When should I start the process for a Thailand retirement visa before traveling to Chiang Mai?

Thailand Visa Retirement Visa Non-O Visa Visa Application Process Visa Exemption Travel from Cambodia to Thailand Visa Rules for Australians

Feb 8, 2022

3 years ago

Trevor *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Good morning. I'm an Australian citizen and I will be traveling to Cambodia for a one month stay, arriving on 18th March. My Cambodian visa expires 27th April. From there I want to travel to Chiang Mai and obtain a retirement visa. I know the steps to get this done including the 800,000baht deposit. I'm wondering when I should start the Thailand Visa procedure. Should I start the process now before I leave Australia, or can I easily obtain the Thai Visa while in Cambodia on the Cambodian Visa. 

Thanks :-)

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TLDR : Answer Summary

An Australian citizen planning to travel to Cambodia for one month is inquiring about the optimal time to initiate the process for a Thailand retirement visa. They are uncertain whether to start the application in Australia prior to departure or to obtain the visa while in Cambodia. Responses suggested applying for the retirement visa (Non-O) in Australia for a 90-day entry window, or alternatively entering Thailand on a tourist visa or visa exemption and converting to the retirement visa afterward.

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.

Steve *******

You can apply for the Non Imm O in Australia, you get 90 days to enter Thailand from it's date of issue.

3 years ago

Brandon ************

Easiest method for you is going to be entering Thailand on a Tourist visa or visa-exempt, then converting to the Non-O retirement visa in the country.

Tourist visa is valid for 90 days from the day it is issued, so you must enter the country within those 90 days and then you will get stamped in for 60 full days.

Given the dates you mentioned, you can apply for your visa later this month while you are in Australia (since you are supposed to be in the country you are applying from) and then worry about the Thailand Pass once you're comfortable in Cambodia.

You also have the option of just not even caring about visa for Thailand and entering on visa exempt which will get you stamped in for 30 days.

3 years ago

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Brandon ************

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Should I apply for a retirement visa for Thailand before or after arriving in the country?

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