Answered2 years ago

Can I switch from an education visa to a retirement visa in Thailand while transferring money from the US?

Retirement Visa Education Visa Visa Change Process Financial Requirements Thailand Immigration Phuket Expat Advice

Heather ********

asked May 2, 2024

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Hello, I will be going from an education visa to a retirement visa in September, I live in Phuket, and I'm from the US.

I would like to do the 800,000 baht method. 

Can I start transferring from my US bank now while the rates are so good?

Can I do multiple transfers or does it need to be one lump sum?

Is there a particular Thai bank that's preferred? 

I’ve used the search function and I’m not finding all of the answers so my apologies if this has been asked previously. 

Thank you! Stay cool out there. 🙏🙏🙏

Answer summary

The original poster seeks guidance on transitioning from an education visa to a retirement visa in Thailand, specifically questioning the processes for transferring funds from a US bank for the 800,000 baht requirement. Responses clarify that the poster must first cancel their current visa and leave the country, then return on a new visa before applying for a retirement extension based on age. It is also noted that they can transfer the required funds in multiple installments as long as the total is maintained for two months prior to applying for the retirement extension.

13 repliesnewest first

Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.

Tod *********

and it would appear on that note we are done. We wish good luck to the O/P, in their endeavor. They should definitely GO to their immigration office well before they're wanting to do the reason change and see what's what down there 😛

Thanx one and all for the comments.

2 years ago

Craig ********

you cannot go from an ED to a retirement extension. You must cancel your visa, leave the country, return on a non-oa, tourist, or exempt, apply for non-o, and then get a retiree extension

2 years ago

Ellie *******

@Craig *******

, if you are already on an extension based on studying, you can apply for an extension based on being over 50 by cancelling that extension without leaving Thailand. As you say, IF you are still on the very first 90 days direct from Non-ED visa, you cannot apply for an extension for a different reason.

2 years ago

Craig ********

@Ellie ******

i was informed personally by immigration in person that this is incorrect and i had to leave the country and start over

2 years ago

Craig ********

@Tod ********

you say I can but I was standing in the immigration office and told this was not the case so I don't know what to tell you Tod. You say I can but I literally couldn't.

2 years ago

Tod *********

@Craig *******

I messaged you about this, how about you check your messages ?

All I can say is you most definitely CAN indeed cancel an extension based on education and immediately apply for a new yearly extension based on being over 50 (retirement)

2 years ago

Craig ********

@Tod ********

I had been on ED and it's ED extension for 1 year, I had proof of funds, I had everything. I was told i needed paperwork from the school to cancel the visa so I could LEAVE thailand, and return to begin the process again to get over to non-o and then retiree extension. This was told to me in person at the BKK immigration office by the officer and her supervisor

2 years ago

Tod *********

@Craig *******

you were on an extension of stay based on education from a school in bangkok and were told you couldn't change the reason for you extension to one based on being over 50 (retirement)?

As long as the extensions are from the same office, you can cancel one extension (based on education) with paperwork from your school, then immediately apply for a new extension (based on retirement) by meeting the proof of funds and submitting the correct documentation.

People are allowed to change the reasons for extensions from education to marriage or retirement

2 years ago

Craig ********

@Ellie ******

yeah I dunno that's just what the BKK office told me

2 years ago

Ellie *******

@Craig *******

, could be immigration office-specific. Many people changed their reasons for extension from studying to retirement without leaving Thailand.

2 years ago

Jeffrey *******

What were you studying? How long were you on the education visa?

2 years ago

Tod *********

you can move it how ever you want to in what ever lumps you want to as long as you get the 800K in the bank for 2 months BEFORE you go to switch

You are most likely NOT on any ED visa at this time and instead on an extension of stay based on education (read your current stamp)

You also won't be getting any retirement VISA in Sept. What you will do is change the reason for your extension from one based on education to one based on being over 50 (Retirement)

You would get documentation from your school saying you stop studying on xxx date, you take that AND all the documentation to apply for the year retirement extension to your immigration office.

They will cancel your current extension and you immediately apply for the new yearly extension based on retirement.

All you're doing is a "reason change" from one extension to another..

2 years ago