ........ a) the practicality of living in los as a teacher minus degree b)the practicality of living in los with a retirement visa i have closely studies the ajarn.com site......but find much of the info there to be contradictory at worst and confusing at best. a response from someone at coal face would be most welcome
Public Comments
- It is easy to understand the confusion.. sometimes people talk and they just don't know.. So, in a sense, anything can happen and I have heard several silly stories.. but you must assume an accordance w/the rules and in the end - if you legitimately qualify, this will win out.. I found the people who work at Immigration in Bkk, Suan Pluu, to be right on the money, very nice and helpful. Here is what I remember, though best to check w/Thai immigration.. You must start by having a non-immigrant O visa which must be obtained outside the country.. then you can apply in country for your retirement visa.. the magic number is currently 800,000 baht that must be shown, either in the bank here at the time of application or the same amt in pension funds - or a combo of the two.. They want to know that you can afford to live here.. you must follow the rules and have the appropo paper work, all easily obtained and when I went in to immigration they gave me an easy to follow list, such as passport size photo, copy of this or that, easy stuff and an up to date letter from the bank showing your balance.. I know everyone has different stories, but usually the people who qualify and follow instructions have the same story.. its easy.. As to teaching English w/o a degree.. well, depending upon where you are in country can make a difference but there are alot of kids running around doing this and I have seen people who are treated poorly by some schools etc.. So, I would not expect too much and hope for the best.. Oh, and as to the practicality of living here as a retiree, it is beyond practical but downright pleasant.. I can only assume you have been here and know that.. If you take the time to assimilate a little, learn some language and culture, it becomes more pleasant.. but up to you.. there are plenty of areas full of dolts where you do not have to speak a word of Thai and can function fine in an atmosphere made similar to home.. good luck
- Your question is under the heading of Thailand, yet you mention ? los ? Do you mean Laos? I don't know of a los in Thailand. To teach in Thailand, you need Tefol or equivalent. For a retirement visa in Thailand, I think you jave to be over 55, have something like 800,000 baht ($40,000) in the bank, or a proven signed income of about $1000 per month.
- I am retired in Thailand, if you mean thailand you need to apply for a retirment visa in your country. Just google for the Thai embassy in your country and check out retirement visa's they will have all the forms on the web site. It's very easy, just complete a form, get a letter from the police showing no criminal record. A doctor statement of your health, passport photos and show you have either annual income or/and savings over 800,000 baht. After you live in Thailand for a year it even easier, Just complete the form, get a letter from you embassy showing you have monthly income of 65,000 baht or more, or a combination of savings and income of 800,000 baht annual translated into Thai. Also a health certificate and passport photos. It's really not that hard, just follow the information from the embassy web site.
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- Go to the Thailand website and it explains all the details and has downloadable forms. Just search for Thailand Visa Requirements.
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