What are the steps and documents needed for my husband's parents to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand after their tourist visa?

Feb 12, 2018
7 years ago
Oksana ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Good night! My husband parents want to apply for retirement visa. Currently they stay under 6month tourist visa. They live in Pattaya but the want to apply in Bangkok as they think it might be easier. And probably cheaper. I know the list of documents needed to extend such a visa. But could you advise on what they need to bring from the beginning? As I assume first they need to apply for Non O visa and then apply for retirement, right? Passports, bank statements saying they have 800000 baht for each of them. Anything else? Thanks so much in advance!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user's husband's parents are currently on a 6-month tourist visa and wish to switch to a retirement visa while in Thailand. They plan to apply for a Non-O visa first before they transition to a retirement extension. Key documents required include their passports, bank statements showing at least 800,000 baht for each of them, and possibly proof of residence. They are considering applying in Bangkok, believing it may be easier and possibly cheaper than in Pattaya. It is mentioned that they should apply 15 days before their current visa expires to avoid complications.
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.
Brad *********
See page 5 of this document

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Oksana ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks
Al *******
They would be applying for an extension of stay based on retirement and not a visa. I think they need to apply at the immigration office that services the area where they live vs picking and choosing an office. I have not heard of differences in prices between immigration offices.
Oksana ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
They were told they need to pay
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baht in Pattaya. And it was told by immigration officer. May be they misunderstood and it was some ppl trying to “help”. As it should be free except of visa fee itself. So they have some attitude towards Pattaya office... not sure too! As never dealt with it...
Amornrat **********
I have removed a comment from a member for complete wrong info.
Robert *******
They can apply in Pattaya 21 days before their Admitted to stay date or 15 days before in Bangkok. It take the same papers to change their reason to stay to Non Immigrant O based on retirement. Cost of the Visa is 2.000 Thb and is a Single Entry valid for 3 months. After 2 months they can apply again for the 1 year Extension of Stay.
Al *******
@Oksana **********
if they are looking for a solution prior to leaving their home country,

they could consider obtaining a non imm o-a multi entry visa. That would give them a year before needing to deal with anything Thai Immigration related other than the 90 day checks. And if they did a border run just prior to the enter before date that is stamped on the visa they could get a second year as well.

Some state that this is a difficult, complex, expensive visa to obtain and I suppose that depends a great deal on the specific Thai Embassy/Consulate you would be dealing with. I have gotten a number of these visas over the past few years and have never found them particularly problematic nor expensive.
Oksana ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
thanks so much! I guess it is the best option.
Robert *******
Apply next time for the Non Immigrant O visa before the fly into Thailand, they will get 90 days and after 60 days they can apply for Extension of Stay at local Immigration. Less hassle.
Oksana ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
no, I mentioned that they plan to do it next time when they come. They are on 6 month tourist visa now. Sorry for confusion. I guess they are also confused when is better time to make it. As now they will leave until next fall
Robert *******
a 6 months Tourist Visa becomes a Visa on Arrival in minutes, nice answer.
Oksana ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Should they bring residence certificate? Or only bank statements? How long will it take to get this single entry? They plan to do that next time. But as you mentioned it should be done 15 days before their admitted date of stay it could be a problem... if they come using visa on arrival - it will give them 15 days in total so should they go to immigration the same date? (They are from Kazakhstan)
Omer *********
in case if they are in overseas they can consult the embassy there for better clarification
Omer *********
Ok
Tod *********
@Omer ********
, please don't post that link again. It has bad information

Thanx
Amornrat **********
@Omer ********
I personally not like this web page as it gives a impression that is is run by the government, but in fact run and owned by a law company.
Omer *********
15 days before in Bangkok. It take the same papers to change their reason to stay to Non Immigrant O based on retirement. Cost of the Visa is 2.000 Thb and is a Single Entry valid for 3 months. After 2 months they can apply again for the 1 year Extension of Stay.
Oksana ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Omer ********
list of documents?
Omer *********
ask them to go to chaeng wattana immigration office in bangkok and apply for non-o visa with
*****
0 bank balance which will be useful for them , apartment address
Oksana ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I mentioned that they are here under tourist visa in my post. I better ask ppl you already went through the same procedure here in Bangkok.
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