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What is the process and requirements for obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand?
retirement visaThailandNON-O visavisa applicationimmigration processexpat living in Thailandre-entry permitsvisa extensionThai immigration rules
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion provides insights into the so-called "retirement visa" in Thailand, officially referred to as a Non-Immigrant Type O visa. It highlights that this visa is issued to individuals over the age of 50 and is typically obtained for a 90-day duration, with the possibility of a yearly extension thereafter. Key points include the application process, suggested approaches for applying from the USA versus applying in Thailand, and discussions on multiple re-entry permits after obtaining the visa. Additionally, there are clarifications regarding terminology used within the expat community, specifically the difference between a visa and an extension of stay.
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John *****
That is what I am looking for ... is it easier and better to apply in Thailand or in the USA. I am working on getting the documents together and mailing it to the Thai consulate in LA. Don't know how long it is going to take.
Amornrat **********
we are moving off topic, I close comment. John King please open own topic. Thanks
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Amornrat **********
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Frank ************
Who gives a toss what it says as long as it does the job the holder wants ffs
Desmond *******
@Amornrat *********
yes i was aware of that. Thank you.Amornrat **********
@Desmond ******
, congrats from my side too, but please blank out your personal details. You know that you can use thevisa for a stay up to two years.Desmond *******
@Tod ********
thank youTod *********
congratulations (y)
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Tod *********
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Desmond *******
Picked my non-imm oa, today in sydney. Will be over in April.
Luc ********
Are you allowed multiple entries with this 1 year visa ?
Luc ********
Thank you for the information.
Tod *********
@L**
, a single re-entry permit costs 1000baht and a multiple re-entry permit costs 3800baht. They are valid as long as your extension of stay is valid for.Luc ********
Unlimitted re-entries ? At what price ?
Tod *********
once you get your one year extension, you can buy a re-entry permit that covers you to leave and come back for the entire year.
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Tod *********
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Tod *********
Once the O/P has less than 45 days left on the new 90 day admitted until stamp they got when they got the Non-O visa issued, they will go back to the immigration office, meet the requirements and get a yearly extension. The immigration office will add a year to the current expiration date they have now (11 Jun 2018), so his yearly extension will expire on 11 Jun 2019.
A yearly extension looks like this (note they also stamp retirement on it too) :/
A yearly extension looks like this (note they also stamp retirement on it too) :/
William *******
Tod,thank you for your clarification and explanation ...very helpful...as always.
Tod *********
Just so we're clear
As has been pointed out this is a 90 day Non-Immigrant Type O visa issued based on the fact the holder is over 50. It costs 2000baht and can be gotten if you meet the requirements and have 15 days or more left on a 30 day visa exempt stamp or a 60 day tourist visa stamp
The ONLY place the word retirement appears is that stamp in engrish they put in your passport.
The actual clause that visa is issued for is in Police Order
กรณีใช้ชีวิตในบั้นปลาย <- in the instance of living out the end of your life :O
Don't forget getting this visa is just the first step toward getting a yearly extension of stay based on being over 50. Once you are down to about 30 days or less left on your 90 day stamp you go back and apply for the yearly extension of stay for 1900baht.
@Al**
, there is NO such thing as a retirement visa. Not gotten inside the country at the immigration office, not gotten at a thai consulate out side the country. Unfortunately, calling it a retirement visa by every Tom Dick and Somchai thai official and foreigner alike doesn't mean that's what it is :/ As has been pointed out this is a 90 day Non-Immigrant Type O visa issued based on the fact the holder is over 50. It costs 2000baht and can be gotten if you meet the requirements and have 15 days or more left on a 30 day visa exempt stamp or a 60 day tourist visa stamp
The ONLY place the word retirement appears is that stamp in engrish they put in your passport.
The actual clause that visa is issued for is in Police Order
********
clause 2.22 which states in thai กรณีใช้ชีวิตในบั้นปลาย <- in the instance of living out the end of your life :O
Don't forget getting this visa is just the first step toward getting a yearly extension of stay based on being over 50. Once you are down to about 30 days or less left on your 90 day stamp you go back and apply for the yearly extension of stay for 1900baht.
Tod *********
@Rob***
, sorry but you're not on any VISA you're on a yearly extension of stay, They don't sell year-long visas inside the country, just 90 day ones :/
What lets you stay here is a stamp that looks like this in your passport. Notice how it says, "extension of stay permitted up to ____ and has the date stamped you're allowed to be here until.
Robert *********
Tod, my visa clearly states
Non-O
Retirement
I got it here in Chiang Mai, and it is from Sept 2017 to Sept 2018. I obtained a multi entry permit at the same time.
Non-O
Retirement
I got it here in Chiang Mai, and it is from Sept 2017 to Sept 2018. I obtained a multi entry permit at the same time.
Alan *******
ORIGINAL POSTERAnd thank you, for always being so helpful, and so clear.
Tod *********
@Al**
, Call it what ever you want :P . At least you're on your way to a yearly extension of stay (y)Alan *******
ORIGINAL POSTERSince I put “Retirement“ in quotes in the OP, you might say that I was agreeing with you – it’s just a visa that says retirement, not the retirement visa itself. 🤣
Alan *******
ORIGINAL POSTERTod, the reason we almost all call it a retirement visa is that it says “retirement” on the stamp. This reminds me of the conversation between Alice in the White Knight, where he is distinguishing between “the name of the song,” what the song is called, and the song itself.
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Alan *******
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Tommy ***********
Too bad Thailand won't grant this visa if you were lucky and or hard working enough to retire young.
Henri ******
There have to be some advantages for being old.
Luke ******
@Tod ********
Thanks for translating that Thai terminology. I am not surprised they word it like that, it's in line with the Thai logic that you are a visitor until you die.Tod *********
@To***
, that visa has an age restriction and is NOT issued for retirement (no matter what that stamp says) but because you're over 50 and want to "live out the end of your life"Tino ************
Then Thai Elite, might be an option.
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Tino ************
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Robert *******
It is the Non Immigrant O visa, obtained from inside Thailand at an Immigration Office based on being over 50 years (retirement).
Malcolm ********
It does,nt say retirement visa. it is a retirement EXTENSION .
Lloyd ********
@Malcolm *******
incorrect, both the VISA and extension are issued on.the basis of being over 50, not based on retirement.Michael ********
Yes it is not an extension. See how it says NON Immigrant VISA at the top...
Tod *********
@Malcolm *******
that is not correct :/ The O/P has a Non-Immigrant Type O VISA, it is NOT an extension :/ Here is a set of image so you can see the difference.
The first is a 90 day Non-O visa issued inside the country at the immigration office like the visa the O/P posted
The second image is an extension of stay.
Malcolm ********
That is exactly what I said , but in simpler language.There is no such thing as a retirement visa It is an extension for retirement purpose (by the way, I never mentioned an extension of stay Read my post again.the words OF STAY aren,t there
Tod *********
@Mal****
, Umm unless my eyes are bad you said it was a retirement Extension :/ , It is NOT, it is a real Non-O VISA & a 90 day stamp you get when they issue that visa.
They didn't get their extension yet.
Tod *********
@Mal****
, actually you're incorrect. It is NOT an extension of stay at all :/ It's a 90 day Non-Immigrant Type O visa issued based on being over 50 from the immigration office in Chiang Mai. It is the first step in getting a yearly extension of stay based on being over 50 (retirement)..Tod *********
Tawanrat, keep conversations on the group so we all can participate. Thank you (y)
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Tod *********
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