I turn 50 in June this year. From mid-2013 to early 2015 I was in Thailand on a work permit. For the past year I've been here on a combination of SETVs (now on my 3rd) and a couple of 30-day waivers.

My current SETV extension expires early April. What's the best (i.e. least hassle) way to manage the transition to a retirement visa? I will apply with 800K in my Thai bank account - when exactly to deposit?

Am I likely to have a problem getting a fourth SETV inside 12 months? If not, where would be the best place to try?

If I go with another 30 day waiver (+30 day extension), how many days remaining on it are required to apply for extension of stay / retirement? I believe I read 15 days. I assume that turning up at immigration on the morning of my 50th birthday, but on the last day of my visa waiver, is not the recommended way.

Many thanks in advance.

You should not have a problem getting another single entry tourist visa. There is no limit on getting them other than back to back ones from the same embassy or consulate.

Dependent upon when your current entry ends and when your birthday is in June you might be able to an out and back for a 30 day exempt entry and extend it for 30 days.

You need at least 15 days remaining on your entry to apply for a conversion to a 90 day non immigrant visa at immigration. Whether you will be able to do it at your local immigration office will depend upon where you live not all immigration offices can do them.

You could also go to Vientiane or Penang to get a single entry non-o visa on your birthday. You need will the 800k baht to be in the bank on that day (60 days is not required).

You need to have the 800k baht in the bank before your birthday. It will need to be in the bank on the day you apply for a visa. Then it will need to be in the bank for 60 days on the date you apply for the extension of stay during the last 30 days of the 90 day entry you will get from the visa.

Many thanks Joe for the quick and helpful reply. Based on your advice, my plan would be:

Early April: Get a 60-day SETV from Penang.

Beginning of June: Extend SETV for 30 days at Jomtien / Chonburi immigration.

After June 5th birthday: Apply for retirement-based extension of stay at Jomtien (with 800K in bank).

Sounds about right?

OP as ubon has included in your complete options, have a look at the Vientiane option to obtain your non o based on retirement. Good consulate and you could fly from bkk to udon thani.

OP as ubon has included in your complete options, have a look at the Vientiane option to obtain your non o based on retirement. Good consulate and you could fly from bkk to udon thani.

Thanks - but Joe said above that some immigration offices are able to process a retirement-based extension of stay. I'd guess Jomtien is one of them? A couple of days in Vientiane is no problem for me, but the Jomtien immigration office is a much easier trip.

Many thanks Joe for the quick and helpful reply. Based on your advice, my plan would be:

Early April: Get a 60-day SETV from Penang.

Beginning of June: Extend SETV for 30 days at Jomtien / Chonburi immigration.

After June 5th birthday: Apply for retirement-based extension of stay at Jomtien (with 800K in bank).

Sounds about right?

It is a 2 step process to get the extension. First you will apply for a change of visa status (TM86 form) to get a 90 day non immigrant visa entry. When you apply you will then need to go back after about 2 weeks to get the visa/ entry stamps. Then during the last 30 days of the 90 day entry from the visa you will apply for the one year extension of stay.

OP as ubon has included in your complete options, have a look at the Vientiane option to obtain your non o based on retirement. Good consulate and you could fly from bkk to udon thani.

Thanks - but Joe said above that some immigration offices are able to process a retirement-based extension of stay. I'd guess Jomtien is one of them? A couple of days in Vientiane is no problem for me, but the Jomtien immigration office is a much easier trip.

I can't find any first hand reports of anyone applying for the conversion at Jomtien, but there are several comments from members that suggest they started accepting applications again in early 2015 if converting for the purpose of a retirement extension. So it looks like you might be in luck.

Thanks elviajero. I'm only 5 mins from the Jomtien office, so I guess the easiest thing is to go and ask. I'll report back.

Easeback you didn't mention your method of financial ie money in Thai bank ?

If your doing a conversion rather that non o outside los, you will need to prove money came from outside thailand

Easeback you didn't mention your method of financial ie money in Thai bank ?

If your doing a conversion rather that non o outside los, you will need to prove money came from outside thailand

Is evidence of a wire transfer from my UK bank sufficient proof?

Easeback you didn't mention your method of financial ie money in Thai bank ?

If your doing a conversion rather that non o outside los, you will need to prove money came from outside thailand

Is evidence of a wire transfer from my UK bank sufficient proof?

You will need a letter from your Thai bank confirming the funds came from abroad. You can get it at the same time you get one confirming your balance.

Thanks again all... Think I'm fully prepped now.