Dear readers,
I have a question about the retirement visa for Thailand (again).
I know the procedures and necessary papers and income / capital requirements. That's not the problem. I have already bought a house in Thailand where my wife lives.
The question is about the moment of applying for this visa. I currently have my house for sale and when it is sold I will deposit enough money into my Thai bank account to meet the assets test.
However, I only have that amount available when the house is sold while there is a three-month term that the money must be in my Thai bank account.
When the house is sold, I no longer have a place to live in the Netherlands and I want to move to Thailand immediately, but then that money will be on that Thai account for less than three months.
I am still working and have sufficient income to meet the income requirement. Is my reasoning correct that if I now apply for a retirement visa – O – multiple entries, this can be done on the basis of my current salary?
The idea is that I will go on holiday to Thailand twice a year on the retirement visa to be with my wife. I know that I do not specifically need a retirement visa for a holiday shorter than 30 days, but I want to have the retirement visa arranged based on my current income in order to extend the visa based on assets after selling my house in the Netherlands.
As long as my house in the Netherlands has not been sold, I will continue to work and may have to apply for an extension based on income.
Is my reasoning correct or am I making a fallacy here due to a lack of insight into the possibilities?
I am convinced that there are readers on the Thailand blog who can provide me with clarity.
Many thanks for your advices.
Regards,
Willem
About this blogger
-
This article was written and checked by the editors. The content is based on the author's personal experiences, opinions and own research. Where relevant, ChatGPT was used as an aid in writing and structuring texts. Although the content is handled with care, no guarantee can be given that all information is complete, up-to-date or error-free.
The reader is responsible for the use of the information on this website. The author accepts no liability for any damage or consequences resulting from the use of the information provided.
Read the latest articles here
Traffic and transportApril 10, 2025Owning a car in Thailand: what you need to know about registration, tax and insurance
BackgroundApril 10, 2025Why talcum powder is so popular in Thailand
News from ThailandApril 10, 2025Digital arrival card mandatory for Thailand from May 1
Weather and climateApril 10, 2025Why April is the hottest month in Thailand
If you still live in the Netherlands, you can apply for a regular visa for 3 or 6 months (so multiple entry). As soon as you are in Thailand you can have it converted into a retirement visa, if you meet age and income requirements.
Applying for a retirement visa is therefore only possible in Thailand and is always valid for 1 year. For income, it is easiest to use your last annual statement from your employer. With this you can apply for an income statement at the NL Embassy (see their website) or – as I do here in Pattaya – at the Austrian consul. Only such an income statement is accepted.
In addition to the income statement, you need a Thai bank book with a statement from the bank about the balance. Doesn't have to be much, I usually have 30 to 40.000 Baht on it.
Please note that with a retirement visa you need a "re-entry permit" when you travel to the Netherlands. In your case, a multiple re-entry permit is probably best.
Success with it!
Dear Gringo, you write
'If you still live in the Netherlands, you apply for a regular visa for 3 or 6 months (so multiple entry). As soon as you are in Thailand you can have it converted into a retirement visa, if you meet age and income requirements.'
I have also had a “retirement” visa for years, but I was told at immigration when I applied for my R visa that I first had to get out my Non O annual visa (visa run every three months) and when that year visa would be over, then I got my extension for 1 year from my Non O (according to the officer, this was the correct name for what we call retirement! So after my year of running visa, I applied for an extension, and otherwise it was no problem.
With regard to the first paragraph, I would like to add, just to be sure, that you must apply for a visa at the Thai Embassy or Consulate in the Netherlands.
The 30-day entry permit (is not a visa), which you receive as a tourist upon arrival in Thailand, cannot be converted into a retirement visa.
Maybe I've lost my way. We are talking about a retirement visa.
That's for people over 50 who are with riterement. So retired.
You can therefore never get such a visa based on your current salary.
Working still means uncertainty about someone's income. Tomorrow you will lose your job.
And then? The Thais are of course not that stupid to know that someone is retired
receives a fixed monthly amount until he exchanges the present for eternity.
That is why it is also called a retirement visa.
J. Jordan.
Willem I think means a Non – Immigrant Visa Category “O”
Can be requested at the Thai Consulate if you are 50 years or older:
– A copy of a most recent bank statement to which income is deposited and also income of at least € 1.250 per month, if income is not sufficient: supplement to a savings account.
Pension: proof of recent pension income on your (or one of your) most recent bank statement(s) and copy of your passport.
Renting/buying a house: Copy of official rental/purchase contract (tenant's name, landlord's name, house address, signed + official stamp) and copy of passport.
You have indeed lost your way. There is no retirement visa. It's called an 'extension of stay'. So entering on a non-immigrant O (Other) and converting that into an extension of stay in Thailand. Requirements are known. Complete the income statement from the NL embassy in BKK and have it legalized and also show the annual statements to Immigration. you don't have to be retired and Immigration only pays attention to the gross amount. The audit therefore always concerns the past year.
@ Sjaak: the NL embassy does not check the correctness of your statement of income and only legalizes your signature. Immigration checks your Dutch and German annual statements.
@ A, Zoetewey. You have to walk this illegal road. The jug goes into water just as long…
Then you're in luck, because Immigration always wants to see the annual statements in Hua Hin. The paper from the embassy is nothing, because it no longer checks the correctness of the statement, but only checks the signature of the applicant.
I take note of the comment that I am not Thai. Only foreigners who have insufficient income/assets make use of these illegal practices. That is not exactly a category that the Thai government would like to have within the country's borders. And so sooner or later it will go down the drain….
It seems that Hans G. wants to settle some old scores with his answer. I'm not going into that. I adhere to the wording of Immigration, which really believes that a non-immigrant-O is different from an extension of stay. I'll leave it at that and have no desire to return the mud. Hans knows everything (better), right?
It's very easy, I thought.
A visa for Thailand is issued OUTSIDE THAILAND.
As a visa for the Netherlands can be issued by an Embassy of the Netherlands.
Being in the Netherlands you cannot apply for a visa, but you can apply for a residence permit at the IND. (exceptions)
An extension of stay is issued by the Immigration police scattered throughout THAILAND.
The website of the consulate in Mokum indicates loud and clear which visa you can obtain.
The website of the Immigration Police in Thailand indicates how you can proceed.
I could be wrong, but I think a non-immigrant-O is a "spouse" visa, a visa based on the fact that you are married to a Thai person, not a retirement visa.
@ I have a non-immigrant O visa for the next three months and to my knowledge I am not married to a Thai. Or my girlfriend must have dark powers….?
Dear editor,
Before there are all kinds of ifs and buts.
I still want to add something to this. The Dutch embassy knows that if someone comes for an income statement, it is always for a one-year visa extension for a retired Dutchman. He lives in Thailand and often has a permanent residence. They issue this statement when you provide the details of AOW and pension. They also know that if they declare income that has nothing to do with pension, i.e. with income from work, they are misleading the Thai government.
May of course be income from assets and interest thereon.
I know that the Austrian consulate in Pattaya is a little less difficult about this.
But those are the rules.
J. Jordan.
Last year I received an income statement from the Embassy (or better: via Consul here in Chiangmai). I did not have to provide any proof of my income. Moreover, the Embassy only declares that you are Dutch with a passport number and that you (!!) declare that you have EUR x annual income. So that the Embassy checks or is responsible for something is explicitly incorrect. For this, see the explicit statement at the bottom of the relevant document, viz. “The Embassy/Consulate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands accepts no responsibility for the contents of this document”. So, strictly speaking, the statement that you are a Dutch national with passport number xxxx is legally worth nothing. So you could state any income you want………..
Finally. The Immigration Officer only wanted to see my passbooks + a note from the bank and this (empty) statement from the Embassy.
Just to support my earlier message, that the Embassy does not declare anything and / or investigates when issuing an income statement.
"
Income statement for Thai Immigration (can be requested in writing)
Thai Immigration authorities require a so-called 'Income statement' from foreigners who want to get a (year) visa for Thailand.
Documents to be submitted: completed application form (see right column), copy of your passport.
So you do not have to send any income data, you fill it in yourself.
"
This piece in quotes comes directly from the website of the Embassy in Bangkok. I don't think it leaves anything to be desired for clarity.
khun,
First answer the minimum amount. That is as the rate is now 1650 Euro or
65000 Bht. By the way, it is about the annual income, possibly together with what you have in a Thai bank. That must be at least 800.000 Bht.
Just before Cor. Non-immigrant-O you must state on the new application every year that you are married to a Thai woman and of course submit proof of this.
Then the behavior is 400.000 Bht. If you are above 800.000, you don't have to make that effort. If you work in Thailand, there are different rules. You know that better than me
but that was not the question.
J. Jordan.
Why doesn't the submitter just read what is on the site of, for example, the Thai consulate in Amsterdam. It lists all visa types and requirements. I think all problems are solved with a multiple-entry annual visa. At least until he sells his house, although that can take a while these days.
I am the writer of the reader question
Just an addition
I am 59 years old and, as mentioned, still working in the Netherlands and legally married in BKK to a Thai woman, which marriage is also registered in the Netherlands (GBA and The Hague)
I know the website of the Thai consulate in Amsterdam, but the question was whether I can / must first take a certain type of visa to convert it to a retirement visa later.
After selling my house in the Netherlands, I will therefore “sit out” the time between settling in Thailand and obtaining my AOW and other pension based on assets, whereby there will always be enough in my Thai bank account to meet the assets test for extension. After all, I have had no income from the Netherlands for 7 years and it will therefore have to be on assets. After that, extension based on income can possibly be combined with assets.
So I was also wondering if the Thai consulate will accept issuing a first visa based on income because they might suspect that when I use it, I no longer have any income.
By the way, I already see a few comments that make things clearer to me.
Are there any more additions?
Dear sir:
Through Jackgolf visa run you can apply for a 3 months visa th.bath 2100.
Then ask for a one-year visa for one year (retirement) Tb 26000 no income or capital test required, but a Thai Thaland book with 500 bath no further problems.
Sincerely
Apipanjo.
If you want to get into trouble, do it this way. They are exorbitant prices too, but apparently people continue to believe in them….
Dear A .Zoetewey.
The Thai government will probably be very pleased with your tip .
Don't forget that Thailandblog.nl is also followed by them.
Almost everyone who has lived here longer knows that you can also save a lot of money .
off topic: When you stop working at the age of 59 and settle in Thailand, you lose 6 x 2% in accruing your state pension, keep that in mind! To your reader's question: it does not matter whether or not you are retired, if you can prove with an annual statement that you earn 800.000 bht or more, the Dutch embassy will legalize your income letter, with this letter and proof of residence, a few passport photos and copies of your passport, go to the immigration in your area (when your visa is still valid for about a month) and within 15 minutes you have an extension of stay, a Thai bank account is not necessary, this way of extending or the 800.000 bht in a Thai bank account (fixed for 3 months before you renew) are the simplest. You get the non-immigration visa "O" when you are married to a Thai or when you are 50 years or older with a monthly minimum of 1250 euros on your Dutch bank account.
I can't add anything to this story, except for the next question…if I get my income from Germany as a Dutch citizen, which embassy should I go to? The Dutch or the German? I now have a three month non-entry visa. Am 55….
Jack,
As I said before: the income statement is issued by the Dutch Embassy without any further investigation (!!!). They only declare that you (passport number etc) declare to have EUR xxxxx in annual income. You can request a statement in writing (see website embassy Bangkok)
"
Income statement for Thai Immigration (can be requested in writing)
Thai Immigration authorities require a so-called 'Income statement' from foreigners who want to get a (year) visa for Thailand.
Documents to be submitted: completed application form (see right column), copy of your passport.
So you do not have to send any income data, you fill it in yourself.
"
And finally, they explicitly disclaim any responsibility for the content of the Income Statement. Incidentally, they do charge TBH 1.300 for this legally meaningless statement. Nicely deserved right?
Thai Immigration only asks for this statement (and any passbooks) and nothing else.
Hello Wim,
I applied for my visa in The Hague 3 years ago, September 2009, based on 50 years old.
With my bank book from Thailand and 800.000 bath on it I got a visa, I had put this amount on it more than 3 months before my birthday.
As stated in my passport, type of visa non immigrant, category O, no entry S fee 50 euros.
When I arrived in Thailand, customs informed me that I could apply for my retirement visa, extension or stay 1 week before my month visa expires at immigration.
All this with some copies and passport photos and a copy of housing.
If you do come to Thailand regularly, it might be easiest to drop by immigration to ask what you need.
Good luck and a good life in Thailand, I also like it for 16 years.
Please request an extension every 3 months.
Dear Willem,
Applying for a retirement visa is possible with your current salary. (age 55+)
Because you want to leave the country a few times, a multi-entry visa is required (non immgrant)
See also the website of the Pattaya City Expect club
www. pattayacityexpatclub.com.
There is a lot of information on this.
good luck Hank
That shouldn't be a problem William. Just get a non-O multiple entry visa in the Netherlands, and before this expires you convert it into a “retirement” multiple entry visa. The letter from the bank with the required 800.000 baht must be from the same day, so first go to the bank.
The comment above that if you state on your non-o visa that you are married to a Thai and can also prove this, then 400.000 Baht is enough, is not correct. This income only applies to a Marriage visa.
Other than that I would stick to the rules, because the checks are slowly but surely getting further and further!
If I may ask a question outside this topic: on Thaivisa.com I read that the border post to Myanmar about 100 km south of Hua Hin will open for visa runs in May. Does anyone know more about this?
A non-immigrant “O” can only be applied for on the basis of a previously issued non-immigrant visa. You can get a non immigrant "O" if you are either married to a Thai; income requirement is then 400.000 Baht, or - if you are not married - have an income from pension, assets, whatever; income requirement is then 800.000 Baht. If you do not yet know when you will definitely go to Thailand, act as follows
First, apply for a non-immigrant multiple entry. This entitles you to 4 x 90 days. When you definitively leave for Thailand on the basis of this visa, so actually convert visa, apply for a non-immigrant "O". This must be done in a Thai Consulate, outside Thailand. You will first receive a permit for stay of 90 days, which can be extended to a maximum of 1 year at an immigration office in Thailand.
Maybe I don't understand but I just went to extend my retirement visa.
1) Apply for a tourist visa in NL at the Thai embassy or Thai consulate 90 days
2) Fly to Thailand and take pension data from NL to Thailand
3) Have the Dutch embassy sign an income statement (proof of pension data from NL)
4 Apply for a retire with visa O to Thai immigration. This is no longer possible for a year
5) Must meet the requirements that you are retired and that you have X amount transferred to Thailand every month
That's no more and no less if you go to NL more often, you must indicate this on your visa application or you must fill in form 8 (immigration service) each time. multi entry
Willem ALL correct information can be obtained on the following sites, the conditions are also stated there and which papers you need:
Thai Consulate Amsterdam: http://www.thaiconsulate-amsterdam.org/
Immigration Department of Thailand: http://www.immigration.go.th/
To avoid all (head) worries do everything using. a good notary in Thailand, they know exactly how all the administrative hassle works. I myself (entered on a two-month tourist visa and had it converted through him within 1 day, via a non.Imm-o visa into a retirement visa (50 up condition) for 1 year, total costs 2000 + 2000 bht.
You can also enter on a NON-Imm.-0 visa (3 months) that can be converted into a retirement visa for 1 year, costs 2000 bht.
Good luck, Eddie
Another remark, I never take a multiple entry on my visa, every time I need an entry I just buy it at Thai immigration, costs 1000 bht.
regards, Eddo
I do not hear any stories here that an application has been rejected, despite all the requested documents being in order.
I am 68 years old, entered Thailand without a visa and received an extension of stay (non o) of 90 days at Immigration Khon Kaen.
At the same time I asked what I needed for an annual visa and that was:
an income statement (annual income 800.000 THB
a health certificate from a doctor (I also had to hand in for a non-o visa)
and completed extension of stay form with passport photo, on which completed for one year for a retirement visa
proof of my girlfriend's own house
When I came back with all the documents before the extension expired, I also had a savings bank book with 800.000 THB with me (or rather my girlfriend, if they can speak Thai, you are completely ignored as a farang) to my surprise. that I didn't get a retirement visa but another extension of stay for 90 days. Protesting, was referred to the boss, remained to no avail. No remained no.
I experienced something similar at Immigration Mukdahan. Who has heard more stories of arbitrariness, where can you go with your objection and does it make any sense to object in Thailand?
@ Peter Hagen The simplest solution seems to me to make the application in another province. Based on the responses under the reader question, you can find out where they are the most flexible.
Dick, thanks for your advice.
I've been living in the countryside near Khon Kaen for more or less half a year now and I'm going back to the Netherlands for half a year, perhaps for the last time.
I was tired of visa running after four years. Last year I also got an extension for 90 days in Khon Kaen with the same question about a one-year retirement visa and then I got the suggestion from the same boss that she wanted a "gift". Didn't go into it. Was this her answer? On that same visit I saw an official behind the desk next door quickly stuff a 1000 bat note from a passport into his trouser pocket.
This time I plan to take the non o visa, one entry, but again from the Netherlands and try again in Khon Kaen. Gifts are not given.
I feel cheated and think it's crazy to follow your advice.
Arbitrariness and corruption go against my (Dutch) sense of justice.
Hans,
Thanks for your explanation. At Immigration Khon Kaen they also tell / promise you everything and then do not keep it. Last year I also entered Thailand without a visa and I received an extension of stay for 2 days 90 times without any problems under the same conditions. And you're probably right about the rules. The boss also told my girlfriend that next time I should bring a non immigrant from the Netherlands. But flexible in the interpretation of the rules? The penultimate official who spoke to us, who had really promised us a retirement annual visa, said that I did not have to submit another doctor's statement. I come back full of expectation for finally that one-year residence permit, but I am sent to the hospital by a rather bitchy official and I was able to come back the next day. You will have to drive for hours or book an overnight stay. We protested to the boss with him not having to do it, only a sorry, I have to. Furthermore, assume that if there had been money in my passport that they would have kept their promises.
Sincerely, Peter Hagen
Perhaps all these problems are due to your own attitude. I have been coming to the immigration office in Khon Kaen for years and have never had any problems. I have never been asked for a gift. I always have all my papers in order, the correct visas/stamps in my passport and I behave politely. Perhaps that all makes a big difference.
I sometimes see people whining and whining about the way things are going, but when I ask and see what's going on, it usually turns out that they don't have their own affairs in order.
Recently saw a German who was rude about a fine for overstay on a visa. According to him, they made it difficult at immigration to earn extra money. According to this nag, his visa was valid for 3 months, which in his case was just 92 days. I have tried to explain that these are periods of 90 days and not 3 calendar months. Of course I was also wrong and the officials were all corrupt. The latter may be true, but they were right in this case. Of course he was concerned about the money and not the officials. I can well imagine that this gentleman will be given a hard time on a subsequent visit; I would do that too.
In short, make sure your things are in order, then you won't have any problems. If you do not have your things in order in the Netherlands, you will also be sent away from the civil servants counter.
Dear Peter Hagen, What do you mean nonsense conclusion?! You write every time you enter Thailand WITHOUT a visa; I assume you have a tourist visa (airport stamp). A tourist visa is valid for a maximum of 60 days. A tourist visa cannot be converted into a non-immigrant O visa, for which you must leave the country and submit an application to an embassy/consulate. You cannot apply for an extension of stay on the basis of a tourist visa; you can only apply for an extension of stay on the basis of marriage or retirement with a non-immigrant O.
Applying in another province also makes no sense, because you must provide a residential address in Thailand. If it is located in another province, you will immediately be referred to the relevant immigration office in that province.
I find it surprising that only you keep running into problems. It seems to me that if you have zero expectations everywhere, there is something wrong with your application or documents. Of course, it can also depend on the way you react. Body language can say a lot. Immediately threatening with tourist police or embassy does not make you very popular either. It might help if you just ask what's wrong!
Incidentally, I also know that “help” is offered at almost all immigration offices. Assistance means that if your application does not meet the requirements, for example the income requirement, your visa application will be processed for a fee. This is no different from all those so-called consultancies that are referred to on this blog!
However, they will never ask for a gift, certainly not with a Thai at their desk, because one never knows who they are dealing with; could only be someone like that from the “anti-corruption brigade” and then people are hanging on to the pan. Perhaps you confuse the gift with the aforementioned “help”.
In short, inform yourself well about the rules and make sure your things are in order, then nothing can go wrong. And take one thing from me: they never lose face, only you can! Again a matter of attitude!
Good luck with your future visa application!
Moderator: your story is off topic.
Dear tjamuk,
I meant a non-immigrant visa, single or multiple entries, everyone gets that visa, even by mail if you want, on presentation of a ticket and pay slips.
Perhaps Hans Geijnse is right to hire a specialized company to get rid of the nagging?
That's a choice I don't want to make but stubbornly. After 4 half years in Thailand I have adapted quite a bit, but I will never think and act Thai.
You can also call in the Embassy for problems abroad or hire a lawyer and start a lawsuit if you are tired of messing with rules and losing face. Can't lose. In Thailand there are rules, even if they ignore them because no one criticizes them.
Mukdahan Immigration tried to do something unbelievable until I said to my girlfriend: “call Tourist Police and Dutch Embassy”, in the end they lost face and not me.
Dear Peter, you have been extensively informed in all previous posts. I don't really understand your response to bacchus when it's just trying to help you (like everyone who responds to your question)! I'd take his advice to heart if I were you, because he's absolutely right.
Bacchus: If the retirement visa has expired after 1 year, how does the extension work? Apply all over again?
Martin,
Renew after 1 year with the same docs/copies (but then from a recent date!). so you don't have to "apply", but you extend. So a copy of your passport, income statement and/or deposit with a Thai bank (don't forget your bank book and also a bank statement that you have a deposit for > 3 months). And don't forget: passport photos.
Is relatively simple. And you can arrange things from 1 month before the annual visa expires.
Thank you Teun! One more question if I may: Suppose I have a non-o visa multiple entry, or a retirement visa multiple entry, and I go to the Netherlands for 4 months during the period of validity of one year. Then of course I cannot report again after 90 days because I will then be in the Netherlands. How will that work then?
I am asking these questions because I am working on drawing up a step-by-step plan for all types of visas, and then putting this on the internet. The various websites clearly describe what you need for an application, but not how to proceed in the event of, for example, an extension, moving to the Netherlands (or another country) in the meantime, etc..
mrsgr. Martin.
If you leave Thailand, the 90-day reporting obligation expires. Seems obvious to me.
The day you come back in the counter starts again from 1.
With a Non-immigrant O – multiple entry you do not have to report missing every 90 days, you have to leave Thailand after 89 days, so visa run and you start again at 1.
(Deviations that sometimes happen I will not go into here, because that would take us too far and those procedures are normally not allowed)
I think by retirement visa, which is an extension of stay, you mean your multiple re-entre.
Ok, this is about a non o multiple entry and I understand that. But suppose I have a retirement visa multiple entry, and I only have to report to immigration every 90 days for the next 90 days. Does the same apply? It seems to me that if I have been in another country for 4 months in between, and enter Thailand again with a different TM departure card, I still have to report this to immigration after arrival. By the way, confusing names: non o visa, retirement visa.
What is stated in your extension of stay is a re-entry stamp (single or in your case multiple) and not a multiple entry.
If you wouldn't have that, you can start the entire procedure again because then you will lose the extension of stay.
The day you leave Thailand you will receive a Departure stamp and your Departure card will be removed. On arrival you fill in a new one and you will receive a new departure card and you will also receive a new Arrival stamp.
On that day your new 90 days will start counting.
So you don't have to take the remaining days before your departure into account.
Each time you enter Thailand, your 90 days start over from 1.
So if you were to leave Thailand each time before the end of your 90 days, you would never have to go to Immigration for the 90 days report.
Dear Martin, the names are confusing because everyone talks about a retirement or marriage visa, but they do not exist. To get permission to stay in Thailand for a period of one year, you initially need a “non immigrant O” visa. “O” here stands for Other. You also have “ED” for an education visa; “B” for business; “F” for government support officials; etcetera.
On the basis of a non immigrant O you can submit an application to stay in Thailand for no more than 1 year (extension of stay/permit to stay in Thailand) and you do so on the basis of A retirement or B marriage. Different requirements apply to retirement than to marriage. The main differences are the income requirement and age. For a retirement, an income requirement of 800.000 baht per year applies, for marriage 400.000 baht per year. For retirement you must be 50 years or older, for a marriage there is no age limit. For a marriage you must of course submit a marriage certificate. So you must be legally married and not just for Buddha!
Based on a non-immigrant O, you will therefore receive an extension of stay/permit to stay at an immigration office based on the aforementioned criteria, which can therefore be for retirement or marriage.
When your extension of stay/permit to stay has expired after a year, you go to the immigration office for a new application. So you don't have to leave Thailand first. If you again meet the required criteria, the period will be extended by another year.
Then your question about leaving Thailand with a non immigrant O with an extension of stay/permit to stay based on retirement of marriage. If you leave Thailand before, you must first apply for a “re-entry permit” at the immigration office. If you leave Thailand without a “re-entry permit” in the aforementioned cases, your visa will expire and you can therefore start again with an application from a non-immigrant O, etcetera. With a re-entry permit, the counting of days stops. So, for example, if you leave Thailand for 2 months, your extension of stay/permit to stay will be extended by those 2 months upon your return.
I hope to have informed you sufficiently. If you want to know more: comment!
Just to be sure, this. A retirement visa multiple entry does not exist, but you already understood that from my previous response. You can apply for a non-immigrant multiple entry. A non-immigrant multiple entry has a maximum validity of 1 year, but you must leave Thailand every 90 days. These are the well-known visa runs. You leave Thailand for a while and immediately re-enter, legalizing your stay for 90 days. The validity period is 1 year, but you can stay in Thailand for 5 periods of 90 days. If you make another visa run 1 day before the expiry of this visa, you will get another 90 days. With this visa you can stay in Thailand for a maximum of 450 days. After this you have to go to a consulate or embassy abroad for a new non immigrant.
Dear Mr. Geleijnse, or should I say master? You may call it nitpicking, but if someone writes that certain expressions are confusing, I try to clarify this with correct information.
And speaking of confusion. If you read my comments carefully, you probably mean the same thing, but worded it differently. I try to use the correct names as much as possible, that makes it understandable for everyone. I therefore assume that you do not have a multiple entry retirement visa, and that is simply the case. Maybe in your practice language, but you won't find this on official sites and that doesn't really make it clear. If you have an extension of stay, your retirtement visa, then you should not forget to apply for a multiple re-entry permit when you leave the country, otherwise you will have a problem. You do not just receive this with your application for your extension of stay, as you pretend, but you must request it explicitly.
I only try to provide as clear information as possible to prevent problems for third parties. You are of course free to respond, but please provide a response that also has added value. We have no use for nitpicking, as you say!
Dear fellow bloggers,
In none of your responses do I read anything about a health declaration from a hospital. I look very young for my age and radiant with health. There is nothing wrong with my attitude, body language, non-verbal expression.
Have you ever been asked for a health certificate?
Would you like comments?
Peter Hagen
I was only asked for a health declaration when applying for a Non-Immigrant visa OA – multiple entry.
This visa allows you to stay in Thailand for one year, counting from the day you enter, with a reporting requirement every 90 days.
If you leave Thailand and come back, you will receive another stamp for one year.
So if you calculate it correctly, and you arrive within the day before the end of the validity periods of your visa, you can actually stay in Thailand for two years with this visa
I have had this type of visa until January this year.
I went to the Consulate of Antwerp again, with a new application for an OA multiple entry visa, but they said that they no longer issue them
So I spoke to the Consul by phone, and he told me that he no longer issued this type of visa, given the abuse that happened with it and that the application procedure had become too cumbersome and then more determined by the health certificate. This must now be done by a recognized doctor of the embassy and this then had to be approved by Thailand.
A statement from the general practitioner is sufficient for this.
So I have now received a Non-Immigrant O Multiple-Entry instead. Same price 130 Euro but I am now saddled with Visa runs.
So for that Visa OA I needed a health certificate, for a Visa O that was not requested.
Dear Mr Hagen, I understand that you want to make a new statement, namely whether Thailand is corrupt. Well, I can inform you that my opinion is that Thailand is quite corrupt, but that was not the point here. Perhaps this is a good topic for a future article on this blog.
I also understand from all your responses that you are experiencing some frustrations because your requests for an extension of stay are not being honored. I can only inform you that an immigration office takes every application “in consideration”, which is also stated on the official websites of the Thai government regarding visa applications. For your clarification: this means that every immigration officer can and may assess your application on its merits and does not have to make a statement in the event of a rejection. This is no different than in the Netherlands. Consider, for example, the reversed obligation of proof in Dutch tax law. A rejection has nothing to do with “breaching the rules”, but is simply based on a general impression. This can relate to the reliability of documents, but also to the overall impression of the person in question. Nothing new under the sun, because that's how people work in the Netherlands. However, you are trying to give the impression, or rather to prove yourself right, by suggesting that due to the general impression of corruption, all regulations are flouted. A somewhat simple statement, perhaps born out of frustration. From your responses I can only conclude that, perhaps for the sake of convenience, you are happy to be guided by 'commitments' from officials. If this already happens, you are free to draw a conclusion from it, but if those commitments do not comply with the applicable rules, this also allows any other official to deviate from this. This is also not new and also happens in the Netherlands. Your problem is simply that you want to interpret the rules as you see fit and in your own way, whether or not as a result of empty promises, and then want to simply blame someone else for failures. I've told you before: just make sure your affairs are in order, then little can go wrong.
Coincidentally, today I helped yet another acquaintance with the application for an extension of stay regarding retirement at the immigration office in Khon Kaen. Obviously no problem because things were well prepared. Also no questions about gifts or other things smelling of corruption and I have experienced dozens of them before! I therefore continue to find it striking that everything continues to go wrong with you; it seems as if they are “taunting Peter”. Fortunately, after dozens of requests, I know better. Incidentally, there are large signs next to the immigration office on which everything regarding the application of various visas is clarified. So I would just take a good look around, it can be enlightening.
Were it not for the fact that you already have highly skilled fellow bloggers assisting you, I would have gladly offered my help. However, I assume that with the professional knowledge and advice of these gentlemen, your application will one day lead to a result. Good luck!
Moderator: Please end the chat session between Bachus and Peter. Annoying for other readers.
Bachus, Thailand is not "fairly corrupt". Thailand is corrupt to the core. In all layers of society. Even prospective teachers shift 50.000 baht to get the answers sent to them for their final exams. Four months ago the same case at the police academy (notabene).
Sleep well by Bachus. I had rated you higher, but you didn't understand a single fuck. You live on a cloud. In my opinion, despite your language, you are quite stupid and insincere. You like it all that way. As long as the dogs don't piss on your tree.
Thank you Cor, but too much honor at once, I think! By the way, I thought you were the (self-proclaimed) king of cynicism!? However, you do not understand the cynicism of others very well. In this case, it must have been due to the use of language; maybe just a little too hard.
Incidentally, I think that as a teacher you react quite impulsively; especially to someone you don't know at all. It's not a response I would expect from a teacher. But yes, cynically put, we all know that you can “buy” any position here for 200.000 baht! Too bad for the quality of education.
Moderator: no more outings. Do not respond to the article.
Dear Peter, I have never been asked for a health certificate or a certificate of good conduct. However, the first is explicitly mentioned on the official site of Thai Immigrations. So one can ask for it. If you are not asked for it, at least you know that you are healthy. If it turns out that you are seriously ill, I am afraid that your visa will be refused.
Dear Peter,
The Immigration has never been asked for a health certificate. And I have been living here for over 4 years now. With my Thai driver's license. Only the first time anyway. When I had to renew it after 1 year, it was immediately extended for 5 years. Without further requirements such as health declaration.
Dear moderator, please correct my typing errors ff : statement, off and. I am quite (language) sensitive. It's because my right hemisphere is overdeveloped. Lol.Thanks in advance,
Peter Hagen
Except for my Thai driver's license, I have never been asked for a health certificate.
Since the hassle surrounding issuing visas is unclear or raises questions for many, it is good that there are blogs like this. Especially with important subjects like this, it is important that correct information is provided and that people complement each other well. This is the only way we help each other to find the right way through the maze of rules and names. I have read the comments again and unfortunately have to conclude that there are fellow bloggers who only criticize others. I will not mention names, otherwise this piece will not be published and that would be a pity, because my aim is not to lecture someone else, but to improve the quality of information on such important topics.
Criticizing in itself is not so bad when it comes to light topics, that also makes a blog like this fun and lively. However, the visa regulations in Thailand are a serious matter for those who stay here and if you come up with criticism, it is important that you provide 100% correct information yourself. Unfortunately I have to conclude that people have heard the bell ringing, but do not know where the clapper hangs. Too bad, because this only makes it even more unclear and incomprehensible for those who want / are looking for good information. One is thus sent with the well-known lump in the reeds.
It is precisely with these types of subjects that it is important to use the correct names published on official sites and to know what they mean. Using practical language is fun, that is, if we all mean the same thing, which is often not the case with subjects like this. Just to give an example. Someone indicates that he has a non-immigrant O visa with a validity of 90 days and another immediately calls it a retirement visa. This is definitely an incorrect name, at least if you mean it seriously and want to make it clear and understandable for everyone. Retirement evokes the (correct) idea in many people that one can stay in Thailand for (maximum) a year and has a reporting obligation of 90 days, which is not the case with only a non-immigrant O. For that stamp of retirement, one has to do something extra.
In short, practical language is nice, but not with this kind of subjects, which are already incomprehensible to many. Criticism is also nice, but then come up with unambiguous and correct information. Otherwise just don't respond. Seems obvious to me with these kinds of important topics
Mr Geleijnse, there are certainly enough sites with information, but these are only about what is needed to obtain a visa. There is not much to be found about how to act once you have a visa and what the options are.
Moderator: Irrelevant text removed.
Some people persist in spouting nonsense just to get their point! Too bad because this topic is too serious for that! Unfortunately, this leaves many people in the dark due to this misinformation. In any case, I will stop commenting on this topic. I don't feel like entering into completely nonsensical discussions with people who discuss cars that should be called motor vehicles or vice versa. It's slowly becoming too pathetic for words and so I'll refrain from that too. A pity for the people who still have questions or doubts, but fortunately they can still put their bicycle on the back of their car to obtain the correct information from professor practical language nonentryimmigrationmultipleretirementO to submit a successful application. I wish everyone success!
If I were on the editorial board I would close the topic with this to avoid further misunderstandings!
Boy oh Cor, what a reaction! Thailand blog is now starting to look like another forum where people call each other rotten fish!
Mrsgr. Martin.
I understand that my cynical response to Mr Cor Verhoef did not get through to the moderator. Strange, because there wasn't much annoying in it; certainly not if I compare this with Mr Verhoef's short-sighted, if not rude, response. Apparently some people on this blog have an edge and can say anything, regardless of the content. Editorial statutes apparently do not apply to the “elite” on this blog. It would be to the credit of the editors, especially with these kinds of reactions, to implement an “equal monks, equal hoods” policy. Unfortunately, people are apparently more guided by the supply of content here. Too bad, because in the end one only reaches the level of this kind of person.
This will also not make it to the blog, which will only confirm the above for me.
I don't need so many words to explain why lately I've become less interested in wasting my time on the Bacchus blog.
In view of the many responses directed at the person, we will close this topic.