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?

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

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

@Ellie ******

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.

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

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?