Will my retirement visa be canceled if I return to Thailand with only 1-2 weeks left on it?

June 7, 2023
a year ago
Ed *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Retirement Visa query. I had to return to England as my dad was ill and now sadly passed away. I'm returning to Thailand in a week and will only have 1-2 weeks left on my retirement visa when I land. It takes a week for the bank to produce 12 months statements and I'll need to find a new place to do a TM30.

Two questions:

Will immigration cancel my visa and issue a tourist visa if only 1-2 weeks left on it?

I assume I'll be too late to renew it and will need to start the process all over again?

Really appreciate and guidance..
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is concerned about returning to Thailand with only 1-2 weeks left on their retirement visa. They seek advice on whether immigration will cancel their visa and issue a tourist visa instead. They also inquire about the renewal process, as they will need bank statements and a place for a TM30. Comments suggest that it's possible to renew up to the last day of the visa, but they may face issues with obtaining necessary documents in time.
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Nick ************
Sounds like you would be better off returning to Thailand after your retirement extension has expired, get 30 days Visa exempt and go through the process of applying for 90 day non o and then 12 month extension like you had before. Gives you more time to get everything lined up without leaving the country again.
Paul *******
@Nick ***********
Why not get a retirement visa (even if only the 90 day one) in his home country? Much easier and makes more sense than doing an in country conversion.
Nick ************
@Paul ******
I believe you can only get non oa based on retirement in home country which requires insurance, a police check and other formalities. Anyway, he would have to cancell existing stamp before he could get another one.
Graham ******
@Nick ***********
Many Embassies/Consulates also offer the Non-O
Paul *******
@Nick ***********
I'm sure you can also get a normal 90 day retirement visa in one's home country. The O-A is the 12 month version.
John ******
1 week for a 12 month statement? I walk into any SCB branch and they have it for me in about 5 minutes.
Ed *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Not Bangkok Bank if branch elsewhere sadly
Jeffrey **********
Oriano ******
Se quando rientri il tuo visto anuale , non e scaduto , ricevi 3 mesi , e ai tutto il tempo per rifare di nuovo un altro visto anuale , se ai tutti i requisiti. !!!
Brown ********
1-2 weeks means 10 days? I'm sure you can get it all done in time if get straight onto it. To be safe maybe just fork out a little for an agent to get it done after you get the statement
Paul *******
Bangkok Bank produces the letter and 12 months statements for me same day, while I wait. Maybe 30 minutes wait.
Ed *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
Maybe it's your branch? Mine is in Chiang Mai but I'm applying in
@B**
Ed *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
It took 1 week last year fro Bangkok bank to produce the statements with an official stamp
Ed *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
I was told they need each page with the banks official stamp and a cover letter. Have you tried it to see if it's accepted?
Sarick **********
@Paul ******
Bangkok bank takes up to 4 working days to process the 12 month statement, It is issued at the main branch, and its carrier literally has to deliver it to the branch you visit. Other major banks issue it in 5 minutes.

You can split your statement in half, like requesting the first 6 months now, introduce your spouse or friend to the bank staff that he/ she will collect it for you and request the other 6 months that you ca get it right away when you return.
Paul *******
@Sarick *********
For the past 4 years i have received mine the same day that i requested, Both the letter and the 12 months of statements.
John **********
I'd suggest the tm30 is your bigger problem, you know you need a week to get the bank statement, but you also need somewhere longer term to live not just one night in a hotel. Unless the hotel will say you have a longer term contract
Brandon ************
There's no extension available besides another year. If you can't get everything you need in time then you'll need to leave Thailand and start over with the 90 day non-O visa.

You can apply for your extension up until the last day, so I'd try to make that happen.
Ed *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you. I can't do it by going to immigration before the 30 day tourist visa expires and get a 60 day non O then apply?
Ed *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Bangkok Bank. They have always taken 7 days to produce 12 months statements. My Branch is in Chiang Mai but I'll be renewing in Bangkok
Brandon ************
@Ed ******
I don't understand your question. You said you're returning while your retirement extension is still valid. So you won't have a tourist entry stamp. There's also no such thing as a 30 day tourist visa and no such thing as a 60 non-O visa.
Ed *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
I mean if they cancel my Retirement visa at immigration as there is so little time left and give me 30 days on arrival, can I then go to immigration and get a 60 or 90day non O and after that apply for a new retirement visa? i.e. is there a way of getting the 60 or 90day non O inside Thailand rather than applying outside
Ed *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Will immigration allow me in with only 7-10 days left on my retirement visa? Maybe if I have a flight out before eth visa expires?
Brandon ************
@Ed ******
as long as you got a re-entry permit before you left and your passport is valid they will let you in until the last day of your stamp.
Mark ********
@Brandon ***********
and he should get another year when he is stamped back in so long as he has a re-entry permit? Would he need to show another 12 months of med insurance as well being an O-A?
Brandon ************
@Mark *******
where did anyone mention OA? You don't get an extra year when you return with a regular retirement extension. And a re-entry permit wouldn't apply during the validity of an OA because it's a multiple entry visa.
Ed *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
James ***************
@Ed ******
- is there any way you can get your statement quicker ? I assume you are with Bangkok Bank. Worth messaging their customer service. Request your statement asap after your last monthly transfer to cover 12 months. Or enquire about going to the main bank branch that issues the statements. If the time taken to obtain statement is your main problem then focus on solving that challenge ?
Robert ***********
@James **************
With Bangkok banks app you can get yearly statement sent to your email next day, then take to your local Bangkok bank office and they will stamp it/verify it for immigration office.
James ***************
@Robert **********
- when i first decided to switch to 65k rule, i was shown an example of what proof i would need to provide from bank. It was 12 months statement showing only the 65k international transfers. No other transactions. Perhaps different banks and different immigration offices have different rules.
Robert ***********
@James **************
yes different rules for different immigration offices, i used the Ubon Ratchathani office, I even had a monthly deposit not marked international transfer and they said no problem.
James ***************
@Robert **********
- okay thanks for your info and feedback.
James ***************
@Robert **********
- that would be ideal. Can you clarify what immigration office and bangkok bank you used ?
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