Should I obtain a retirement visa in London or get a 30-day exemption before extending in Thailand?

Retirement Visa Non-Immigrant O Visa Visa Extension Visa Options Thailand Immigration Visa Waiver UK Passport Holders Travel Planning

Jun 19, 2023

a year ago

Keith *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello. Thanks for accepting my join request. I’m moving over hopefully end of July to retire in isan. I was hoping to get the 30 day exempt then extend. So I can manage a retirement visa while I’m in Thailand but maybe I’ll need proof of an outbound flight within the 30 days. Haven’t booked flights yet but wasn’t looking to fly back again for about 8 months.  Would I be better trying to get a visa at the London embassy before leaving the uk. Or just booking a flight to Malaysia. Within the 30 days missing the flight and extending in Thailand maybe. Not sure  thanks for any help

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is moving to Isan, Thailand, in July to retire and is considering using a 30-day visa exemption with the possibility of extending it. They inquire about the necessity of booking an outbound flight within the 30 days and whether it's better to obtain a visa before leaving the UK or to travel to Malaysia for visa run options. Community members suggest considering a Non-Immigrant O eVisa from London for ease, additional benefits, and cost savings compared to handling the process in Thailand.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

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Steve *******

Get the Non Imm O evisa from London, much easier than getting it in Thailand, it'll solve your flight problem, save you a trip to Immigration, make it easier to open a bank account and it'll work out cheaper than an extention and visa in Thailand.

a year ago

Keith *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Steve ******

thank you had some good advice. I only said 8 months as I’ll be returning to the uk to visit family. It’ll be a permanent move just wondered how long a non imm visa would take to get from London. Can you go down in person and get one if made an appointment. Left things late but only just received a completion date on sale of house in uk

a year ago

Steve *******

@Keith ********

evisa only from London 2-3 days. You cant go in person.

a year ago

Keith *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Steve ******

thanks

a year ago

Reply to

Keith *********

Jeremy ********

If you have a UK passport you will get the 30 day visa free waiver stamp which can be extended at your local immigration office for 30 days at a cost of ฿1,900…

you can also purchase a 60 day SETV visa for ฿1,900 in the UK then extend it for 30 days for ฿1,900 at your local immigration office…

you can also purchase the 6 month METV for ฿5,000 in the UK where I guess you have residency status or any county you have a passport for or legally recognized residency within. With strategic border bounces you can get 9 months out of the 6 month METV, but you can’t stay in country for more than 90 days at a time

Good luck

a year ago

Keith *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jeremy *******

thank you.

a year ago

Steve *******

@Jeremy *******

Just get the Non Imm O evisa in London, why bother with Tourist visas?

a year ago

Jeremy ********

@Steve ******

because he only wanted to stay for 8 months…so I assume it’s a trial run

a year ago

Steve *******

@Jeremy *******

The OP stated he wanted a retirement visa.

a year ago

Jeremy ********

@Steve ******

he said he wanted to manage a retirement visa…reading is fundamental…management of a visa is doing all the baseline ground work to make the visa a success…house, bank acct, etc all the ducks in a row so that when you apply you don’t have any hiccups

a year ago

Keith *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jeremy *******

yes. I’m just trying to get a foot in the door as will probably be on a marriage visa. I just want to set things up initially bank account statements as proof of

*****

pension payments a month as don’t want to do the 800.000 really. Health insurance etc. just want to get into the country again to manage

a year ago

Jeremy ********

@Keith ********

then definitely go the 6 month METV which you can get 9 months out if it with strategic Border bounces…make sure you get registered wherever you’re staying get the Pink ID Card and yellow house book this will help in opening a bank acct, drivers license etc

a year ago

Keith *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jeremy *******

thank you. Not far from mukdahan so not bad for border control to Laos. Gf works for Thai government so hopefully she can help with things Got to say thanks for all the help. To everyone that posted. Just joined the group and it’s been a big help

a year ago

Reply to

Keith *********

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Is it better to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand or from the UK, and how should I manage my funds?

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