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What are the steps to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand after returning on a tourist visa?

Retirement Visa Non-O Visa Visa Application Process Immigration Requirements Chiang Mai Immigration Extension of Stay Visa Change Procedures

Nov 6, 2024

a year ago

Charlotte *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi everyone, I know the question I am

about to ask has probably been asked before but I can’t seem to find the exact answers for what I need.

My husband and I re-entered ChiangMai on Oct 27 from our vacation in Europe. We are from the US, and have been living in Chiangmai for about 3 months before we left for our vacation. We have a rental house, lease expires next July. 

We have each, bank accounts with the min 800k baht set up a few months ago.

When we entered Chiangmai on Oct 27, immigration stamped for 60 days, expiring Dec 25.

We now wish to apply for the retirement visa. From what I’ve been hearing, I will first have to extend our tourist visa by another 30 days, after that, I’m fuzzy about how and when to do the retirement visa application. Will appreciate step by step guidance from those of you who are experienced. Much appreciated. Thanks!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is seeking guidance on how to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand after their tourist visa, which was stamped for 60 days upon re-entering Chiang Mai, expires on December 25. They have been informed that they can apply for the retirement non-O visa directly without needing to extend their tourist visa first, although they must have at least 21 days remaining on their current stamp to submit the application at the immigration office. Users with experience recommend visiting the local immigration office to obtain the specific requirements and forms needed for the visa application.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
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Charlotte *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks Jan!

a year ago

Jan ******************

You don’t need to apply for any extension first to apply for a Non O visa, but you’ll need at least 21 days left on your current stamp to apply in CM and these are the requirements. You’ll apply on a TM.87 form.

a year ago

Brandon ************

There's no need to apply for an extension. You can apply for the retirement non-O visa directly.

You need to go to the immigration office and ask them for their handout of requirements to convert to retirement visa. Each immigration office sets their own requirements and they even change from time to time. So you'll want to get the list directly from them. Also ask them for the list of requirements for the 1-year extension since you'll be applying for that about 2 months later.

Then every year before your extension go back and ask for the handout for the extension again so you have time to prepare all your documents and make any updates if there were changes.

a year ago

John *********

@Brandon ***********

I believe one last step to what Brandon explained so precisely is that you need to get a re-entry stamp so your visa is not voided upon departing Thailand. I made that mistake.

a year ago

Charlotte *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John ********

Thanks for that

a year ago

Reply to

Charlotte *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

Thanks Brandon. Follow up questions: what forms do I need to fill up for the retirement non-o visa? Do you know what I need to bring with me for the retirement O visa? Can I start the application now?

a year ago

Brandon ************

@Charlotte ****

you need to GO TO THE IMMIGRATION OFFICE and ask them for their list of requirements. The forms you need are there. There's no point in trying to start early because immigration offices are known to look at any form you printed and brought with you and throw it away and hand you their form because you printed yours on the wrong size paper, or you printed on only one side and they want 2-sided, or you printed 2-sided and they want only one side, or you used black ink instead of blue, or they have a special form that other offices don't use.

Stop trying to use logic. Just go to the immigration office find out their process directly from them. Thai processes aren't about efficiency or what makes sense. It's about checking every box on their list.

a year ago

Charlotte *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

Appreciate your candor, thanks! Will go to immigration and find out

a year ago

Reply to

Charlotte *****

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