50 Years To The Day? For Retirement Visa

[larvidchr]

I would like to ask if anybody knows wether the Thai imigration sticks to the 50 years old, to the day for the retirement visa, or is it possible to apply a bit earlyer, like 49,5 years old for instance, if all other requirements are met.

Kind regards.

[lopburi3]

Age 50 or over.

[larvidchr]

Age 50 or over.

Thankyou for the reply but it is a shame they are so strict

[Jingthing]

Well, I can think of one way you could possibly enter earlier. If you can find a friendly consulate in your home country, you could ask for a multi-entry O visa based on "exploring retirement". That might be tricky, but it should be easy to at least get a single entry for that. Then you can use that (border runs every 3 months) until you are 50 and then apply for the year extension in Thailand.

[larvidchr]

Well, I can think of one way you could possibly enter earlier. If you can find a friendly consulate in your home country, you could ask for a multi-entry O visa based on "exploring retirement". That might be tricky, but it should be easy to at least get a single entry for that. Then you can use that (border runs every 3 months) until you are 50 and then apply for the year extension in Thailand.

I am here allready and have been for some time, just trying to think of some way to avoid all the visa run hassel that we are getting now, I have 10 month to go before the big "fife o" and this is first time since my yung teenage years I have wished to be a bit older

Edited April 22, 2007 by larvidchr

[Jingthing]

Been there, done that. It will pass sooner than you think, and then you will wish you were under 50 again for the rest of your life!

[Badbanker]

In my recent application for a non imm "O" visa extension 50 and supporting a Thai child , I was told very clearly by Suan Plu to return the day after my 50th birthday to make the application for the visa extension as my birthday was technically 1 day too early.

It was sucessful and not too difficult!

An offically retired;

Badbanker

[lopburi3]

Well the official English translation says "50 years or older" and the Sunbelt translation says "not younger that 50 years old" so it would seem you could apply on birthday from those. If Immigration officer was correct it should read "older than 50 years" in my limited understanding of the language. Amazing.

Guess you could split hairs and say birth at 1430 and application at 1030 would be less than 50 years old but then you would also have to figure in time zones.

[larvidchr]

Been there, done that. It will pass sooner than you think, and then you will wish you were under 50 again for the rest of your life!

I unfortunately know you are dead right

[Lancelot]

I received my Retirement Visa when I was 50 + three months. But on the application form the Thai government official wrote 51. She saw me raise my eyebrows and explained "Must be over 50." I smiled and silently thought TIT...

Lance

[larvidchr]

To:

Badbanker

Lopburi3

Lancelot

I guess it will be 10 months with the calculator, calender, stamp dates, Penang flights and bus trips to the border, not to mention the daily visits on Thai Visa to check up on the latest developments . The garden will just have to take care of it self I can only manage so much

Other than that I just have to hope that the goalposts for retirement visas is not moved in the next 10 months

Thankyou all

Edited April 22, 2007 by larvidchr

[Dakhar]

I hope Thailand eases up on folks under fifty but can afford to stay in thailand. If a younger fellow can afford 80K before 50, what is the big deal about the age?

[Jingthing]

I received my Retirement Visa when I was 50 + three months. But on the application form the Thai government official wrote 51. She saw me raise my eyebrows and explained "Must be over 50." I smiled and silently thought TIT...

Lance

That's hilarious.

BTW, I look young for my age so when I did apply at 50 I was given the ninth degree about whether it was really true I was really 50. Fake passport? Seems I didn't fit the codger image they are looking for, but rules is rules, even here.

[larvidchr]

I hope Thailand eases up on folks under fifty but can afford to stay in thailand. If a younger fellow can afford 80K before 50, what is the big deal about the age?

Yes it could be fun to know just what reasons they had to set the age at 50?,

"The guest has a limited lifespan, it fits with the 30 year lease scheme then he will most likely be a goner" !!!

Anybody have other ideas to why the 50 year rule???

[Jingthing]

My guess is that the reason they want older people only for retirement visas is that they think there is a greater probability that those under 50 might be working illegally in Thailand. Also it is traditional that older people will retire, not younger people. Remember not long ago the minimum age was 55 so at least it has been moving in the right direction.

[Sojourner]

I hope Thailand eases up on folks under fifty but can afford to stay in thailand. If a younger fellow can afford 80K before 50, what is the big deal about the age?

Yes it could be fun to know just what reasons they had to set the age at 50?,

"The guest has a limited lifespan, it fits with the 30 year lease scheme then he will most likely be a goner" !!!

Anybody have other ideas to why the 50 year rule???

Simple enough. Malaysia is also trying to recruit retirees into their country. They lowered the requirement to 50 years old and within a few months Thailand did the same.

[wpcoe]

Guess you could split hairs and say birth at 1430 and application at 1030 would be less than 50 years old but then you would also have to figure in time zones.

Not only time zones, but the international date line. My birth was just before midnight (EDT) in USA on May 14, so just before 1300h on May 15 in Thailand. Maybe that's why she said to come the day AFTER one's birthday?

[larvidchr]

Guess you could split hairs and say birth at 1430 and application at 1030 would be less than 50 years old but then you would also have to figure in time zones.

Not only time zones, but the international date line. My birth was just before midnight (EDT) in USA on May 14, so just before 1300h on May 15 in Thailand. Maybe that's why she said to come the day AFTER one's birthday?

Well I guess we should applaud when Immigration here have things right to that extend.

[larvidchr]

I think my question have been answerd fully, no real reason to keep this thread alive any longer.

Thankyou all for your help.

[retirednavyman]

Well, you've waiting this long.....

A few more weeks or months isn't going to make much difference, is it?