Thanks in advance for any help. I have searched Thaivisa for info and what I have found is incomplete or not current, hence this thread.

I'm an American, currently working in Chonburi and the job will end very soon, and I want to change to a retirement visa without leaving the country if possible. I have never had a retirement visa before, but I am old enough.

I can cancel my work permit any time up to the end of this month. I will get an income statement from the US Embassy in a few days--I have an appointment.

Here's what I've gleaned so far from the net as to how the process will unfold:

First I will get the work permit cancelled and a letter from my work stating that this has occurred. That same day I will take the letter to immigration in Pattaya along with the following documents:

1. A completed application form. Which one I don't know. TM 86 or TM 87?

2. One photo

3. 2,000 baht application fee

4. Original Passport

5. Copies of relevant pages, signed.

6. Copy of departure card, signed.

7. Income statement from US Embassy

8. Copy of current lease for my address, signed. (May I assume bills with my name and address won't work?)

From what I understand they will send the stuff up to Bangkok to get the new visa. I assume, then, that it will take a few days.

Any expert advice would be welcome. I would like to get this right to avoid any unnecessary hassles.

It is important that you determine on what basis you are currently allowed to remain in Thailand.

Do you have a valid "B" visa or do you have an extension of stay?

If you have a visa it is not possible to change visa class within Thailand.

If you have an extension of stay immigration my agree to change the reason for the extension from work to retirement, however most offices will require you to obtain an "O" visa from outside Thailand before they will process an application for an extension of stay based on retirement.

Thanks for the input, but I'm afraid I'm quite hopeful you are wrong in this case. I have friends who have not left the country and yet were able to switch to retirement and marriage arrangements.

Edit: My visa, from long ago, says Non-re on it. No mention of "O" or "B."

Edited December 14, 201510 yr by opporna

You apparently have an extension of stay based upon working and want to change the reason for it to retirement.

The listed documents you posted appear to be correct. You will need a signed copy of your landlords ID card and house book attached to the application.

You will use a TM7 extension of stay application form. The forms you mentioned are for a non immigrant visa application.

Ok.

So I can do an extension of stay on my current visa, the one I've been extending for many years because I have had a work permit?

How do I know if I have an "O" or a "B" visa? Is that even relevant here?

You apparently have not a had a valid visa for many years. The last one you had is the one you used to get the entry you have been extending.

Ok, I'm beginning to understand. And you're saying my entry can be changed from being extended for work reasons to retirement reasons, right (I hope)?

Ok, I'm beginning to understand. And you're saying my entry can be changed from being extended for work reasons to retirement reasons, right (I hope)?

Yes you can.

Thank you very much.

The listed documents you posted appear to be correct. You will need a signed copy of your landlords ID card and house book attached to the application.

Sorry to bother again, but I must go talk to my landlord about all this and need to be clear on what I'm asking for.

So from her, I need the rental contract (สัญญาเช่า), a copy of her id signed (ก๊อบปี้บัตรประชาชนต้องเซ็นชื่อด้วย) and house book (ก๊อบปี้ทะเบียนบ้านเซ็นชื่อด้วย).

My main question here is should it be a copy of the house book for where *she* lives or the house book of the house I rent?

Thanks again for all your help--I really do appreciate it.

Edit: I forgot to mention something. I rent a house I live in, but I also own a condo which I rent out. Could I use the condo instead? Would that be easier?

Edited December 15, 201510 yr by opporna

It would be the house book for the house where you are living.

You could use the condo address if you wanted to.

For the condo I would need signed copies of the deed and the blue book I assume? Seems a lot easier.

I just wanted to add that everything went smoothly and I got my extension of stay today (Friday) after going in Wednesday.

Thanks to ubonjoe for spot-on advice.