@John *********

that makes perfect sense - you transition from one visa to the next assuming a different visa is granted. Another example would be going on the 90 day non immigrant visa and then starting the process of the retirement visa using the 90 days to get documentation in order.

James Mitchell ok, my misinterpretation.

My only experience was extending by 30 days in Patong December last year (visa exempt not tourist visa that time). It was very efficient and I was in and out in 30 minutes and that was during high season. I think I must have been lucky.

Maybe your experience was as a result of staff sickness and people not familiar with the process covering, maybe new staff being trained- who knows but we all prefer a straightforward experience and when that doesn’t happen it’s disappointing.

Mark Colcord are any major cities in the UK or the EU safe any more due to demographic changes?

@Dave *********

that would work but timing the application is important to make use of the validity period. If staying in Thailand 3 SETV might be better and it’s also less expensive.

I have just applied for a METV to go for three months with a couple of trips for 2-3 weeks outside Thailand. I haven’t yet booked the additional trips (one by bus to Laos and the second flying to Vietnam as things are still uncertain if Qatari airspace will have reopened by end of April) so I’m a little concerned they will issue a SETV instead but I’ll need to wait and see.

@Roy *********

Roy Mortimer that’s where I’m going end of April assuming Qatari airspace reopens.

BazaarAsia57 it says USD in the message but I agree you do see many times where the actual currency isn’t specified.

Raymond Kelman yes that is clearly stated in the Thai embassy website (take care to look at the official site as there are legal firms which are legitimate but the sites are named to look like the official site). You can provide evidence of income over a certain threshold (letter from you embassy ) or deposit 800k. You can also do a combination of both which would be the route I would take if I decide to retire in Thailand.

@Nick ******

of course expats contribute to the local economy and I agree with what you say about the deposited money being tied up. I’m not retired in Thailand but it is something I have been researching.

My feeling is if it is proving difficult to meet the criteria set by immigration or the requirements aren’t to someone’s liking then personally I like to avoid the stress of worrying about it hence finding an alternative.

Retirement is a time to relax and have a stress free life.

@Nick ******

I thought he last sentence was factual and to the point. If somebody is struggling to meet the visa requirements then there is no point in putting themselves under stress when there are other options.