What visa options are available for a UK expat planning to retire in Thailand?

Dec 12, 2024
6 days ago
Charlotte *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi all I’m planning on entering Thailand on tourist 60days visa I’m from the uk

I would like to retire there so any help on best visa to obtain

I do have a Thai girlfriend
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The individual from the UK is exploring options for retiring in Thailand and initially plans to enter on a 60-day tourist visa. Community members suggest applying for a NON-O visa, which is suitable for individuals over 50 who meet financial requirements. Having a Thai girlfriend does not enhance visa options unless they are married. Alternatives discussed include applying for the NON-O visa while still in the UK and exploring other visas appropriate for longer stays. Participants also emphasize the importance of planning for things like health insurance, living arrangements, and banking in Thailand.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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  • 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.
Sylvia ********
I would suggest you plan a visit here again soon, get a valid return ticket for 90 days, on arrival you receive the 60 day visa exempt, you can then go to immigration and get a further 30 day stay. So now you have 3 months to go to immigration, visa agents and get all the details, check out destinations where you intend to rent/live, research cost of living on a permanent basis, check out health insurance as hospital are great but can eat up your savings, open bank account etc and get prepared for the move here. It is very different to a holiday as it will be home for the future. Then return home to prepare for the 'move' get medical records, advise necessary businesses where you are going, prepare banking online and transferring funds and maybe selling up or shipping some belongings. I did this over a 6 month period to ensure everything was in order, it will save you time and money in the long term. Best of luck, I certainly have no regrets
Luit *****************
@Sylvia *******
Why not apply for non-o in home country, just as it is meant and
@Jan *****************
also gives at advice?

That visa is meant for his situation.

No problems with onward travel, get the posibility to open bank account, and get 1 year extensions after the initial 90 days.
Sylvia ********
@Luit ****************
depends on his financial situation and if he wants/can get medical insurance
Luit *****************
@Sylvia *******
non-o does not need medical insurance, and when you apply in your home country you do not need the 800K in a Thai bank, but it is OK when it is in your home country.

When you have affidavit letter of your embassy or make monthly payments from outside Thailand of 65K baht, then you also don't need the 800K in a Thai bank later.
Charlotte *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sylvia *******
Many thanks for all the advice

I have read on other post about getting a single flight booked out of Thailand at the 60days cut off so as to satisfy immigration

Also read on uk gov web site that my partner could come bk with me for six months so that would help with Thai forms
David **********
Get a non o visa
Mick ********
A great source of infomation is the Thai govt website It has a list of all visas available.,conditions needed to apply and who they are best suited for It can be a little tricky to navigation at first but one found it let's you see what may be the best option for you

Good luck mate
Kenneth *******
Call or visit the Thai immigration office and get answers.
Paul ********
@Andrew **********
soft power, cooking course is only a few days

And it also qualifies
Pierre ********
@Paul *******
qualifies to get what sir ?

Thanks for your time
Paul ********
Greg ***********
@Paul *******
it's DTV and not dvt
Paul ********
@Greg **********
Thanks grammer police 🤡
Anthony ******************
Get married.
Frank **********
Having a Thai gf is irrelevant
Dave ********
These comments just leave people even more confused !
Dave **********
@Dave *******
why? 60 days VISA exempt and he can pay 1900 for extra 30 days.
Franky ******
I.ll be entering some of Thailand ..
Pierre ********
I have French passport

Do I need a visa ?

Please.
Dave **********
@Pierre *******
no. 60 days exempt ..60 jours exempt. pas de VISA
Pierre ********
@Dave *********
thank you sir
James ********
@Pierre *******
no! 60 day on arrival stamp and you can extend that by another 30 days if you wish at your local immagration office
Pierre ********
sir thank you beyond !!!

Merci
Jan ******************
@Pierre *******
Passport and boarding card.😉
Pierre ********
@Jan *****************
Thank you for the time
Pierre ********
@James *******
when I land I should ask the guard / Imagration. Guard for him to stamp my passport for 60 days ?
James ********
@Pierre *******
He/she will look at your passport and will automatically give you the 60 days stamp. No need to ask anything :)
Dave **********
@Pierre *******
non. Avec ton passport Francais, automatic 60 jours. Bon voyage. Je suis la en Janvier normalment.
Pierre ********
@James *******
thank you
Lynnette *******
You don't need a visa for 60 days. Enter exempt of visa and can extend for 30 days.
David ************
DTV. You will thsnk me. Just get an appt for teeth. No money needed in bank in thsiland. 180day stay at each entry. 5 year visa. Agent not needed.
Luit *****************
@David ***********
Why should you advice somebody who wants to retire advice a visa that is not meant for him, while there is a visa special for his purpose.
David ************
@Luit ****************
clearly you don't know the comparison of the two. The dtv is a valid option for net worth individuals with money in their home country. Who are you to say it's not an option. The dtv saves him money and eases the visa process for him.
Luit *****************
@David ***********
I certainly know what I am talking about, at the moment I have the possibility to get both, but because I am still working, for a part of the year in my hometown, and the other part of the year, DTV now is the right visa for me. When I stop working, non-o retirement might be the best one.

In the first place DTV is meant for digital nomads and remote workers, not for retirees to get this DTV with all kind of stupid tricks.

And indeed DTV is a bit cheaper in some situations, but the visa process is not really different.

When you want to stay whole year in Thailand you have to do a border bounce at least once a year, which is already a sign that you have the wrong visa. A border bounce is also costing money, so I am not sure it really is cheaper in the end.

When you don't work anymore, you have to apply for soft power, also costing money.

DTV is for people who don't wat to live the whole year in Thailand, but only longer periods of the year. There is a reason the stay is only 180 days and can only get extended once.

People should always look which visa is meant for which purpose, but for some reason there are a lot of stubborn visitors of Thailand who want to trick the visa and visa exemption system.

P.S. I did not say it might be an option in some cases, like people still working after they retire, but it normally is not the recommended option, and nothing in the post of topicstarter suggest that in this case DTV might be a good option.
Dave **********
@David ***********
I tried fot teeth with top dentist in BKK. But refused to help with DTV as he said could be done on 60 day VISA exempt
David ************
@Dave *********
change the dentist. It's that simple. Many other providers happy to do an appt
David ************
Message me if you need a hand
Andrew ***********
Teeth only take a month maximum crazy how they'd give you 5 years lol
Dave **********
@Andrew **********
they won't. I asked..
Jan ******************
GF doesn’t give you any advantage unless you’re married. If you’re passed 50 years and can meet the financial requirements you can apply for a Non O at you’re local immigration if you have minimum 15-21 days on your stamp. Most convenient to apply for a 90 days Non O at the Thai embassy at home before you leave.
Jennifer *******
@Jan *****************
good luck with that. I had great difficulty . I came here on 60 day Visa and now have 1 year education visa .. going to learn Thai x2 a week. This allows me time to decide what I want to do. DM me if you need any other help
Charlotte *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jan *****************
many thanks will get on Thai embassy web site and apply
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