What visa options do UK passport holders over 55 have after a tourist visa in Thailand?

May 16, 2023
a year ago
Donna *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi all. Bit of advice please, me and my partner over 55 just 😁. We are uk passport holders. We arrived in Thailand on tourist visa on arrival at the airport . We have just extended for another 30 days.

What visa would we be eligible for now without leaving or do we have to leave after our 60 days . Looked online but there is so many visas it's all very confusing.. We are thinking of retiring here in the future so staying various locations to see what place ticks all the boxes for us. Any advice would be really appreciated thanks 🙏
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user, a UK passport holder over 55, seeks advice on visa options after initially entering Thailand on a tourist visa on arrival, which they have extended for an additional 30 days. Several commenters suggest options such as applying for a one-year extension of stay (NON-O visa for retirement) if financial requirements are met, leaving Thailand to apply for a tourist visa at a neighboring country, or considering an education visa. It is emphasized that to convert to a NON-O visa, one would need to demonstrate adequate financial resources and preferably have time left on their current visa. Long-term plans for retirement in Thailand and how to navigate visa regulations are discussed.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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Bob **********
You can leave and get a new TV in a Thai consulate in another country and that will give you 60+30 more days to

Look around remember you’ll need 15-20 days left on your stamp to apply for the non-o visa and at the jomtien office you’ll need the 800k in a Thai bank in your name only 2 months before applying,other offices you can apply and you’ll have 30 days to sort out bank accounts and bring the money in make sure the deposit shows foreign transfer good luck
Mike ******
Why not buzz over to Siem reap for a week

Check out the most amazing area in the world ..arguably

And then fly back

Get your new stamp and start again ..

Nothing wrong with checking out next door !!!
Mike ******
Bangkok airways ..no issue
David *******
You can convert to a Non O visa ‘for Retirement’ and then do annual Extensions of Stay. You can come and go as you want as long as you get a Rentry Permit each time. You need 800k in a Thai bank account for the Extension. You might need this for the initial one depending which Immigration Office you are dealing with.

One of you can piggyback on the other’s visa but that means leaving the country and returning.

(You can pay an agent and avoid the cash in bank etc but it’s not cheap. Probably 25-35k each)

Edit: sorry, just saw you said partner not husband so you can’t piggyback)
Donna ************
To apply for any other visa now with only 30 days remaining is unlikely as they need more time to process. You could leave to visit a neighbouring country (Vietnam/ Malaysia / Laos/ Cambodia) and while there apply for a tourist visa for 60 days (applications would need to be to the neighbouring country’s Thai embassy) you can extend the tourist visa for 30 days also = 90 days which is adequate time to apply for a retirement visa. Or you can go back to Thailand on visa exempt (30 days) and extend for further 30 (providing you have not done this many times already) and try for a retirement visa. You may also wish to apply at a local teaching facility for an education visa to learn the language if you are considering living there
Stuart *********
If you were thinking of doing the one year extension you’ll need at least 15 days (some offices 21 days) left on a valid stamp. You’ll both need 800k in a Thai bank account in your own name only that’s been transferred from overseas.

There are ways for one of you to “piggyback” off the other for financials but not if you’re applying in country.
Stuart *********
Ah hadn’t spotted the “partner” part either. If not legally married you can’t piggyback.
Stuart *********
The only option in country would be to apply for a one year extension of stay provided you have met the financial requirements.

Otherwise you’re going to have to leave and re enter to get another visa exempt entry - which you could extend once again.
Stuart *********
Sorry I omitted the first step to getting the one year extension. You’d have to apply in country for a Non O visa first and then the year extension. The financials I stated are correct.
Donna *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
thank you so much for the information. Do you know what financial requirements you have to meet thanks
John **********
@Donna ******
if you are here on a tourist visa your only option other than leaving the country is to apply for an in country Non-O visa but you must meet the criteria, mostly being over 50 and having 800k baht in a Thai bank account in your own name before applying. Your local immigration office will have a handout outlining the requirements. You can extend this visa indefinitely for 12 months at a time so get the handout for that as well while you are there
Stuart *********
@Donna ******
just answered.
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