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Can I change from a Special Tourist Visa to a Retirement Visa while in Thailand?
Special Tourist VisaRetirement VisaThai Visa RegulationsVisa Change ProceduresExpat Life in Thailand
Sep 19, 2020
6 years ago
Oliver *************
ORIGINAL POSTEROk I Theoretically Arrive Back in Thailand on Special Tourist Visa Post Quarantine go Stay in my 30 Yr Lease Property and Try to Change This While in Country to Retired Visa Which i Have Had Before and Has Now Expired and i Dont Want to Renew it in Uk But When I'm Back in Thailand Any Thoughts or Ideas About That Greatly Appreciated
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around transitioning from a Special Tourist Visa (STV) to a Retirement Visa while in Thailand. Users express skepticism about the STV's long-term viability and discuss the complexities of current visa regulations. There's consensus that changing from STV to Retirement Visa is theoretically possible, but doubts linger regarding the application process and current travel regulations, especially as these might change depending on the COVID-19 situation. Several users caution that specifics about the STV and related processes are still unclear and highlight the need for patience as the government works through the logistics.
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.
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Steve **********
Go to the Caribbean
Alan **********
STV what are the facts regarding applying for this Visa please ?
Bobby ********
@Alan *********
. The government is still "working on the details". Latest report suggests you need to do 14 days quarantine BEFORE leaving home country. Can't see the point or logistics of this, so we'll see. Also, reports that only certain countries will have the availability. But I'd go with @Edward *******
comment. Wait another couple of weeks.Alan **********
@Bobby *******
Thank you .Reply to
Alan **********
Reply
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
not clear. wait 2 weeks
Alan **********
@Edward *******
I understand not clear what will develop in 2 weeks ?Oliver *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Alan *********
I Agree But am Worried About Underhanded Pushing Acceptance to Tour Groups Not Individuals เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
@Alan *********
Optimistically, a more rational way to address the criteria for who can come in. As it stands now the plan is fraught with extreme weaknesses. Criteria for taking countries off the list when the reach x number of cases . Will potential returnees be able to band together to charter a plane or will airlines provide this privately. Too many questions.Shayne **********
@Alan *********
nothing, wait 3 months. They should be getting other long term residents back before random tourists.Alan **********
@Shayne *********
Thank you .Shayne **********
@Alan *********
if there's 2270, that's 2 months of visas gone already. They're only doing 40 per day.Oliver *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Shayne *********
They Will Disappear Very Quickly in My Opinion Alan **********
@Shayne *********
ok .Reply to
Alan **********
Reply
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
UK ranks only above United States in terms of countries Thailand wants to see people come from.
Steve **********
@Edward *******
US had ***
million deaths to date. Thailand 59. Dont think they want US right now.เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
@Steve *********
Too bad, because I’m on the plane waiting for takeoff from South KoreaSteve **********
@Edward *******
good luckReply to
Steve **********
Reply
Oliver *************
ORIGINAL POSTER Im Still Recovering from Surgery and Now Way Ready to Commit to even Trying at the Moment But This Gives Me Hope With This Visa and Quarantine if i Just Tried to Get in With Retired visa Ill Definitly be at the back of the Queue
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
@Oliver ************
Why do you capitalize every word?Oliver *************
ORIGINAL POSTER Nov 2015 Thai wife Machette My Thumb was a Pilot For 30 Yrs Not Now Contracted JE In Takua Pa Hospital While They Operated on the Tendon of My Thumb and Ignored the Digital Nerves Inside 15 Days after Being Released Woke up in Bangkok Phuket Hospital ICU After Being in COMA For 5 dAYS was Hospitalised for 14 Days Before i Could Answer 3 Questions Correctly and Let me Out First time in My Life In Thai Hospital wit No Medical Insurance Had Been Made Redundant 6 Months Previously and Was in Process of Finding Medical Insurance With No Help from The wife Hence Fight and Machette Been in Uk Four Years Waiting on NHS In the End Just Gone Private 15 K Havnt Worked or Been Able to Do Anything with My Hand for 5 yrs Now Yes Life is Shit Just Want a Holiday in Thailand for six Months and Nowt They Wont Let Me In
Steve **********
@Oliver ************
lost thumb in war, neighbor lost arm and foot.Quite your search for pity. Just go to beach.
Oliver *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve *********
Pity No Understanding Maybe and as I was Answering a Question Why Would you Even Write That Why i Was Asked Understanding Not Snide Comments Please Oliver *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Edward *******
Phycological Problem Due to Japanese Encephalitis That Comatosed Me and Affected My Brain and a Disabled Right Thumb due to Pain or Maybe im Just Annoying Sorry if i am its Just me Cannot Help it เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
@Oliver ************
Wow. That sounds like wicked shitReply to
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
Reply
Oliver *************
ORIGINAL POSTER True
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
But isn't there a risk the list can't be written in stone as cases could pop up anytime? (Rhetorical ?)
Oliver *************
ORIGINAL POSTERLets See When List Comes Out
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
@Bobby *******
Maybe yes, maybe no. I see Myanmar is on the list but now they are having a surge. So how can these Einsteins justify keeping them on the list. Just further idiocy Bobby ********
@Edward *******
. It's not about covid spikes, it's about who they want and don't want.เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
@Bobby *******
The funny thing is, just about every Thai I know do NOT like the Chinese. Bobby ********
@Edward *******
. They actually hate them, but they contribute significantly more to the Thai tourist economy than any other nation by a long way. They also represent over 25% of Elite Visa holders. So they are pretty important to Thailand, even if Thais hate them!Reply to
Bobby ********
Reply
Bobby ********
@Edward *******
. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Somehow I don't think so!Reply to
Bobby ********
Reply
Anton **************
I don’t see any problems to get a normal visa here IF you can arrive.
The biggest problem for ppl with Retirement or ED visas who travelled abroad b4 all that lockdowns etc right now is to enter the kingdom
Do that and everything should be at least not harder than before
The biggest problem for ppl with Retirement or ED visas who travelled abroad b4 all that lockdowns etc right now is to enter the kingdom
Do that and everything should be at least not harder than before
Paul *******
It's been approved already
****************************
Oliver *************
ORIGINAL POSTERPaul Burns You Have to be More Specific than its Been Approved What Drinking Milk and Visas Wow
Bobby ********
@Paul ******
. It was approved by cabinet a few days ago, but has not been gazetted, so it's not actually law yet. And very few details have been announcedเอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
@Bobby *******
Apparently, some people like to believe whatever they watch on YouTube. Remind me to make a video that says the borders are now completely open to everybodyBobby ********
@Edward *******
. I agree. I never watch propaganda YouTube videos!Reply to
Bobby ********
Reply
Shayne **********
Don't hold your breath about STV it's months away.
Steve **********
@Shayne *********
many !Paul *******
yeah you could be right.. but i would be surprised if it doesnt now get put into law.. as they need it, and its just a trial of only 100 to 300 people per week.
Darren *******
@Paul ******
the 'Phuket Model' or something similar was also approved by cabinet but then got shelved...Bobby ********
@Darren ******
. What about the Mekong River Beer Lao proposal we were working on? Darren *******
@Bobby *******
I gave the officials another case of Beer Lao yesterday, I have a follow up meeting next week where I'm hoping the crate I turn up with will mean our proposal is rubber stamped and up and runningDarren *******
@Bobby *******
that's our new conveyor belt he's building there. Can't wait to see the first Beer Laos shipment on itReply to
Darren *******
Reply
Bobby ********
@Shayne *********
. That's even if it goes ahead!Paul *******
@Bobby *******
its already been approved.. เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
Just approved “in principle”
Bobby ********
@Paul ******
. It's been approved by cabinet, but not gazetted yet. So it doesn't actually exist in law yet!Reply to
Bobby ********
Reply
Shayne **********
It's not going to get the tourists they think it will get! That's what's confusing me. The tourists they really want are the ones coming here with
These 9 month "tourists" will mostly be long stayers who are doing any sorts of tourism stuff, just living long term in Thailand.
*****
baht to blow in 3 days.These 9 month "tourists" will mostly be long stayers who are doing any sorts of tourism stuff, just living long term in Thailand.
Shayne **********
@Bobby *******
I'm optimistic, but it's going to take a while.Reply to
Shayne **********
Reply
Paul *******
So you arrive here on the new special tourist visa... Stay on that for 9 months and then change over to a retirement visa..
Yeah you can do that no problem.. if you can get here in the first place that is.
Yeah you can do that no problem.. if you can get here in the first place that is.
Chaz ************
How would anybody know. The truth is the government hasn't ironed out all details of such yet. Any comments of future scenarios would be speculations only.
Bobby ********
Wouldn't even consider it at this stage. The conditions relating to the STV are it's 270 days maximum, and latest report is UK is not even on the list, so any hypotheticals are 100% guesswork. If you don't have job, wife or kid in Thailand, put your feet up, it's a long wait.
Oliver *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bobby *******
Would Think About it Later Though Reply to
Oliver *************
Reply
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