Can a British citizen apply for a one-year retirement visa in Thailand after arriving on a 30-day visa exemption?

Apr 16, 2023
2 years ago
Roger ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi, I'm British citizen and contemplating applying for a 1 yr retirement visa in Thailand. Would this be possible if I arrive on a 30 day visa exempt?

If I initate the application process will I be given a 90 day extension to ensure my account has a balance of 800k for 2 months? TIA
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A British citizen can apply for a one-year retirement visa in Thailand after entering on a 30-day visa exemption. However, it's recommended to obtain a 90-day Non-O visa prior to arrival for more time to finalize the necessary financial requirements. To extend to a retirement visa, the applicant must show a balance of 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account for at least two months prior to application. It is easier to apply directly at the Royal Thai Embassy in the UK before traveling.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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Thomas *********
If you are in the UK you are better off applying directly to the Official Royal Thai Embassy Portal. I've included the link for you. This is a really easy process and if you apply for a Non-O single or multi entry visa. Once you have sent it in. You will have your answer in 10 working days. They are lovely to deal with. This is cheapest and easiest way to apply. When you arrive you can then open a bank account at the SCB with this visa.
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Roger ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Thomas ********
thx for the info

Did SCB make you buy health insurance to open the account?
Thomas *********
@Roger *******
no not if you have a Non O visa.
Roger ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Thomas ********
perfect, thx 👍
Laison **********
How much do you need to have in a Thai bank to apply for retirement visa anyway
Stuart *********
@Laison *********
800,000 baht or an embassy that issues a affidavit of income. Depends on nationality.
Martin *****
Just get a visa agent for the first time. After one year do it yourself.
Roger ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Martin ****
thx, looking at all options at the moment 👍
Tony ********
Get the initial visa at home then extend here. MUCH easier.
Roger ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony *******
you referring to the non O?
Tony ********
@Roger *******
yes, retirement visa
Roger ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony *******
cheers 👍
Roger ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Bob **********
Depends on what office you apply at
Sarick **********
To change from 30 day visa to a non O visa in Bangkok, you must wire transfer bank to bank for 800,000 B from aboard. When you turn in all the required paperworks in Bangkok, one of the paper work is the Credit Advice aka reciept of internationally wired transfer. To get a non o, this fund doesn't need to be in Thailand for 2 months at all. Immediate transfer is accepted. But when you go for a 1 year retirement, yes that fund must be kept at least 2onths prior to application date.

If documents completed, make online booking time of your application in advance.
Nick ************
My advice is to do it all yourself at your local immigration office as going through an agent, even a good one, can lead to problems down the line.
Roger ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nick ***********
have you managed to do this yourself?
Nick ************
@Roger *******
yes I have this year and many problems have been solved plus I saved a load of money.
Roger ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nick ***********
thx, that's good to know 👍
Giorgio ******
there is no visa called RETIREMENT VISA. this has been told a thousand times
Terry *********
@Giorgio *****
Thank you.

I normaly say this but get shot down.
Giorgio ******
@Terry ********
I absolutely understand you . it like the Myth of SISYPHE ( the greek caracter , whatever the spelling is )
Steve *******
Get the 90 days Non Imm O visa in the UK before you arrive.
Roger ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ******
thx, I'll resort to agents as a last resort, but is it relatively easy to apply for the conversion to 90 day Non O?
David *******
@Roger *******
Depends on the immigration office. They can decide to make it difficult if they feel like it. Better to get Non O in U.K.

I still used an agent for my extension to save myself the hassle, even though I had the cash, Non O, accommodation etc etc. I never plan to set foot in immigration if I can help it. A couple of friends are the same.

It’s worth it to me. I’ve no problem if others would rather spend the time to do it themselves, but I’d rather part with a few baht.
Roger ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ******
sounds sensible, how much was the agent's fee?
David *******
@Roger *******
I paid 8000 baht plus 4000 for a multiple re-entry permit. They do the 90-day reports for no extra charge.

Worth it for me, though I know others will disagree 😊
Roger ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ******
thx, that's good to know
Mike *******
@David ******
sounds sensible to me...
Phil ********
@Roger *******
Assuming you're over 50, innit?
Roger ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phil *******
yep, definitely over 50 👍
Phil ********
@Roger *******
Stuart outlined it well, mate.

Possible with due haste and luck getting a Thai bank account as a tourist.

No easy feat alone that, I'm afraid.

Siam Legal lawyers can assist for 5000 baht, though.

I suggest you get your 90 day O in London first.

Easy to get a Thai bank account with that.

No need for any agency ever, in my opinion.

This isn't rocket surgery.

Cheers 🍺
Roger ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phil *******
thx for the insight, getting an Non-O from the RTE is probably the best option
Graham ******
@Roger *******
Yes, once you meet the financial requirements
Stuart *********
Ok. Being pedantic about terminology. You can’t apply for a one year visa based on retirement within Thailand. You can apply for a 90 day visa (which allows you to season the money as required) and then apply for an extension of stay for one year.

To do so off a exempt entry means you’d need to get all your ducks in a row really quickly. You need a bank account in your name only (doable on an exempt entry but so so much more difficult these days because of the massive influx of a certain nationality).

At most immigration offices they don’t care how long you’ve had the money in the account for the initial non O visa (some rogue ones will insist on 2 months). But you’ll need at least 15 days left on a valid stamp to apply (21 in Chiang Mai). It’s doable but you’ll probably need to apply for the 30 day extension off the initial 30 day entry to give you the time to get it all done.
Roger ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
thx for the info but if I manage to open and fund bank the account with 800k during the initial 30 days, then apply for the 90 day visa, I wouldn't need to apply for an extension?
John **********
@Roger *******
you apply for the extension before the 90 days expires
Stuart *********
@John *********
Roger is referring to the 30 day extension here I believe.
Roger ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
that's correct
Chris *******
@Roger *******
yes but in most cases you need 15 working days, which is closer to 21 days.

Getting the Xtra 30 days makes sense.

But technically could be done in 30 days.
David *******
Yes it’s possible, though getting a Tourist Visa before travelling will give you more time. You’ll need the money in the account asap. You’ll get an initial 90 days visa then do annual Extensions of Stay.

If you plan to use an agent, then it doesn’t really matter - though they’d prefer the additional time as well. They’ll do the conversion to the 90 day Non O and the first Extension at the same time to give you 15 months.

It’s fairly straightforward to get a Non O from RTE London so that’s another option.
Steve *******
@David ******
Why get a tourist visa? Just get the Non Imm O in the UK. Much easier!
Roger ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
thx, that seems to be the preferred option 👍
Roger ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ******
getting an Non-O from the RTE definitely sounds like a good option, cheers 👍
David *******
@Roger *******
I did it last October. Easy. Just get the required documentation on your iPad/phone/computer first.
Roger ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ******
cool, I'll start at looking into docs required
David *******
@Roger *******
I typed this for someone else, just to give you an idea:

Visa Procedure

I was applying for the Non O ‘for Retirement’. I just followed the online instructions- though I had most documents etc ready on my iPad.

From memory, I uploaded:

1. Photo of details page of passport;

2. Headshot of myself taken on phone (when I submitted I got a warning that the photo might not be good enough but submitted it anyway and it was accepted);

3. Declaration form which appears during application- I printed it off, signed it and took photo;

4. My occupational pension statement. I’m too young for State Pension and the occupational pension amount isn’t very high;

5. I used a bank statement as proof of residence showing well over £10k in account, though I only uploaded one month;

6. No travel history so I wrote ‘None’ on a piece of paper and took a photo;

7. Photo of me holding passport;

8. Flight details - return flight 92 days after arrival;

9. hotel booking for first week;

10. Insurance that included 100k Covid. I was getting insurance anyway, used a Thai agent/broker and they provide a one page summary for me to upload;

11. Paid the £60 fee.

I did everything on my ipad and had no problems. Uploads each need to be less than 2mb but it’s easy to choose size of file on ipad. Some had to be jpg but PDF was ok for others.

I got the visa in about 3 days.
Howard **********
@David ******
Thought insurance is not needed for non O visa?
David *******
@Howard *********
it isn’t for annual Extensions once in Thailand but it is listed as a requirement for the initial application in the U.K. and other countries.

I always get Travel Insurance anyway so I just made sure the one I bought matched the requirements. I actually got it through a Thai broker as I knew they’d provide whatever paperwork I wanted. They were also very helpful when I made a claim during my last trip to Thailand.
Howard **********
@David ******
also did you get insurance just for 3 months or for 12 months?
David *******
@Howard *********
I took out an annual multi-trip as I’d planned 2 trips of 3-months each. The broker is well known on various FB groups (especially during Covid). Arawan Namak
Howard **********
@David ******
Thanks for your help David
Howard **********
@David ******
Can you send me details of the Thai broker you used,thanks
Roger ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ******
thx for step by step guide, v.useful 👍
Mike *******
@David ******
really helpful. Thanks
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