My question(s) relate to the parts in bold red . . . i.e. the areas concerned with the various financial requirements. There seems to be a number of (vague?) "or"'s in the wording. So my question about this is:
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If I have zero in my account (as an example only) but can show a (notarized) monthly retirement income of 65,000 or more baht per month, would this satisfy the requirement? With the use of the word "or" it seems to say this, but I'm not 100% certain.
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I ask this not because I do not have the required amount, but because I really hate to leave that amount of money at an incredibly niggardly interest rate (as are all checking and savings accounts here in Canada).
I will if I have to, in order to get my O-A visa, but if the monthly income statement of 65000+ baht a month can be used as the needed requirement then I will do that and leave the 800,000 baht in a place where it's working for me.
I suspect that the 800,000 baht needs to be shown, but I'd like some clarification from any of you folks who are more in-the-know than myself. I still have 10 months to go before retirement date, but I'd like to get this more clear in my mind than it is at this point.
I understand that when my 12-month O-A visa becomes necessary to renew, I will have to have 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account. I can cross that bridge when I need to, but right now I am just asking about the original application (in which money in a Thai bank is not necessary).
PS ... I have read a number of threads in this Forum regarding the retirement visa, though often conflicting information when they get too long. Doing one's homework on this stuff can be quite hair-pulling!
Cheers ...Thai Consulate, Vancouver wrote:One-Year O-A Visa for Retirees
This type of visa will be issued to applicants aged 50 years or above wishing to take retreat in the Kingdom for a period of at least one year.
1. Requirements for Obtaining a One-year O-A Visa
2. Documents Required to Apply for a One-Year O-A Visa
- The applicant must be 50 years of age or older by the date of application
- Applicants cannot be prohibited from entering the Kingdom
- Applicants must having no criminal record against the security of
Thailand or the country of his/her nationality, or the country of his/her residence.- Applicants must be of the nationality or resident in the country where his/her application is submitted.
- Applicants must not have prohibitive diseases as indicated in Ministerial Regulation No. 14 (B.E. 2535).
- Applicants cannot be allowed to work in Thailand
In the case that the applicant wishes to be accompanied by his/her spouse but the spouse does not meet the requirements for the O-A Visa, a marriage certificate shall also be included in the application package (The spouse will be considered for the Visa for Temporary Residents under the 'O' Code).
- A passport valid for no less than one year and a half at the time of application
- Three Visa Application Forms (with three passport-sized photos of the applicant taken within the past six months) certified by a lawyer or notary public.
- A personal Data Form (i.e. "Additional Visa Application Form for "O-A" Long Stay) certified by a lawyer or notary public.
- A bank statement showing a deposit of the amount equal to no less than 800,000 Baht or an income certificate (original copy) indicating a monthly income of no less than 65,000 Baht. Alternatively, applicants can make a deposit and provide an income certificate indicating a total income of no less than 800,000 Baht a year. All financial statement must have the signature of the bank officer. Any bank statements require a letter of guarantee from the bank (original copy) as well (this document must be valid for no more than 3 months).
- A criminal record check indicating that the applicant has no criminal record in the country of his/her nationality or residence (this document must be valid for no more than 3 months).
- A medical certificate issued from the country in which the application is submitted, showing no prohibitive diseases as indicated in the Ministerial Regulation No. 14 (B.E. 2535) (this certificate shall be valid for no more than 3 months and must display a stamp or seal from the issuing office).
3. Fee for O-A Visa
CAD$200 per applicant
4. Other instructions for O-A Visa Applicants Once in Thailand
If the visitor's spouse wishes to extend his/her stay as well, the marriage certificate must be produced.
- The alien shall report to the competent authority after 90 days in the Kingdom, and report every 90 days thereafter with the immigration officer in the alien's residence area, or report to the police station in the alien's residence area if there is no immigration control there. (In order to report to the competent authority by mail, the alien shall do as follows: Forward the Report Form (To Mo 47) together with a copy of the passport pages showing the alien's photo, personal details, and the latest arrival visa stamp and include a self addressed envelop with sufficient postage affixed. This must be forwarded 7 days before the due date. This package should be mailed to the Immigration Bureau, Sathon Tai Road,
- At the end of the one-year stay, a visitor who wishes to extend his/her stay must submit a request to extend the period at the Immigration Bureau with documented evidence of money transfer, or a deposit account in the Kingdom, or an income certificate, of the amount of no less than 800,000 Baht or an income certificate plus a deposit account indicating a total amount of no less than 800,000 Baht a year.
Sathon District, Bangkok 10120. In the case of conducting any following reports, the Reply Form for the previous report shall be enclosed as well.) Copies of any previous such Reports should also be included.
) I will eventually stumble across the definitive answer.