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What are the current challenges and requirements for obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand?

Retirement VisaNon-O VisaVisa Application ProcessThai ImmigrationLong-term Stay in ThailandVisa FeesUdon Thani ImmigrationExpat Life in Thailand
Nov 20, 2024
a day ago
John ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am now pretty much ready to retire in Thailand. I have used it as a base to travel in Asia as a tourist on and off over the last couple of years and used the multiple entry visa as it was designed to.

I went to Udon Thani immigration to enquire about the possibility of changing to a 90 day visa and then a retirement visa. The lady said it is now very difficult to do. You need Thai witnesses, house visits, etc and takes a long time. She seemed genuine and suggested I get the 90 day visa back in the UK.

I checked with a visa agent in Udon Thani and they said they now charge 70,000 THB because it has become so complex with checks and witnesses, which backs up the IO's previous statement.

As I have come back to the UK for family reasons I am going to apply for the 90 day visa here for retirement here, and then seek to switch it to the one year retirement extension when back there. I already have a condo and the seasoned funds in BKK, does it matter that my current 6month multiple entry tourist visa is still valid until February? Anything else to look out for? The application online has been streamlined and looks extremely simple.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is preparing to retire in Thailand and has inquired about switching from a multiple entry visa to a 90-day visa and then a retirement visa. They encountered challenges, including the need for Thai witnesses and home visits, leading them to decide to apply for the 90-day visa in the UK. Comments highlight various opinions on visa agents' fees, the validity of holding multiple visas, and reassurance that meeting financial criteria simplifies the process. Some users suggest potential alternatives for obtaining the visa.
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.
Bob ********
Siam legal...
20 hours ago
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Stuart ***********
This seems like they are advising you about applying for a marriage visa. Have you asked them for their list of requirements for the non o retirement visa.

It's usually very straightforward with no agent required.
a day ago
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Greg ***********
in Pattaya F.S. Consulting Co. is charging 19.000.- THB for the "change of visa type" to the 90-Days Non-Imm-O and the subsequent 12-months extension, if you have your own funds. All fees included, however I am not sure if this includes a single re-entry permit for the 12-months extension, which will add another 1000.- THB. . . . . Asking you for 70.000.- THB when you got your own funds? Thieves, leaves me speechless
a day ago
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John ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg **********
 I think this is perhaps an Udon Thani only issue. 12 months ago the same agency were charging 25,000 for the same service.
a day ago
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Greg ***********
@John *******
 ok. However the rules regarding a "change of visa type" did not change in the least. They are pulling this outta their noses. Prolly trying to up the provisions
a day ago
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Luit *****************
@Greg **********
 Procedures of a specific immigration office can change without rules actually changing.

When the specific immigration office tells these are their procedures, how should that up their provisions.
18 hours ago
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Luit *****************
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Bob **********
70,000 is a joke it’s 25,000 in pattaya and it’s not hard
a day ago
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Will ******
Can't see what the problem would be if you meet all criteria. Insurance needed?
a day ago
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Graham ******
@Will *****
 Not for a Non-O
a day ago
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Graham ******
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Ian **********
The online non imm O e-visa is pretty easy and as you already have seasoned funds there is no reason to consider any other type of visa. I expect your current METV will just be cancelled when you are granted a Non O. Your Non O will be for 90 days and you can apply for the retirement extension up to 30 days before it expires. You must be able to show the funds came from abroad. On the non O application they ask for proof of residency in your home country so just upload your DL or your passport again as both are accepted
a day ago
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Greg ***********
@Ian *********
 the problem is, you actually cannot make a multi-entry visa invalid. You have to wait until it expires, before an embassy would allow you to apply to a new visa. You cannot hold two different visa at the same time. . . . Neither Immigration nor the Thai Embassy has the right to void an METV any day earlier before it officially expires
a day ago
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John ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ian *********
 thanks for answering the question.
a day ago
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Greg ***********
@John *******
 you also need to consider timing the date of the yearly applications to a new "retirement extension". Example: If you enter with a Non-Imm-O visa on December 10, the date your extensions end will be March 9 every year - and you must be present for that. . . . in case the embassy refuses to issue a 90-days Non-O visa, because you are on a still valid METV, the earliest date you can enter Thailand with a fresh Non-O visa would be beginning of March. This would shift the date of yearly applications to the 1-year extensions to the beginning of June. You would need your presence in Thailand in the hottest month and probabyl also a very wet month.
a day ago
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Greg ***********
@John *******
 it could be a problem that you still have a valid visa until February. Normally, one cannot apply for a new visa unless a valid stay permit or valid visa has been made invalid prior to applying for new visa
a day ago
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Greg ***********
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John **********
It's not that complex, particularly if you have the funds in the bank and can show they came from overseas. You need 10 to 15 days left on your stamp depending on where you are. But their reticence and the fact you already have a condo makes me wonder about your history inside Thailand?
a day ago
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Graham ******
@John *********
 Agreed, and I think the complexity (witnesses, house visit etc.) is for the Non-O based on marriage not retirement unless this is a requirement that Udon Thani imposes.
a day ago
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Terry ********
@Graham *****
 Myself and a friend both had home visits (Mine 9am, on a Sunday morning..😡) not long after renewing our retirement, not marriage, extensions in March 2024. Not in Udon but in another NE Esaan province; Nakhon Phanom.
20 hours ago
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John **********
@Terry *******
 yes, seems to be coming normal. I had one this year in Sa Kaeo shortly after my 7th extension based on retirement. But the extension was not dependant on the visit, it had already been issued. Normally they call and ask if it's a convenient time
20 hours ago
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Terry ********
@John *********
 They did call and ask and we agreed 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. but the morons turned up about 10 minutes later at about 9:15! They demanded photocopies of three documents, copies of which were provided less than 2 weeks before for the actual extension!!! I would have refused to do it there and then, but my girlfriend was there and scuttled off to do their mindless bidding!
19 hours ago
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John **********
@Terry *******
 ha I got the call 2 days after they turned up. They didn't want any paperwork, just a couple of photos and a look at my passport. I think their just verifying your actually staying where you say you are
19 hours ago
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Terry ********
@John *********
 That sounds more reasonable, but mine also wanted a witness to verify l was staying there. But they were out of luck there because there was only one other Thai resident in another apartment and he always went home to his family at the weekend. So they had to be content with my girlfriend as a witness.
19 hours ago
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Terry ********
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John ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 oh and what is it you are wondering about? I have never over stayed, never lived in Thailand, and never had any problems.
a day ago
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John **********
@John *******
 I was wondering more about previous visas rather than anything like overstay
a day ago
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John **********
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John ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 yes, previously so. And no doubt in other areas but for some reason in Udon Thani they are making it difficult with a need for in district witnesses and other information, and it then has to be signed off in Khon Kaen. Apparently due to 'previous problems'. The IO said it was difficult now and an agent said the same thing, last year the same agent charged 30,000 now 70,000. I assume this is a local issue, following some sort of investigation.
a day ago
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John ********
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Philip *******
You could apply for non O from Vientiane
a day ago
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John ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Philip ******
 yes that was actually the suggestion of the agent. But as I am back in London for family reasons, I thought I may as well do it here
a day ago
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John ********
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Ning ******
try dtv visa ?
a day ago
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Luit *****************
@Ning *****
 Why?
@John *******
 wants to retire.

All visa are designed for a purpose, not to try one randomly.

In fact I think get non-o in London, travel to Thailand and get a 1 year extention after the 90 days is exactly the way the non-o is designed to use.
18 hours ago
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Luit *****************
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