Options - End of Ed Visa

[Cynical Sailor]

I'm an Australian citizen currently staying in Thailand on a Non O (Ed) Visa. It's due to expire soon and I'm seeking options to remain.

 

I'm 50 years old and meet the income requirements.

 

Is it possible to convert Ed Visa to retirement visa? Will I need to leave the country (I'd rather not)?

 

If I need to leave, should I go to Vientiane and get a tourist visa and then remain here on 'extension of stay'? Or can I apply for a retirement visa in Vientiane?

 

Any current, accurate advice is welcome.

[ubonjoe]

You can apply for an extension of stay (it is not a visa) based upon retirement at an immigration office.

You could apply for an extension based upon retirement during the last 30 days of the 90 day entry from a non-ed visa.

Or if on an extension of stay based upon attending a school you could change the reason for the extension to retirement. You would need a letter from the school stating the last day you will be attending classes so that your current extension could be canceled so that you could apply for the new extension based upon retirement.

You will need to have 800k baht in a Thai bank for 60 days if extending a non-ed visa entry or 3 months if changing the reason for your extension. Orr proof of 65k baht income proven by a letter from your embassy. Or a combination of the 2 totaling 800k baht.

You could get a single entry non-o visa based upon being 50 or over in Vientiane. At this time they are asking for a police and medical certificates and the financilical required to apply for the extension (money only has to be in on the bank on the date you apply.

 

[Cynical Sailor]

Thanks Joe. I think I'll change my current extension from Ed to Retirement (getting the letter from school etc). When I next return to Aus I'll apply for the Non O based on retirement.

Thanks again.

[ubonjoe]

35 minutes ago, Cynical Sailor said:

When I next return to Aus I'll apply for the Non O based on retirement.

You would not need the non-o visa if you get  the extension. Also you would not be able to get a non-o visa in Australia. You can only get a OA  long stay visa there.

[elviajero]

4 hours ago, Cynical Sailor said:

Thanks Joe. I think I'll change my current extension from Ed to Retirement (getting the letter from school etc). When I next return to Aus I'll apply for the Non O based on retirement.

A non 'O' visa is only required to enter the country. Once you have an extension of stay it can be renewed each year, and if you want to travel abroad you can buy single (1,000 baht) or multiple (3,800 baht) re-entry permits to keep the extension alive. No need for a new visa.

[ravisto]

hi Cynical Sailor
Can you apply the cange from ED to retirement ?
I ask because I have the same problem
Thanks