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Can my husband switch to a retirement visa in Thailand while his work permit is still valid?

Retirement VisaWork Permit ExtensionThai Visa RulesPassport ValidityExpats in ThailandImmigration AdviceNON-B VisaNON-O VisaVisa Renewal Process
Nov 6, 2023
a year ago
Susan ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi all! Need advice from experienced expats in Thai immigration, please. My husband's work permit is valid until 5 Dec but his passport validity is less than 6 months now. He is renewing his passport meanwhile his company is trying to extend his work permit until Dec 30 with his old passport. The questions are:

1. can he get a retirement visa without getting out from Thailand?

2. if he gets visa stamped on his old passport, meanwhile he has a new passport, will there be any problem?

3. Is it possible to have his work permit extended with passport of less than 6 months validity?

Thank you in advance.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The poster is seeking advice on their husband's immigration status in Thailand. The husband's work permit will expire at the end of December, but his passport has less than six months of validity. They are exploring options for a retirement visa without needing to exit Thailand, and whether he can extend his work permit given the passport situation. Community members offer insights into the requirements for retirement visas, the implications of having two passports, and the necessity of maintaining a specific bank balance for visa eligibility.
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.
John *******
I switched​ from a non b extension to a non o retirement extension in another province. I did not wait until the last day to apply. I got the Uni to write a letter stating my last day and took it to immigration who stamped my passport​ in advance. I used my vacation days and went to immigration in the new province. I had to file a new tm30. I got my non o extension. I also had to show that I originally entered on a tourist visa.
6 months ago
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Frank **********
You cannot work on a retirement visa hence no work permit.
a year ago
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Susan ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank *********
 i see, thanks! He is considering to switch the curent 1 year visa with work permit to retirement visa because he will be retired in end of Dec.
a year ago
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Susan ***********
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Bob **********
He will only get the amount of time that his passport is good for
a year ago
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John **********
Is your husband currently on a Non-B visa or an extension of stay from that. The distinction is important with regards whether he can simply switch to retirement or not. But even if he can he will need to have 800k baht in a Thai bank account in his name only 2 full calendar months before the switch
a year ago
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Susan ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 thank you for your reply. We are not sure what visa do we have as it is not written Non-B or O, it is a year visa applied by the company he works for with work permit. Can we, the whole family, extend it without work permit? (As he will be retired in end of Dec.). if yes, for how long the extension is allowed? Wonfering how much time we can have until he switch to retirement visa. And yes, we are preparing the 800K for the next 2 months now (and it should come from abroad, right?). As I am.a foreigner as well, do I need 800K as well or it is enough only for my husband?
a year ago
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John **********
@Susan **********
 Have a look in his passport, does the most recent stamp have the text "extension of stay is permitted" if so he is not on any visa and will be able to switch to retirement in December provided he has the money in the bank for 2 full months beforehand.
a year ago
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Susan ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 yes it is written the text. We have finally decided to go for guardian visa to buy tine then switch later to retirement visa. Thanks!
a year ago
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John **********
@Susan **********
 I'm not sure why you would do that. Seems a bit of a difficult way round, who is he going to get a guardian visa to
a year ago
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Susan ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 we have 2 kids studying here, so each of us is going to be guardian for each. We don't have to travel out and we need to buy 2 months of 800K record which has to come from abroad (our visa will be expired on 5th Dec), so even we put the money now, it won't be 2 months on Dec 5. Meanwhile, guardian visa only requires us to have 520K in bank for a month, which we have prepared few days ago so possible to get it approved on Dec 5. And if we need to change it later and have to go out from the country to do so, we can do it as we can choose the time during school holiday so children won't miss the school.
a year ago
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John **********
@Susan **********
 you will each need 500k to do this and I'm not sure at all you can do so inside Thailand. People have been travelling to Penang for this.
a year ago
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Susan ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 oh really? Thought we don't need to travel out for guardian visa. Ok will have to recheck it out again. Thanks!
a year ago
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Susan ***********
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Brandon ************
He cannot work on a retirement visa so that part of this question is very confusing
a year ago
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Susan ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 sorry for the confusion. My husband will end his work in the end of Dec so the company ia trying to extend his work permit until then. But my husband is looking to change his visa to retirement visa as he will stop working after. To change the visa, we wonder if he should leave the country and make the retirement visa from another country or he could stay in Thailand and do it here.
a year ago
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Brandon ************
@Susan **********
 that'll be dependant upon the policies of the immigration office you'll be using. Some might allow it and some might not. You'd need to go to the office you'll be using and ask about it.
a year ago
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Brandon ************
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Susan ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you for the information, Mr. Murray!
a year ago
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Craig ********
these questions are very specific and nuanced. You might not get 100% accurate information on facebook. Contact Siam Legal or similar legal professional to help you with the details.
a year ago
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Craig ********
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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