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Why are Thai immigration officers conducting home visits for retirement visas?

Phuket Immigration Retirement Visa Home Visit Visa Verification Immigration Policies in Thailand Expats in Thailand

May 7, 2025

2 days ago

Michael *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Would like to share a recent experience, a call yesterday from Phuket immig asking if they could visit me at home confirming my presence before lunch today. They duly arrived at 11-30 and immig officer had a brief chat took a photo, thanked me for the very precise drawn map I presented with my last visa app…..now i’ve heard of them visiting farangs with thai wives but not retiree‘s - positive engagement chatted with my singaporean wife who is also on a retirement visa and went on his way - at least i know the map I draw and google cooridnates had some value. Very pleasant man……..

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A retiree in Phuket shared an experience where immigration officers visited their home to confirm residency as part of the visa process. The visit involved a chat, a photo, and a review of a map submitted during a previous visa application. This sparked discussion among community members regarding the protocol of home visits for retirement visas, noting that previously such visits were rare. Some expats reported similar experiences with immigration visiting for retirement visa checks, suggesting a shift in practice by Thai immigration authorities. The engagement was generally described as positive.

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Sue **********

@Michael

@Michael ******

Did they change the „map thing“ again? Last December they only required a screenshot from google maps showing longitude/latitude. No drawing required.

a day ago

Michael *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yip 2 years ago started asking for it again after a 3 year hiatus now I know what it is for no issue with it and providing Google map co-ordinates

19 hours ago

Reply to

Michael *******

John **********

Yes they seem to be doing this for retirement visa/extension in a number of places now. I've been here 8 years on a retirement visa and prior to this year not a single visit. This year they've visited 2 times, the first time shortly after getting my extension and I got a call announcing the visit 2 days after the visit. The 2nd time about 6 months later and no phone call, only a guess but I suspect the 2nd visit was due to me using online 90 day reporting this year whereas I'd previously always done it in person.