@Wannikea ********

only because it is referred as a "retirement visa" from barstools and pubs in Thailand, it doesn't make it more true. There are 6 different visa and extensions that can be referred to as "retirement visa" . . . . . with regards and thanks to Robert Lagas, who wrote this!

Once more, because people try to give advice based on what they think is a "Retirement Visa"

First of all, you DO not have to be retired to apply for this visa. You however need to be 50 years or older

Second is that all options have DIFFERENT rules, regulations and requirements.

So please read and try not to give incorrect advice by using the requirements for a different type of visa or extension of stay.

What is a retirement visa?

It is a phrase used by foreigners and Immigration and it could be 6 different types of visa or stay permits, with different rules, regulations and requirements

OR

it could even be an 1 year Extension of Stay based on being over 50 years of age and willing to sit out the rest of their life inside Thailand.

It is easy to type “retirement visa”, but very difficult to understand which option the person refers to

Options are:

1. Single Entry Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age

2. Multiple Entry Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age (it got discontinued by October 2023 and is not available any more)

3. Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age without entry by conversion at local immigration office

4. Non Immigrant O-A visa (Long Stay)

5. Non Immigrant O-X visa

6. Long Term Residency (LTR) visa

7. Extension of Stay based on being over 50 years of age and willing to sit out the rest of their life inside Thailand (stamp from Immigration, which is not a visa)

ONLY for options 3, 5 and 7 the applicant needs a bank account in Thailand or a Certificate of Income from their Embassy.

Option 2 cannot be applied for any more, since all Thai Embassies and Consulates took it out of the E-visa program.

Option 3 is applied for by conversion of your Visa Exempt Entry or Tourist Visa at your local Immigration Office inside Thailand.

Option 6 is applied for with support of BOI Thailand

Option 7 is applied for at your local Immigration Office AFTER you used a Non-Immigrant visa.

Other options are applied for at a Thai Consulate OR for those countries who are legit, on-line.

Thanks for reading this long explanation.

@Robert ********

even these 9 months are not guaranteed. We hear reports that people on the METV have been pulled aside and warned when they tried a re-entry close to the expiry date of their visa

@Wayne *******

the Non-O/A visa is not based on retirement. Because you needn't be retired to obtain this visa. You just have to be 50 or older. The Non-Imm-O/A visa is called "Longstay Visa" by every Thai embassy

@Wannikea ********

the Non-O/A visa is not based on retirement. Because you needn't be retired to obtain this visa. You just have to be 50 or older. The Non-Imm-O/A visa is called "Longstay Visa" by every Thai embassy

@Max ************

the Non-O/A visa is not based on retirement. Because you needn't be retired to obtain this visa. You just have to be 50 or older. The Non-Imm-O/A visa is called "Longstay Visa" by every Thai embassy

@Andrew *******

you are completely wrong. The Non-O/A Visa is neither a tourist visa, nor is it a retirement visa. The Non-Imm-O/A visa is called the "Longstay Visa" by all Thai embassies. Now you better show some character and apologize for your part, to

@Stuart ********

The mentioning of „not more than 180 days within a 365-days period“ still gets mentioned on some Thai embassies and consulates websites.

However, embassies are subsidies of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whilst Thai Immigration is a subsidy of the Ministry of Interior.

These different ministries interpret the rules differently.

An Immigration officer is has the right to use his own discretion and can actually allow you to enter, even if you have already spent more than 180 days within the recent one-year period . . . but from then on it is a matter of good luck

@Donald *********

The mentioning of „not more than 180 days within a 365-days period“ still gets mentioned on some Thai embassies and consulates websites.

However, embassies are subsidies of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whilst Thai Immigration is a subsidy of the Ministry of Interior.

These different ministries interpret the rules differently.

An Immigration officer is has the right to use his own discretion and can actually allow you enter, even if you have already spent more than 180 days within the recent one-year period

@Leon *******

not "per calendar year" . . . instead, it says "not more than 180 days within a 365-days period"

@Tony *******

you don't register again. You just visit the Amphoe and get your marriage registry printed. It will prove that your marriage still exists. For Immigration purpose, you could theoretically already be divorced and use an old marriage certificate (the rose bordered one) to falsify your situation