CHANGE FROM 30 DAY TOURIST VISA TO RETIREMENT VISA

[UbonOz]

I have a friend(male) who arrived last week and given a 30 day tourist visa on arrival.

He would like to permanently live in Thailand. He is an Australian citizen and is 69 years old.

He can stay with us as long as he wishes until he decides where he would like to be.

He would like to change his visa to "retirement".

Attempted to speak to our local immigration office and were left confused as to what he needs to do.

I get a Statutory Declaration from the Australian Embassy each year declaring I have an income of THB65,000/month which gives me my retirement visa.

He would like to do the same.

Is it possible to do the desired changes without leaving Thailand?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[lopburi3]

He needs to do so with at least 15 days remaining on stay - so might be easier to obtain a non immigrant O visa from a Consulate first and then apply 60 days later.

If doing now he needs proof of income (if going to use that) so letter from Embassy first then visit immigration to convert entry to non immigrant at cost of 2,000 baht/financial proof. If local immigration can not do he can do in Bangkok and then do the actual extension at local office (but most larger offices do this change for retirement).

[ubonjoe]

I don't think Phibun can do the change of visa status.

Since he wants a Statutory Declaration he could make a trip to Bangkok to the embassy for and then do it at immigration there the same day.

Then do the actual extension of stay at Phibun after the 90 day entry immigration in Bangkok gave him gets down to less than 30 days.

Or he could make a quick trip to Savannakhet and get a single entry non-o there.

[davejones]

I let my retirement visa lapse, so when I come back it will arrive on 30 days visa on arrival (or whatever it's called). Can I then go to immigration and apply for a retirement visa right away (with income letter from UK Embassy)? Is it really that simple. I though I read something previously about converting to non-imm visa first and then retirement extension 2nd. Does that also mean two payments. one for non-imm and another for retirement extension?

[monty]

I let my retirement visa lapse, so when I come back it will arrive on 30 days visa on arrival (or whatever it's called). Can I then go to immigration and apply for a retirement visa right away (with income letter from UK Embassy)? Is it really that simple. I though I read something previously about converting to non-imm visa first and then retirement extension 2nd. Does that also mean two payments. one for non-imm and another for retirement extension?

Indeed 2 steps.

First change to non immigrant O with proof of income. You'll get 90 days on the spot. Cost is 2,000 Baht

Second, when your 90 days comes into the last 30, apply for 1 year extension. Need income letter from embassy again. Costs 1,900 Baht.

Some offices do the 2 steps in one time on the same day, Jomtien does this definitely when based on money in the bank, no first hand experience when doing this on income.

[lopburi3]

Yes and yes.

Apply for conversion to non immigrant entry (intended retirement extension) for fee of 2,000 baht with 15 days or more remaining and then normal extension of stay for retirement. They may accept in one visit or may ask you to return in two months for the extension.

Better to return with a non immigrant O single entry visa for aircraft boarding reasons and one less visit to immigration and perhaps one less income letter.

[davejones]

Thanks both. I might transfer money into my bank account a few months before I return. That way I won't need to get the Embassy letter twice.

[UbonOz]

Thank you for the replies.

We are going to Bangkok on Monday, firstly to the AU Embassy for the Statutory Declaration and then go to Thai Immigration and see if we can achieve the required result.

Will let you know how we go on our return.

[Mudcrab]

Might not be so straightforward. The OP says his friend got a 30 day tourist visa on arrival. Most likely this is the visa waiver 30 days. He may not have a visa at all to "convert".

[monty]

Might not be so straightforward. The OP says his friend got a 30 day tourist visa on arrival. Most likely this is the visa waiver 30 days. He may not have a visa at all to "convert".

No problem converting the 30 day visa exempt stamp.

Just make sure you have 15 days or more left when doing the conversion.

Sent from my GT-I9001 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[lopburi3]

It is the same 2,000 baht process but using TM.87 rather than TM.86 form.