Should I let my retirement visa expire before returning to Thailand, or change to a tourist visa while I'm there?

Retirement Visa Tourist Visa Visa Expiration Thailand Immigration Rules Visa Extension Process

Jan 9, 2025

10 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

After one year my retirement visa will expire Feb 18 2025. I want to go back to Thailand at around that time. I need advice: Should I let it expire and then go or better to go before it expires? I also want to ask about changing it to a regular tourist visa in which case is better to let it expire ? or is it easier to change to a tourist visa within Thailand ?

Thank you all

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is inquiring about whether to let their retirement visa expire before returning to Thailand or to go back before it expires. They also want to know if it is possible to change their retirement visa to a regular tourist visa, and if it's easier to do this within Thailand or after expiration. Responses suggest letting the retirement visa expire and then returning for a 60-day entry, as changing to a tourist visa is not possible while inside Thailand.

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.

Tod *********

okay so it sounds like you're wanting to get OFF the retirement extension <- as in you're not going to come in before it expires and get another year extension but you want to be on a 'free stamp' 60 day entry instead.

If that's the case, WAIT until this current stamp expires then come in, they'll stamp you in for 60 days when you arrive.

𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 ?

You cannot change to a free stamp entry or a tourist visa entry INSIDE thailand once you're here :/

10 days ago

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Tod *********

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