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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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

visa beforehand would be better than that advice

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

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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?

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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

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Ady ******

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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?

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James ********

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

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James ********

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

Comments Closed

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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

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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?

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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

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Ady ******

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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.

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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

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James ********

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

This shows the importance of PLANNING AHEAD ...

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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 🍀

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Ady ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

thank you m8 thanks for your advice

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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.

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James ********

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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.

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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.

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Ady ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

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Ady ******

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