Job Discussion Forums

nikon

I'm a US Citizen, Masters degree in linguistics/tesol, a lot of teaching experience in ESL, almost 62, and will have a small income from US Social security- about $600.00 US.
I understand that I can put 800,000 baht in the bank to establish a retirement visa. Is it possible to show that I have some income and dimish the amount required to have in the bank each year? If so how is that determined?
And also can I get teaching jobs at my age?
I am currently teaching in Saudi, and have vacationed in Thailand various times.
Thanks,

roguegrafix · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 125

There are others more qualified than me--both on this and other forums--who can answer the first part of your question. Additionally, the rules and regulations are always changing (part of the charm of Thailand is dealing with the constantly shifting red-tape goal posts). But it's my understanding you will need the 800 grand in the bank AND proof of out of country income in order to get retirement visa. But check on this.

With regards to getting work: the answer is yes, there is always work here. But the quality of the work (and the pay) won't be very good. Most likely, any rural primary or secondary school will offer you something but will only want to pay you a pittance in return. With your qualifications, you could get a good job in the universities (my university will hire foreigners of any age and there is no mandatory retirement here--but it is probably different at other institutions) but how can you officially work if you have a retirement visa? The unis will want to make you legal with work visas etc.

If you plan to retire and teach just as a hobby and a little pocket money, then no problem. But if you need the money to survive, then it will be difficult.

tedkarma · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 2:43 am Post subject:

The original thinking on this was that one needed to have B800,000 in the bank OR B65,000 income per month OR some sort of pro-rated version of the two combined.

It is generally left up to your local immigration office, as frustrating as that might be, and lately I hear that BOTH are required- but I have also heard that only B400,000 is required some places these days . . . AND tomorrow it might even be different from that.

You best bet for the most current information and how things might vary from location to location and time to time is the forums at: www.ThaiVisa.com

frankly speaking · Joined: 16 Oct 2005 Posts: 54

the 400,000 baht is for marriage visa not the retirement. I know a few people who have less than 800,000 baht in the bank but have an income. Since your retirement is low only 600 dollars a month roughly 20,000 baht much less than the 60,000 baht that they require. you would need around 15,000 dollars in a Thai bank account. The money has to be wired internationally. They do not accept cash in hand. It has to be in Thai Baht wired from your bank in the US or Saudi.

The retirement visa is usually processed that day. Whereas a marriage visa sometimes takes up to 2 months.

As stated before. You will be able to find work, but not if you are on a retirement visa. You need to get a work visa and work permit. Retirement is a non working visa at least that is what I was told when I called immigration. If you want to work, then you really should just get a work permit and non immigrant B visa.

Good luck.

nikon

Thanks for your interesting replies and the links concerning the retirement visa and financial requirments; I'd like to pursue university teaching full-time in Thailand ; Can you suggest any universities that might be looking for teachers, in the near future?

tedkarma · Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 5:22 am Post subject:

tedkarma · Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 11:26 pm Post subject:

Turnover here is relatively high and if you are looking for a good position you don't want to wait until it is open - you should probably visit the school and introduce yourself and leave your resume with the department head.

Personally, if in the hunt for a university job, I would go to every school in the area near where I wanted to live.

Where to find that list? Kent Kruhoeffer's Master Index Thailand is right here:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=12862

Just search the word "universities" and it will have several links of places to hunt down schools.

If people knew what part of Thailand you care interested in, they might make suggestions.

laben18 · Joined: 06 Aug 2003 Posts: 84 Location: The parking lot.

Saudi's not the paradise it looks to be?