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

[DrJack54]

7 minutes ago, Conrad65 said:

My latest extension (December 2024) I did myself and was asked to provide a medical certificate for the first time

That is a Samui specific requirement.

Not aware of another immigration office playing that card. 

[Conrad65]

13 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

That is a Samui specific requirement.

Not aware of another immigration office playing that card. 

I'm not surprised. As is (was in my experience) Samui's refusal to issue a 90 day non o, necessitating my use of a facilitator instead 🙂

[Cameroni]

28 minutes ago, Conrad65 said:

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.

 

Interesting. It is still a small price to pay if you do it yourself. I think the extension done by the agent will get cheaper than the first application, but it is still going to cost more than a medical certificate.

[DrJack54]

28 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

Interesting. It is still a small price to pay if you do it yourself. I think the extension done by the agent will get cheaper than the first application, but it is still going to cost more than a medical certificate.

Do not understand.

The medical certificate is irrelevant.

Samui specific.

Regarding "first application" that using agent is to obtain a Non O retirement+ 12 month extension.

That should cost 25-35k

Ongoing extensions approx 13-17k 

OR ....if funds in bank not an issue.

Non O 2k + extension 1900b 

 

[1FinickyOne]

8 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

That is a Samui specific requirement.

Not aware of another immigration office playing that card. 

I lived in an outer province and they required a medical certificate which cost me 20 baht and had no examination. One nurse told me I seemed to walk ok - another looked at my palm.I filled out all my own forms as there was no agent there. I am now in a place where there are agents who will fill out all the appropriate forms and it is a breeze for a small fee. I love my agent. I am in and out of immigration in less than 5 minutes. 

[Hummin]

Everything is good until it is not. How many more years do you think visa agents can operate in the Grey market? 

 

Covering up for income as well is beyond gray market, it is illegal business 

[newbee2022]

17 hours ago, Cameroni said:

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?

If you're looking for safety you shouldn't use Thailand as a destination. Nothing is safe here.

[Hummin]

1 minute ago, newbee2022 said:

If you're looking for safety you shouldn't use Thailand as a destination. Nothing is safe here.

As long you meet the requirements, Thailand is a very safe place to retire thinking of visa for stay. 

[newbee2022]

Just now, Hummin said:

As long you meet the requirements, Thailand is a very safe place to retire thinking of visa for stay. 

No, visa regulation can change very soon. In reality you got only a permission to stay for ONE year. And hope to stay for next aso.

 

[Hummin]

26 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

No, visa regulation can change very soon. In reality you got only a permission to stay for ONE year. And hope to stay for next aso.

 

Read If you meet the requirements and do not use visa agents because of  lack of requirements.

[Scouse123]

What I see on this board is people coming here in their later years who are just underfunded and unprepared for ripples and mishaps or changes in the system.

 

In my view, having to use agents, and many here are, to get around the 800K a year method or 65K a month method means you are underfunded.

[newbee2022]

5 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Read If you meet the requirements and do not us visa agents because of  lack of requirements.

Changing visa rules have nothing to do with "reading" or "agent", but govt and immigration.

[proton]

17 hours 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.

 

If you are getting an extension from a province you do not live in that was illegally obtained. People can argue away an IO ignoring the financials but not pretending you are living where you are not.

[Hummin]

2 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Changing visa rules have nothing to do with "reading" or "agent", but govt and immigration.

You mean mandatory insurance and proof of living cost could be added and  changed? 

 

That's something everyone should consider before they even thinking of settling here. 

[suzannegoh]

17 hours ago, khunJam said:

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?

is it only in Pattaya where agents get their customers retirement visas by putting 800k in a bank account for a couple of days and then bribing an immigration officer to issue the visa?  I've never noticed agents offering that service in CM but maybe it's just more underground than in Pattaya.

[nauseus]

28 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

If you're looking for safety you shouldn't use Thailand as a destination. Nothing is safe here.

 

Where do you suggest we all go then?

[PomPolo]

17 hours ago, Cameroni said:

 

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.

8k a month that's pretty cheap what kind of car is it?  I do the same in Udon Thani on a Toyota Vios 20k a month always thought I was getting ripped off, maybe time for me to shop around!

[Hummin]

2 minutes ago, PomPolo said:

8k a month that's pretty cheap what kind of car is it?  I do the same in Udon Thani on a Toyota Vios 20k a month always thought I was getting ripped off, maybe time for me to shop around!

Depending on year and km, but you paying about double price for a newer same size car and low km

[PomPolo]

Just now, Hummin said:

Depending on year and km, but you paying about double price for a newer same size car and low km

Yeah thanks @Hummin I do quite like the Vios it is 2017 and 140k km on it so not that new and plenty of km that's why I am thinking 20k might be a bit OTT, when I stop renting it for a month or 2 they always call me to reduce the price further so pretty sure they know they are getting a good deal and if I've got it at least its not sitting outside the shop making nothing

[Hummin]

5 minutes ago, PomPolo said:

Yeah thanks @Hummin I do quite like the Vios it is 2017 and 140k km on it so not that new and plenty of km that's why I am thinking 20k might be a bit OTT, when I stop renting it for a month or 2 they always call me to reduce the price further so pretty sure they know they are getting a good deal and if I've got it at least its not sitting outside the shop making nothing

If you are on fb check their expat page and market pages for Korat. 

 

It is quite a few years ago, 2018, I did rent a fortuner for 9k a month, so I doubt the prices have doubled since then. 

 

I used to see car offers quite often until I quit fb last year, and long term rentals where advertised  from 8k and up. 

[DrJack54]

Further posts re car rental removed

[PeachCH]

Last week a 91 years old friend has died in Pattaya.

 

He lived since 30 years on a retirement visa, done by an agent.

 

The agent did all the work for him, including the 90 days reports.

 

Never had any problems, despite ignoring the officially required financial requirements.😁

 

In his condo about 30% of Falangs were using this "short cut" extensions.

[Caldera]

1 hour ago, Hummin said:

Everything is good until it is not. How many more years do you think visa agents can operate in the Grey market? 

 

You kind of imply that corruption is trending down in Thailand and might come to a halt in a few years, while my impression is that it has been trending UP in recent years, both in general and with immigration in particular.

 

I'd be more worried about the inverse scenario - how many more years can you do it yourself before your immigration office hassles you too much in order to push you towards using an agent? Some offices are well and truly on that track already, others might follow.

[newbee2022]

1 hour ago, nauseus said:

 

Where do you suggest we all go then?

Hahaha, "we all".....I hope not all together to one place only.

Honestly, next time (🤣) I would look for a retirement-country where I can be a citizen and don't have an every-day fight with a strange foreign language.

[mfd101]

10 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

That is a Samui specific requirement.

Not aware of another immigration office playing that card. 

Medical cert. is required every year at renewal in Surin.

[TaoNow]

I didn't see OP state his nationality.

 

One caveat to consider if a US citizen abroad:  If the Trump administration starts arresting, detaining, and deporting Thais who are in the US illegally, then it is possible that the Thai government might consider some retaliatory measures -- but probably aimed at the back-pack and nomadic clusters, at least initially.   Though they could move on to target other groups of US ex-pats here.

[statman78]

I’ve been doing retirement extensions for 7 years without any issues.  I’m always up to date on my 90 day reports and still use my TM30 from when I moved to my home in Chiang Rai back in 2018.  While it appears that some offices change requirements, here in Chiang Rai I submit the same packet of updated documents every year without any issues. 

[Hummin]

53 minutes ago, Caldera said:

 

You kind of imply that corruption is trending down in Thailand and might come to a halt in a few years, while my impression is that it has been trending UP in recent years, both in general and with immigration in particular.

 

I'd be more worried about the inverse scenario - how many more years can you do it yourself before your immigration office hassles you too much in order to push you towards using an agent? Some offices are well and truly on that track already, others might follow.

I will not predict anything else than Thailand will be expensive to live in future for those who already have limited resources.

 

Right now I'm pretty well off with savings, pension l, and assets, still I'm worried about future requirements, taxes and also changes in world politics. Maybe I would not have been so concerned if I was 70+.

 

Still I personally think I would think twice if I was thinking or wanted to settle here even at that age. 

 

Of course I consider my options from my point of view, others might not have the same concerns as me. 

 

My parents is still alive and mid 80'ies, and my father can expect to live maybe 10 years more due to family history. 

 

Me being 56, that's a long run in uncertainty if I live as long as them

[Hummin]

10 minutes ago, TaoNow said:

I didn't see OP state his nationality.

 

One caveat to consider if a US citizen abroad:  If the Trump administration starts arresting, detaining, and deporting Thais who are in the US illegally, then it is possible that the Thai government might consider some retaliatory measures -- but probably aimed at the back-pack and nomadic clusters, at least initially.   Though they could move on to target other groups of US ex-pats here.

If Thais is in Us illegally, I'm quite sure there will be no counter actions against Americans who live  legally in Thailand. It is when legal US businesses being targeted and US citizens who living her legally who meet all requirements there will be tensions.

[soalbundy]

21 hours ago, Cameroni said:

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?

I'm on my 20th retirement visa year, never had a problem. Why use an agent when you can do the extensions yourself, where I am (Isaan) it's quite straight forward and never takes longer than 30 mintes.