Can I enter Thailand on a tourist visa as an Australian to start my retirement process?

Feb 27, 2023
2 years ago
Craig *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Good morning

I’m an Australian married to a Thai for 15 years, we are about to retire to Thailand, can I arrive in Thailand on a 30 day tourist visa to start the retirement process or does it have to be completed here in Australia

Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An Australian married to a Thai can enter Thailand on a 30-day tourist visa (visa exempt entry) to begin the retirement process. This option allows for conversion to a non-immigrant visa within Thailand, which can be simpler than securing the visa in Australia. Alternatives include the Non-O visa for spouses, which may have different requirements such as health insurance.
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.
Jo **********
you may want to get an LTR based on retirement it’s for 10 years and only need to report every year
Andy ***********
Hi Craig . I have had both retirement and Thai Wife . If u never going to work in thailand i think get retirement . Converting from one to the other is very tiresome … getting the visa in country is probably best option . U can book online at immigration for a time .. cheers
Michael ******
On arrival you get 45 days
Paul ********
You have Thai Bank Account??
David *******
Retirement visa done in Thailand is the simplest. Get a 60 day tourist visa in your home country which can be extended for 30 days, the 90 days will give you plenty of time to sort out the retirement visa.
Ling *****
Hi
@Craig ********
I was talking about this on the old Thai Visa forum a few months ago. You can arrive in Thailand on the 30 day visa exempt and then you can convert that visa to a non immigrant visa. Once that nears running out you can do the 12 Month extension. I weighed up the pros and cons. If you go for for the non immigrant visa in AU then you need to purchase a 12 Month Health Insurance policy and it is not cheap. But if you go the other route via the 30 day visa exempt entry and converting then you do not this health insurance. Personally I would choose the second option. In your case though being married you could the Non O-A spouse visa and according to Sydney consulate it doesn't ask for that health insurance policy, here is the link to that, good luck.
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Sam *****
@Ling ****
can an Australian couple get this visa if neither are Thai?
Ling *****
@Sam ****
No, it's only for a Thai spouse.
Craig *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ling ****
thank you ling gah
Richard *********
the marriage option means Less baht in the bank<( 400,000 vs 800,000)

arrive on a Visa Exempt entry and convert at immigration.
Nico *********
Non immigrant 0 visa you need
Michael ********
Can do either way, if you havent got bank account yet getting your 90 day non O in Australia gives you more time to sort things out here.
Steve ********
As an Australian you don't need a visa to enter as a tourist. Are you planning to get a retirement visa or a "married to a Thai" visa?
Craig *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
not planning to work, we already have a house on a farm, just want the less stressful way
Craig *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Steve
Steve ********
@Craig ********
The financial requirements for retirement are higher than married, but there's less bureaucracy involved
Stuart *********
Either option would work. In Australia you might want to look at the Non OX visa. Effectively 10 years for around $600 I think. Sydney issues them. Does require health insurance and background check.
Brandon ************
@Linhoff ********
no. Only non-OA which is for one year.
Richard *********
Brandon ************
@Richard ********
Australia is the only one I know of
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