What type of visa should I apply for to stay in Thailand for three months and later transition to a retirement visa?

Visa Types Tourist Visa Non-Immigrant O Visa Retirement Visa Driving License in Thailand Thailand Immigration Process

Jun 16, 2022

3 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi everyone 

I’m a Brit with Brit passport.

I live in Switzerland. I’m over 50 and have a house in hua hin.

I want to go to Thailand in October and stay for three months. 

In February 2023 I want to visit again and get a driving license .

October I will again and this time I want the three month visa then be able to apply for retirement visa inorder to live in Thailand 2024 and ship my household goods.

Any advice on the type of visa required and where to apply

621

views

likes

all likes

replies

images

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

A Brit over 50 living in Switzerland is seeking advice on which visa to choose for a three-month stay in Thailand. Suggestions include a Non-Immigrant O visa for over 50s, which offers 90 days on entry, or a Single Entry Tourist Visa for 60 days that can be extended by 30 days. For future plans, it's advised to consider the retirement visa, which can be applied for in 2024 at the Thai Embassy, allowing for a long-term stay.

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.

Sohan *******

If doing 90 day stints, maybe a tourist visa is better to start? You can get the drivers license quiet easily in that first trip if you'd like or use an IDP from home until then.

3 years ago

Wannikea *********

I'd go for a tourist visa this and next year, 60 days plus extendable another 30 days. Serves your 90 day purpose of tourism.

3 years ago

Robert *******

Visit for 90 days: OR the Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age, which gives you 90 days on entry.

OR the Single Entry Tourist Visa which gives you 60 days on entry and can be extended once with 30 days on basis of tourism.

In 2024 a long way ahead, but the retirement visa also know as the Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age from the Thai Embassy and when arrived in Thailand apply for the 1 year retirement visa also know as an Extension of Stay based on being over 50 years of age at the local Immigration Office.

3 years ago

Reply to

Robert *******

Thai Visa Advice

... members · 40% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.

Join the Group

Thai Visa Advice

View the Conversation

Thai Visa Advice

What are the best visa options for retiring in Thailand full-time while maintaining ties to the UK?

25 comments