Can I visit a fitness center on a retirement visa in Thailand?

Retirement Visa Visa Extension Fitness Center

Dec 2, 2019

5 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you for all the information to apply for a Thai Visa.  Just left the Thai Consular in DC to apply for a retirement visa and attend a fitness center.  I was told i can't attend a fitness center while on a retirment visa.  I wanted to stay for 6 months.  The Consular said that i need to extend my visa once i get there and request a new one.  Is this correct? Are there any other options?  Thank you!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user shared their experience with applying for a retirement visa for Thailand and mentioned being told they cannot attend a fitness center while on this visa. Community responses clarified that there are no restrictions on visiting fitness centers; however, working at one is not permitted on a retirement visa. Additionally, it was noted that users must extend a 3-month visa upon entering Thailand, and new visas cannot be obtained while in the country. Suggestions included applying for a multiple entry tourist visa to extend their stay.

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.

Zip ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Appreciate everyones input!!

5 years ago

James ********

Commenting closed.

5 years ago

James ********

@Zip *******

you are welcome. Good luck

Hope you get your visa.

@Tod ********

has good advice...apply at NYC..

5 years ago

Reply to

James ********

Tod *********

Apply by mail to the thai consulate in New York City. Leave out the fitness center b/s story (no one cares).

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5 years ago

Zip ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

understood thank you.

5 years ago

Reply to

Zip ********

Dianne *****

I wonder if she thought that you wanted to learn Muay Thai or Hand to Hand combat which people often do as part of an ed visa. Perhaps she was giving you advice based on that assumption. Wheras of course you can attend a gym while you're on a "retirement" visa and would probably pay less for the privilege of doing so compared with those looking to get an ed visa based on this. Sounds like you want a non immigrant multiple entry OA visa which of course you can get in your own country before you come here or a multiple entry tourist visa as described in the comment above

5 years ago

James ********

Get the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa which with planning get you 6 months up to 9 months stay in Thailand. BUT YOU CANNOT WORK IN THAILAND WITH THIS VISA.

5 years ago

Robert *******

and Attend a fitness center means you're going there to help others as a personal trainer, or as staff of this fitness center, or is it just once a week a small work out to stay fit?

5 years ago

James ********

Are you age 50+ ?

Are you an American citizen?

What application did you submit at DC...if any?

Have you visited Thailand in 2019?

Did you tell DC you wanted to attend or participate in a Fitness (Yoga) Center course of study or activity?

5 years ago

Zip ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@James *******

i have not been to Thailand in 2019. And yes to all else.

5 years ago

Reply to

Zip ********

Benjamin ******

DC has no idea what they are talking about

1. There is no restrictions of visiting a "fitness center" (?) On a retirement visa. You simply can not work on the visa.

2. I'm not sure what a "retirement visa" is. There are three things that are called retirement visas. In some situations, a person get a 3 month single entry visa, which they later extend to a year, if they have adequate cash to put in a Thai Bank account.

3. You can not get a new visa when you are in Thailand, they only issue them outside of the country. See my second point above ("extension of stay" are sometimes incorrectly called "visa")

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

The only thing I can think of is she thought you wanted to work at the fitness center :( I'll let others chime in on what you should do now, I'm sleepy.

My advice is to always answer immigration's questions, and nothing else

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

She had no idea what she was talking about. Where you rejected for the visa?

5 years ago

Zip ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Benjamin *****

i am requesting the over 50 retirement visa. I have adequate funds, medical insurance, evacuation insurance...i.e everything required and she told me to get a visa in Thailand. That was my second visit and of course things were contradicted. When i told her that i would not be working just attending the fitness camp she said no and apply in Thailand. Needlesstosay, this is frustrating.

5 years ago

Reply to

Zip ********

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