Can I apply for a retirement visa directly from a Tourist Visa in Thailand?

November 20, 2017
7 years ago
Dan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Questions about retirement visa. I researched these questions using Thai Embassy websites and this group’s search capability, but I’m still not sure about the answers.

1. Can I get a retirement visa when just completing a 60-day Tourist Visa (plus 30-day extension) without first getting another form of non-immigration visa?

2. What is the fee/cost for the initial application for a retirement visa? I found the fee for renewal but not the original fees/costs.

Thanks for your help!!!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The inquiry revolves around whether one can obtain a retirement visa (Non-O) directly after completing a 60-day Tourist Visa, along with the associated costs. Responses indicate that you cannot apply for a retirement visa directly from a tourist visa. Instead, you must first secure a 90-day Non-O visa, for which applications can be made at immigration offices within Thailand or at Thai consulates abroad. Costs for the Non-O visa are approximately 2000 baht, and once obtained, you can later apply for an annual extension based on retirement, costing 1900 baht.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Tod *********
okay, there's some good and not so good advice on here.

You cannot go straight to a "retirement visa" from a tourist visa, you would first need to apply for a 90 day Non-O visa. You can do that at an immigration office inside the country or at thai consulate outside the country.

If you are going to do it inside the country you need a minimum of 15 days left on your current stamp because the application for the Non-O goes under consideration for 14 days before you go back and get it stamped into your passport. When you apply for this the money (if you are using the banked method) does not need to be seasoned but does need to show that it came from overseas. If you are using the income method using a letter from your consulate you also need paperwork which backs up the amount on the letter (pension receipts, tax statements etc).

The cost of getting a Non-O inside the country is 2000baht.

Once oyu have that you wait until you have 45 days or less left on it and then you can apply for a yearly extension based on retirement at the immigration office for 1900baht.
Tod *********
Stephen in order to do it, you'll need at least 15 - 21 days left on your current stamp. SO if you don't have that much time, your'e not gonna get it even if they do issue them there. it's because they go under consideration for between 2 and 3 weeks (depending on the office) before you go back and get it inked into your passport.

Check with your office and see how many days you need to have on your current stamp for them to issue it (if they can)..
Tod *********
Stephen Rosbotham most immigration offices can issue the 90 day Non-O visa. Stop in and check with your office to see if they do it there. IF they don't you have to leave the country and get one from a thai consulate
Tod *********
@Andy ******
yep you're not the first person who ran out of time before they could get their documents ready,

Got to Chaengwattana and apply for a 30 day extension in section J and immediately go to the section C-1 and apply for the 90 day Non-O visa.

I have no idea IF you can get a 90 day Non-O from the thai consulate in Bali OR what their requirements might be. You'd have to contact them .

Just get the 30 day extension for 1900baht and then go apply for the 90 day Non-O visa for 2000baht.
Reiner *********
To make it easier for u....just go to an consulate in Penang. Or Vietnam to make a NON o because here it will need about 2 weeks or more...so to give U time just make a short trip....

2. U need the funds in a bank account and a letter from it, or a letter from your embassy that show u have enough income , like from renting out, or your pension is enough ...please look at the consulate witch paper u need ....

Coming beach (
***
days) u have enough time.....

For the fees look at the official Imigration web page
Reiner *********
@Dan ******
everybody can Use IT ...
Dan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
As a USA citizen, I only need affidavit of funds.
Paul *********
There's a couple of ways to do it, as long as you meet the criteria for non-0 (retirement / >50yrs)

I converted my stay to a non-0 inside Thailand, giving me 90days, then apply for a year long extension toward the end of those 90 days, and then renew a extension annually.

As for costs I think its a standard 1,900 per submission/application.
Paul *********
- meet the criteria . .

On first submission I believe it only needs to be in the account (if its a lump sum based application) on the day of submission, for extensions you'll need seasoning for the required time.
David ****************
Remembering that you need the necessary funds in your Thai sole bank account for the required term.
Antonia *********
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