What requirements must a 71-year-old retiree meet to extend their NON-O visa in Thailand after 21 years?

Jul 1, 2019
5 years ago
Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Looking for advice, for a friend.. He is 71 years old, has been here for 21 years, and currently has a non 'o" visa based on retirement. And need to know what he will need to show, in order to extend his visa for a year. ?

He has heard that, for people who have been in the country for over 20 years that they may only need to show 220,000B or an income from abroad of 20,000B per month.. but isn't sure whether this is true or not.

He has enquired about it at his local immigration, and they said at the time that they hadn't heard of it. So he may need written evidence to show them..

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A 71-year-old expatriate in Thailand, holding a NON-O visa based on retirement, seeks to understand the requirements to extend his visa for an additional year. He has been living in Thailand for 21 years and heard that if someone has been in the country for over 20 years, they might only need to show a bank balance of 220,000 Baht or a monthly income of 20,000 Baht. However, local immigration officials were uncertain about this guideline. Some commenters mentioned the existence of a 'grandfather clause' for those with uninterrupted extensions since October 21, 1998, which may allow for reduced financial requirements. It's recommended that the individual verify his extension history and gather necessary documentation, as requirements can vary and some officials may not be aware of these nuances.
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.
James ********
And hopefully the elderly expat will be successful with his Extension of Stay under grandfathered rules. We wish him well. I close commenting.
Tod *********
@Paul ******
, okay, IF he was on UNBROKEN yearly extensions of stays due to retirement since 21 Oct 1998, and if he would be able to get the reduced financial requirements.

it's clearly written into the police order that states the criteria for extensions.

Note that I put unbroken in caps, he's got to have continuous yearly extensions from 21 Oct 1998 and can't have had any slip ups on any year.
Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I think that's all he needs to know right now, because i;m pretty sure he doesn't have unbroken extensions. But i will pass the information you have provided, on to him.. Thanks
Marty *********
Also, he on an extension of stay. Not a visa.
Biff *******
Using the wrong terminology can get you the wrong advice. It’s not difficult to understand the difference between visas and extensions of stay although some people seem to insist that it is “oh you know what I meant”. Well, usually people say what they mean. Apparently not here though. People can say visa when they don’t mean visa and anyone pointing that out is subject to ridicule for some reason.
Marty *********
Ray Taylor If you read this FB group long enough you will see that everyone doesn’t know the difference however if you think the words “extension of stay” are a mouthful for you then feel free to use “retirement visa”. We will know what you mean.
Ray ********
@Marty ********
....Smart mouth.

I think we all know what it is called....

But people generally understand when someone calls it a retirement visa..... Because it's EASIER to say...
Alf ***********
It's the so called grandfather clause.

It kicks in if he has been in Thailand based on retirement consecutively since October 21 1998
Nancy ******
It's a real thing. Details in this post:
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Benjamin ******
I never heard of it, and I can't find any information about it on line. I say it's a rumour.

Ok, I was wrong, see Nancy Cahn post below
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