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

23 days ago

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.

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.

21 days 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.

23 days 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..

23 days 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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