What are the requirements for obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand if I am already in the country?

Jun 27, 2018
6 years ago
Kailash ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok I am confused and concerned now.

I was in and out of Thailand from September 2017 to February 2018.

I am back now.

Went to US Embassy and got the document for income completed.

I am over 50.

Plan on going to Immigration in Bangkok on Friday to get a one year retirement visa.

Is that going to be a problem?

Do I have to get health check?

Or Police check if I am already in country? I was told no.

Did I miss something?

Thanks in advance.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is concerned about applying for a one-year retirement visa in Thailand after being in and out of the country and securing the necessary income documentation. They are uncertain about whether they need a health check or police check while already in Thailand. Responses clarify that to obtain a retirement visa, one must first secure a 90-day Non-Immigrant Type O visa, as the retirement visa application must occur at the immigration office when certain conditions are met. It is mentioned that no police or health checks are needed for in-country visa applications, just standard documentation such as a lease agreement.
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.
Tod *********
Just checking how your trip to apply for your 90 day Non-O visa went today
Tod *********
In Bangkok this is where you go

**************************************************
Tod *********
For an in country Non-O you don't need a police background check or a medical certificate.

You will need your lease, probably the condo owners thai i/d and the house book listing for the place you rent, BUT that's just a guess from seeing people need it when applying for that Non-O visa in country.

I'd go out to the immigration office and ask for the hand out at section C-1 which goes over everything you need to supply document wise.
Tod *********
To answer your question NO you're not gonna get a 'retirement visa' out at chaengwattana when you go

The way it works IS

you need 15 days left on your current stamp to apply for a 90 day Non-Immigrant Type O visa based on being over 50. The reason you need that is because it goes under consideration for 14 days before you go back and get the 90 day Non-O visa inked into your passport.

THEN you wait until you have 45 days or less left on that new 90 day Non-O visa and you go apply for a yearly extension.

You apply for your 90 day Non-O visa in section C-1 out at the immigration office at Chaengwattana. It costs 2000baht

When you go back to apply for the year extension you do that in section L and it costs 1900baht
Kailash ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks I am greatful
Kailash ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Bad info from friends.
Tod *********
@Kai****
when you apply for the 90 day Non-O visa and it goes under consideration for the 14 days you can't leave the country until you get the visa. Then IF you're going to leave the country between the time you have that 90 day Non-O and the time you can apply for the year extension (30+ days) you'd need to buy a re-entry permit (which lets you leave, come back and be stamped in for the same expiration date of the 90 day Non-O visa stamp you got).
Tod *********
Kailash why would you think you couldn't lease a place. Almost any place will rent to you with a 30 day visa exempt entry :/

Just use the hotel address and make sure you have a receipt that shows you're staying there. Once you do get a place to live make sure you go back to the immigration office and file a change of address form
Kailash ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
2) I am staying in a hotel because I thought I couldn’t have a lease until I got the visa; is that a problem?
Kailash ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Tod thought of 2 more concerns

Came I travel out of the country anytime I want and return or do I need to do something else?
Ton ******
@Kailash *******
Durian, yak
Tod *********
It's what the group is for Kevin, we try to answer questions so people can do their immigration stuff on their own. :)

Post back and let us know how it goes (y)
Kailash ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
ok Tod thanks you have been a wealth of help.

Are you a drinking man, if so, I owe you a drink or two.
Tod *********
@Kailash *******
go apply for the 30 day extension to your 30 day visa exempt entry in section K-1 and the second you have that stamp go to section C-1 and apply for the 90 day Non-O visa.
Kailash ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
ok with that found, I can do both the same day correct?
Tod *********
Good luck (y)
Kailash ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
You are right I found it. It was 3 pages back.

I owe you some durian.
Tod *********
One last time, look thru the passport page by page and find the matching stamp. It IS there you just aren't seeing it.
Kailash ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Sorry they did not stamp the passport only the TM6
Tod *********
@Kailash *******
you are incorrect, and need to look carefully thru your passport for the matching entry stamp. It's there, I'd bet dollars to durian
Kailash ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
They did stamp the passport only the TM 6
Tod *********
@Kailash *******
, go apply for the 30 day extension to your 30 day visa exempt entry in section K-1 and the second you have that stamp go to section C-1 and apply for the 90 day Non-O visa.
Tod *********
@Kailash *******
you don't have ANY visa, you have a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp. and NONE the stamps you showed in that picture are relevant. You would need to find the square entry stamp in your passport that matches the one on the Departure card. That will be the entry stamp you're here on now.
Kailash ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
same day or wait a day or two?
Tod *********
@Kailash *******
if you didn't BUY a tourist visa from a thai consulate before you came here but were stamped in for 30 days for free you're on what's known as a visa exempt entry.

Be that as it may, you can apply for a 30 day extension on it for 1900baht. They ADD the extension to your expiration date so you don't lose any time going early.

Once you apply for the 30 day extension, you can immediately apply for the 90 day Non-O visa right after that. .
Kailash ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Kailash ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I assume a tourist visa. I showed up and they stamped it.
Tod *********
@Kailash *******
and what would your current visa be?
Kailash ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I do not have 15 days left. Can I get a 30 or 60 day extension to my current visa?
David ************
@Tod ********
Thanks I may need this down the road, so i saved it. Much simpler to see a 1, 2, 3 step process in order.
Tod *********
@Kai****
the linchpin is that you need 15 days left on what ever stamp you're here on now to apply for a 90 day Non-O visa.

Make sure you have that left on your current stamp
Kailash ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
ok I think I got it.

Thanks.
Tod *********
It is a three step process at the immigration office to go from a 30 day visa exempt or a 60 day tourist visa to first a 90 day Non-O visa and then a yearly extension of stay.

1 - go apply for the 90 day Non-O visa

2 - wait 14 days go back and get the Non-O visa and a 90 day stamp in your passport

3 - wait a minimum of 31 days, go back and apply for a yearly extension of stay <- which will be issued on the spot
Tod *********
you are confusing the requirements for a year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O-A (Long Stay) visa from a thai consulate in your country with the requirements for a 90 days Non-O visa and then a yearly extension from the immigration office inside the country. They are completely different.
Bob **********
What visa are you on now??
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