What is the most cost-effective way to handle a retirement visa border run in Thailand?

Retirement Visa Non-Immigrant O Visa Visa Extension Border Run Tourist Visa Thailand Immigration Cost-effective Visa Options

Mar 26, 2024

7 months ago

Mike *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

So, I was working on a retirement visa. I'm on a non imm O visa. It looks easier to do a border run.

Can you provide advice about the most cost effective process for a border run. What visa should I request. Can I try to extend my non imm O, or go with a tourist visa?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is considering options for managing their retirement visa while on a non-immigrant O visa and is looking for cost-effective advice regarding border runs. Various comments suggest that the user should consider extending their non-O visa rather than doing a border run, as leaving the country may forfeit their current visa. Suggestions include maintaining necessary funds in a Thai bank account for the extension application and the risks associated with border hops. Overall, extending the non-O visa is advised over switching to a tourist visa.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
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Bob **********

You can only extend for a year you’ll need 800k in a Thai bank in your name for two months prior and 3 months after can’t drop below 400k if you want to live in Thailand if your just trying to stay awhile you can go to a neighboring country and apply for a TV you’ll get 60 days plus one extension for 30 more and if you plan on repeating that or border bounces you’ll eventually be pulled out of line and questioned and possibly denied entry

7 months ago

Mike *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Bob *********

thanks

7 months ago

Reply to

Mike *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks, y'all!

7 months ago

Frances ********

We travel on exempt tourist visas for 30 days. Leave & go visit another country or two then return to Thailand. And enter on another 30 day exemption. But we got scolded and chastised to “next time get a proper visa”. Not sure what we did wrong, but that officer was irritated and entered something in her computer. ? We don’t stay in Thailand longer than 2-3 months spread out over visiting other countries. In 6 years we’ve only requested a 30 day extension only once.

7 months ago

Goyo ********

Extend your non O visa.

7 months ago

Steve *******

You can extend your Non imm O visa but if it's based on being over 50 you cannot work on it, neither can you work on a tourist visa

7 months ago

Graham ******

@Steve ******

I think the OP is working on a new Non-O Visa application not working.

7 months ago

Steve *******

@Graham *****

Haha! Yeah, strange way of wording his post.

7 months ago

Reply to

Steve *******

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

Not quite sure what you're asking. If you have a non-O then you already have a retirement visa. The only thing you can do now is to apply for the 1-year extension.

If you leave the country you will forfeit your retirement visa and will have to start over. You cannot live in Thailand as a tourist, so you either need to return and apply for a new non-O visa at immigration, or go to an embassy in a neighboring country and apply for a new non-O visa there. You cannot extend a visa outside of Thailand.

7 months ago

Phil ******

@Brandon ***********

your comment re leaving the country and forfeiting your retirement visa. Is this still true with a re'-entry permit?

7 months ago

Mike *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Phil *****

it is a multi entry visa

7 months ago

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

@Phil *****