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What are the differences between a resident visa and a retirement visa in Thailand?

Thai visa rulesresident visaretirement visaNon-O visaNon-B visapermanent residencyvisa entry requirementsexpat immigrationThailand immigration policies
Aug 12, 2020
4 years ago
Geir *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
What's the difference between a resident and a retirement visa. Also, why only immgrants holding resident visa allowed entry.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion centers on the confusion between terms like 'resident visa' and 'retirement visa' in Thailand. It's clarified that there is no specific resident visa; rather, immigrants typically hold Non-O or Non-B visas for entry, and permanent residency status is quite rare. The conversation touches on current entry regulations during the pandemic, where specific types of visa holders are allowed in, and emphasizes the complications involved in obtaining visas like retirement visas, education visas, and the necessity of having sufficient funds in a Thai bank account for certain visa applications.
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.
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Bim *******
Permanent residency is difficult to get in Thailand. You have to have lived here a certain amount of time and paid taxes over at least a three year period. Its the first step to applying for citizenship which is even more rare. Years ago they used to call it a green card. It has nothing to do with your visa status.
4 years ago
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Jimmy ******
I see. I just hope using an agent doesn’t create further problems down the line
4 years ago
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Jimmy ******
When I went to Nonthaburi last week, they told me can’t change from amnesty to ED. Are the ED visas offered by agents under the carpet legit? Do you recommend any agents?
4 years ago
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Ivan ************
@Ji***
 I suspect they are legit. There are many things it's impossible or next to impossible to get from immigration that magically become a lot easier if an agent is involved. That you can't do something directly yourself with immigration doesn't necessarily mean it's impossible.
4 years ago
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Ivan ************
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Geir *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Allow entry if have:

4. Non-Thai nationals who hold a valid certificate of residence, or permission to take up residence in the Kingdom.

Having rental with retirement visa, does allow get this type of certificate?
4 years ago
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Ron ******************
@Bim ******
 the law changed you do not need PR before going for citizenship.
4 years ago
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Bim *******
@Ron *****************
 thank you that's good to know.
4 years ago
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Bim *******
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Geir *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bim ******
 thank you for your feedback. Few option allow entry for immigrants. am consider retirement visa, but it's not allow entry
4 years ago
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Bim *******
@Geir ********
 no not at the moment but that may change when the economy starts to crash. After 7 years here they are asking me to leave after September 26th which isn't nice
4 years ago
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Ron ******************
@Bim ******
 why must you leave?
4 years ago
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Bim *******
@Ron *****************
 because I have to go out and either apply for a Non O outside the country or come back in on tourist visa and they can convert inside the country. They won't allow me to convert my current visa inside the country. I have been asking immigration for months and same story. I have only been on Amnesty a few weeks. The new Amnesty was announced so I went back last week to see if anything had changed and they said no. I have to leave before September deadline.
4 years ago
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Nick ************
@Bim ******
 I went to immigration this week and was told the same. I know that I am a tourist and you live here but it does not seem to make any difference. I am exploring other avenues and will let you know. One new thing explained to me was a 90 medical extension which I will investigate.
4 years ago
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Todd *********
@Ni**
 are you 50? Education visa (or medical) for under 50, retirement visa for over 50. Just use an agent
4 years ago
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Nick ************
@Todd ********
 it will be easier in Bangkok. I am going there next week. I now have a bank account; it took me 12 weeks to get it but I got there. I had not heard about the medical Visa before yesterday but understand that it is only 90 days. Might suit me better but I am over 50.
4 years ago
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Bim *******
@Nick ***********
 of your on Amnesty you cannot convert also they told me.
4 years ago
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Bim *******
@Nick ***********
 sorry just edited it. No it didn't make sense. My speed typing 😅
4 years ago
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Ivan ************
@B**
 there may be options, you might want to look into an Ed visa. Volunteering may also be an option. These options may involve paying an agent and/or an extra fee to get it done, but likely less than would cost you to leave and come back in 2021-2022 or whenever they open again.

If money is no object you can go onto Elite, that's totally legit with no money under the counter but the money over the counter is substantial.
4 years ago
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Bim *******
@Ivan ***********
 I am or was already on Elite that's the problem. Any other visa would be OK. I only got it to take me to retirement age.
4 years ago
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Ivan ************
@B**
 right, bummer. I think I remember you posting about that before. Presuming you don't want to pay for another 5 years, I'd look at Ed / volunteering options that might be able to get you through a year and hopefully things will be open by then to let you get a retirement visa. This is something you may need an agency to help with, but I have reports of people managing to go from amnesty onto these visa options.
4 years ago
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Bim *******
@Ivan ***********
 thank you so much ❤️
4 years ago
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Nick ************
They did not say that to me. They indicated that if I had the
*****
0 baht in a Thai bank for 2 months they would sell me a retirement Visa. I showed them my Thai bank book with
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baht and my British bank statement showing the rest but it was no good. I can not now fund my Thai account for 2 months before having to leave on Sept 26th. They said that was a problem! However it was interesting to note that they agreed to do it in country provided all was in order.
4 years ago
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Nick ************
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Sammy *******
Google it -- just trolling to waste people's time.
4 years ago
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Bim *******
@Sammy ******
 the energy and time it took you to write that you could have just scrolled on by.
4 years ago
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Sammy *******
@Bim ******
 not really, too much fun to point out a troll.
4 years ago
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Sammy *******
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Geoff **********
To get into Thailand currently "resident" means having permanent residency status which is very rare. Its not a visa
4 years ago
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Andrew *******
Not only resident visa can enter, there are others allowed too.
4 years ago
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Garrett ***********
There is no such thing as a "resident visa," and Non-O and Non-B visa categories are being allowed entry currently.
4 years ago
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Jeff *******
@Garrett **********
 there is such a thing as permanent residency, however. Don't know that much about it except that one must be considerably better at the Thai language than I am.
4 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Je**
 Permanent residency isn't a visa though.
4 years ago
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Jeff *******
@Garrett **********
 didn't say it was. does make it MUCH easier to get a visa (and WP) though, apparently.
4 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Je**
 You don't need a visa or a work permit if you have permanent residency.
4 years ago
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Jeff *******
Then it's a de facto visa. Apparently you do need a work permit, but it's automatic more or less.
4 years ago
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Jeff *******
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Burnard ************
@Garrett **********
A Non-O is generally concidered a long-stay Visa and you can keep renewing it if you jump through all the hoops.

Since I was accused of trying to live on a Tourist Visa in Thailand, but a Non O is ok for that. Then affectively, a Non-O could be accurately considered a "Residency Visa."

But you are right, they don't call it that.
4 years ago
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Burnard ************
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