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Should I apply for a visa before leaving for Thailand or after arriving on a tourist visa?

Thai Visa Application Non-O Visa Tourist Visa Visa Extension Expat Immigration Stay in Thailand

Oct 14, 2024

2 years ago

Valery *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello, when you leave indefinitely, to be precise with no idea of possible return except to visit family. Should we apply for a visa before departure or after once on Thai soil within the 60 days of the tourist visa?

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Bonjour, quand on part pour une durée indéterminée, pour être plus précis sans idée d’un retour éventuel sauf pour rendre visite à la famille. Doit-on faire une demande de visa avant son départ ou après une fois sur le sol Thaïlandais dans le délai des 60 jours du visa touristique ?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The question involves whether to apply for a Thai visa before leaving one's home country or after arriving in Thailand on a tourist visa. The responses suggest that it is possible to enter Thailand on a 60-day tourist visa and later extend it. It is also noted that if planning to stay long-term, applying for a specific visa, such as the Non-O retirement visa, before arriving can facilitate processes like opening a bank account and not requiring onward flight bookings.

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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Stuart ***********

If you are over 50 and intend to apply for the non o retirement visa, it makes sense to apply for the visa before you come to Thailand for a couple of reasons.

1. It makes it much easier to open a bank account in Thailand.

2. You do not need to have an onward flight booked.

2 years ago

Marty *********

It’s up to you. It doesn’t matter how long you intend to leave your home country. You choose the visa that you can qualify for and that meets your needs to reside in the foreign country.

2 years ago

Chris *******

Vous pouvez entrer en exemption de 60 jours avec un passeport valide au moins 6 mois apres votre date d entree + 1 preuve de sortie de territoire Thailandais ds les 60 j

Vous pouvez faire 1 extention de 30 j a l immigration d ou vous reside pour 1900 bht

Ensuite tout depend du visa que vous envisager pour rester sur le territoire thailandais a l annee..

Mais les possibilites sont limitees et faut repondre au criteres en fonction du type de visa..

2 years ago

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Chris *******

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Should I apply for a retirement visa for Thailand before or after arriving in the country?

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