What is the best way for a UK citizen residing in China to obtain a retirement visa in Thailand and have their spouse join them?

Retirement Visa Non-O Visa Trailing Spouse Visa Application Process Expat Immigration Thailand

Feb 6, 2023

2 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi guys, slightly more complicated question but here goes, I am uk citizen but residing in China 58 years old (wife is uk 44 years old) looking to get a retirement visa and she joins me later as spouse, what’s the easiest way to start the process, least path of resistance bearing in mind we live in China and won’t be visiting uk. TIA, can I start this process literally entering Thailand on a visa on entry and do paperwork process in bkk? Or best to apply for 90 day visa first

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A UK citizen currently living in China is seeking advice on obtaining a retirement visa for Thailand, considering their 58 years of age, while planning for their 44-year-old spouse to join later. Suggestions include either applying for a Non-O retirement visa and trailing spouse visa from China or entering Thailand on a visa exemption and then applying for an in-country Non-O retirement visa. Notably, it is suggested that the spouse apply for the trailing spouse visa beforehand as it may not be possible to obtain it after entering Thailand.

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John **********

Your wife won't be able to get a trailing spouse visa inside Thailand. Would be easier if she got it before arriving otherwise she'll have to leave again to obtain it

2 years ago

Garrick ****

Getting the retirement visa in china is more difficult to convert from visa exemption to retirement visa in Thailand

James ********

James ********

James ********

James ********

had replied earlier to another Expat....

you have a couple of options.

1. you two apply for Non-O retirement and Non-O trailing spouse in your country together. Once enter Thailand, you can apply for 1-year extension together. The easiest option for timing-wise of your series of applications.

2. you apply for in-country Non-O retirement inside Thailand, then apply for a 1-year extension based on retirement. Once you are on 1-year extension your wife can apply for Non-O trailing spouse at the Thai consulate. So she has to manage to stay until then.

BTW, she can stay on Non-O trailing spouse extension even after she turns 50 if you want.

This is a rough comparison of retirement options.

2 years ago

James ********

I have placed the TOPICS of

Trailing Spouse and

Non O Visa

One Year extension of retirement

CLICK on them and all posts will pop up to read the posts and experiences of others

2 years ago

James ********

IF you both have residency status in China, you MAY be able to obtain a Non O Visa as retiree from the Thai Embassy or Consulate in China.

IF that is NOT possible, you both can enter Thailand VISA EXEMPT... And thru March 31 you get 45 days stamp plus one 30 day extension of stay at the Thai immigration office.

When you get into Thailand, visit your local Thai immigration office and ask for their list of requirements for the Non O Visa as retiree. And follow their requirements for the one year extension of stay as retired.

Your wife will need to get the Non O Visa at a nearby Thai Embassy or Consulate. Then return to Thailand and go to Thai Immigration office AND ask to be ADDED as a TRAILING SPOUSE with her extension date of stay to match yours.

Where are you located in China?

2 years ago

James ********

@Ian *******

then travel to Thailand and enter Visa Exempt and visit your local Thai immigration office for their list of requirements for the Non O Visa as retiree and the One year extension of stay as retired.

2 years ago

Ian ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@James *******

thanks james, great info

2 years ago

Reply to

Ian ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@James *******

yes it’s the China part that’s the problem, both residents permits here but uk citizens, we are in sanya which is a 3.5 hour flight to the Chinese Thai embassy, I will be coming to Thailand first so will do the hard graft before my wife gets there, she is a teacher here and may look for work in Thailand, not decided yet

2 years ago

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

@Ian *******

it doesn't matter how far you are from the Thai embassy, as you're not allowed to apply in person. The Thai embassy in China uses the new evisa system and that's now the ONLY way to apply for a visa.

****************************

2 years ago

Reply to

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

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