What is the best visa strategy for moving to Thailand before qualifying for a retirement visa?

@Innes *****

There are plenty of Thai language schools where you can take language classes and get your visa that aren't universities or 4-year programs. I live on Koh Phangan (the next-door island) and we have two here. I'm sure there are plenty on Koh Samui as well.

I've heard of ED visas that go for 15 months (probably requires an extension and paperwork), the school should know all the details. If not, you could throw a tourist visa in there somewhere to fill it out till you hit 50.

I've found that when you make an effort to speak Thai and become part of the local community you can get things approved that aren't _technically_ the _official_ way of doing things.

ok fair enough, i am not an expert in thai visas. Only going by what i've read, heard, and my own experience

@Craig *******

and at a Thai university that covers the four years it takes to get a BA/BS degree. More than the 15 months he needs. Going to an actual university comes under different rules than going to a language school, or other non-university school.

also you can try to find a good visa agent to ask. I am not an expert, only going from my experience and what i've heard. So consulting an expert is probably a good idea.

But generally speaking i would get here and stay as long as you can and then figure shit out along the way

@Innes *****

i would come in on a 60 day tourist visa, and about a month after you've been here find a thai language school. Sign up and start the paperwork. Then you get the visa extension and somewhere in the middle of that your ED visa will kick in. You can extend an ED visa (depending on school so make sure to ask) up to 12 months. Once that is nearly compelte I would evaluate options, which will probably result in you leaving the country, getting ANOTHER 60 day tourist visa, then reentering the country, and applying for a retiree visa.

Don't forget the 800k baht you need in a thai bank account 2 months before applying for the retiree visa

@Innes *****

Don’t need a TV to enter. You can enter the country for 30 days, visa exempt if you’re from a qualifying country. But I would get a 60 day TV and extend 30 more days and then get ED Visa. Maybe a trip over the border if the TV extension and ED overlap.