Where can I find assistance regarding retiree visa options in Chiang Mai?

At your age get an agent to sort all your issues out I’m sure can arrange your retirement visa

Nico at Thai Assist Visa is very knowledgeable and is highly recommended. You can email him and ask your questions

There are countless videos talking all about various visa options. Start researching by watching YouTube videos.

@Kyung *****

yes you can go to immigration but may have to stand at the counter

just come to Thailand and live here on 60 days visa exemption and extend 30 days like Frank.

What is the list from immigration

Might try contacting the tourist police, if they have them up in Chiang Mai. They are group of volunteers that work with the regular police in a variety of ways and were really helpful when I first landed in Phuket. At that time they were given space at immigration they used to set up a counter to answer questions and even helped me fill out paper work before I presented it to the actual Thai immigration officers. This was a bit over 10 years ago and may have been unique to Phuket, (there's certainly nothing like this availible at immigration where I am living now), but Chiang Mai being a major tourist destination like Phuket is may offer something like this as a resource. They might not be physically located at immigration like they were in Phuket but may still be availble in their offices to answer questions. Maybe someone online here living up that way can advise. Very friendly folks made up mostly of expats who volunteer their time simply to be helpful, and like I said I found them to be super helpful especially in providing up to the minute advise on the many changes regularly encountered at immigration here in Thailand. I have a partner who speaks Thai now so am in good hands. She supports me whenever I get a little panicky at immigration, which can unfortunately happen to folks of my disposition from time to time. 555. "Calm down" she will say, "Thai people are good people and want to help". She's always been right about that... so far at least. 555

If your not that up on complicated issues use an agent,more money (not that much really) but much less stress...

@Kyung *****

Well, there are several roads leading to the 90-days Non-Imm-O retirement visa and to the subsequent “1-year Extension of Temporary Stay Permit based on retirement”, which is a long-term stay permit

MIND YOUR WORDING:

In Thailand, you do not apply for the “retirement visa” on Immigration, after you have entered Thailand on a 90-days single entry Non-Imm-O “Retirement Visa” you obtained through the E-Visa online system in your home country.

When you enter Thailand on this 90-days “retirement visa”, you get stamped in for a 90-days stay permit. The “retirement visa” itself will become invalid or “used”. It cannot get “extended”. This is technically not possible. It is just wrong wording used by Thai Immigration, for whom a visa and a stay permit erroneously are the same thing.

(I am talking about the most common misunderstanding regarding the rules that come with applying for the “retirement visa” and the subsequent “one-year extension of stay permit based on retirement”. Misunderstandings happen because a “retirement visa” can mean 7 different visas and stay permits) but let’s remain on topic.

The best way is to show up in Thailand on a 90-days single entry Non-Imm-O Retirement/over 50 visa” as it will get you a 90-days stay permit stamped. Within this period you have plenty of time to arrange for the application to the “1-year extended stay permit”.

The MOST IMPORTANT fact is, that entering on this visa-type, enables you to get a Thai bank account opened. If you enter on a tourist visa or visa-exempt, you cannot get a Thai bank account opened any more easily, since February 2025.

There is NO mandatory health insurance or a police record check or a medical checkup required for this visa-type. These are the requirements only, for the application to the 365-days Non-Imm-O/A Longstay Visa, which is a completely different visa-type.

If you have arrived on this 90-days single entry Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa, you can get a bank account opened on it. You will need the account in case you want to convert the 90-days stay permit to a “1-year extension of the stay permit”.

You can theoretically fly on a one-way ticket because this visa allows you to receive a long-term stay in Thailand. Some airlines might not accept this explanation and will ask you for an onward travel proof out of Thailand within these 90 days, that’s why you should communicate with them by email and see what they say

In order to apply for the “90-days single entry Non-Imm-O retirement visa” through the online E-visa system at the Royal Thai Embassy of your home country, you can

EITHER

use the proof of income of a monthly minimum of 65.000.- THB, by using your original pension or other income documentation,

OR

you can use a deposit of a minimum of 800.000.- THB or the equivalent in your home country currency, or on your home bank account, or on your Thai bank account (if you got one), or just anywhere in the World – as long as it is in your sole name

However, for the later application inside Thailand, for the “1-year extension of stay permit” out of the 90-days Non-Imm-O retirement visa, the financial proof is different.

If you are a citizen of a country whose embassy in Thailand does not issue a certified “income affidavit” any more – (these are the embassies of USA, Canada, UK, Norway and Australia) you would need a “12 months bank statement”, showing that for the past 12 months, you have been transferring from abroad to your Thai bank account a minimum of 65,000 THB, consecutively month for month.

If your embassy still issues a certified affidavit of income, you can use this method for the financial proof, which needs a monthly income or pension of a minimum of 65,000 THB

For British, Australian and U.S. citizens, in the first year there is no other way around, than depositing a minimum of 800,000 THB in your Thai bank account, and use this deposit for the financial proof which is required for the application to the “1-year extension of stay permit based on being over 50/retired”, at least in the first year

The alternative would be, if you don’t have that kind of money or are not willing to deposit in a Thai Bank account is, paying an agent to “arrange” the requirements, which I, however, do not recommend

As soon as you have accumulated the 12 consecutive months of 65,000 THB transfers, month for month, you can apply for the next 1-year extension of the stay permit, using the 12- months bank statement, in the second year. After being issued the next extension, you can theoretically take the 800,000 THB out of your bank account.

This application to a 1-Year Extension costs a 1900 THB fee and you can theoretically do it all by yourself, or accept the help of an agent for the simplified legal service.

NOTE: It is income OR deposit.

However, there is a third method, called the “combination method”: A combination mix of income and deposit.

Some immigrations don’t allow the combination method in the first year.

And some Immigrations want the deposit part to exceed a minimum of 400,000 THB.

The combination method means that the sum of the deposit AND the monthly income exceeds 800,000 THB in one year.

But let’s continue with the “normal method” (visa issued in your home country, followed by the application to the 1-year Extension inside Thailand):

On the day of application to the 1-year extension, the 800,000 THB need to have “seasoned” in your account for two months, and this has to be proven with the “bank letter of guarantee” (rab roong thanakan).

After been issued the “1-year Extension of the Stay Permit based on Retirement”, the 800K need to remain in the account for 3 more months. After these 3 months, the deposit shall never go under 400,000 THB. And before the application for the next “1-year Extension of Stay”, a minimum of 800,000 THB must have seasoned in the account for two months, again.

On the day you get issued the “1-year extension of stay permit”, you should buy a re-entry permit for it.

A re-entry permit will keep your stay permit alive and valid in case you exit Thailand before the expiry of the 1-year stay permit.

A single re-entry permit is 1000 THB on Immigration. A multi re-entry is 3800 THB. With a multi re-entry permit, you can exit and re-enter as many times as you wish during the whole 1-year stay permit period.

Good Luck and a great time in Thailand

Get a lawyer that specialises in the field.

Personaly due to me not fully understang things i used an agent let them sort it no messing about

That's because there are too many people on here causing confusion because they talk out of beliefs, backsides and not experience. You will be given a list at immigration and a form to do, also to provide documents. Even so, you might be better asking an agent. Your choice, take care.

There are not officials who will have that conversation with you, but there are agents who will do so. They are looking to be hired, and some are not all that knowledgeable. The immigration landscape is changing rapidly. You can learn more from those who have recently been through the process. This & other immigration forums online is a good place to start.

Suggest you keep your questions and thoughts in this open group so that answers can be verified by the knowledgeable and experienced regulars. Going off to a private conversation with somebody who may have misinformation could lead to misdirection.

Reiterating others that suggest a visa agent. I consulted with one when I first started thinking about relocating to Thailand. Now I use that agent for anything related to immigration. Saves a lot of confusion and is stress-free. Very reasonable cost considering I place a high value on my time.

There are heaps of experts in this forum. It is confusing and so many options. Watched this one video and it answered all my questions.

I’m the same and find it confusing. You can hire an agency and they do it for you. They will tell you all the documentation required ie proof of funds, where you will live, income statements etc. If you can afford an agent, do it

Talk to an agent?!

Agents are expensive and not always needed but most of them will give you a free consultation where you can get many of your questions answered and then go to the immigration office and get the list of what you need for the visa and extension you decide on

First and foremost, let’s STOP this down talk of yourself ❤️😘. My husband and I are here on a Retirement Visa (non-immigrant OA), meaning we applied from back home. If you’d like to inbox me, we can discuss the steps that my husband and I used as well as helpful tools that are available.

Best wishes 🌺

Get recommendation for personal agent to help you with choices

The way to do it is:

1. Apply for the Non-O 90 day retirement visa before coming to Thailand (no criminal checks required).

2. Arrive in Thailand with the Non-O visa, then get a Thai sim card for your phone and Rent a place to live.

3. Go to immigration and get a residence certificate.

4. Open a bank account, and deposit 800,000 baht, within the first 2 weeks.

5. Get the list from immigration to extend your stay for 12 months and the form to complete. Then start Collecting all the evidence required.

6. Wait until your money has been in the account 2 months.

7. Go to the immigration office once your money has seasoned, provide the evidence, pay 1,900 baht and extend your stay for 12 months.

It's not difficult if you follow these steps.

Unless you're filthy rich typically you have two options, first is non-oa second is non-o.

Non OA... 1 year multiple entry (for first year only), Must be applied for in your home country, you don't need to move the 800k into Thailand until the end of second year, must have medical insurance from an approved list of providers, criminal background check. This is not the preferred visa as per the mandatory insurance, but it does make it easier to get your money into Thailand. People on this Visa will usually try and get off it and go on to a regular Non -O.

Non-O... 90 day single entry, can be applied for in Thailand but you must have the 800k in a Thai bank to apply, also can be applied for outside of Thailand and you can have the 800k in the bank anywhere. Once in Thailand you need to open a Thai bank account deposit the 800k and let it sit there for 2 months before you can apply for the one year extension. It would be better to buy a 90-day non-O before you make your way here to help facilitate opening the bank account.

Those are the basic first steps.

In order to proceed Retirement Visa, there is one common procedural matter which many people face these days.

It is the bank statement that you have to submit with visa application. However it is very difficult to open a bank account with tourist visa. This is exactly chicken-egg issue as you mentioned. The Immigration office requires bank statement but you can't even open a bank account.......

It is an unreasonable procedure but you will have difficulty for this first step. If you can solve this problem, you can visit immigration and do yourself easily.

Tell you my case,

I had to get help from a visa agent. It costs a bit but affordable. And they do quick and easy process without any headache.

Best to go to agent. Save yourself the aggravation

Steer clear of expensive agents. They are mostly very helpful at Chiang Mai immigration. They will give you a written list of everything you need. Just adhere to it and it's fairly straightforward. Use Blue ink and no double sided copies!They are fussy

You should apply for a Non O visa at the Thai Embassy in your country. It should make it easier to get a Thai bank account that you will need in order to get the 1 year extension based on retirement.

Go to a visa agent, it’ll cost more. But no headaches

@Lynnette ******

Needs to get non o first. She said coming on tourist visa.

Go to two different Visa agents where you are and ask both the same questions

Google visa agents near you

I don't know if you can get a sit down and talk to session but you should be able to get a list I would warn you if you go to an agent don't think that everything they're doing is in your best interest

Where are you reading all this misinformation? Start by going to immigration, get the paper with the list that tells you what you need to provide to get the 12 month extension.