Ask question

Can I enter Thailand for eight months without a visa if I plan to apply for a retirement visa?

Visa Rules Retirement Visa Immigration Long-term Stay Dependants Visa Extensions

Oct 21, 2023

a year ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi I could do with some advice I’ve been staying in Thailand for many years coming and going several months at a time. I have a house and a family there I’ve had many visa extensions ￼and also a dependant visa but my last trip I’ve got pulled up at the airport by immigration asking me why I spend so much time here and was eventually allowed into the country but my question is I’m coming again this time for around eight months with a return ticket and planning on getting a retirement Visa will the immigration let me in without any sort of Visa thank you

1,755

views

9

likes

54

all likes

20

replies

2

images

5

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

A user is seeking advice about entering Thailand without a visa after staying for many years. They have faced scrutiny from immigration and plan to apply for a retirement visa during their next visit for eight months. Community comments suggest evaluating the risk of questioning by immigration and recommend obtaining the visa before travel to ensure compliance with Thai immigration regulations.

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.

Philip ****

No one can give you a 100% correct answer in this regard, as it’s fully subjective to the individual immigration officer.

However, if you want to be on the safe side, don’t fly in and take a land border instead.

Like

Reply

Ady ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

maybe an onward flight within the first 30 days would be ok and then do my retirement visa as soon as I get there if they see I’m leaving before my 30 days are up shouldn’t be a problem I hope

Like

Reply

John ***********

visa beforehand would be better than that advice

Like

Reply

Reply to

John ***********

Reply

Graham ******

Why don't you get your Visa before you travel? It sounds like you have stayed too long in Thailand on Visa Exempt entries so why try again?

Like

Reply

Ady ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

because this time I’m going to make a retirement Visa as soon as I get there I have a Thai bank account. I have the money in the bank. I have a house and a family there so at retirement Visa is easy. I just need to be allowed into the country

Like

Reply

Reply to

Ady ******

Reply

James ********

Yep 👍 we are seeing more reports of those like you being questioned by Thai Immigration upon arrival into Thailand

It's obvious to them you are not a tourist.

You mention that you have a Thai family in Thailand.

Are you married to Thai?

Father of Thai child?

Are you living with them when you are in Thailand?

Like

Reply

James ********

AND this IS HAPPENING NOW. Thanks for sharing this with us 👍

Like

Reply

James ********

I believe that the OP has the answers to his question. We wish him success in entering Thailand... Safe travels ✈️

Comments Closed

Like

Reply

Ady ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

hi m8 I’m not married but we live together and I have a house and a daughter together with her in Koh chang

Like

Reply

James ********

have your status as the Thai father of Thai child been registered with the Amphur in your village or Province?

What is the age of the Thai child?

Like

Reply

Ady ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

she is 3 years old and we are getting her registered and an English passport when I’m back I have an agent doing the passport

Like

Reply

Reply to

Ady ******

Reply

Jay **********

If she's your biological daughter then you could get a family visa, no?

I think what was being suggested before, is that you get a OA retirement visa- apply for your retirement visa while still abroad, and you'll already have the visa in your passport before entering.

Like

Reply

Ady ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

o don’t have time now as I travel back to Thailand soon I just need to know will they let me into the country with a return flight eight months later and as soon as I get there I will get a retirement Visa

Like

Reply

James ********

We wish the OP success in entering Thailand. 🙏🙏🙏

This shows the importance of PLANNING AHEAD ...

Like

Reply

James ********

that's a good question ?

I guess you will know what happens when you arrive in Thailand.

Be sure to have the phone number of the Thai Mother of your Thai child.. copy of her Thai 🆔 card.. AND the address of where you will be staying with her and child in Thailand. We wish you success and Good Luck 🍀

Like

Reply

Ady ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

thank you m8 thanks for your advice

Like

Reply

James ********

if you do enter Thailand Visa EXEMPT entry... These are the steps you will have to take if you are going to get the Non O Visa as a retiree and the One year extension of stay as retired. Ask your local Thai Immigration office for their list of requirements.

Like

Reply

Reply to

James ********

Reply

James ********

are you the father of the daughter?

As you are the father of Thai child...

APPLY for the Non O Visa as having a Thai family...Father of Thai child...on the Evisa online application system

On arrival in Thailand, you will be stamped in for 90 days.

Visit your local Thai Immigration office and ask for their list of requirements for the one year extension of stay as retired.

Like

Reply

James ********

These are the common found requirements as Father of Thai child one year extension of stay.

Visit your local Thai Immigration Office for their list of requirements for the Non O Visa as Father of Thai child and the One year extension of stay as Father of Thai child.

Like

Reply

Ady ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

yes m8 I’m the father and named on birth certificate

Like

Reply

Reply to

Ady ******

Reply

Thai Visa Advice

... members · 40% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.

Thai Visa Advice

View the Conversation

Thai Visa Advice

Will I have issues entering Thailand on a one-way ticket while applying for a retirement visa?

21 comments

2 months ago

Will returning to Thailand after a long stay on a tourist visa cause problems at immigration?

9 comments

4 months ago

Why was I denied entry into Thailand on a tourist visa after multiple visits?

47 comments

5 months ago

What is the best visa option for staying in Thailand long-term without facing immigration issues?

35 comments

5 months ago

Can I apply for a multi-entry tourist visa to stay in Thailand for 8-9 months per year?

11 comments

6 months ago

How can I stay in Thailand for 6 to 9 months with a tourist visa?

23 comments

9 months ago

What is the best visa option for traveling back and forth to Thailand while considering retirement residency?

29 comments

a year ago

What visa options do I have as a US citizen planning to stay in Thailand for 6-8 months?

11 comments

a year ago

What is the best visa option for a 66-year-old planning to live in Thailand for 8-9 months a year, and can I enter Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption while waiting for my visa?

32 comments

a year ago

What is the best visa option for UK retirees planning to stay in Thailand for an extended period?

15 comments

a year ago

How can I best utilize a retiree visa for long stays in Thailand?

35 comments

2 years ago

What are the risks of returning to Thailand on a tourist visa after long stays and multiple visa exemptions?

20 comments

2 years ago

What are the best options for obtaining a Retirement Visa in Thailand considering my recent visa history?

9 comments

2 years ago

What are the best visa options for a retirement trip to Thailand if I plan to stay for 89 days with a break in Malaysia?

12 comments

2 years ago

Can I repeatedly use a tourist visa for long stays in Thailand?

28 comments

3 years ago

What is the best visa option for returning to Thailand and applying for a retirement visa?

13 comments

3 years ago

Should I get a tourist visa or extend my stay in Thailand without a visa?

19 comments

3 years ago

Can I Successfully Extend My Stay in Thailand Using Multiple Entry Visas?

14 comments

5 years ago

Will I face issues re-entering Thailand without a valid visa after my retirement visa expired?

8 comments

5 years ago

What visa options are available for staying in Thailand before applying for a retirement visa?

12 comments

5 years ago

What visa options do I have for extended stays in Thailand after multiple entries and stamps in my passport?

0 comments

5 years ago

Is there a minimum stay requirement for retirement visa holders in Thailand?

1 comments

6 years ago

Should I apply for a retirement visa or continue using a 60-day tourist visa to stay in Thailand?

16 comments

6 years ago

What should I do after being questioned by Thai immigration about my long-term stay without marriage?

47 comments

6 years ago

Is a Retirement Visa better than a 6-month multiple entry visa for long-term stay in Thailand?

4 comments

7 years ago

Data protection policy Terms and conditions Disclaimer Privacy policy Refund 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.