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What is the best way for my mother to move to Thailand for retirement regarding visas?

Thai retirement visa Non-Immigrant O-A visa Visa application process Expat living in Thailand Visa runs for elderly expats Bank account opening in Thailand

Jul 24, 2018

7 years ago

David **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

My Mother is considering moving over to Thailand for retirement. Myself and my brother are already here. Any advice on the best way to do it, like visa in UK then apply here once bank accounts opened. Or do it all here after you arrive.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The best option for relocating your mother to Thailand for retirement is to apply for the Non-Immigrant O-A visa. This visa allows for a one-year stay per entry, and if she travels outside of Thailand and returns just before the visa expiration date, she can effectively extend her stay to two years, needing only to report her status every 90 days. You can apply for this visa through the Thai consulate in London, and it is also possible to apply by post. Consider completing her visa application in the UK before moving, or manage it once in Thailand, although the former option might be less hassle regarding the need for visa runs.

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David **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi Tod. It seems if I go this route my 84 yr old Mum has to do visa runs. Given that we would likely do the retirement extension within the first 90 days. So is that still the best route?

7 years ago

Tod *********

Peerke Poep it takes a minimum of THREE trips to the immigration office to go from a tourist visa or a 30 day visa exempt entry to first a 90 day Non-O visa and then a year extension of stay, so IMHO nope, it's not more convenient at all. Plus she's gotta open a bank acccount, transfer in the money, let it season the required time. So again nope not the least bit convenient. I think it'd be way easier to get a Non-O-A visa in her country before she wings here way here and then she'd be set for almost 2 years (allowing that she'd exit/re-enter the country to get the second year free).

7 years ago

Tod *********

@David *********

right there's a giant difference between a year-long, multi-entry Non-O visa (that does require bouncing out and back into the country every 90 days) and a year-long, multi-entry Non-O-A <-note the A after the O ;)) which gets you stamped in for a whole year every time you enter on that visa for it's validity.

It's a common mix-up.

7 years ago

David **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Ok cheers Tod. I must have got mixed up on a previous thread about an 87yr old guy.

7 years ago

Tod *********

@David *********

, using that visa I suggested (and if she got the second 'free year' out of it) she wouldn't need to file for ANY extension of stay for over 2 years :O

7 years ago

Tod *********

If you go the year-long, multi-entry Non-O-A (Long Stay) visa that I linked to the person holding it gets stamped in for a whole year when they enter the country.

They don't need to do ANY visa run.

All they'd do is file a free day report at the immigration office every 90 days like everyone has to.

If she did want to get a "second year" out of that visa for free, she'd need to exit and re-enter the country just before the visa itself expired and she'd get stamped in for a whole NEW year. <- Getting TWO years of stay out of a one year visa.

7 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

@David *********

, the information on the year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O-A visa Robert mentioned is here on the Thai consulate in London's website. You can apply for visas by post too.

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7 years ago

Robert *******

Best option is the Non Immigrant O-A visa, this gives her 1 year of stay on each entry. If she leaves and come back just before the valid until date on the visa she will have 2 years of stay inside Thailand. She only needs to do the 90 day inside Thailand reports.

7 years ago

David **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks so much guys

7 years ago

Ron *******

As a UK pensioner, she could also obtain an O visa simply by showing a Government pension statement at the London Thai Embassy

7 years ago

Robert *******

She gets 1 year, 30 days before the last day she can apply for the Extension of Stay. Enough time to arrange the financial parts.

7 years ago

David **********