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What are the essential tips for obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand?

May 13, 2025
2 days ago
Tiki ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
So I just got through with the retirement Visa process. After some misinformation, a long day and three Bank runs I finally got the stamp of approval, on the very last day of my immigration o Visa status. Things I learned:

-Bring a blue ink pen to immigration.

-Keep and organized all of the original stamped documents together.

- Do not need duplicate or triplicate of anything (as some there have said) for the retirement Visa, just one perfect copy is sufficient.

- Make sure you have your funds in the Thai bank for 2 months and all documents are two weeks fresh, before filing.

-Make sure you have enough time on your tourist visa to accomplish this, otherwise you will be filing for extension.

- Only need one TM 30 for the last/current residence staying at.

-Make sure there are no national holidays on the day you file. 😅

After that, need to file every 90 days.

Not clear on the status of the Visa if leaving the country though.

SawadeeKa, don't u sweat bra.😅🙏🏼
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user shares their experience successfully obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand, providing valuable tips such as the necessity of a blue ink pen for immigration, the importance of organized and current documents, and ensuring bank funds are held for two months before filing. They mention that only one TM 30 form is needed for the current residence, and advise against filing on national holidays. Additional comments clarify the next steps for extensions and specific requirements for filing and documentation.
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.
Sam *****
SawadeeKa ? I hope you didn't say that to the immigration officer assuming you are male 😂Could have caused some confusion!
Melissa *********
Be sure to stop at your specific immigration list for the paper that tells you all of their specific requirements. I also had to have map to my house and pics of me inside and outside my place of residency and shortly after I turned in my paperwork I had to be st my house for a videocall so my officer could take screenshots of me at my place of residency.
John **********
Sounds like you just obtained an in country 90 day Non-O visa? If so you'll need to repeat the process in 60 days of so to get a 12 month extension of stay. Only a very few offices require seasoning of funds for that visa. If you want to leave and return before the visa expires you will need a re-entry permit
Tiki ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
: no I came into the country with the non-o. Played around the first month and didn't get my funds in place until the second month. so just made it under the 2 mo. Requirement wire. 😅
John **********
@Tiki *****
OK so you are no longer on a visa but an extension of stay. Your visa is gone but then not sure why you mentioned a tourist visa? Anyway if you want to leave and return during the 12 months extension of stay then you will need a re-entry permit
Will ************
So for the one year extension of the visa it is ALL paperwork updated.
Tiki ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Will ***********
: well definitely the TM 30 and the bank statements must be 2 weeks fresh. ✨
Will ************
@Tiki *****
normally it’s within a week for the letter and same day for statement and bank book
Phil ******
@Tiki *****
sorry TM 30 lol what is it. 🙄
Wayne *********
@Phil *****
it's your registration at immigration of where your staying.

Hotels auto do it. Where ever you stay are legally supposed to register you with in 24 hours of arrival
Phil ******
@Wayne ********
what about if I’m going to be staying at my girlfriend’s house.?
Paul ********
@Phil *****
I’m like you I’m living at my wife’s rental and have not done a TM30 as when I applied for my visa I put her address down as place of residence. So I take it I’ve already told immigration where I will be!! Don’t see why I would have to tell them again unless I moved 🤷‍♂️
John **********
@Paul *******
your wife or her landlord has to file for you
Colin **********
@Paul *******
Unfortunately it's not you think, it's what they think lol, the TM30 is used in many of the visa processes. But you say you got the visa without it, well done. If you do need in the future you would need to talk to the immigration office and explain your situation they will tell you there requirements.
Phil ******
@Paul *******
thank you 🙏
Colin **********
@Phil *****
there is a "residents certificate" form, it's in Thai , you get it from the imm dept, it needs the house owner to sign it, you need a copy of thier blue book and Thai ID.
Phil ******
@Colin *********
thank you.🙏
Charlie ********
@Phil *****
the owner of the house has to file a TM30 with immigration within 24 hours of you arriving there. It can be done online
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