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Is there any flexibility with the age requirement for a retirement visa in Thailand?
May 25, 2017
9 years ago
Terary **********
ORIGINAL POSTEROk -- So some visa requirements are flexible. The immigration office that was given me a hard time the other day suggested I get a retirement visa. I am 43 years old -- do you think or know of any flexibility with the age requirement?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The retirement visa in Thailand is generally restricted to individuals who are 50 years of age or older. A user inquired about possible flexibility with the age requirement for obtaining this visa at 43 years old. Community responses confirmed that there is no flexibility; the criteria for a retirement visa are strict, and to qualify, one must meet the minimum age requirement.
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.
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Terary **********
ORIGINAL POSTERTo all who asked,
@JD ******
, @Alex ***
: It was no big deal. Originally i had a non-b visa in the process of getting a work permit. Things fell through and I opted not to extend nor get the work permit. I left the country and came back with re-entry permit. The paperwork confused the junior immigration officer so the supervisor was called over. I think part of the supervisors job is to give people a hard time --- nothing seem to come of it.Carol *********
is the money lock for 2 months i did nit understand the 2 month 3 month part
@JD ******
.Martin *********
Right , ok ... I was just thinking in my particular case , I just had to show my uk bank statements to the London Thai embassy ( along with police record , health check etc ) .. I asked about " what about this 800k in a thai bank ? " .. to which she responded , no you don't need that until you come to extend, she also added very helpfully that as I applied for a multi , if I time it right I could get just under 2 years out of my first visa ..
but I take your point there are different examples out there , I was only thinking of the start of a ' long stay , pension ' O-A non one year šš»š
but I take your point there are different examples out there , I was only thinking of the start of a ' long stay , pension ' O-A non one year šš»š
Tod *********
@Mar***
, that's not quite true, :/ IF you are getting a 90 day Non-O visa inside of thailand from an immigration office you DO show you have 800K banked BUT there is no seasoning on it. I had an aussie who came here on a visa exempt 30 day stamp, he transferred in 800K baht, we went to the immigration office the next day and applied for the 90 day Non-O visa without a problem.
Now, most thai consulates in the area want to see 800K banked (or the consulate notary letter of 65K baht income) to issue you a 90 day single entry Non-O visa based on being over 50 (retirement)
Martin *********
Note Carol , that's only needed when you come to 'extend 'your stay , ... I thought ( 4 years ago now ) that I needed that 800k bht , when I applied for the original visa , you don't .
Joe ***********
During the 2 or 3 month period the money balance cannot drop below 800,000
Carol *********
oh I see thanks so much for the explanation!
Tod *********
The VERY first year you apply for a yearly extension of stay the 800K baht must be in your account for 60 days prior to your application. For every subsequent year after that it must be in your account for 3 months
Reply to
Tod *********
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Carol *********
thanks very helpful information!
Joe ***********
Combination method -- money in the bank combined with Income from outside Thailand to equal the equivalent of 800,000 Baht ... I personally do not recommend this method... you have to have bank records and proof of the income via an income statement from your Embassy to prove your income from your home country ...
Joe ***********
Here in Krabi they keep insisting that 65k a month is not enough.. They want the Income statement to show a monthly that when converted to baht and multipled by 12 = 800,000... I took a copy of the rules last time and they stopped pushing that angle...
Tod *********
At least in Bangkok they require no additional proof that the amount you put on the notary letter from your consulate is backed up by anything. I tell people to take it just in case, BUT in the many many times I've had people use a consulate notary for proof of 65K baht a month I've never had a single one asked to prove it with statements.
Also at least in Bangkok,
IF you use the combination method (banked money and a notary letter from your consulate) the banked money MUST be seasoned the requisite time..
Also at least in Bangkok,
IF you use the combination method (banked money and a notary letter from your consulate) the banked money MUST be seasoned the requisite time..
Reply to
Tod *********
Reply
Joe ***********
Income method: Proof of the equivalent of 65,000 Baht income from outside Thailand. Note - this times twelve months does not equal 800,000 But that is the rule... It is better in my opinion to have the monthly income to be equal to or greater than 800,000 --- monthly income times 12 months.
Joe ***********
Bank method for a Extension of Stay from a Non immigrant O Visa (usually) 800,000 Thai Baht in a Thai Bank for 2 month first application -- 3 months for the next application a year later.
Carol *********
how much money do you need in the bank for a retirement visa now?
Colin ********
How do you get a retirement visa
Michael ******
@Tod ********
Its a minimum of 3 years of uninterrupted extensions of stay at the time you apply. It can be done on any Non-Immigrant visa and there are other categories than work (investment, expert/academic, and family support). I wanted to apply at the end of this year, but then I changed job so I'm on a new Non-B and my 3 year counter reset.Colin ********
It's a lovely country same we can not enjoy it with out headaches
Martin *********
Well unless it's for the worst that is ššš»
Colin ********
Thank you for your help guys maybe Rules might change but not in our life time
Colin ********
I get a 12 mth tourist visa in Australia and when expire I cross to Burma get 3mth visa expire go to nathom pathom Imigration get 12mth visa no problem since
Martin *********
š³. Right ok š. Very confusing for me , I guess Todd will know though
Colin ********
I got a 12 mth tourist visa in Australia
Colin ********
Stamp does not look that it has a expired date 1 April 2018 (
Colin ********
Not so kucky
Martin *********
And if
Iucky enough to live a long life , I can apply every year FOREVER ... i.e. 20 odd years more ?
Iucky enough to live a long life , I can apply every year FOREVER ... i.e. 20 odd years more ?
Tod *********
@Mar***
, Sadly no :/ , permanent residency requires xxx number of years on unbroken extensions of stays, carrying a valid work permit, filing thai tax, etc.
If you're on extensions based on retirement you can't get it. All you can do is apply for a new extension every year. :(
Martin *********
O right that's good to know ... while we are on the subject ,
I'm in my 3rd year of extensions now , am I right in thinking ( unless the law changes ) can I do this ' forever ' I'm currently 58 , is it possible after say 5-6 years to apply for residence etc .. or just extensions for ( if I'm lucky to live that long ) 20 years etc ?
I'm in my 3rd year of extensions now , am I right in thinking ( unless the law changes ) can I do this ' forever ' I'm currently 58 , is it possible after say 5-6 years to apply for residence etc .. or just extensions for ( if I'm lucky to live that long ) 20 years etc ?
Tod *********
@Mar***
, He could have come in on a tourist visa or even a 30 day visa exempt stamp and applied for a 90 day Non-O visa based on being over 50 at the immigration office for 2000baht too. It goes under consideration for 14 days then you go back and get the visa stamped into your passport along with a 90 day admitted until stamp. Then you can apply for the yearly extension after that
I am seeing more and more people go that route nowadays.
Martin *********
Yeah , I get that but he must have the first time got an O-A based on retirement , in his country , that's what I was trying to say that he's got one anyway , I mean he does what I do every year , funny enough mine is due for extension in October 2017 too ..
Tod *********
Tod *********
@Colin *******
You filled out a TM7 form to get a yearly extension of stay based on being over 50 (retirement) at the local immigration office and it costs 1900baht.You fill out a TM.47 every 90 days when you do your 90 day reporting.
The stamp you have in your passport probably looks like this. It is NOT a visa.
Colin ********
I fill out a TM 47 form every time that's what they tell me what to do renewed last month for another year
Joe ***********
Colin - you must have had a Non Immigrant O visa at one time ... which it would seem you have Extended it for one Year - at least once. You can go to the Immigration office about 30 days before your current Extension of Stay Expires ... Then you apply apply again - using form TM.7, there are other requirements that you must have met the first time... Upon approval you get another One Year Extension of Stay (based on being over age 50 - some times said as 'for Retirement') ...
Colin ********
Can I keep renewing for ever I have no intention leaving Thailand
Colin ********
I have no problem with renewal
Robert *******
If Colin is renewing every year at Immigration Office it is called: an Extension Of Stay. It is not a 12 month tourist visa or a non immigrant o-a visa.
Martin *********
Sounds like that is a 0-A non immigrant visa Colin .... everyone has to report every 90days regardless of visa .
Colin ********
I'm 60 Been living here for six years on a 12 month tourist visa renew every year report every 90 days
Martin *********
Go online , it's a ' long stay ' visa 0-A non immigrant, your looking for .. fairly easy to follow .
But the first requirement is you have to be over 50 to start with.
But the first requirement is you have to be over 50 to start with.
Reply to
Martin *********
Reply
William ******
Terary, can you name the office giving you a problem
Alex ****
Mind sharing what happened at the immigration and what have u been doing while u were advised so?
Terary **********
ORIGINAL POSTERIt was no big deal. Originally i had a non-b visa in the process of getting a work permit. Things fell through and I opted not to extend nor get the work permit. I left the country and came back with re-entry permit. The paperwork confused the junior immigration officer so the supervisor was called over. I think part of the supervisors job is to give people a hard time --- nothing seem to come of it.
Reply to
Terary **********
Reply
Tod *********
There is no flexibility.. You either meet the criteria or you don't.
The visa most people call a "retirement" is actually one for people 50 y/o or older. You wouldn't qualify for it.
The visa most people call a "retirement" is actually one for people 50 y/o or older. You wouldn't qualify for it.
Jeremy ********
TiT so anything is always possible
Terary **********
ORIGINAL POSTERI assumed as much but couldn't hurt to ask.
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Terary **********
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