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Can I enter Thailand on a Visa Exemption and apply for a retirement visa, or do I need a Non-Immigrant visa first?

Visa Exemption Retirement Visa Non-Immigrant Visa Thailand Visa Rules UK Passport Holder

Jun 16, 2022

3 years ago

Christopher **************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi, I have a question. I am on a UK passport. Can I enter Thailand on a Visa Exemption (30 days) and once there apply for a retirement visa? Alternatively, do I need a 90 Day Non-Immigrant visa (via a Thai Embassy) before entry, to convert to a retirement visa?

Thanks for any help.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Yes, you can enter Thailand on a Visa Exemption (30 days) and then apply for a retirement visa, provided you have enough time left on your entry stamp. However, some recommend applying for a 90-day Non-Immigrant visa beforehand as this may offer more flexibility and time to remain in Thailand while processing your retirement visa.

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Giovanni *******

You nerd non o visa 90 data and then you can required retirement visa for 1 year i do same

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Rattapon **************

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Paul ********

Just be mindful that you are here for 3 months before you get your retirement visa and will have to be here to renew every year. I did the one in Uk. Now have to be here in July to renew in August when I would like to be in the Uk sun FYI

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Jingle *****

so does that mean that if I come in on visa exempt, I then need to do one extension to make my stay 3 months. Then only after that I can apply for retirement visa ?

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Nick ****************

you could apply for a 60 day tourist visa and then extend for 30 days giving you 3 months

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Paul ********

if you come on a non O you get 3 months and then do retirement visa

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Jingle *****

I plan to come on a visa exempt 30 days …

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Jingle *****

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Christopher **************

ORIGINAL POSTER

great thanks.

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Paul ********

@Christopher *************

it was something I never thought of

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Paul ********

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Pauline *******

Can convert a tourist visa to non o in country, that would give you more time. Very easy to apply online for evisa in uk

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Maarten ****

@Pauline ******

yes I believe you can . Unless you entry using 30 days visa exception

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Christopher **************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Pauline ******

we have just left Thailand and I am in Malaysia, soon to go to Da Nang. Which visa can I apply for online? Thanks

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Jim ***********

@Christopher *************

I'm thinking same. Get TR60 UK but have 1 way flight booked. May use onwardbooking flight the 15 dollar throwaway one if asked for return flights

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Pauline *******

@Christopher *************

sorry thought you were in UK. the Thai Embassy in London does the online evisa, it comes through by email in a couple of days. But I wouldn't be sure if that service would be geoblocked preventing you from applying outside UK. I'm sure others in this group would be able to answer that. Enjoy Da Nang great beach there 😊

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Maarten ****

@Pauline ******

I think they require proof of return flight when you apply tourist visa online ? I don’t think you can apply thai visa in UK while you actual not inside UK right now

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Christopher **************

ORIGINAL POSTER

we already have return flights in late November. So flights are not an issue. I have to be in the UK in December.

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Pauline *******

probably not. I've no personal experience of it so can't give that answer. I was in UK when I applied last year but don't remember if flight info was required for application. I was doing visas and Thai passes for 2 people at the time so it's all a bit if a blur now😄

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Pauline *******

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Stuart *********

Either option is available. Coming exempt you’d need to act swiftly as you’ll need 21 days left on a valid stamp to apply (some office allow 15).

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Christopher **************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Many thanks

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John **********

@Christopher *************

I'd recommend coming in on a tourist visa, gives you 60 days plus option of a further 30 day extension. You need time to open a Thai bank account and transfer 800k baht into it before you can apply for a Non-O visa inside Thailand.

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John **********

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The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.

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