can I obtain a retirement visa in Thailand?

[FTB]

I would like to obtain a retirement visa in Thaialnd. Can i do this if I am in country on a tourist visa? Assuming of course I have the assets in the bank, am 50 years of age, etc.

I was told my first retirement visa needs to be issued from an outside country. Is this the case?

Thank you.

[ubonjoe]

You will not truly get a retirement visa at immigration.

You can do a change of visa status at immigration in Bangkok and at some nearby offices to get a 90 day non immigrant visa entry. It takes two trips to immigration 15 days apart to get the visa/entry stamp. You must have at least 15 days remaining on your current entry to apply.

Dependent upon where you living it might be easier to make a trip to Vientiane or Penang to get a single entry non-o visa for being 50 or over.

Then during the last 30 days of the 90 day entry you will get from the change or the non-o visa you can apply for a extension of stay based upon retirement at your local immigration office.

[FTB]

Thank you for the explanation.

[Strangebrew]

To OP it is called an extension for retirement purpose and not a visa once you have still have to report every 90 days and renew every year also if you wish to travel outside country need reentry stamp

[FTB]

Can I do that extension of stay for retirement on a tourist visa or does it need to be a Non imm, type O?

I travel extensively and the thought of having to file paperwork with the immigration office before I leave is disconcerting. Is there away to avoid the reporting situation?

[Lite Beer]

If you do not stay in the country for 90 days you do not have to report.

The requirement is to report 90 days of continuous stay.

[FTB]

Thanks Lite Beer.

However I cannot leave the country without checking in with immigration correct? If this is the case is there any way (extra fee, paperwork etc.) I can pay/file when applying for my Visa extension for retirement that would allow me to simply leave the country within my 90 day stay without having to file paperwork with immigration prior to each trip? Say like a multi entry Non Imm type O allows me.

[tom21]

apply for a reentry permit. it is the only way

[oncearugge]

Thanks Lite Beer.

However I cannot leave the country without checking in with immigration correct? If this is the case is there any way (extra fee, paperwork etc.) I can pay/file when applying for my Visa extension for retirement that would allow me to simply leave the country within my 90 day stay without having to file paperwork with immigration prior to each trip? Say like a multi entry Non Imm type O allows me.

You need no one's "permission" and no "filing of paperwork" is required to leave the country.

If you are a frequent traveler a multi-entry re-entry permit is needed (3800 Bht from the immigration office or airport) which will ensure your extension of stay remains valid.

[bangkoklasse]

You will not truly get a retirement visa at immigration.

You can do a change of visa status at immigration in Bangkok and at some nearby offices to get a 90 day non immigrant visa entry. It takes two trips to immigration 15 days apart to get the visa/entry stamp. You must have at least 15 days remaining on your current entry to apply.

Dependent upon where you living it might be easier to make a trip to Vientiane or Penang to get a single entry non-o visa for being 50 or over.

Then during the last 30 days of the 90 day entry you will get from the change or the non-o visa you can apply for a extension of stay based upon retirement at your local immigration office.

What office more than Bangkok can do it ? And is it at least 15 days remaining the same in all offices ?

[oncearugge]

You will not truly get a retirement visa at immigration.

You can do a change of visa status at immigration in Bangkok and at some nearby offices to get a 90 day non immigrant visa entry. It takes two trips to immigration 15 days apart to get the visa/entry stamp. You must have at least 15 days remaining on your current entry to apply.

Dependent upon where you living it might be easier to make a trip to Vientiane or Penang to get a single entry non-o visa for being 50 or over.

Then during the last 30 days of the 90 day entry you will get from the change or the non-o visa you can apply for a extension of stay based upon retirement at your local immigration office.

What office more than Bangkok can do it ? And is it at least 15 days remaining the same in all offices ?

All changes of visa status are done in Bangkok. Some offices will accept applications for forwarding to Bangkok.

Sorry, I do not have a list of the offices which offer the service.

A minimum of 15 days is required by all ofiices.

[ubonjoe]

You will not truly get a retirement visa at immigration.

You can do a change of visa status at immigration in Bangkok and at some nearby offices to get a 90 day non immigrant visa entry. It takes two trips to immigration 15 days apart to get the visa/entry stamp. You must have at least 15 days remaining on your current entry to apply.

Dependent upon where you living it might be easier to make a trip to Vientiane or Penang to get a single entry non-o visa for being 50 or over.

Then during the last 30 days of the 90 day entry you will get from the change or the non-o visa you can apply for a extension of stay based upon retirement at your local immigration office.

What office more than Bangkok can do it ? And is it at least 15 days remaining the same in all offices ?

The only offices accepting the applications are in provinces adjacent to Bangkok and Jomtien in Chon Buri,

If you apply at any other office than Bangkok you would have to show proof of residence within its area of responsibility.

You must have at least 15 days at all offices but it can also be within the 30 day extension of a visa exempt or tourist visa entry.

[ubonjoe]

Can I do that extension of stay for retirement on a tourist visa or does it need to be a Non imm, type O?

I travel extensively and the thought of having to file paperwork with the immigration office before I leave is disconcerting. Is there away to avoid the reporting situation?

You seem to be concerned about the first 90 days you will get from the change to a non immigrant visa or from a non-o visa you must have to apply for the extension.

After you get the 90 day entry you can get a re-entry permit if you want to travel during those 90 days to keep it valid so you can apply for the one year extension when you return.

Once you have the one year extension you can get a multiple re-entry permit to keep it valid if you travel.