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Why are Thai immigration officers conducting home visits for retirement visas?
Thai ImmigrationRetirement VisaHome VisitVisa VerificationExpat Life in ThailandImmigration Procedures
May 7, 2025
a year ago
Michael *******
ORIGINAL POSTERWould 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……..
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post recounts an individual's experience with an immigration visit at home in Phuket, where officials confirmed residency for a retirement visa. The visit was friendly and focused on verifying the applicant's presence at the given address. Several commenters shared similar experiences, highlighting that while checks are common for marriage visas, retirement visa visits are becoming more frequent as immigration seeks to verify the addresses of retirees. The discussion highlights a perceived increase in such home visits across different regions in Thailand.
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.
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J **************
Next comes the income tax
Michael *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@J *************
nothing to do with immig - yet🤔Reply to
Michael *******
Reply
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.Michael *******
ORIGINAL POSTERYip 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
Reply to
Michael *******
Reply
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.
Michael *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
interesting about the 90 day John, I mentioned to my visitor that i was coming to immig next day for my 90 day he suggested doing it on line, which I may now have another crack at although the drive thru in Phuket is a breeze….Reply to
Michael *******
Reply
Oo *****
Nice, I know retired frangs who just got a knock on the door. No phone call. Took photo and left. C u.
Jesper *******
It's been a std practice to home visit married couples to confirm their relationship that's why u get a 30days consideration stamp and after they are happy with the visit they will stamp u your 1yr extension.....for retirement visa they already stamp u for 1yr extension on the same day as u apply there's no need for home visit
Charles ********
@Jesper ******
the ‘under consideration’ stamp for Marriage extension to a visa is because all of the paperwork has to be processed at the main office in Bangkok.Michael *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jesper ******
not my experience which was reason for post, they phoned to let me know they were coming and came spot on time, and without fuss. They used the handwritten map I submitted with my appl, to come straight to my house , now I understand why they require it. Post was for information only .Chris *******
@Jesper ******
all aliens, regardless of visa, can be subject to Inspection at any time.In Phuket;
Marriage, retirement, ED, nonb are routinely inspected and sometimes it seems very randomly. OR is it?🤷♂️.
Jesper *******
@Chris ******
I have not encounter such situations after 3 continuous extension (bkk)Chris *******
Reply to
Chris *******
Reply
Nigel **************
@Jesper ******
but they are increasingly coming to visit people at home for retirement visa at least for first time app. They came to visit me in PetchabunJesper *******
@Nigel *************
oh so did they give u a 30days consideration stamp? And do they give u a call before visiting?Nigel **************
@Jesper ******
it was 2 weeks, and yes they rang my partner before comingWill ************
@Jesper ******
under consideration stamps very normal for retirement in Nakhon Nayok , had one every timeReply to
Will ************
Reply
Ian **********
They do visits for marriage extensions to establish if the relationship is real and not a marriage of convenience. You must get a neighbour or the village head to confirm you live at the address. I've no idea why they would visit a retiree.
Nigel **************
@Ian *********
they did visit me in Petchabun for my retirement visa. Didn't get the stamp until after the visit.Ian **********
@Nigel *************
Over the years, I've read of many random visits of retirees, but no one can explain why.Michael *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ian *********
to ensure you live where you say when you apply, renew…..they like to know where we are, that’s fine with me nothing to hide……if they can’t find you, won’t end well when you go to renew….🫤Nigel **************
@Ian *********
I am on my first extension until Feb 2026. Will update then.Reply to
Nigel **************
Reply
Will ************
They do visits for retirement in Nakhon Nayok.
Neil ********
Good to hear that a random check is done and it went well
Damo ***********
@Neil *******
would be better if the Imm Officer asked to look at the Bankbook as well just to make sure money is there.Lots of farang flaunt the financial req’ for the retirement visa and should be dealt with accordingly.
Michael *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Damo **********
they check that when you renew, hence the bank statements, the visit is to determine that you live where you have declared you live….comfortable with that….if people lie about their residence they will struggle to renew when the time comes as system will flag themDamo ***********
@Michael ******
you have missed my point totally… have better things to do this arvo than try to explain things to you.Reply to
Damo ***********
Reply
Dany ********
@Damo **********
but the money doesnt have to be there permanentlyDamo ***********
@Dany *******
2 months before extension application until 3 months after the extension, needs to be 800k minimum. Then after 3 months extension approval it can go down to 400k but even a day under 400k you in the 💩Reply to
Damo ***********
Reply
Christopher ***********
Thanks for your report!
Jeff *****
Glad it all turned out well Michael!! 👍👍👍
Reply to
Jeff *****
Reply
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