What are the steps and requirements for a UK national to retire to Hua Hin, Thailand, including visa options and pet travel?

Aug 29, 2023
a year ago
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone - just joined and need some "expert" guidance.. UK national, late 50's looking to retire to Hua Hin within next few months. Currently have temporary residence is Spain so will be relocating from Spain not UK. A few initial questions:

1. As a UK national, can I just travel to Thailand as a visitor (with no special visa) and then undergo the process for the Retirement visa in Thailand or do I need to come under the Non-Immigrant "O" visa and then undergo the process in Thailand to change it to the Retirement visa?

1. I will be bringing my cat with me so will it be allowed entry if I just travel to Thailand as a visitor (with no special visa) and then undergo the process for the Retirement visa in Thailand or do I need to come under the Non-Immigrant "O" visa and then undergo the process in Thailand to change it to the Retirement visa?

1. If I do need a visa to enter, can I obtain it myself easily, online etc or will it require a visit to the Thai embassy/consulate in Spain, since I have temporary residence there, and not the Uk?

1. Is it possible to open a bank account in Thailand from overseas? Ideally would like to go with Bangkok Bank as they have been recommended.

Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A UK national planning to retire in Hua Hin has several options and requirements regarding visas and bringing pets. Generally, it is possible to enter Thailand without a special visa (visa exempt) and subsequently apply for a Retirement visa. However, approaching the process with a Non-Immigrant O visa obtained beforehand from Spain could simplify matters for bank account openings and avoid needing onward travel. Bringing pets such as cats requires proper documentation, but the applicant's visa status may not affect the pet's entry as long as the necessary paperwork is in order. It is advised to consult specialized services for assistance with pet travel. The process for obtaining a bank account in Thailand is challenging without a visa, and it is recommended to enter with at least a tourist visa to manage financial requirements smoothly after arriving. Furthermore, the timeline for transitioning to a Retirement visa can be around three months and depends on fulfilling specific financial conditions.
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.
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone. Many thanks for the help so far. Further assistance required re the E-Visa Application. Does anyone know FOR SURE if the Police Clearance Certificate and Health Certificate (not Health Insurance Certificate) and Bank Statement (for proof of funds) has to be a) issued within 3 months and b) notarized?
John ******
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Henrik *****
Before moving to Thailand go stay there some months, because the everyday life is much different from going on holiday.

Ex. go on a 60 day turistvisa and extend 30 days at the immigration.

thaievisa.go.th

If then after those months it still is feeling good, then move, and start the proces to get retirement visa, there may be some terms that need some preperation.

madrid.thaiembassy.org/en/page/
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-visa?menu=5d7cf78c15e39c3e
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99d
Gregor **********
CHANGE OF VISA TYPE inside Thailand

You need about 3 months total to go from a visa-exempt entry OR a single entry tourist visa, to first a 90 day Non-Imm-O retirement visa, and then to a one year Extension Of Stay Permit (based on retirement) because that's how long the process takes at most immigration offices.

This process is called “change of visa type”. For retirement purposes, click on number 9 on the website I linked for you. It will open a pdf. document in which the requirements are listed

You need to have a minimum of 15 workdays (!) left on your “admitted until” stamp in order to apply for the “change”.

If you have ever been on overstay and got listed in the Immigration computer, you CANNOT apply for the “change” any more

SO if you're not going to be here at least 3 months, you don't have the time to pull off getting a "retirement visa" by the “change of visa type” method – and from this one to the one year stay permit based on retirement. After you have been issued the “1-year Extension Of Stay Permit”, you are free to travel again

The inside country "retirement visa" (really the 90 day Non-O visa and a year extension) are sold as NO entry because you're already IN Thailand when you apply for them.

The process works like this:

Get here on a 60-days tourist visa or on a “visa-exempt entry”

*** open a bank account, transfer from abroad 840,000.- THB (800K minimum are required) In most offices, you will have to proof the money came from abroad.

At this stage, NO seasoning of the money is required (!)

*** go to the immigration office and apply for a 90 days Non-Imm-O retirement visa for 2000.- Baht

*** wait for the under consideration period to end, visit Immigration and pick up your passport with the visa (2-4 weeks depending on office)

*** Then wait until your 800.000.- THB funds are seasoned in the Thai bank account for 2 months. Visit your bank, get the “bank letter of guarantee” which certifies the 2 months period

*** - go to the immigration office, apply for a year extension based on retirement for 1900.- Baht (it will be issued the same day in most offices)

*** Once you get the year extension inked, you can buy a re-entry permit (single 1000.- Baht or multiple 3800.- Baht) and you will be ready to exit and re-enter Thailand and your stay permit will keep alive

And Bingo!

However you also might want to use the “convenient” method

You can apply by the online E-visa system in Spain, before you travel, for either

1. . . . . . a Single Entry Non Immigrant O visa (called retirement visa)

2. . . . . . or a Multiple Entry Non Immigrant O visa (called retirement visa)

3. . . . . . . or a Multiple Entry Non Immigrant O-A visa (called retirement visa)

4 . . . . . . . or a Multiple Entry Non Immigrant O-X visa (called 5-year retirement visa)

5 . . . . . . . or the LTR Visa (called retirement visa)

With one of these these, fly to Thailand, get 90 days or a one year admitted stay stamped, and later apply for the 1 year Extension of Stay Permit (also called retirement visa, but it is not a visa!) by fulfilling the required financial proofs

About your cat, sorry, I don’t know. Experts on animal travel should be asked

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Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gregor *********
Awesome - many thanks Gregor. Am going to do it via the E-Visa system no 2. Fingers crossed.
Steve *******
You can arrive visa exempt but it's far easier for you to arrive with the Non Imm O(obtained in Spain). It'll save you needing onward travel within 30 days and it should make the process of opening a bank account in Thailand much easier. It will also save you time and money.
Even *****
Weighing in on the pet aspect: I brought my dog in on a visa exempt stamp earlier this year and didn't get a single question about my status. As long as the pet paperwork is in order, I think your own visa status isn't relevant. I would definitely recommend getting an experienced pet agent to help make sure you have the right paperwork and carrier, etc, for departure from country of origin/ getting the pet on a plane, but the arrival process was painless, just filling some forms and paying an inspection and customs fee.
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks. I was hoping that the visa aspect for me was irrelevant so thats good news. Did you organize the paperwork yourself or use a specialist firm, if the latter, which one? Which country did you bring your pooch from?
Paul *******
As a British passport holder, you can arrive in Thailand without a visa and receive a 30 day (your arrival day counts as day one) visa exempt stamp in your passport. You can extend this by a further 30 days at Immigration office for 1,900 Thai Baht. After that you need tp leave Thailand. You then need to open a bank account here in Thailand (difficult but not impossible on a visa exempt entry and most banks will want you to have a cerificate of residency from Immigration). It is not possible to open a bank account from overseas. You then need to season 800,00 Thai Baht in your bank account before you can apply for an extension of stay based on being over 50 years of age. So entering on a visa exempt stamp it is not practical to obtain the extension without lkeaving the country. Best to arrive on a 60 day visa which you can extend for a further 40 days which should give you sufficient time to season the money for 2 months prior to applying for your extension of stay.
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
Thanks Paul. Does the 60 day visa have a specific name and how do I get it? Re the 800,000 we can transfer that in as soon as the bank account is open so guess the sooner that is done the better to achieve the 2 months requirement.
John **********
@Mike ******
the 60 days visa is just a standard tourist visa. There are no seasoning requirements for the funds for the initial 90 day Non-O visa
Stuart *********
@Paul ******
Unless they’re using a rogue office like Jomtien there is no seasoning requirement for the 800k for the initial Non O visa. That kicks in when applying for the extension.
Stuart *********
1. No visa required. You can enter visa exempt and start the process in country for a Non O. You’ll need to get “your ducks in a row” pretty timely in order to do so.

2. No idea on cat. I don’t believe you need any specific visa type to bring a cat but a lot of paperwork to enable the cat to travel and enter. Best to speak with an organisation that’s used to handling that.

3. Not required but as you have residence in Spain you should be able to use the evisa system from there if you prefer to obtain the Non O initially.

4. Not possible.
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
Thanks - much appreciated Stuart. 1. Re "ducks" you mean having the right paperwork ready? 2. Noted. 3. Noted - will check out the evisa approach. 4. Noted - how many days would you think it would take to have an account set up and operational?
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ta very much. Any agents to be recommended in Hua Hin?
Stuart *********
@Mike ******
Sorry no idea, but perhaps ask in a Hua Hin based FB group.
Stuart *********
@Mike ******
1&4 Yes getting the bank sorted and stuff. Pound the pavement going from branch to branch or do yourself a favour and get an agent to do it. Approx 6-8k and you’ll get it next day.
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