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What is the best visa strategy for moving to Thailand before qualifying for a retirement visa?
May 13, 2022
4 years ago
Innes ******
ORIGINAL POSTERHey everyone, I’m looking to move to Thailand later this year however will still have 15 months until I reach 50 years and qualify for the retirement visa. What’s the best approach to bridge the gap? Tourist visa for 90 days followed by ED visa for 1 year? Many thanks!
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user seeks advice on how to stay in Thailand for 15 months until eligible for a retirement visa at 50, proposing a combination of a 90-day tourist visa followed by an ED visa. Comments suggest that the proposed method may not fully cover the gap and advise considering a Thai language program at a university for a longer duration on an ED visa, along with the need for potential trips out of the country.
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Kool *******
If you are serious about moving here, like it sounds, then simply enroll in a Thai language program at an actual university. That can take you way past your 15 months on the ED visa, as long as you pass your classes.
Innes ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kool ******
thanks! I wasn’t aware an ED could be issued or extended for longer than 12 months so will research that further. We’re looking to live in Koh Samui so would that impact my ability to attend an actual university or are virtual classes available?Essie ***********
@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.
Innes ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Essie **********
thank you 🙏 this is great advice 😊Reply to
Innes ******
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Craig ********
from what i understand you can only extend the ED visa 5 times regardless.
Innes ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Craig *******
appreciate the insights! Would you know the requirements to extend an ED visa for a second year? Is it relatively straight forward based on ongoing study program?Craig ********
@Innes *****
you must ask the guy who told you it was possible, not me. I know nothing about university study of thai or the visas involved.Innes ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Craig *******
apologies!Reply to
Innes ******
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Craig ********
ok fair enough, i am not an expert in thai visas. Only going by what i've read, heard, and my own experience
Kool *******
@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.Reply to
Kool *******
Reply
Craig ********
90 day + ED won't cover the gap. Your ED will kick in while you still have some time left on the tourist visa. Also your transition to retiree won't happen on the last day of your ED either. You need some time in there to transition between each one. You'll probably have to leave the country and come back.
Innes ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Craig *******
any suggestions on an alternative approach to moving to Thailand and then managing through the 15 months until a I can apply for a retirement visa would be more than welcome.Craig ********
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
But generally speaking i would get here and stay as long as you can and then figure shit out along the way
Craig ********
@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 ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Craig *******
thanks very much! Makes complete sense 😊Reply to
Innes ******
Reply
Craig ********
you cannot transition out of an STV into anything else and you MUST leave the country afterward
Innes ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Craig *******
appreciate the clarification 👍Reply to
Innes ******
Reply
Innes ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Craig *******
great point thank you. What about starting out on a STV which I understand can total 270 days?Reply to
Innes ******
Reply
Bonnie *******
Can you come without a visa and extend? You could fly out of the country a couple of times work on getting your stuff for your retirement visa while you are here. Get your bank account set up
Innes ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bonnie ******
I think I need at least a Tourist visa to enter Thailand?Innes ******
ORIGINAL POSTERMakes sense. I’m from New Zealand so could enter for 30 days visa exempt, however I figure that a 60 day TV plus 30 day extension will help me bridge the gap better between arriving in Thailand and qualifying for a retirement visa.
Nick *******
@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.Reply to
Nick *******
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