Step by step guide for living and retirement in Los.

[Aqualung]

Hopefully, next year me and the TW will make Thailand our home. We were thinking about March or April but seriously, I think that's pushing it a bit as I know nothing about Thai visas and how and where I should apply for one. So maybe it should be November or December. 

I've purposely ignored the visa topics on here as I have never been interested before and when I have looked I've gotten confused and lost interest.. O visa, OA visa and marriage visa.!!!! Done my head in.

But now I need to learn on what's best for me and the wife. 

Please bare in mind I'm English and I'm also a Swedish resident. I can't stand the thought of travelling all over the place to visit British embassies although that's probably inevitable. 

Can a retirement / marriage visa be applied for within Thailand?. 

And what if wanted to earn a few baht..? 

Which visa should I apply for?. 

Im married to a Thai national BTW but we live in Sweden right now. Need to get out of this country. 

Any advice most welcome. 

 

[Lemondropkid]

I started my application for a  retirement visa online.

https://thaievisa.go.th/

No embassy visit required. I was issued with a non-immigrant O visa valid for 12 months that requires you to leave the country every three months to renew it.

The visa was issued by email. Print it off and paper clip it inside your passport.

These are some of  the notes I made on here at the time.

"Points to note on the current application

 

1. I was issued with a 3 month Non- Immigrant O visa. It's allows a 90 day stay and it valid till July 2024 (this was my lack of understanding. The visa was in fact valid for 12 months)

 

2. It is multiple entry and cost £150 (ouch!!)

 

3. I did have to provide proof of medical cover. I've arranged a single trip insurance from insure and go, for the six month I'm booked to be away for

 

4. I had to show proof of funds of over £10,000 and that it had been in the account for over 3 months. "

 

 

 

[Lemondropkid]

I can't advise on retirement V's a marriage visa.

I'd suggest as a first step you create an account on the above website. Then read the guidance notes for applications and create a new application to see some of what is required.

As a general note I thought the process was really Though I did get some really useful guidance from @Painter still owe him a meal for that!!

Discussions around it tend not to be with different phrases being used by expats verses the current official terminology online (at which point my head begins to spin).

Good luck,it will be easier than you think. Sure someone will be able to advise on the marriage visa.

 

 

[Yesitisdakid]

A very good friend and a business owner long time married was on a marriage visa. After the first year he got off it because it was ridiculous at what they wanted come visit you at the house pictures of him in the bedroom in the living room a hand-drawn map to where he lives Witnesses Etc. The following year he went to retirement route he applied one day and he had the Visa the next day. Marriage visas have always been a pain in the ass from all the reports

[Yesitisdakid]

Just now, Big_daddy said:

Lots of sham marriages in the reason. 

Yeah I'm sure that's the reason and I understand it but it pushes everybody to get the retirement Visa the only difference is you can get a marriage visa if you're 20 years old. But anybody that's over 50 even if they're married I would recommend them to get the retirement Visa it's no muss no fuss pretty easy

[Derek Dangleberries]

2 hours ago, Aqualung said:

Please bare in mind I'm English and I'm also a Swedish resident. I can't stand the thought of travelling all over the place to visit British embassies although that's probably inevitable.

As mentioned by others, the Retirement Visa is the best option. If you don't have the funds or are not willing to keep the required 400,000 stagnating in the bank the two best companies are Cambodia Inter on Buakhao or Maneerat on  Soi 13/2 (Soi Post Office)

You will need to arrive on a Visa issued by a Thai Embassy. When I was working in Norway I used the one in Oslo. It was a small, convenient, well run, friendly little operation.. Perhaps Sweden is the same ...

[Lemondropkid]

3 minutes ago, Derek Dangleberries said:

You will need to arrive on a Visa issued by a Thai Embassy.

You can do this online now. That was my experience in getting my initial visa last year. The visa is issued via email, no need to visit 

 

https://thaievisa.go.th/

 

Thai government website so can't see why it wouldn't work from any country. I applied from the UK but as stated everything was done online

[Derek Dangleberries]

1 hour ago, Yesitisdakid said:

A very good friend and a business owner long time married was on a marriage visa. After the first year he got off it because it was ridiculous at what they wanted come visit you at the house pictures of him in the bedroom in the living room a hand-drawn map to where he lives Witnesses Etc.

 

1 hour ago, Big_daddy said:

Lots of sham marriages in the reason. 

I have lived here 30 years and first married in '98.. during that time the rules have changed so many times I can't clearly recall all the different requirements for Marriage Visa..

Regarding the house visit by the IO. I was living in Central Thailand when it was first introduced.. and yes they visited me... I showed then around the farm then asked them if they wanted to check the house to which they replied, pointing at my Golden, "She has stayed next to you wherever you go. You live here!"

[fygjam]

1 hour ago, Big_daddy said:

Retirement not requirement 

Don't worry about it. 

I had a Rettrement Visa once.

 

[Yesitisdakid]

4 hours ago, Derek Dangleberries said:

 

I have lived here 30 years and first married in '98.. during that time the rules have changed so many times I can't clearly recall all the different requirements for Marriage Visa..

Regarding the house visit by the IO. I was living in Central Thailand when it was first introduced.. and yes they visited me... I showed then around the farm then asked them if they wanted to check the house to which they replied, pointing at my Golden, "She has stayed next to you wherever you go. You live here!"

Yes rules change all the time and the problem is most of the time they change within the office that you're at because each office is allowed to alter things to their benefit no two offices do things the same crazy

[Derek Dangleberries]

1 minute ago, Yesitisdakid said:

Yes rules change all the time and the problem is most of the time they change within the office that you're at because each office is allowed to alter things to their benefit no two offices do things the same crazy

I had the same thought about the e-visa print out stapled into your passport versus a stamp by the issuing office.. I know that I would prefer a stamp when going to a smaller regional IO ..

[rhodie]

7 hours ago, Aqualung said:

And what if wanted to earn a few baht..? 

You can get a work permit on a Marriage extension, but not on a Retirement extension.

[Horizondave]

10 hours ago, Lemondropkid said:

I started my application for a  retirement visa online.

https://thaievisa.go.th/

No embassy visit required. I was issued with a non-immigrant O visa valid for 12 months that requires you to leave the country every three months to renew it.

The visa was issued by email. Print it off and paper clip it inside your passport.

These are some of  the notes I made on here at the time.

"Points to note on the current application

 

1. I was issued with a 3 month Non- Immigrant O visa. It's allows a 90 day stay and it valid till July 2024 (this was my lack of understanding. The visa was in fact valid for 12 months)

 

2. It is multiple entry and cost £150 (ouch!!)

 

3. I did have to provide proof of medical cover. I've arranged a single trip insurance from insure and go, for the six month I'm booked to be away for

 

4. I had to show proof of funds of over £10,000 and that it had been in the account for over 3 months. "

 

 

 

Just wanted to check a few points because I am confused by the info above.

When I first applied for a retirement extension of stay, I had to have a Non Immigrant O visa first (90 days), before applying for the retirement extension of stay for a further 12 months.

Your first point mentions a 90 day visa valid for 12 months, do you mean it has to be used within 12 months.

You also mention that you must leave every 90 days and return; again do you mean a Non O visa, as the retirement extension of stay once issued allows you to stay in the country for 12 months without leaving, you just need to report every 90 days.

Have you got a 1 year NON O, as I had a 90 day Non O which then expected me to add the retirement extension of stay before the end of the validity (90 days)

I once screwed up and returned from abroad on a retirement extension of stay without a reentry permit and I was given 30 days entry only. I was able to get a local visa company to assist and was given a new 90 days NON O visa with a retirement extension of stay added on (effectively a 15 month stay).

Just a little confused by what process you are following.

[Lemondropkid]

1 hour ago, Horizondave said:

Your first point mentions a 90 day visa valid for 12 months, do you mean it has to be used within 12 months.

My visa was valid for 12 months from issue. It was multiple entry and each entry to Thailand got me another 90 days.

Here was the visa that was issued below. This is the current visa initial visa issued to retirees applying online via the Thai government website.

 

 

[Horizondave]

1 minute ago, Lemondropkid said:

My visa was valid for 12 months from issue. It was multiple entry and each entry to Thailand got me another 90 days.

Here was the visa that was issued below. This is the current visa initial visa issued to retirees applying online via the Thai government website.

 

 

OK, that seems to be a Non O Immigrant visa which is valid for 90 days but you say it is a 1 year Non Immigrant O visa which allows stays of 90 days before leaving and coming back.

I was confused as I only got a 90 day validity Non O immigrant visa and then added a 12 month retirement extension of stay after.

I think most people just get a 90 days visa, come into the country, then apply and add 12 months retirement extension on the end.

Maybe things are changing.

[Lemondropkid]

1 hour ago, Horizondave said:

again do you mean a Non O visa, as the retirement extension of stay once issued allows you to stay in the country for 12 months without leaving, you just need to report every 90 days.

Yes it was a non O visa, I thought I had to leave every 90 days, didn't realise I could report ( I was advised differently, happy to accept that may not have been correct). 

I had 2 trips planned anyway so it didn't matter. After 8 months or so I decided I wanted the what to stay in Thailand, and applied for what I'm guessing you are calling the "retirement" extension.

At this point I had to provide proof of funds. Looking in my passport the stamp just says non Imm. It's valid for 12 months and multiple entry 

[Lemondropkid]

2 minutes ago, Horizondave said:

I was confused as I only got a 90 day validity Non O immigrant visa and then add

When did you apply for your visa?

The visa above is what is issued to all new applications as I understand via

https://thaievisa.go.th/

Mine was issued in July 2023. So anyone applying from that point till now would have been issued with the visa I was given above 

[Lemondropkid]

6 minutes ago, Horizondave said:

Maybe things are changing.

They have changed we keep crossing replies 😀

[Horizondave]

1 minute ago, Lemondropkid said:

Yes it was a non O visa, I thought I had to leave every 90 days, didn't realise I could report ( I was advised differently, happy to accept that may not have been correct). 

I had 2 trips planned anyway so it didn't matter. After 8 months or so I decided I wanted the what to stay in Thailand, and applied for what I'm guessing you are calling the "retirement" extension.

At this point I had to provide proof of funds. Looking in my passport the stamp just says non Imm. It's valid for 12 months and multiple entry 

The 90 days Non Immigrant O allows most to come into the country and add the retirement extension of stay on the end, meaning you could arrive and stay 15 months without leaving.

Only on the retirement extension of stay (they don't refer to it as a visa) can you stay in the country without leaving but only reporting every 90 days.

Maybe yours is a 12 month Non O Immigrant visa that allows stays of 90 days and then you must leave. Obviously after 1 year you could add the 12 month retirement extension.

I never had one of those, I just had the 90 days Non O. 

I do agree though, that even on the retirement extension, I tended to travel out of the country every 90 days or so, so rarely ever had to report at Jomtien. Every time you leave and arrive back (with a single entry or multi entry permit), the clock resets and the need to report would be back to 90 days.

[Horizondave]

I had a retirement extension for years but first applied in 2005 and the last one was in 2018.

I only applied for a 90 day Non O twice, once in 2005 (in Birmingham) and then I added a 12 months retirement extension in Jomtien. When I screwed up and arrived without a re entry permit, I had to get a 90 days Non O again through a visa company that used to be next to the Rockhouse. They added on the 12 month retirement extension, that was about 2012.  

[Painter]

9 minutes ago, Lemondropkid said:

My visa was valid for 12 months from issue. It was multiple entry and each entry to Thailand got me another 90 days.

Here was the visa that was issued below. This is the current visa initial visa issued to retirees applying online via the Thai government website.

 

 

As I understand the above (and please, I did this 3 years ago, and my memory isn't what it once was), and as explained to my by an immigration chap at bkk...

The visa HAS to be used within 12 months of being issued. 

Once initially used,  it is valid for 3 months. Within these 3 months you can come and go as often as you want. If you leave on day 88, and return on day 89 (and this is where my memory doubts itself) you will get another 90 days. You can, therefore do 180 days on said non immigration O. I don't think you can leave and return on same visa during days 90 -180, but I might be wrong. I arrive later this week, so when I get 5 minutes I'll try and pop into manerrat (agent) and check.

What I did...

1, Apply for non imm O on website Mr drop kid stated.

2. Arrived in Thailand 1 month after issued. Stamped for 90 days.

3. After 2 months went to manerrat. Donated (I think) 12.5k baht and 2 mug shots to their ccoffers.they filled in copious forms, and I left my bank book and passport in their care. They also need a paper copy of your visa. No paper copy, they cannot do.

4. 2 days later I returned to collect said bank book and passport. The bank book had no record of the 800k they had lent me, but my passport did have a retirement extension to my non immigration O, meaning I was OK for 12 months. Have to do 90 day report, but that's 100b to manerrat.

Thses days you will need a bkk bank book, as kasikorn don't play ball any more. 

 

[Lemondropkid]

4 minutes ago, Painter said:

As I understand the above (and please, I did this 3 years ago, and my memory isn't what it once was), and as explained to my by an immigration chap at bkk...

The visa HAS to be used within 12 months of being issued. 

Once initially used,  it is valid for 3 months. Within these 3 months you can come and go as often as you want. If you leave on day 88, and return on day 89 (and this is where my memory doubts itself) you will get another 90 days. You can, therefore do 180 days on said non immigration O. I don't think you can leave and return on same visa during days 90 -180, but I might be wrong. I arrive later this week, so when I get 5 minutes I'll try and pop into manerrat (agent) and check.

What I did...

1, Apply for non imm O on website Mr drop kid stated.

2. Arrived in Thailand 1 month after issued. Stamped for 90 days.

3. After 2 months went to manerrat. Donated (I think) 12.5k baht and 2 mug shots to their ccoffers.they filled in copious forms, and I left my bank book and passport in their care. They also need a paper copy of your visa. No paper copy, they cannot do.

4. 2 days later I returned to collect said bank book and passport. The bank book had no record of the 800k they had lent me, but my passport did have a retirement extension to my non immigration O, meaning I was OK for 12 months. Have to do 90 day report, but that's 100b to manerrat.

Thses days you will need a bkk bank book, as kasikorn don't play ball any more. 

 

That's my experience too.

The only difference was that I waited till around 9 months in to get the 12 month retirement extension.

[KhunDon]

3 hours ago, Horizondave said:

OK, that seems to be a Non O Immigrant visa which is valid for 90 days but you say it is a 1 year Non Immigrant O visa which allows stays of 90 days before leaving and coming back.

I was confused as I only got a 90 day validity Non O immigrant visa and then added a 12 month retirement extension of stay after.

I think most people just get a 90 days visa, come into the country, then apply and add 12 months retirement extension on the end.

Maybe things are changing.

I was initially on a 90 day and changed to Retirement visa once I’d established a bank account for the 800K. Never had to leave country every 90 days, just send them the form every 90 days by post from Hua Hin. 
Now I’d do it yearly online or go into HUA HIN Immigration office. 

Edited October 14, 2024 by KhunDon

[Horizondave]

2 hours ago, KhunDon said:

I was initially on a 90 day and changed to Retirement visa once I’d established a bank account for the 800K. Never had to leave country every 90 days, just send them the form every 90 days by post from Hua Hin. 
Now I’d do it yearly online or go into HUA HIN Immigration office. 

Yes, I think most retirees (certainly back in the day) got a retirement extension off the back of a 90 day Non O visa.

I know there are those on 1 year Non O visas, but that is usually because they are not able to apply for a retirement extension as they are too young. 

Most agents assisting potential retirees would advise them to go the 90 day Non O route ahead of adding on a 12 month retiree extension of stay. No need to leave the country at all for 15 months if desired, and then extending that same extension for another 12 months ongoing. 

[Aqualung]

Thanks for all the replies chaps. I'll add more later as I'm still non the wiser!