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Can someone with an elite visa apply for a long stay (retirement) visa in Thailand, and when can their spouse apply for a dependent visa?

Long Stay Visa Retirement Visa Dependent Visa NON-O Visa Thailand Immigration Rules Expat Visa FAQs

May 7, 2023

2 years ago

Quizas ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Dear all, I have a question regarding long stay (retirement) visa and the dependent visa.

If for someone with an elite visa wishing to apply the non O long stay (retirement) inside Thailand, he has already transferred 800,000 baht to thai bank account, and with other documents ready, could he get a 1-year long stay (retirement)? or does he still need to get the 90 days first then when approaching the expiry of that 90 days, he goes get the 1 year extension? 

And on top of that, when can his wife apply the dependent visa (apply from her home country or a nearby country of Thailand)? Is it upon her husband gets the 90 stay or the 1 year ?

Thank you all!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

An individual holding an elite visa must first apply for a 90-day Non-O visa before qualifying for a 1-year long stay (retirement) extension in Thailand. He needs to exit Thailand and reenter on a tourist visa or apply for the Non-O at a Thai embassy abroad. His wife can apply for a dependent visa either when he is applying for his Non-O visa at the embassy or once he receives the 1-year extension.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
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Bob **********

She can apply after you get your 1 year extension and unless it’s changed you’ll have to exit and return if your giving up your Elite visa

2 years ago

Quizas ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Bob *********

Thank you!

2 years ago

Reply to

Quizas ****************

Ellie *******

He must apply for a Non-O initial visa for 90 days first, then apply for a 1-year extension.

He needs to leave Thailand and come back on a tourist visa or visa-exempt to do it. Or apply for Non-O at the Thai embassy outside Thailand.

His wife can apply for Non-O dependent visa with him when he applies for his Non-O at the Thai embassy if they issue Non-O dependent on Non-O retirement.

Or she can apply for her Non-O dependent at the Thai embassy/consulate once her husband is on a 1-year extension after he applies for his initial Non-O retirement visa inside Thailand.

2 years ago

Peter **********

@Ellie ******

I am confused. I was told just a few weeks ago that you can apply for a 90 day non-O visa within Thailand, but now you seem to write that after entering on a tourist visa one must leave Thailand and apply at an embassy outside of Thailand...

What is the real procedure and where can I find positive confirmation on official sites?

2 years ago

Ellie *******

@Peter *********

, please read the original post carefully. This post is about someone who is IN Thailand on a Thailand ELITE visa. Those people holding TE have to leave once to be able to apply for Non-O retirement in Thailand.

If you enter Thailand on a tourist visa or visa-exempt, you can apply for an in-country initial Non-O visa based on retirement inside Thailand at the local immigration office.

2 years ago

Quizas ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

Hi Ellie, one more question, for the husband having elite visa, when he leaves Thailand once and come back again, how the immigration know to let him in with visa-exempt ? (given his elite visa is still valid)

2 years ago

Ellie *******

@Quizas ***************

, If he has a valid Thailand Elite, he would be stamped in on an Elite visa. He can ask the immigration officer to let him enter on visa-exempt at passport control. But it's not a promised thing. Also, even if he is stamped in on visa-exempt, if he still has a valid Elite visa, he cannot apply for a Non-O visa at anywhere (inside or outside Thailand). He needs to invalidate/give up his current valid Thailand Elite first. He needs to contact Thailand Elite for detail.

2 years ago

Quizas ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

thank you!

2 years ago

Reply to

Quizas ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

Thank you! very clear !

2 years ago

Ellie *******

Some embassies/consulates issue single entry Non-O retirement / dependent on retiree for non-resident foreigners, some only to foreigners with legal residency. Check their requirements on the website where you want to apply at.

2 years ago

Reply to

Ellie *******

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Do I need to leave Thailand to switch from an elite visa to a retirement visa, and how can I ensure a smooth process?

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