thailand
Ask question

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
4 years ago
Oliver *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok 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
3,056
views
5
likes
106
all likes
57
replies
4
images
9
users
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.
Steve **********
Go to the Caribbean
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Alan **********
STV what are the facts regarding applying for this Visa please ?
4 years ago
Like
Reply
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.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Alan **********
@Bobby *******
 Thank you .
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Alan **********
Reply
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
not clear. wait 2 weeks
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Alan **********
@Edward *******
 I understand not clear what will develop in 2 weeks ?
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Oliver *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alan *********
 I Agree But am Worried About Underhanded Pushing Acceptance to Tour Groups Not Individuals
4 years ago
Like
Reply
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.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Shayne **********
@Alan *********
 nothing, wait 3 months. They should be getting other long term residents back before random tourists.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Alan **********
@Shayne *********
 Thank you .
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Shayne **********
@Alan *********
 if there's 2270, that's 2 months of visas gone already. They're only doing 40 per day.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Oliver *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Shayne *********
 They Will Disappear Very Quickly in My Opinion
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Alan **********
@Shayne *********
 ok .
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Alan **********
Reply
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
UK ranks only above United States in terms of countries Thailand wants to see people come from.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Steve **********
@Edward *******
 US had
***
million deaths to date. Thailand 59. Dont think they want US right now.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
@Steve *********
 Too bad, because I’m on the plane waiting for takeoff from South Korea
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Steve **********
@Edward *******
 good luck
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply 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
4 years ago
Like
Reply
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
@Oliver ************
 Why do you capitalize every word?
4 years ago
Like
Reply
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
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Steve **********
@Oliver ************
 lost thumb in war, neighbor lost arm and foot.

Quite your search for pity. Just go to beach.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
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
4 years ago
Like
Reply
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
4 years ago
Like
Reply
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
@Oliver ************
 Wow. That sounds like wicked shit
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
Reply
Oliver *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
True
4 years ago
Like
Reply
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
But isn't there a risk the list can't be written in stone as cases could pop up anytime? (Rhetorical ?)
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Oliver *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Lets See When List Comes Out
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Bobby ********
@Oliver ************
. They've already hinted!
4 years ago
Like
Reply
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
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Bobby ********
@Edward *******
. It's not about covid spikes, it's about who they want and don't want.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
@Bobby *******
 The funny thing is, just about every Thai I know do NOT like the Chinese.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
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!
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Bobby ********
Reply
Bobby ********
@Edward *******
. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Somehow I don't think so!
4 years ago
Like
Reply
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
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Paul *******
It's been approved already
****************************
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Oliver *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Paul Burns You Have to be More Specific than its Been Approved What Drinking Milk and Visas Wow
4 years ago
Like
Reply
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 announced
4 years ago
Like
Reply
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
@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 everybody
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Bobby ********
@Edward *******
. I agree. I never watch propaganda YouTube videos!
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Bobby ********
Reply
Shayne **********
Don't hold your breath about STV it's months away.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Steve **********
@Shayne *********
 many !
4 years ago
Like
Reply
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.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Darren *******
@Paul ******
 the 'Phuket Model' or something similar was also approved by cabinet but then got shelved...
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Bobby ********
@Darren ******
. What about the Mekong River Beer Lao proposal we were working on?
4 years ago
Like
Reply
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 running
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Bobby ********
@Darren ******
. This is our man in Laos
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Darren *******
@Bobby *******
 that's our new conveyor belt he's building there. Can't wait to see the first Beer Laos shipment on it
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Darren *******
Reply
Bobby ********
@Shayne *********
. That's even if it goes ahead!
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Paul *******
@Bobby *******
 its already been approved..
4 years ago
Like
Reply
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
Just approved “in principle”
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Bobby ********
@Paul ******
. It's been approved by cabinet, but not gazetted yet. So it doesn't actually exist in law yet!
4 years ago
Like
Reply
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
*****
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.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Shayne **********
@Bobby *******
 I'm optimistic, but it's going to take a while.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
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.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
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.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
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.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Oliver *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
 Would Think About it Later Though
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Oliver *************
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
What are the best options for returning to Thailand on a visa after the Special Tourist Visa expires?
9 comments
2 years ago
What are my options for extending my stay in Thailand after my STV visa expires in December, and are there any related visa requirements?
5 comments
2 years ago
Can I re-apply for the STV visa after being downgraded to a tourist visa in Thailand?
25 comments
3 years ago
Can I change a 90-day visa to a retirement visa in Thailand?
4 comments
3 years ago
What is the best way to transition from an STV visa to a Marriage visa while in Thailand?
8 comments
3 years ago
What are my options for extending my stay in Thailand after STV visa and COVID extensions end?
7 comments
3 years ago
What are the best long-term visa options for staying in Thailand given the current STV visa situation?
14 comments
3 years ago
What is the current status and experience of obtaining an STV visa for staying in Thailand?
14 comments
3 years ago
Can I change my STV to a Non-Immigrant B visa without leaving Thailand?
5 comments
3 years ago
Can I apply for an STV or a non-immigrant visa while in Thailand if I'm over 50?
0 comments
3 years ago
What are the best long-term visa options for staying in Thailand for over 90 days?
10 comments
3 years ago
Can I change my Covid visa extension to a Non-O or retirement visa while in Thailand?
4 comments
3 years ago
Can the Special Tourist Visa (STV) be converted to a COVID Visa in Thailand?
11 comments
3 years ago
What options do I have regarding my Special Tourist Visa (STV) situation in Thailand after the recent rule change?
26 comments
3 years ago
What are the steps to switch from a Special Tourist Visa (STV) to a retirement visa in Thailand?
37 comments
3 years ago
What are the best options for a UK citizen returning to Thailand from Japan to obtain a retirement or tourist visa?
6 comments
4 years ago
Should I get a TR or an STV visa before converting to a long-term Non-Immigrant visa in Thailand?
12 comments
4 years ago
What is the best visa option for a Canadian looking to start in Thailand and transition to a retirement visa?
5 comments
4 years ago
What are the differences between Tourist Visa and STV in Thailand, and can I extend them?
26 comments
4 years ago
Which is the better option for staying long-term in Thailand: STV or tourist visa?
18 comments
4 years ago
What are the options for US expats after the STV visa ends in Thailand?
19 comments
4 years ago
Is the Special Tourist Visa worth it compared to the Non-Immigrant O or regular Tourist Visa in Thailand?
18 comments
4 years ago
Can I enter Thailand on an STV and later apply for a Retirement Visa?
56 comments
4 years ago
Can I apply for a Special Tourist Visa (STV) while already in Thailand on an ED visa?
11 comments
4 years ago
Can you apply for a Retirement Visa while in Thailand on the new Tourist Visa?
46 comments
4 years ago
Data protection policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimerPrivacy policyRefund policy
The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.