In my opinion, visiting first and researching the areas, as well as inquiring about requirements, is the best approach for me.

As a retired federal employee and Veteran, reading these posts can be overwhelming and disappointing due to some providing valuable advice while others make condescending remarks towards those unfamiliar with the process.

Not everyone has 800,000 Baht to invest in a Thai account, similarly, Portugal requires $10,000. Social media is making it seem as tho this is the place to be and have people jumping on planes , moving and not doing proper researching or planning. Why, because all they are seeing is low rent, food etc which will change the more people move there.

I prefer not to rely on another country's resources by coming there with no income. I would like to hear more from some of the men/women veterans who have moved to Thailand and retired. What do you do for VA appointments etc.? What visa they have?

I am seeking an stress-free environment without depleting my monthly retirement benefits.

peace and a stress-free lifestyle

🫶🏽🙇🏽

My husband and I are going to move and retire in Thailand this October and we are planning to apply for the Elite family excursion visa but I have had 3 days overstay stamp on my passport when I was in Thailand during the covid period last year. I have noticed that one of the requirement is no overstay record for applying Elite visa. Are they strict about it? If so, do I have any other option to apply for another visa so that I can stay in Thailand? My husband and I are over 50s. We were thinking apply the Elite visa more suited for us since the retirement visa has to season 800,000 baht per person means (1.6M baht) and we still have to keep half of it for the rest of the year.

Thank you for advanced

Yesterday, I went to CW to obtain a non-Immigrant-O for me and my wife. We came in visa exempt.

Some feedback:

- We were in and out in 40 minutes. Went in at 09:20, got a ticket for counter C1, our ticket number was nr.5 (only the 5th application on that morning?), absolutely no queuing, straight to the IO;

- I tried for my wife to be “dependent” (no financial requirements for her), but that was denied immediately. Though, the IO added that “take care” would be possible when we come back in three months for the yearly extensions. The IO asked for a copy of the fully legalized marriage certificate (and asked to see the original) and added it to my wife’s application. Afterwards, before leaving, when I asked her to confirm that “take care” would be possible for the extensions, she seemed to backtrack, and told me to “ask and explain” when we’ll go for an extension. So, I’m not sure it will really happen…

- My wife had the 800.000 THB in her bank account, because I was told here already that an in country Non-O “dependent/family” would be impossible to get.

- The IO gave a thumbs up for the FET that proved the money came from abroad;

- Before, when we went to the bank at CW, to obtain the “letter from the bank” for my wife, I was confused when they asked if we wanted “letter or statement”. The letter was 100 THB and the price of the statement depends on the number of months (1, 3, 12,…). In the end I understood that the statement was in fact a list of the bank transactions of the account. For the in country non-O, you only need to have to 800.000 on the day of the application, so I went only for the letter (which is a declaration from the bank that you have XXX THB in your account);

- I’m from one of the affidavit countries, so for me, the +65.000 THB affidavit from the embassy was accepted. The IO did check the documents that supported the affidavit, and asked some questions;

- The IO stamped and signed a copy of the affidavit. She explained that, in 3 months, I can get my extension with this copy (and the supporting documents). So I don’t have to go back to the embassy for a new affidavit.

All in all, a smooth experience with a very friendly IO.

I will update this report when we go for our extensions.

Been looking at posts for visas now for a while and still unsure which is best for me. I'm thinking Non O as I have the following plan for retiring in January to fiancées farm in Issan -

I'm 54, had heart attack in Dec 2020 so will have insurance up the wazoo. Cannot claim pension until June '22 but even then will leave that to accumulate in UK bank. Already built little house and have plans to marry 2022. Want to help ON farm growing, planting and harvesting crops, but not OFF farm selling etc. Could go Elite visa but a lot of money to pay upfront. Have money to cover Non O-A visa but seems a lot of extra hoops to jump through for similar benefits to Non O.

I have NO plans to return to UK in future. Likely arriving on exempt status then within 10 days doing the following, if still relevant:

-Apply for the Non-O visa (2000 baht)

(wait 20 days)

-Go back, get the Non-O and new 90 day stamp inked in

(wait until you have 45 days or less left on that new stamp)

-Go back apply for the year extension (1900baht)

Then every year after that apply for a new yearly extension

Any constructive or alternative comments will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and stay safe.

Hi,

I'd like to apply a "Non-Immigrant Type O (Retirement (pensioner aged 50 or above with a state pension who wants to stay in Thailand for no longer than 90 days) - single entry only)"

I'm in the UK. Whilst I am retired I do not receive a state pension (I'm too young at 62 yrs 😀) and I do not draw upon my pension yet. I live off my savings.

I'm getting my information from here - [members only]

I can provide the necessary financial statements BUT the balances are not, strictly speaking, from a pension.

Do I qualify for the above type of visa?

Many thanks for any advice.

Hello Expats,

My Name is Nabin Sharma, from Nepal, working for a company in Bangkok. My PayScale is around 30,XXX baht per a month. I have a work permit and working visa (non-B) provided by the company. I want to bring my parents to stay with me. The appropriate visa category will be deepened Non-Immigrant Visa “O-A” (Long Stay) visa because they are more than 50 years old.

For this type of VISA, Thai MoFA website mentions that either I need to have bank balance not less than 800,000 Baht for three months or my parents should have monthly income certificate of not less than 65,000 Baht.

In my case, I fulfill none of the above-mentioned requirements, therefore is showing 800,000 baht into my account mandatory? If Yes, how could I do that one? Please advise me.

Or

If you know another way around, still I could bring my parents please share with me.

Thanks, in advance for your constructive comments.

Nabin