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

[youreavinalaff]

13 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Can't you guys just agree we are allowed to stay another year based on retirement visa. Not that complicated?

Can't agree on that because it's not correct. 

[donmuang37]

On 1/30/2025 at 12:40 PM, Gaccha said:

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. 

Well, I'm 87 and I do my 90 online.  Occasionally, it doesn't work, so my younger wife does it for me.  For my annual extension, I simply go in with my wife and we do it ourselves.  I prepare all the documents  in advance and get a letter from K-Bank the day I apply.  I do use a wheeled walker for long distances, but it is no problem at Chiang Wattana.  Planning to return to the USA soon for about a year.  That trip may be a challenge.

[Confuscious]

I was told by the ThaiVisa/AseanNow guru's and Mod's many times that there is no such thing as a "Retirement visa".
Things has obviously been changed since then and now there exsists a "Retirment Visa".

[Cameroni]

On 1/30/2025 at 6:40 AM, Gaccha said:

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. 

 

First congratulations on taking a very, very long-sighted view. That's very wise and laudable.

 

Right now I have no issue to go to Pattaya once a year. If in 40 years I do find it a struggle, I'd still do it. What doesn't kill me only makes me stronger. Thailand at any cost. 

 

If Donmuang can make it to the USA at 87, I'm pretty sure I can make it to Pattaya.

[Hummin]

3 hours ago, youreavinalaff said:

Can't agree on that because it's not correct. 

Thai Retirement Visa

If you’re over 50 years of age, the Retirement Visa Thailand gives you the chance to spend your golden years in Thailand with fewer hassles. Before acquiring it, you will need to apply for a Non-Immigrant O Visa before converting it to a Thai Retirement Visa, which will allow you to extend your visa up to a year. You can also renew it every year, allowing you to extend your stay indefinitely, as long as you continue to meet the requirements

 

https://www.siam-legal.com/thailand-visa/1-Year-Thailand-Visa.php

[oldcpu]

11 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Thai Retirement Visa

If you’re over 50 years of age, the Retirement Visa Thailand gives you the chance to spend your golden years in Thailand with fewer hassles. Before acquiring it, you will need to apply for a Non-Immigrant O Visa before converting it to a Thai Retirement Visa, which will allow you to extend your visa up to a year. You can also renew it every year, allowing you to extend your stay indefinitely, as long as you continue to meet the requirements

 

https://www.siam-legal.com/thailand-visa/1-Year-Thailand-Visa.php

Siam legal?  < sigh  >

[Liverpool Lou]

On 1/30/2025 at 1:11 PM, Digitalbanana said:

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.

Does Immigration law state that using an agent is not permitted?   It has never been an issue for many decades so why are you expecting "surprises" or are you just fear-mongering?

[Hummin]

8 minutes ago, oldcpu said:

Siam legal?  < sigh  >

Fair enough, but good enough

[DrJack54]

17 minutes ago, Hummin said:

I'm and many with me is okay with this description 

No offense however the scribble you quoted from Siam Legal is a nonsense.

It's a simplistic statement for folk that require that. 

In the same way that immigration offices have signs in different locations stating "VISA EXTENSION"

 

Most folk that advise on the forum let terms such as "retirement visa" slide. 

There is no such thing as retirement Visa. 

At the very best the term was used to describe Non O-A 

 

 

[youreavinalaff]

1 hour ago, Hummin said:

Thai Retirement Visa

If you’re over 50 years of age, the Retirement Visa Thailand gives you the chance to spend your golden years in Thailand with fewer hassles. Before acquiring it, you will need to apply for a Non-Immigrant O Visa before converting it to a Thai Retirement Visa, which will allow you to extend your visa up to a year. You can also renew it every year, allowing you to extend your stay indefinitely, as long as you continue to meet the requirements

 

https://www.siam-legal.com/thailand-visa/1-Year-Thailand-Visa.php

Incorrect. Nothing is converted. You stay in Thailand with a permission to stay. That is extended, not the visa.