Should I choose a Retirement Visa or an ED Visa for my stay in Thailand?

Retirement Visa ED Visa Thailand Visa Options USA Passport Holders Visa Requirements Thailand Language School Visa Thai Immigration Process

Jun 28, 2023

a year ago

Jeffrey *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Visa choice help -Retirement or ED Visa?

I return to Thailand in a couple of months and plan to enroll in language school, either Pattaya or Hua Hin.

I could go the ED Visa route, but not sure that is my best option.

I have a USA passport and I’m retired.

I only plan to stay in Thailand for 8 months on my next trip coming up, but when I return to the US it may be a year before returning to Thailand.

I’m not sure how to begin for the retirement visa choice.

I’ve had the Bangkok Bank account about a year, already moving money there.

Thanks for the suggestions on the best way for a visa.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is seeking advice on whether to apply for a Retirement Visa or an ED (Education) Visa for an 8-month stay in Thailand. They are retired, hold a USA passport, and plan to enroll in a language school. Community members suggest that the Retirement Visa may be a better option due to fewer requirements and ease of extension, while the ED Visa may complicate travel within Thailand. Additionally, there's a discussion on managing the necessary funds in a Thai bank account for the Retirement Visa application.

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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Gordon *******

You look a bit old for a school pupil?

a year ago

Us *****

Do a multi entey visa, you can get up to 9 months.

a year ago

Bill ********

Lol.. you make sound so simple...youre not in Kansas anymore!

a year ago

Bob **********

If heading back to the states for a year your retirement extension will expire and you’ll have to start over if you come back the ED visa would work extending every 90 days but you’ll have to attend classes

a year ago

Kool *******

The type O retirement visa extension is the easiest visa to get. You don't need an agent. Transfer your bt800,000+ into your Thai bank account at least two months before you apply. Get the list of documents needed from immigration. They are actually very easy and nice to work with. You don't need an ED visa to go to school. You can go to school on any visa. Lots of younger people try to use it to stay long term, as they have no other option.

a year ago

Mark ********

Retired in Thailand means over 50. You don't actually have to be 'Retired' as long as you're not working in Thailand. If you have the money requirements sorted its 100% for the retirement visa as a) easier to get b) no requirements to attend school c) no requirements to pay for school d) ED visa has to be extended whereas retirementis 1 year (check whether O or OA are most suitable for you). If you're on ED and want to go on holiday, even within Thailand, you'll need a letter from the school to avoid any potential problems. At the end of ED visa you need to have it 'cancelled" in order to apply for a new visa class (or even in theory come back as a tourist). So all in all if you've got the money, even if you want to study (no problems studying on retirement visa) the retirement visa is the better option.

a year ago

Istvan *********

@Mark *******

the letter from the school for holiday isn't a thing... I never heard anyone's need this and not even my school mentioned this at all... Many of my classmates went on a "holiday" and even left the country and came back) I'm on ED visa myself... So i really want to know where you get this information... 🤔

a year ago

Mark ********

@Istvan ********

If you're questioned why/how you're on holiday during term-time, you'd definitely need a letter authorising you to be away from class. I didn't say it's something that always checked, but it has been reported as an issue for some people over the years so it absolutely is "a thing". With respect, simply because you haven't heard of something does mean it doesn't exist. Like they say, something isn't ever a prone until it's a problem. My school didn't even tell me I needed a letter cancelling my ED visa, and I left Thailand and returned without any questions from the IO but at my next extension the IO insisted on getting the cancellation letter. Just shows that there's not always consistency amongst IOs (or schools for that matter)

a year ago

Reply to

Mark ********

Jeffrey *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks Mark. I meet the visa age requirement for retirement. Is there any advantage to moving the required funds now? And do I stamp in with V exempt and then start the retirement visa, or is there anything I can do in advance....like depositing the funds or anything else??

a year ago

Mark ********

@Jeffrey ******

Need to check requirements for 'seasoning' of funds for first application. Main advantage of doing the VE is no requirements for health insurance. Speak to an agent if unsure but most if not all requirements are online these days. I've never done the process. I converted from ED to Retirement in-country

a year ago

Reply to

Mark ********

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