How safe is the retirement visa as a strategy to live in Thailand permanently?

[Cameroni]

So I followed the advice of the resident visa guru here and obtained a retirement visa. My initial euphoria was that everything was now sorted out. But is this really the case, what problems have you encountered with the retirement visa?

 

I understand it has to be renewed, you have to do 90 days reporting and you need permission to leave and re-enter. I am also concerned if the agency I used goes under or disappears how that will affect things.

 

Anyway, have you found any problems that surprised you with the retirement visa?

[Upnotover]

I know numerous people here on retirement extensions for well over 20 years,  I've never heard any of them having serious issues.  But most do their own extensions rather than using agents.  Oh, and you don't need "permission" to leave and re-enter, you simply have to buy the appropriate re-entry permit.

[DrJack54]

7 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

Anyway, have you found any problems that surprised you with the retirement visa?

Not being picky however you need to understand what you have.

You don't have a retirement visa you currently have a permission of stay that you extend every year.

To exit Thailand and reenter you buy a reentry permit either single or multiple.

Seems that you use an agent.

Assume that the agent covers the financial requirements.

The agent can obtain a reentry permit and most do at standard immigration cost. 4k.

You will have zero issues living in Thailand with Extensions based on retirement.

Either DIY or by using agent.

Where are you located

[Cameroni]

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Not being picky however you need to understand what you have.

You don't have a retirement visa you currently have a permission of stay that you extend every year.

To exit Thailand and reenter you buy a reentry permit either single or multiple.

Seems that you use an agent.

Assume that the agent covers the financial requirements.

The agent can obtain a reentry permit and most do at standard immigration cost. 4k.

You will have zero issues living in Thailand with Extensions based on retirement.

Either DIY or by using agent.

Where are you located

 

Let's say the agent goes under, I guess I could just use one of the other agents if I had to extend/renew?

 

I am in Chiang Mai but I applied in Pattaya.

[NoDisplayName]

12 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

I am also concerned if the agency I used goes under or disappears how that will affect things.

 

Depends...........

 

Did the agency get you a visa/extension in the district where you are registered using legitimate financials, or did they bribe some corrupt official off in some backwater province and only stick 800K in a bank account for long enough to get a statement?

[Cameroni]

1 minute ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

Depends...........

 

Did the agency get you a visa/extension in the district where you are registered using legitimate financials, or did they bribe some corrupt official off in some backwater province and only stick 800K in a bank account for long enough to get a statement?

 

It was Pattaya, so yes, a backwater province.

[DrJack54]

1 minute ago, Cameroni said:

 

I am in Chiang Mai but I applied in Pattaya

I assume that the agent took you to Jomitien immigration.

In any event dont concern yourself with viability of agent.

If you wish to change to doing extensions yourself that's possible however will require starting over. 

[khunJam]

2 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

Let's say the agent goes under, I guess I could just use one of the other agents if I had to extend/renew?

 

I am in Chiang Mai but I applied in Pattaya.

Are you going to find a new agent in Chiang Mai or go back to Pattaya once a year to renew?

[DrJack54]

1 minute ago, khunJam said:

Are you going to find a new agent in Chiang Mai or go back to Pattaya once a year to renew?

He would continue with Jomitien 

[khunJam]

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

He would continue with Jomitien 

That’s what I eluded to. It seems to be a hassle if the OP is planning to live in Chiang Mai and needing to take a trip once a year to renew. I mean as time goes by and age sets in people tend to get lazy. Just seems best to iron out a good path during the younger years of age. Or am I missing something here?

[Caldera]

Historically, consecutive retirement extensions have been perfectly safe and nothing to worry about.

 

But who knows what the future holds! Future Thai governments might not see it as desirable or make it a priority to attract foreign retirees any longer. You need to be prepared for that possibility at least longterm. 

[Gaccha]

The issue might be the problems of aging and the logistics involved in conforming to immigration law. You can usually do the 90 days online now, so you can limit having to visit the Immigration Office to (1) once a year for the extension, and (2) every time you travel you'll have to do a 90 days notice in-person.

 

The laws occasionally change, and that is generally harder for the elderly to handle. But as long as you keep watch on this forum it should be fine.

 

But if you reach 90 years, then I can imagine that it will become a struggle. But then life is always a struggle. 

[Lacessit]

11 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

He would continue with Jomitien 

Why? I had my permission to stay first in Chiang Mai, then after ten years moved to Chiang Rai. I have been doing my extensions in Chiang Rai for the last 4 years.

[sqwakvfr]

I have been in Chiang Mai now coming up on 8 years.  I have been on Non Imm OA Visa (combo of extending an OA and lately just getting a new OA) and have never said the words permanent or the dreaded "my forever home".  Things can change from year to year. Currently meeting the requirements for the OA Visa for me has not been difficult but I do not know what the future holds.  I plan and live in the "land of smiles" based upon on an annual basis and alwasy have a plan to go elsewhere or go back home.  I am reminded by the local people that this is not my home but a place where I stayed for the last 8 years.  

[DrJack54]

Just now, Lacessit said:

I have been doing my extensions in Chiang Rai for the last 4 years.

Using an agent that covers the financial requirements? 

[bamnutsak]

25 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

I am in Chiang Mai but I applied in Pattaya.

 

In cases like this, where does Immigration (physical address) think you live?

 

Did you file a TM27/28 to change your address?

Do your 90-day reports reflect your Chiang Mai address?

Does your TM30 reflect your Chiang Mai address?

 

I think the retirement extension is extremely safe, but if I had filed a wrongful report (TM47, TM30) it might be less safe.

 

 

 

 

 

[Lacessit]

Just now, DrJack54 said:

Using an agent that covers the financial requirements? 

DIY for about ten years in both CM and CR.

 

I have always had the 800K required on deposit. I don't touch it.

 

I am guessing you are saying life can get more difficult if one is tied to an agent for the financials.

[DrJack54]

Just now, Lacessit said:

I am guessing you are saying life can get more difficult if one is tied to an agent for the financials

No I'm addressing the matter of the OP who is clearly using an agent (in Pattaya) and that would be to cover the financial requirements. 

DYI or Agent is up to him. 

[biervoormij]

2 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

 

In cases like this, where does Immigration (physical address) think you live?

 

Did you file a TM27/28 to change your address?

Do your 90-day report reflect your Chiang Mai address?

Does your TM30 reflect your Chaing Mai address?

 

I think the retirement extension is extremely safe, but if I had filed a wrongful report (TM47, TM30) it might be less safe.

 

 

Maybe outside the scope of this thread but how do you deal with things that require a certificate of residence (CR)?

 

Do you have the Pattaya address on the CR while living in Chiang Mai?

 

Would you be able to buy a motorbike in Chiang Mai using an CR from Pattaya?

[Cameroni]

27 minutes ago, khunJam said:

Are you going to find a new agent in Chiang Mai or go back to Pattaya once a year to renew?

 

I went to Pattaya because I had iron-clad trust  in this agency, because they got me out of a jam before. But I  could do either, go to Pattaya again or use CM.

 

I thought Pattaya was cheaper, they charged 35000, but then I had to do a second Pattaya trip that cost 10000 on top, because the Bank changed rules. So not much saving to CM, but I really trust this agent.

[Cameroni]

11 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

 

In cases like this, where does Immigration (physical address) think you live?

 

Did you file a TM27/28 to change your address?

Do your 90-day reports reflect your Chiang Mai address?

Does your TM30 reflect your Chiang Mai address?

 

I think the retirement extension is extremely safe, but if I had filed a wrongful report (TM47, TM30) it might be less safe.

 

 

 

 

 

They use my CM address in Pattaya. My TM30 is for CM.

[Cameroni]

6 minutes ago, biervoormij said:

Maybe outside the scope of this thread but how do you deal with things that require a certificate of residence (CR)?

 

Do you have the Pattaya address on the CR while living in Chiang Mai?

 

Would you be able to buy a motorbike in Chiang Mai using an CR from Pattaya?

 

I rent a car in CM for 8000 Baht a month. I did the maths and with depreciation and running costs it would cost me the same if I bought one. So I will continue to rent. It's convenient, flat battery or tire and the guy comes and fixes it at no charge.

[Digitalbanana]

1 hour ago, Cameroni said:

Anyway, have you found any problems that surprised you with the retirement visa?

Your thread should be titled "How safe is the agent supplied retirement ....".  Many of us just do it ourselves so there are no surprises as immigration law is very clear.

[biervoormij]

12 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

They use my CM address in Pattaya. My TM30 is for CM.

Thanks for this clarification.

 

I didn't know that the agents could do this but it would make me more comfortable using an agent. I assume your agent can get you a certificate of residence (CR) with your Chiang Mai address as well?

[Cameroni]

14 minutes ago, biervoormij said:

Thanks for this clarification.

 

I didn't know that the agents could do this but it would make me more comfortable using an agent. I assume your agent can get you a certificate of residence (CR) with your Chiang Mai address as well?

 

I am 100% confident he can. 

 

However, my concern is if he ever retires or his company goes down. Talk about irony.

[NativeBob]

Not safe at all. Please don't delude yourself

[Lacessit]

19 minutes ago, biervoormij said:

Thanks for this clarification.

 

I didn't know that the agents could do this but it would make me more comfortable using an agent. I assume your agent can get you a certificate of residence (CR) with your Chiang Mai address as well?

When I needed a Certificate of Residence in Chiang Mai, the choice was to pay 1000 baht to get it the next day, or wait one month to get one free of charge.

 

In Chiang Rai Immigration, I got a CR in two days, no fee.

 

Draw your own conclusions.

[zzzzz]

2 hours ago, Cameroni said:

 

It was Pattaya, so yes, a backwater province.

if the agent is no longer around next year just go to another agent>  no big deal
i've been here nearly 40 years on various visa/extensions.  No problem's ( yet) 

[Cameroni]

13 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

if the agent is no longer around next year just go to another agent>  no big deal
i've been here nearly 40 years on various visa/extensions.  No problem's ( yet) 

 

Thanks, this is exactly what I was wanting to hear.

[Conrad65]

Just expect occasional amendments and additional requirements from the immigration office you chose to use for annual retirement extensions....I'm on Samui and previously used a local facilitator for my 90 day non o and annual extension; even though I satisfied all the requirements it was easier to use additional help. My latest extension (December 2024) I did myself and was asked to provide a medical certificate for the first time. Rather than try to argue that it wasn't previously needed, it seemed easier to just go and get one from a hospital.