Answered9 days ago
Should I fly to Thailand and apply for a retirement visa extension locally or wait for approval?
Hi experts, need advice urgently. I have applied for retirement visa 3 weeks ago, called Thai Embassy last week to check on status. There were requests for follow-up documents, which I submitted on the same day last Thursday. Called again on Friday, asking should I change my flight, was told to wait for Monday (26 Oct). My flight is 27 Oct morning. Received email asking for airticket, which i had submitted during initial submission. Called after uploading airticket again, was told to wait and not change ticket. However, status of application only changed to 'pending decision ' as of 5pm today. Embassy is already closed. Should I fly tomorrow anyway, and apply for extension locally, as I need fo stay until mid-Dec? Then when retirement visa is approved, I use it for my trip in January 2027? Or I can't wait so long and have to do a border bounce to activate my retirement visa within certain period (how long do I have?)
Answer summary
The user is concerned about their pending retirement visa application with a flight scheduled for tomorrow. They've received mixed advice from the Thai embassy and are uncertain whether to travel to Thailand and apply for a visa extension locally or to await approval before traveling. Community comments suggest that entering Thailand on visa exemption may be a viable option, but caution is advised regarding potential visa cancellation upon entry. There are experiences shared about the unpredictability and delays in visa processing, prompting some to recommend waiting before traveling.
32 repliesnewest first
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Jason *********
Took almost 5 weeks for mine to come back.
Jamila *********
These days they have a new term pending decision.
Paul ********
I am in the process of selling up and getting married in Thailand Could be finalised next month What is the time i should apply for Authority to marry visa
Cheers Paul
Cheers Paul
Brandon ************
@Paul *******
there's no such thing as authority to marry visa. You're either married or you're not. If you're not married you don't have access to any special visas.Paul ********
@Brandon ***********
Sorry my ignorance if i apply for a non o visa i take it i have to an authority to marry from the Thai embassy here Should i do that soonest Cheers
Brandon ************
@Paul *******
if you're not already married then you won't qualify for a non-O visa based on marriage, but you may be able to do so based on retirement (being 50 years old). Unfortunately I'm not very knowledgeable on what the process is to actually get married in Thailand.
Paul ****
After pending mine came in the evening
Jamila *********
Paul Ed was it pending decision?
master*******
Seems like you're better off applying giving false dates 60 days later (refundable tickets) then booking for real when you get the visa
Brandon ************
mastertrump21 but many embassies do not issue visas until the day of travel so if you say your travel date is far away, you will not get your visa earlier.
master*******
@Brandon ***********
Ah. Then give travel date a month early
Ralph *******
You can either cancel your flight and wait or travel to Thailand then leave after the visa is granted and re-enter. I would just cancel and wait.
Betty *********
Ralph Tyson i would do the opposite . A friend waited till the last minute and left without his paid visa.
Sort it out once in Thailand.
Sort it out once in Thailand.
Ralph *******
Betty Hurford Still will need to leave and re-enter to get the 90 days stamp in the passport.
TenderB*******
On most Airlines we need to cancel the trip at least 72 h before departure. I am strictly warned by a hoard of immigration officers NOT to try to enter on an extemtion nor a tourist visa next time. This happend a few days after 15 sep at Suvarnabhumi. immigration domestic transfer. Leaving Europe for Siam on Thursday afternoon. Non-O still not issued and will cancel my flight in about 90 minutes from now. Its not me losing the money so to say....except the visa fee but thats what earn on a longer coffee break.
Mike *******
I applied for a tourist visa that didn’t come through in time so entered visa exempt. Within minutes of passing through immigration my visa was cancelled without a refund. Not
Sure if this applies to non o but you would need to check
Sure if this applies to non o but you would need to check
Betty *********
@Mike ******
they do not refund!Brandon ************
@Betty ********
there's nothing to refund. You're not paying for a visa, you're paying for an application fee. You applied and therefore you paid whether you get the visa or not.Mike *******
@Brandon ***********
I know was just stating what the email said
Phil ******
Tourists visa application is a nightmare. Just not possible anymore to book last minute 2 months stay because you have no idea how long it will take to get a visa or even will the application be rejected. Hundreds of people have issues holidays are supposed to be fun and relaxing but this is just stressful.
Antonina *********
@Phil *****
yes we have the same issueBrandon ************
@Phil *****
where else can you do that? It used to require you to mail your passport to the embassy. This system is much better.
Van ********
@Brandon ***********
Royal Mail special delivery was cheap and easy as pie. The Thai consulate in Hull were so friendly and would wish you a nice trip.Van ********
@Brandon ***********
it would take just 3 days from sending, to receiving your passport back with shiny new triple entry sticka.Brandon ************
@Van *******
that's still not last minute like the comment I replied to was complaining about. You're likely to get your visa quicker through the e-visa system than if you mailed your passport to the embassy.Brandon ************
If you have the option of entering Thailand visa exempt, I would take your flight. There's a decent chance you'll still get the visa before you fly, but even if you don't you might get it after you arrive and can just exit Thailand and re-enter to activate it.
I would not enter through the automatic gates though. There was one report that said someone had a visa application in process and shortly after they entered Thailand they were notified their application was cancelled due to entering Thailand. We don't have any more information than that, but use the normal manned entry just to be safe if there's some new notification added to the auto gates.
I would not enter through the automatic gates though. There was one report that said someone had a visa application in process and shortly after they entered Thailand they were notified their application was cancelled due to entering Thailand. We don't have any more information than that, but use the normal manned entry just to be safe if there's some new notification added to the auto gates.
Betty *********
@Brandon ***********
my friend left without the visa as it arrived too late.6 weeks wait. Paris. It was canceled, only good for that application. Its so unfair. First making it really complicated and then you have to leave without. A shambles.Brandon ************
@Betty ********
the Paris embassy is known for this. They are one of the slowest and worst Thai embassies in the world. They can take 2 months to process a simple tourist visa that other embassies can do in a few days. And once Paris sees that the flight date you informed them you were planning to take has already passed, they will cancel the application.Betty *********
@Brandon ***********
really bad. Not new, has been like this for years. Hopefully this time it will work for me , all documents good, and applying over 2 months in advance. If not the good old Visa Exempt. Its quite shameful really .Yeo **********
OP@Brandon ***********
thank you for the advice! Was thinking of using automated if I enter on visa exemptYeo **********
OPUpdate... my visa didn't come in time. Old visa expires today. So I am now at CW waiting to extend my stay, as I am stamped in for today only. Lesson learnt, arrive after visa expires, if can enter in visa exempt.
Brandon ************
@Yeo *********
oh, you didn't mention you had a visa with a re-entry permit already. Most embassies will not even accept an application for a visa if you have a valid permission to stay with a re-entry permitActivity
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