What are the best options for a UK citizen returning to Thailand from Japan to obtain a retirement or tourist visa?

Is there any problem for that you just enter Thailand on visa-exempt entry (without any specific visa) and apply for non-O based no being over 50 inside Thailand?

I'm not sure why you NEED non-o retirement or STV (as you said) or SETV (you might mean this) to enter Thailand. If you are seeking a retirement extension once you are in Thailand, you should not enter on STV.

BTW, If you can get a guarantor in Japan, you may be able to apply for Single Entry Tourist Visa without an employer.

After reading this story, here's my advice:

1. GET a Single Entry Non-O visa based on being over 50/ "retired". According to



Applicants’ Qualifications

· Aged fifty (50) years or over at the date of visa application.

· Applicant must be a pension fund receiver with the monthly fund from government of Japan or

another country.

· Not prohibited from entering Thailand in accordance to the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979).

· Employment in Thailand is strictly prohibited.

Required Documents

1. Passport with validity of not less than 6 months and has at least TWO completely empty pages.

2. An application form completely filled in and signed by the applicant.

(The form can be downloaded here)

3. One colour photo (Size 3.5 x 4.5 cm.) taken within the past six months. Please attach the photo

on the form with glue.

4. A personal history form completely filled in and signed by the applicant.

(The form can be downloaded here)

5. Air ticket or e-ticket reservation document issued by airline, with applicant’s name, flight number and date of entry into Thailand.

6. Financial statement(with one set copy) which is issued within three (3) months. Please choose one of the following documents (a, b or c);

(a) Original certificate of pension and notification letter of payment with a monthly income amount equivalent of not less than 65,000 Baht

(b) Original of bank statement in English and a copy of bank accounting passbook of applicant which showing a deposit of the amount equivalent of not less than 800,000 Baht for the last 3 months.

(c) Original certificate of pension and notification letter of payment plus annual income totaling equivalent of not less than 800,000 Baht

7. Health insurance policy cover not less than 40,000 Baht of outpatient benefit and not less than

400,000 Baht of inpatient benefit. (Japanese or Thai health insurance is acceptable.)

8. Insurance certificate in compliance with the Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) certified by the health insurance company with company’s seal affixed and duly signed by the authorized persons.

[Note: The 65K THB or 800K THB is in equivalent amount. That means they accept either THB or Japanese Yen. ]

OR;

2. Enter on a SINGLE ENTRY tourist visa, and then apply for a Non-O visa based on being retired *INSIDE* Thailand.

According to:



To get a single entry tourist visa, you will need:

Applicants’ Qualifications

· Not prohibited from entering Thailand in accordance with the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979).

· Employment in Thailand is strictly prohibited.

Required Documents

1. Passport with validity of not less than 6 months and has at least TWO completely empty pages.

2. Application form completely filled in and signed by the applicant. (The form can be downloaded here.)

3. One colour photo(Size 3.5 x 4.5 cm.) taken within the past six months. Please attach the photo on the form with glue.

4. Personal history form completely filled in and signed by the applicant. (The form can be downloaded here.)

5. Return air ticket or e-ticket reservation document issued by airline, with applicant’s name, flight number ,

date of entry and departure.

6. An original bank statement in English which states bank contact information and deposit with the equivalent amount of not less than 20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family.

7. A reservation document of 14 days Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) :

8. Evidence of accommodations for the entire duration of stay in Thailand after completing the 14 days quarantine. Please provide one of the following;

8.1 Evidence of payment for hotel accommodation issued by the respective hotel.

or Evidence of rental payments for condominium / apartment / house.

8.2 Invitation letter from friend or member of family in Thailand together with copies of Thai national ID, and for a non-Thai national's friend or member of family, copies passport with valid visa pages and valid working permits are required.

9. Details of itinerary and purpose of visit.

10. Occupation’s documents

a. For company employee, an original certificate of employment, certificate of leave and an original copy of company’s registration (TOKIBOTOHON) are required.

b. For self-employment, an original company’s registration (TOKIBOTOHON) is required.

c. For student, an original certificate of enrollment issued by the academic institute in Japan is required.

d. For pensioner, an original certificate of pensioner’s fund stating an amount of pension received is required.

*. *. *

I would contact the Thai Consulate in Tokyo and ask them what they expect for number 8, above, and if it applies to you.

*DO NOT* get an STV visa. You *CAN NOT* convert an STV to any other type of extension.