This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

When should I apply for a visa extension for retirement after cancelling my work permit in Thailand?

Retirement Visa Visa Extension Thailand Immigration Work Permit Cancellation Financial Requirements for Visa Nakhon Pathom Bangkok 90-Day Reporting TM 30 Form

Aug 16, 2025

8 months ago

Richard *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

I plan to retire on 30 September. I am currently working with a work permit visa extension. My current residency is in Nakhon Pathom, but I will move to Bangkok. May I kindly ask for advice on the best timeframe to apply for the new visa extension. Many thanks

877

views

all likes

replies

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

To apply for a retirement visa extension after canceling a work permit, it is advised to cancel your current extension at the immigration office and apply immediately for the retirement extension. You must ensure that you have the financial requirements (800,000 baht in the bank for three months prior to application) and proper documentation. It is also recommended to handle this process at least a week prior to the current visa's expiry.

90 DAY REPORTING RESOURCES / SERVICES

Use the trusted Thailand 90 Day Reporting Serviceto get your in-person report done and mailed to you for as low as 375 THB (even if the online system doesn't work for you).
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

Pelle Eriksson★★★★★

Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...

recently on Facebook

Luca G.★★★★★

I used this agency for my DTV Visa...

recently on Google

Trusted 90 Day Reporting Agent

OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED

#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND

Gary *********

I did this last year. Your work permit has to be cancelled by your employer before immigration will issue an extension based on retirement. You need proof of permit cancelation. You need your 800,000 baht in the bank for a full three months prior to application. To apply you need bank statements for the three months stamped by the bank, a letter from the bank dated the day of application confirming bank balance and a copy of your bank book showing balance. Once your work permit is cancelled you have a short period of time to change your visa extension. I did everything 1 week prior to visa extension expiry.

8 months ago

Tod *********

No matter what your office is telling you there is no 3 month seasoning before you apply for the year extension

@Gary ********

😕

So, one more time for the record, the official seasoning for banked money method for a retirement extension is 2 months before you apply for the extension,

this is a rip from the translation of the police order concerning banked money method for retirement extensions

8 months ago

Tod *********

@Gary ********

the 800K only has to be banked for 2 months so if your immigration office said it's 3 they're yanking your chain. The bank can print a 3 month statement but that has nothing to do with the amount of time you really need to season the funds

8 months ago

Gary *********

@Tod ********

Every Immigration office has a printout of the rules applied in that office. Our OP here should get a copy.

8 months ago

Reply to

Gary *********

Tod *********

I would say your best bet would be to cancel the extension of stay based on employment at the immigration office where it was issued and immediately apply for a new yearly extensional stay based on retirement by meeting the financial requirements.

Then move to Bangkok

Once you do, file a new TM 30, start doing your 90 day reporting at Chaengwattana and the following year apply for your extension thru that office after you have a year 'track record' under your belt.

8 months ago

Richard *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

may I ask a follow up ? One issue I may have is that I actually live where I work, same address , and I can't use that address to extend my stay in the area where my stay based on employment was issued. I could short let an apartment in that area still and follow your advice, or in this case better to try to cancel in Nakhon Pathom and apply at Chaengwattana ?

8 months ago

Tod *********

This is a general list of what documentation an immigration office is likely to require to get a year extension based on retirement, it is NOT office specific, which is why I said go to your office and talk to them about it 🙂 and get the hand out listing the requirements at that office

8 months ago

Tod *********

@Richard ****

I still think you're way better off doing it all where the current extension was issued rather than cancelling the current employment extension and then going to C/W wanting to get a new year extension based on retirement.

So GO talk to your immigration office (where you live/got the extension/do 90 day reports) and see what they say about cancelling your current employment extension a couple weeks early then immediately applying for the year extension based on retirement

As Gary pointed out you will have to have the 800K baht funds seasoned in a thai bank account in your name only for 2 months before you apply for the yearly extension. You'll need the 'standard' bank letter, the 3 month printed detail transaction report (to show the 800k was in the whole 2 months before you apply). You have to update your bank book the date you apply for the extension along with providing them all the documentation that office typically requires for a year retirement extension

8 months ago

Richard *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

I really appreciate all the advice. Thank you so much

8 months ago

Reply to

Richard *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

many, many thanks.

8 months ago