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What is the process for renewing a retirement visa in Thailand and what should I expect during the inspection?
retirement visavisa extensionimmigration procedureshome visitsThailandexpat livingNON-O visaNON-OA visa
Jul 18, 2025
9 months ago
Samuel ******
ORIGINAL POSTEROk so Tuesday I went and applied for my retirement visa renewal. Everything went fine but while I was giving my documents to the immigration official he asked where I live and wanted me to explain how to get there from the Jontiem immigration office. I explained directions and he said fine. Then handed me this paper with Captain Poo number. Explain that within the week Captain Poo would call and set a time to visit my condo and take pictures. On Wednesday I picked up my passport with the new one year extension. I thought no way is this guy going to call me. Well today he called and then came over to my place. He met the juristic and me, then had her take a photo of me and him in front of my door with the room number in it. Then two more inside. I signed a document and then he left. He had with him my renewal application. Strange has anyone heard of this. Captain Poo is real.
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user shared their experience renewing a retirement visa in Thailand, where they unexpectedly received a home visit from an immigration officer named Captain Poo, who took photos at their residence. This sparked a discussion among commenters about the requirement of home visits for retirement visa renewals, with some confirming that visits or photo submissions are common in certain areas. Clarifications about the difference between renewing a NON-OA visa and obtaining an extension of stay were also discussed, highlighting the necessity for health insurance and financial evidence for visa applications.
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.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Michael ********
I'm more rural on a marriage visa and get home visits where two neighbours have to sign as well to say I'm of good character (Don't drink to much, don't fight) last visit two immigration officers noticed I was making a garden out of what was a building site last time so brought me a tree this time
Nice guys
Nice guys
Cris ******
Never heard of home visits for retirement. Only marriage. But ya. For marriage visa. Every year.
Phil ******
@Cris *****
happenned to a friend of mine in Chon daenReply to
Phil ******
Reply
Robert *******
The immigration police came to our house to 3 weeks after my extension approval without a announcement. Took photos outside and inside the house.
Hans *********
Sounds like a superhero
Ma *******************
Pu, Po, and Pi are terms that denote elders. Like Pi Chai (big brother) or Luang Po is a senior monk. It's a term of respect, similar to Sir.
Paul ***********
Interesting information. Can use this info to be better prepared when I need to renew my visa.
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing.
Jo **********
captain poo, he go poo poo and pee pee
Bruce *****************
Pronounce poe as in Edgar Allen poe...
Stephen *******
@Bruce ****************
It's pronounced more like Boo, means Crab ปูReply to
Stephen *******
Reply
Ronald ********
And Thailand wonders why they are losing people. You don't get this kind of crap in Vietnam or Cambodia.
Andy *******
Poo?
กะลาสี *****
@Andy ******
I got a neighbor nicknamed Poo. Also got a Pie, Min & Toy. All are women (including Poo.)Reply to
กะลาสี *****
Reply
Roger ********
Never heard of this. Is it just Condos?
Melissa *********
@Roger *******
I rent a standalone pool villa and also do this process of maps and photos and sometimes we do a WhatsApp call so that the officer can take screenshots of me in my place.Robert *******
@Roger *******
no I’ve got a visit too not living in a condo.Reply to
Robert *******
Reply
Alex **********
Hey guys, sorry if this has been answered elsewhere, but aside from the requirement of getting health insurance for a non-immigrant O-A retirement visa, is there any functional difference between the renewal process for the non-immigrant O-A retirement visa versus the non-immigrant O extension of stay at the one year renewal!
If I have the non-immigrant O-A, do you know if they require any long-term lease at renewal or just to know where I live? I haven’t quite gotten to one year yet and my friends on the non-immigrant O, don’t seem to know about renewing the non-immigrant O-A. Anyone with personal experience? 
If I have the non-immigrant O-A, do you know if they require any long-term lease at renewal or just to know where I live? I haven’t quite gotten to one year yet and my friends on the non-immigrant O, don’t seem to know about renewing the non-immigrant O-A. Anyone with personal experience? 
Ian *******
@Porky *****
when I applied for my O visa, to replace my OA visa, I had to provide a map showing my girlfriend's house location. We had to have photos taken of us at the house both outside and inside. She then sent the photos to him electronically. But there was no home visit. I did not have to do any of this for my first extension of stay.Alex **********
@Ian ******
Thanks for the info!Alex **********
@Ian ******
Hey Ian, how many years were you on O-A before switching to O? Did you have to replace your O-A or was it a personal choice? I thought you could just continue to renew your O-A retirement visa at the end of every year from within Thailand. Is that not true? Thanks.Ian *******
@Alex *********
I swapped from the OA to the O visa as a personal choice. I still kept up health insurance although it is no longer compulsory. I had been on the OA for about 16 months when I swapped. I considered swapping to the OX 5 year visa, but that only allows 2 x 5 years. I decided it was easier to just switch to the O Retirement Visa and be done with it. I opted for the 800k in my Thai bank account, rather than mucking around with the 65k every month. Sure you get very little interest on the money, but I don't have to worry with ensuring I transfer the 65k every calendar month. If you miss a month, you go back to square one in applying for the visa again. I just transfer when I need more spending money.Reply to
Ian *******
Reply
Stephen *******
@Alex *********
Do a border run and get stamped in for another year on your O-A You get stamped in for 1 additional year on each entry within the visa validity period. But you'll need a reenry permit if you travel outside Thailand during the second year.Alex **********
@Stephen ******
I’ve heard about this. Was this a loophole that immigration never fixed? From what I understand, the first year of O-A is multiple entry. So, why the necessity for re-entry permit in the second year? Because of the border run?Reply to
Alex **********
Reply
Bent *************
TiT
The rules are crazy but it creates a lot of government jobs to administer them
The rules are crazy but it creates a lot of government jobs to administer them
Yo ****
Yes. Have to do this process every renewal.
Porky ******
26 years and never heard anything like this…
I’m gonna be one of those arseholes and said “It must me a you problem” because I didn’t read your post properly 🤷🏻♂️
I’m gonna be one of those arseholes and said “It must me a you problem” because I didn’t read your post properly 🤷🏻♂️
Brandon ************
@Porky *****
There have been more and more reports of immigration visits for retirement extensions lately.Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Luebbener ********
I had to bring fotos from me in my room, in front of my rooms door and in front of the house number. They gave me a Line contact and asked me to video call this number once I’m back at the hotel and then show them the above mentioned.
Gerg **********
I had to draw a map of where my condo is in Bangkok, but that was it for my OA extension.
Brian **********
@Gerg *********
how do you get an extension to an OA visa?Brandon ************
@Brian *********
You apply at immigrationBrian **********
@Brandon ***********
my understanding, was that an extension to an OA visa, had to be made, by leaving , and re-entering, with a new health insurance policy.Brandon ************
@Brian *********
no. That's just the way to get an extra year without applying for anything. But once the visa expires your only option is to go home or to apply for the extension from immigration. The requirements are the same as the non-O extension except you'll also need the mandatory insurance, so it's not a good option. At that point you need to have the 800k in your Thai bank and to have the insurance. If you can do that then you are better off getting a non-O so there's no insurance requirement.Alex **********
@Brandon ***********
Can you only get the extra year on the O-A at the end of that first year (by leaving and returning with requirements intact) before having to extend properly at immigration at the end of the 2nd year, or would they extend you if you left the country every year before the O-A expires?Brian **********
@Brandon ***********
thanks for that clarification.I had wondered if I had missed something.
My non-OA visa expires at the end of this month. I’m currently in the U.K.; and have got my health insurance renewed, so will re-enter Thailand, to get stamped in for another year.🤞😃
I’ll decide what to do, once that extension of stay expires.🤔
Reply to
Brian **********
Reply
AJ *********
I see captain poo every morning, photos not necessary.
Gerald ********
I had to take photos for my retirement extension of stay, same as the year before, Samut Prakan
Elías ********
Not strange. It's common for certain offices and cases, they say.
Paul *******
Thank you for your interesting post. I have never had a visit for retirement, only for marriage. But I correct you: You did not apply for a retirement visa renewal. You applied for an extension of stay based on being over 50 years of age.
Max *************
@Paul ******
He actually extended his "permission to stay". 😎Paul *******
@Max ************
Not whaqt he posted. He posted: "Ok so Tuesday I went and applied for my retirement visa renewal". The stamp in his passport would be: Extension of Stay and not permission to stay.Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Charles ********
@Paul ******
I’ve lived here for 23 years.A fortnight ago renewing my retirement extension, they asked me to draw a map of where I lived.
Received the extension that day.
Two days later, three officers visited.
Paul *******
@Charles *******
OK. What Immigration office?Charles ********
@Paul ******
Cha-Am Immigration Petchaburi.Reply to
Charles ********
Reply
Erick ********
Yes. In Bangkok every year I must take new pics of me in my condo ( several pics) and at least 2 in front of the building and with the building sign. No one has ever visited but I’m assuming it’s because Bkk is so large. No issues thus far getting retirement visa processed. This is 5th year
Melissa *********
@Erick *******
same process for me in krabi. Been here 2.5 years on nonO retirement extensions. Also have to take map to my house and google maps lat and long.Reply to
Melissa *********
Reply
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