Answered5 years ago

How do I obtain a retirement visa in Thailand using a visa exemption?

Retirement Visa Thailand Visa Process NON-O Visa Visa Exemption Chiang Mai Immigration Phuket Immigration

Stephen *****

asked Sep 17, 2021

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Anyone can correct my understanding.

If I want to get a retirement visa in Thailand, I use visa exemption to enter Thailand and apply for 30 days extension to sufficient time to get NON-O (retriement) visa with required documents and proving the Thai bank account had THB800K. When they are approved, the NON-O visa allows staying for 45 days. After that, I go to apply for a one-year extension before expired. That finish, then repeat the process to get a 1-year extension next year.

Am I right? I want to enter Phuket / Chiang Mai sandbox and do it in Chiang Rai immigration through this process to get my visa.

Answer summary

The user seeks clarification on the process for obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand. They plan to enter Thailand using a visa exemption and then apply for a 30-day extension while preparing the documents needed for a NON-O (retirement) visa, requiring proof of a THB800K bank account. Once approved, the NON-O visa would provide a 45-day stay, followed by a one-year extension application before it expires. Comments from others provide additional details on the process, including specific requirements for different immigration offices in Phuket and Chiang Mai.

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Stephen *****

Thank you for your replies and comments. Actually, I hope successful for me because I’m afraid different office and passport holder not same result (some friends warn me western people are so easy but Hong Kong people may be…), I don’t know. GOOD LUCK.

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

@Stephen ****

Different immigration offices have different polices, but I don't believe they discriminate based on nationality.

5 years ago

Thomas ********

following, as im trying to do the same come january

5 years ago

Tod *********

Yep, you're pretty close to how it's actually done

You can come in on a visa exempt, get the 30 day extension, apply for the 90 day Non-O visa at your immigration office for 2000baht

Wait the under consideration period,

Go back get the Non-O and the 90 day stamp inked in.

Wait until you have 30 days or less left on that stamp and your money is seasoned the required 2 months before you apply for the year at the immigration office for 1900baht.

Keep in mind in Phuket you need at least 15 days left on your stamp to apply for an in country Non-O because they have a 14 day under consideration period BUT in Chiang Mai you need at least 21 days left on your stamp to apply because they have a 20 day under consideration period

5 years ago

Stephen *****

@Tod ********

Any variant in different immigration office? In principle, can I assume that true in this workflow.

5 years ago

Tod *********

@Stephen ****

not all offices offer in country Non-Immigrant visas and some offices have a much longer "under consideration" period when you do apply for the initial Non-O visa. For instance Chiang Mai has an under consideration period of 20 days <- meaning you need at least 21 days left on your current stamp to apply there.

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

@Stephen ****

Different immigration offices have different policies, sadly. There are 70+ immigration offices in Thailand

5 years ago

Oliver *************

@Tod ********

Thanks that exactly what i wanted to know

5 years ago

Tod *********

Mandy Lam yep, if you're both going to do it in country you both qualify on your own with your own funds

To get a 30 day extension on a visa exempt you go to MTT

5 years ago

Tod *********

Mandy Lam in order to get a "trailing spouse" extension that person first has to hold a 90 day Non-O visa. Just like in order to apply for a year extension you need a Non-O first.

5 years ago

Tod *********

Mandy Lam you can't apply for a Non-O visa based on being married to someone who is getting (or has) a "retirement visa" because that "trailing spouse" reason is not one that they issue NOn-O visas in country for 😕

You apply for the in country Non-Immigrant type visas in Bangkok at Chaengwattana NOT MTT

5 years ago