Interested in opinions/advice.
I await Elite visa, but it won’t come within my current 30 days in Thailand. It’s a Plan B because you seem to need one here. I turn 50 in five months.
I’ve flown in and out 3 times Visa Exempt since October with a return to Australia in there, and extended 45 days twice. No overstays. Immigration let me in but warned I need a visa, not exemptions…
My original intention was to use an education Visa until November 2023, when I am 50, then retirement Visa, but in order to keep Thai Elite as an option - in case of any problems - I didn’t pursue this because Education Visas are stinky.
I have a lease, so seasoning an acquired bank account is possible, and a dog in Thailand so crossing land or air borders isn’t desirable. I haven’t a permanent residence in home country so SETV and METV seem unlikely.
How to best spend the five months - until I am Retirement Visa eligible - without being denied entry? Thanks for reading and I await your ideas.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking advice on how to legally stay in Thailand until they become eligible for a retirement visa at age 50, considering they are currently waiting for an Elite visa. They have entered Thailand multiple times on a visa-exempt basis, and while they have extended their stay, they have been warned by immigration that they need a proper visa. The conversation includes suggestions such as applying for SETV or METV, obtaining a tourist visa from a neighboring country, or looking into options like Education visas and border bounce strategies.
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.