Is the retirement visa in Thailand the same as the Non-Immigrant Type O visa?

Question

I have posted previously regarding visa requirements from uk for an initial 3 month visit. I have received some good feedback from this group, and subsequently visited the Thai embassy in London this morning and I was advised, because of my age, to apply for a retirement visa - either a 90 day single or multi entry. 
So is the retirement visa the same as a non-immigrant type O visa?

Ask Thailand · Answer

The retirement visa commonly referred to by some is often equivalent to the Non-Immigrant Type O visa, especially for individuals over 50. However, it's important to clarify that there is no official retirement visa; the relevant visa options are the Non-Immigrant Type O visa and the Non-Immigrant Type O-A (Long Stay) visa. For short stays like a three-month visit, a tourist visa may be more appropriate, while the Non-O visa is better suited for longer stays involving potential extensions.

Ian ******** · Answer

Thanks all, I think the non-immigrant O multi-entry visa is right for me. Now I just need to try and fill out the application form!

Ian ******** · Answer

If I want to visit surrounding countries during my visit then it makes sense to get the multi-entry visa I guess

Ian ******** · Answer

The single-entry fee is £50, and the mult-entry £125

Tod ********* · Answer

Just get the 90 days single entry Non-O they are telling you about and come here for 3 months.

Tod ********* · Answer

Okay, makes sense that it's just the Non-O visa then.

The way that would work IS

if you get a 90 day single entry one once you get to thailand you would apply for a yearly extension of stay at the immigration office for 1900baht by meeting the financial requirements.

OR

If you got the year-long, multi-entry one you would have to exit/re-enter the country every 90 days to get another 90 day stamp, you would do that for the validity of the visa itself (a year from the date it's issued).

Ian ******** · Answer

Maybe a 'retirement visa' is just less complicated?

Alan ******* · Answer

If you only want to stay three months, it doesn’t make sense to apply for any of the retirement visas. Just get a tourist visa. Retirement visas are only cost-effective if you plan to stay for years.

Ian ******** · Answer

I was told the following: over 65 years old; fill in the application form; provide a pension or bank statement showing proof of income; and payment. So maybe that's just a type O visa

Tod ********* · Answer

It is totally impossible to tell what they mean by "retirement visa" :O That's because there is NO such thing as one, :/ There is either a Non-immigrant Type O visa, <- issued for being over 50, being married to a thai, raising children here, volunteering etc, OR there is a Non-Immigrant Type O-A (Long Stay) visa <- issued based on being over 50

Tod ********* · Answer

and did this "retirement visa" require a police back ground check or a medical certificate?

Robert ******* · Answer

Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age is many times called a retirement Visa. But be aware, most people also call the Non Immigrant O-A visa and the Extension of Stay a retirement Visa. They are over 50 years of age, the life in Thailand and just call everything retirement Visa, what's in the name.

Is the retirement visa in Thailand the same as the Non-Immigrant Type O visa?

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