Is it easy to extend a retirement visa in Thailand for another year without leaving the country?

Jun 13, 2020
5 years ago
Robert **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi If I am on a year visa retirement one, apart from ensuring my bank balance is right, is it easy enough to extend for another year or so I have to go out and apply or what? Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Extending a retirement visa in Thailand can typically be done without leaving the country. To do this, one must visit the immigration office with the required paperwork before the visa expires, ideally 30 days prior to expiration. Specific financial requirements must be met, such as having a bank balance of 800,000 THB or proving a monthly income of at least 65,000 THB or a combination of both. It's essential to check with the local immigration office for any changes in requirements or procedures, which may vary by location. Moreover, during special circumstances like the COVID-19 pandemic, challenges may arise regarding the application and renewal process, particularly for those stuck outside of Thailand.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
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Tony **********
They r renewing. Easy too
Phil *******
Just did it at CW. No issue. Quicker and easier than last year. Don't wait!
Steve *********
I'd go to your local office in advance and pick up the current list of requirements as they change from time to time ... and they differ from one office to another.
Peter *******
I’m on a retirement visa that expires in a couple of days time, but due to the ban I have not been able to renew, I wish the authorities would give us an amnesty to get renewed visas once the eventually open up again, similar to people already there, to go through all the procedures again is a very daunting prospect.
Alwyne ********
You can do be for the 31 July give them a call
Bobby ********
@Peter ******
. Do you have O visa or OA visa?
J ******************
Retirement Visa requires health insurance also even before the virus
Bob **********
@J *****************
only an O-A visa
Peter *******
@J *****************
that’s news to me
J ******************
@Peter ******
I was applying for a retirement Visa before things closed and besides police check, bank balance health insurance was required and so on
Bobby ********
@J *****************
. The whole process for an OA visa in Australia took two weeks. Easy
J ******************
@Bobby *******
I understand that but no point until the borders open was quoted 3 days initially in Sydney
Bobby ********
@J *****************
. Yes my comment was based on "pre-covid" conditions. The OP was saying that he already has a visa which is about to expire and he didn't want to go through "the daunting procedures" to get a new one. I was expressing my viewpoint that the procedures were not really that daunting, and quite straightforward. I would however have my nose out of joint over the visa fee, if it's necessary to pay that again. If his visa has not yet been used, I think he could make an approach to the embassy to have the fee waived for a new visa. Ordinarily they'd so no, but under the covid conditions it's worth asking
Brett *******
You are not in Thailand?
Peter *******
@Brett ******
no, I’m stuck here in the UK
Bobby ********
@Peter ******
. If you're in the UK you can't get back into Thailand, so your visa will just expire. When the country opens up again, you apply for a new visa
Peter *******
@Bobby *******
I know, it’s absolutely pathetic that you have to jump through so many hoops again.
Bobby ********
@Peter ******
. That's Thailand. But getting an OA in your home country is easy enough. The hardest part is knowing when you'll be able to apply for one. I can't see it being soon
David ************
Little typo Brett, 800,000 thb, not 80,000 thb.
ᘻᗅᖶᖶᗁᕦᙛ *******
Not with a pension
Brett *******
Yeah I really should put my glasses on. 🤓
David ************
@Brett ******
I thought it might have been the glasses of wine 😂
Brett *******
You can go to immigration 30 days before your expiry date. This is probably a good idea for your first extension as it will give you plenty of time to correct any errors that you may have made with the paperwork.

Different conditions apply depending on what visa you currently hold and how you are justifying your financial position i.e. 80,000 baht in the bank or 65,000 baht per month or a combination of both.

The immigration offices also have different interpretations of the requirements depending on which office you go to.
Bobby ********
Petrouchka Lara. Depends on which immigration office you use. Some allow 45 days before, others 30.
Danny *******
No, if you are just extending your retirement visa you just need to go to immigration with all the paperwork before it expires.
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