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Answered2 years ago

What type of visa do I need to return to Thailand after a retirement visa expiration?

Ken *********
asked Dec 2, 2024
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I have passport, lived in Thailand 3 years most recent visa was retirement visa. It became necessary to return to.USA for medical reasons,, now want to return to Thailand in mid 2025. Do I need new visa, if so where do I get return visa?
Answer summary
After being away from Thailand for medical reasons, if your retirement visa has expired, you will need to obtain a new visa to return. It is recommended to apply for a Non-O Visa at your local Thai consulate before traveling back to Thailand, as retirement visas do not typically allow re-entry after a long absence. You may also have the option to enter Thailand on a visa-exempt stamp and then change your status to a Non-O visa if you meet the necessary conditions.
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Beatriz **********
Beatriz **********
Yes, you will need a new visa to return to Thailand, as retirement visas usually have an expiration date and don't allow reentry after being out of the country for a long period. You can apply for a new retirement visa or another type of visa, depending on your situation, directly at the nearest Thai embassy or consulate.

If you need help understanding the visa process or other options, I recommend Expat Money Forum, which offers expert guidance for expatriates.
Damien ********
Damien ********
Do I need visa for 3 week visit .taught you don't need visa coming from Ireland?
Robert *****
Robert *****
@Damien *******
you’ll get 60 days visa exempt. Just show up with your passport.
Damien ********
Damien ********
@Robert ****
so I don't need to get visa before I leave ireland thanks for your help 👍
Robert *****
Robert *****
Stephen *******
Stephen *******
@Damien *******
60 days visa exempt can extend by 30 days at local immigration
Andy ********
Andy ********
If your visa has expired or you did not get a re-entry permit then you can come on a Visa exempt stamp and change it to a Non-O visa whilst you are here if you can fulfil the same conditions as your previous Non-O visa.
Stephen *********
Stephen *********
Consulate or embassy near you. A tourist visa or Non O visa. There is no such thing as a retirement visa, just a non o based on marriage or age .
Kim *********
Kim *********
@Stephen ********
some embassies actually has it as an requirement that you are more than fifty AND on a pension. That's the case with the embassy in Denmark anyway and we get the visa based on marriage or retirement
Graham ******
Graham ******
@Stephen ********
but on the website it is described as a retirement visa although, as you say, the requirement is being over 50
Daniel ******
Daniel ******
I have 10 years LTR Visa. The best you can get!
Joseph *******
Joseph *******
@Daniel *****
I like the expanded address reporting. But the hassles of providing health insurance, criminal history report, & health certificate, imho, makes the non-O a better deal. Besides, don’t you still have to verify annually your eligibility? If so, the only benefit really is the address reporting.
Todd *********
Todd *********
@Joseph ******
lol. What?? Health insurance is not a requirement. Only $100k in the bank. Criminal history not required. No health certificate is required. Making the annually renewed non-O visa absolute garbage in comparison to the 10 year, tax year, no 90 day reporting LTR.
Joseph *******
Joseph *******
@Todd ********
I’m still not convinced about the SS benefits. The website states “…in Thailand.” My SS is deposited in a bank in San Antonio TX. If I had to set it up to be deposited directly into Bangkok Bank, for example, I would need to be physically in Thailand to do this. As you apparently know a lot about this, what am I missing?

Are you on the LTR visa?
Todd *********
Todd *********
@Joseph ******
you actually stand wholly corrected. As everything you wrote previously was wrong. But I’m happy I inspired you to look it up and learn.

As per your own research, it clearly supports what I said. Insurance is not a requirement. The carefully capitalized ‘OR’ clearly explains the option available. And that money does NOT need to be in Thailand at all. .

Yes, 90 day reporting is not required. Only annual, so almost no LTR holders will ever need to report as they are highly likely to travel at least once annually. So you never report your address. And there and no further eligibility requirements to prove.

It’s by far the easiest to apply and best visa Thailand has ever offered. And realistically one of the best in the world especially considering the tax free status. The easy online application can be done at home or from Thailand or anywhere else. Seems like a no brainer for anyone with the means
Joseph *******
Joseph *******
@Todd ********
I stand partially corrected. Neither a criminal history report nor a health certificate is mentioned on the government website. Health insurance, however, is a requirement, depending on the following: "Insured under a health insurance covering a minimum of USD 50,000 OR currently receiving social security benefits in Thailand OR deposit and maintain at least USD 100,000 in bank account balance under the applicant’s name for no less than 12 months." Link:
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The way I read this is that if your social security is being deposited directly into your Thailand bank (i.e., I know Bangkok Bank has a way of accommodating direct foreign government payments, but I don't know about the other banks) or you've seeded 100k baht in your Thai bank account for twelve straight months, then you wouldn't need the insurance. Seems a bit confusing to me, though, since this would imply you couldn't use the exemption until after twelve months, meaning you'd still need the insurance for the first year. Address reporting is required but has expanded to annually rather than quarterly. Additionally, along with reporting your address, you need to verify eligibility requirements are still being met. Personally, I may now go this route, especially since there's less paperwork than I originally thought, you only need verify your address annually, & you can apply online in your home country.
John **********
John **********
If you're visa (or extension of stay) has now expired then you need to start over from scratch. Best to apply for a non-o visa at your local consulate before travelling which gives you 90 days extendable inside Thailand

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