What are the best practices for obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand for an American expat and spouse?

Retirement visa Thailand NON-O visa Visa application process Immigration advice Lawyers for immigration Hua Hin immigration Non-Immigrant visa Expats in Thailand

Jun 7, 2017

8 years ago

Randy ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi..Enjoy this group....I'm an American, lived in Thailand before, and have visited in the past 20 years more than 50x.  I want to retire in Hua Hin most probably.  My wife is not American and less than 50 years. For immigration, I understand that one could proceed without the help of a lawyer, but from experience, the advise and assistance of a proper, connected lawyer is preferred.  Could any of you please recommend a good lawyer/law firm to assist...either in Bangkok or Hua Hin.  Very much appreciated. Khap Khun Mak Khap.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

An expat American living in Thailand is looking for assistance regarding retirement visas. Community members suggest that obtaining a retirement visa (NON-O-A) can be done without hiring a lawyer. For the husband, they recommend applying for the NON-O-A visa in the US, which requires medical certification, background checks, and bank proof of funds. The wife can apply for a 90-day NON-O visa, then apply for an extension upon arrival. Many respondents share their personal experiences, emphasizing that they successfully navigated the visa application processes independently without legal assistance.

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Tod *********

Okay, in my humble opinion, the best, least problematic and easiest path for the O/P as far as a "retirement visa" would be;

They apply for a year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O-A visa in the US before they come here (that's the one that takes the medical certificate, the police background check and proof of the equivalent of 800K baht in a bank in the US). In the US that visa can ONLY be gotten from the thai consulates in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York or Washington DC.

At the same time their wife applies for a 90 day single entry Non-Immigrant Type O visa (based on being married to someone who is holding a "retirement visa". Once they arrive here they go to the immigration office and apply for a yearly extension for the wife that matches the husbands "admitted until" stamp

8 years ago

Shahrokh ********

1 - No need a lawyer

2 - Get Non immigrant (o) visa ( 3 months )from out side thailand in any thai embassy

3 - open a bank account in thailand and deposite 800,000 thb for more than 2 months and then get a deposite certificate paper from your bank

4 - Going to nearest immigration office and apply1 year visa ( 1 month + 11 months ) for yourself and your wife

8 years ago

Jimmy *******

I am curious what prior experience the OP has had to feel compelled to seek out a lawyer.

8 years ago

Edward ******

No need a lawyer do it yourself

8 years ago

David ************

I did the agency lawyer thing first time and it was a waste of money. Should have done it on my own.

8 years ago

Frances ********

You can get an O type visa and as your spouse, she can get an O-A visa.

8 years ago

Stephen *******

The immigration people at Hua Hin are very good. You will have no problem getting an extension there if you follow the fairly simple requirements. They have a spot to pick up the relevant forms and a knowledgeable photocopy lady that prepares the required copies of everything and bundles them up. It usually takes less than an hour in and out after that in the queue. You should have no problem. Your GP will know you don't have the conditions listed for the medical, assuming you have been going to him for some time and will not need to actually test anything. The diseases listed are pretty exotic!!

8 years ago

Gene ********

If you have trouble finding a doctor to do the medical certificate (the requirements are quite specific), look specifically for a travel medical clinic. They are prepared to do the test for elephantiasis, for example, whereas a GP likely would not.

8 years ago

Gene ********

@T**

has described exactly the process we used when we came to the Kingdom from the US in November 2015. Pay close attention to the second part: while the retiree will be stamped in for a year, the piggybacking spouse will be stamped in for 90 days only!

8 years ago

Tod *********

that is incorrect. the person that's 50 y/o can get a year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O-A visa BEFORE they come here at the thai consulate in the US with a medical certificate, a police background check and proof of the equivalent of 800K baht in an account in the US.

The spouse who is under 50 would get a 90 day single entry Non-O visa only. Once they are in the country they would go to the immigration office and apply for a yearly extension of stay so the spouse could "piggy-back" onto the husbands visa.

8 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

I agree with

@Rob***

, there is no need to contract a lawyer to push-paper for you to get a Non-O visa, then a yearly extension of stay based on being over 50 (retirement) and then getting your wife to "piggy-back" onto your extension.

Depending on where you're going to live, you'll have to use the immigration office in that area, but most offices have a sheet in thai and english they hand out which explains how to do the process, what documentation is required, etc.

8 years ago

Robert *******

Living in Thailand for 14 years, never needed a lawyer to help me fill out a form and make a photo copy for Immigration.

8 years ago

Reply to

Robert *******

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