novster

I wasn’t able to extend an Ed visa for reason of retirement once I had finished studying (in Phuket). I had to leave country and re-enter with a Non-O based on retirement (issued at foreign embassy) although also had option of entering Thailand visa free and applying for 3 month non-O at immigration office.

Indeed they have it but last year having the booking made no difference to being seen ahead of everyone else queuing up. It may have just been a bad day at immigration and will give it another go this year.

Thanks Brick Top. I will give the online appointment system another go and maybe an afternoon appointment would be better once the morning rush is over.

Thanks for the replies. (I agree getting there early would be best but my bank is located an hour or so away and doesn’t open until 8.30am so difficult to get there much before 10am). I did have an online appointment last year but there wasn’t a separate online queue so of no use.

When is the best time to arrive at Phuket immigration for a retirement extension. Last year I arrived at about 10am after my bank visit and it was pandemonium. The queue for the initial document check and queue number was more of a scrum than a queue. Is early afternoon better or do they fill their quota in the morning and tell you to come back the next day? Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

Can confirm the Phuket immigration volunteers list of information was accurate when I renewed earlier this month.

Just to clarify one of the questions requiring an upload was for insurance documents and it was to this that I replied not applicable.

Yes applied for single entry 3 month visa. It was not a requirement to have insurance for this visa. (I don’t know if it would be for a multi-entry non O based on retirement.) Obviously had to leave Thailand and use it when re-entering. I uploaded a handwritten document with “not applicable” written on it on the online application.

Applied for a non O based on retirement from the Thai London embassy 4 months ago. Was a very simple online process and received visa within a few days. No insurance required. Needed to show £10k in a bank account for a 3 month period prior to application together with a few passport scans. Obtained a re-entry permit and travelled to London during the 3 month visa. I have since obtained a 12 month extension from Phuket immigration. That was quite a painful process (despite having all the necessary documentation and funds in place) and so was pleased I obtained the initial Non O online from London rather than left standing in the heat outside room 103 for hours just because I wasn’t using an agent.

Not sure if question was for me or the original poster but if the former - I was 49 when I applied for the education visa and have since turned 50 (and the year of classes has ceased).

Looked into doing exactly this in Phuket a month ago and was told not possible by the immigration volunteers and a couple of agents. One agent did offer to do it for THB60,000 but wasn’t convinced they fully understood what I was asking and if so it wouldn’t have been done in Phuket.

My education visa for study at a language school issued by the Thai embassy in London was for a stay of 90 days which can be extended up to 3 times for a further 90 days on each occasion. So you could just not extend the original visa. .

What are you supposed to do with the letter you get from the school to avoid this problem arising? (Please don’t say take to immigration)!

Thank you Dr Jack

Yes I am currently in Thailand on a Non Immigrant permission to stay based on education and turn 50 in May and so will look to convert immediately to a permission based on retirement (maybe not on my birthday mind). Whist here can I check my understanding that as it’s an extension I am applying for immigration will not want to see evidence that the THB800,000 came from overseas☺️?

Can I please check that you can convert from a 1 year non O education visa directly to a 12 month extension based on retirement if financial and age requirements are in place? I would like to continue with the language classes but had some problems re-entering at immigration before being let through after questioning and prefer not to have this worry next time I enter? If possible and I’m continuing the classes would I need some letter from the school?

Immigration seem to be on red alert. Had problems entering in Phuket yesterday with a re-entry permit on an education visa. Taken to an office whilst the supervisor furiously checked computer records. Was told visa for university not language school. I had a letter from the school confirming me as a student which eventually seemed to alleviate their concerns. (I do attend classes but I suspect to obtain the initial visas the school have told immigration that students have more classes per week than they provide).

If you are in Bang Tao I can highly recommend the Genius Language school in Cherngtalay. They offered to obtain the educational visa for myself without needing to leave (albeit I was leaving for a few weeks anyway so obtained the educational visa myself from embassy in the Uk with supporting documents that they provided.) We do 4 hours of classes per week which are really well done and at the end of the 3 month period the school’s agent helps with the renewal (I only spent 10 mins at immigration signing forms and having picture taken last time). Some students miss more classes than they go to but don’t know if there are any who don’t attend at all.

I’m looking to get the first 3 month extension on an education visa in Phuket next week. The school’s dedicated immigration person wants to meet me at immigration to assist and has said the fee is THB5,000 which I questioned but was told that was the fee for this type of visa extension. Should it be THB1,900 as if so quite happy handing over the documents by myself and saving a few baht. Thanks for any knowledge in advance.

Thanks for the clarification ubonjoe.

Currently on an education visa extension and turn 50 later in the year before the 12 month education visa finishes. Am I right in thinking that if I transfer THB800,000 into a Thai bank account 2 months before my 50th birthday then I will be able to convert my education visa to a 12 month retirement visa 2 months later or do I need to apply for a 3 month retirement visa first? Is there anything else I need to prepare in advance? Thanks in advance.

Thanks very much for this information. Both our names are on the tenancy contracts we have used in Thailand and so it should be relatively straightforward to prove the relationship and a settlement visa application seems the way forward.

Thanks for the replies. I am actually retired and she won’t be seeking work in the UK. She has a reasonable level of English (both written and spoken) and so think she will be at the necessary language level already or if not should be able to attain it fairly comfortably.

I would be grateful for some advice. I am a UK National and girlfriend is Thai. Looking to both relocate from Thailand to the UK at the end of 2022 with a view to living in the UK for the foreseeable future. Been in a provable relationship for 3 years. We have lived together in Thailand for 2 years and in the UK in 2019-20 for 5 months (under a 6 month UK tourist visa). Girlfriend does not work and has no real ties to Thailand in terms of children or property (but was able to convince UK immigration of my financial support and intention to return when she applied for tourist visa in 2019 ). My question - Would she be better applying for another 6 month tourist visa and then looking at extension options during this period fom the UK or to apply for a UK settlement VISA from Thailand? I would prefer not to go down the spousal route!! Thanks in advance for any responses.

Slightly different situation to you but I recently applied for an e-visa (education) from the Thai embassy in London whilst already in Thailand (on a tourist visa). I will be travelling back to London shortly and then entering on the new visa a few weeks later.