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What is the best visa option for a pensioner planning to stay in Chiang Mai for 3 months?
Apr 9, 2018
8 years ago
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI'm looking at going to Chiang Mai in the near future for approx. 3 months. The period of time is flexible, so I may want to stay for longer. I'm of pension age so will not be working there.
I have searched the internet with regard to visas, and the information appears confusing and conflicting.
I'm considering going to the Thai Embassy in London for information, but someone has advised me to contact this group first.
So can someone advise me please about what visa would suit me best.
I have searched the internet with regard to visas, and the information appears confusing and conflicting.
I'm considering going to the Thai Embassy in London for information, but someone has advised me to contact this group first.
So can someone advise me please about what visa would suit me best.
TLDR : Answer Summary
A pensioner looking to stay in Chiang Mai for approximately 3 months should consider obtaining a single entry tourist visa from a Thai consulate, which allows for an initial stay of 60 days with the possibility of a 30-day extension. The extension can be processed at a local immigration office without needing to exit the country.
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.
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Juandre **************
I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong here but I’m sure as your from the UK you can get a visa on arrival in Vietnam and it’s free.
Tod *********
correct, brits get in for two weeks without a visa
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Tod *********
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Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTERTo extend it by 30 more days, do I have to leave the country or just visit the local immigration/visa office?
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks Mark.
Mark *******
You don't need to do a visa run. Get a Single Entry Tourist Visa at the embassy in England. That will get you a 60 entry stamp. Then, before the 60 days is up, you can go to the local immigration office in Chiang Mai, pay 1900 baht and get a 30 day extension.
If you think you'll be staying longer or travelling to other countries, get the Multi-Entry Tourist Visa which lasts for 6 months and every time you come into Thailand you get a 60 day stamp (you can extend any of these entries by 30 days at local immigration).
If you think you'll be staying longer or travelling to other countries, get the Multi-Entry Tourist Visa which lasts for 6 months and every time you come into Thailand you get a 60 day stamp (you can extend any of these entries by 30 days at local immigration).
Ron *******
Type O for pensioner
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-Non-Immigrant-visas.htmlIan ********
ORIGINAL POSTERYes thanks. I will consider that as well
Ron *******
Have a look at the 12 month Multiple entry O visa available in London for those of 65 and over and drawing a state pension. You simply need evidence of drawing a state pension.
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI will be 70 in june
Ron *******
Ian Martin, how old are you if you don't mind me asking?
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTERIf you have a single-entry tourist visa, does that negate doing the visa run across a border? Also, with any tourist visa, do you have to have a return flight date?
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTERHanoi sounds good, and not as complicated to go there from Chiang Mai, as a UK citizen, as I thought it might be. Thanks Garrett Greenwald
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTEROk, thanks to you all for the info. I was trying to avoid the visa runs, but it seems to be the best option. I was hoping to go to Hanoi, but I would need yet another visa to go to Vietnam, so maybe that's not an option. Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and KL are all ok though?
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTEROk, I understand. So what visa would be preferable if I wanted to stay beyond 90 days? And maybe allow multiple-entry?
Henri ******
Garrett Greenwald isn't that what I said ?
Henri ******
@Ian *******
no, its the card they stapled in yr passport. No further extension possible.Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTEROk, and would I be able to extend it further beyond 90 days, or is that the limit? Departure card - is that a flight ticket?
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Ian ********
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Tod *********
get a single entry tourist visa from a thai consulate in your country before you come here. It will get you stamped in for 60 days and you can extend it by 30 more days once you get here. That will cover you for the 3 months you wanna be here.
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Tod *********
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