Thailand Visa question No. 249/23: Would you like to stay in Thailand for a year or longer?

Questioner: Rudy

I am now in Thailand on a tourist visa. I like it here so much that I would like to stay here for at least a year or even longer. I am 74 years old and single.

I would like to receive useful information from someone about what steps I should take.

My thanks in advance to whoever provided me with the useful information

Reaction RonnyLatYa

1. First of all, you will have to obtain Non-immigrant status. You currently have Tourist status in Thailand and you can only extend it for a maximum of 30 days.

2. You can convert your Tourist status to Non-immigrant as Retired at immigration. Costs 2000 Baht. The requirements are stated here:

https://www.immigration.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/9.FOR-RETIREMENT-PURPOSES-50-YEARS-OLD-NON-O.pdf

Make sure that there are at least 15 days of accommodation remaining when submitting your application, because you will not receive it immediately. If permitted, you will first receive a 90-day stay, which you can then extend for a year as a Retired. You can then repeat this annual extension annually.

The mainly financial requirements are similar to those for conversion and there is always a document at your immigration office that they want to see with your renewal application as Retired.

Furthermore, do not forget to confirm your address every 90 days, but you can also do this online

https://www.immigration.go.th/en/

If you are leaving Thailand and you do not want to lose your annual extension, you must first apply for re-entry. Be sure to return before the end of your year extension because renewal is only possible in Thailand.

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