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How long will it take to switch from a TR visa to a retirement visa in Thailand?

Thailand VisaRetirement VisaNon-O VisaHealth InsuranceImmigration ProcessHua Hin ImmigrationVisa Application Timeline
Apr 1, 2024
a year ago
Lee *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm currently in Thailand Hua Hin on tr visa, switching to retirement visa. All paperwork done and checked by immigration officials and approved. Once I go and submit it how long will it take for them to switch it to O retirement. I ask because I want the health ins to start on the same date

Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is currently in Hua Hin, Thailand, on a TR visa and has completed all necessary paperwork to switch to a retirement visa (Non-O). They are inquiring about the time it takes for the visa switch to be processed. Responses indicate that while health insurance is not mandatory for the Non-O visa, it is generally advised. The process typically takes about a week if all paperwork is in order, but users suggest checking with immigration for specific details about start dates for the new visa.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Steve **********
No insur required, and if all paperwork in order, get a number....you'll be through in an hour.

Good Luck
a year ago
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Lee ***********
Can I ask, if on a TR visa then how do you get a bank account open and have monies in for 2 months if the visa is 60 days, or is a 30 day extension required first?

I have been unable to get a bank account open in preparation this time on a TR Visa without proving long term residency, in Hua Hin.

I ask because I was going to apply for a 90 day non-im and the apply for the 1 year extension, the insurance is needed in the UK for this.
a year ago
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John ********
@Lee **********
 There's only two non- immigrant visas you can apply for in the UK. They are a non-immigrant 'O' multiple entry 12 month visa, which if with this visa you have to do a visa run every ninety days, but on your last ninety day of this visa you can get a thre month extension, giving you fifteen months altogether. To qualify for this visa, according to the e-visa portal, you have to have a family member that is a Thai national living in Thsiland. The other non-immigrant is a ninety day stay one entry visa, which anyone over fifty years of age with a UK bank account showing I think 200,000 THB equivalent balance. This visa will let you open a Thai bank account and can be extended by twelve months at an immigration office in Thailand as long as you have one of the three monetary methods of qualification. The other visa you can apply for while your in the UK is an A-O retirement visa, which I believe you do not need to show any financial requirements, but must have a twelve month health insurance policy that is recognised by Thai Government, ie., immigration. You can take out insurance with a UK insurer for the initial year, but after that for your next visa extension, you are required to have insurance from a Thai immigration recognised insurer. This info., is as I have researched.
a year ago
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Lee ***********
@John *******
 there is also the O-X
a year ago
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Lee ***********
@John *******
 hi John, yes I've read the same, I'm going for the 90 day plus extension, however, insurance is a requirement and from my understanding upon extension in Thailand for the 12 months you have to have the 800,000 bat in the bank for the 2 months prior.
a year ago
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Lee ***********
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Lee *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you all for your comments , I really appreciate it
a year ago
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Willem ************
@Lee ********
 how long did it take you to get the retirement visa?
a year ago
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Lee *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Willem ***********
 I wasn't in a rush but I made 2 visits to the immigration office in Hua Hin. They are very helpful, polite and patient. All in all I guess I have spent around 5 hours by the time I actually submit my application. I would say it is like putting together a flat pack cabinet for the 1st time. They still rely heavily on paper and photocopying. Patience is the key. The next step after I submit it seems as though it is effective from date of submission. But that's not the end of the paperwork!
a year ago
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Willem ************
@Lee ********
 was it an IKEA cabinet 😊?
a year ago
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Willem ************
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Andreas *********
@Lee ********
 the 90 days stay permit from the single entry 90-days Non-Imm-O visa will start from the day you applied to the change. . . . . . . It does NOT start on the day after the 60 days from your tourist visa expire. . . . . . However the 1-year extension starts after the day your 90-days stay permit from the Non-Imm-O visa expires. , . . . . . . A health insurance is not mandatory, however it is advised to have one
a year ago
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Alfred ***********
Get health insurance anyway. It's stupid not to have any health insurance at any time. It's called accidents and emergencies. Or ignore me and walk into flowing traffic the give me a call.
a year ago
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John **********
You need to have at least 15 days (21 days in a few places) left on your current stamp to apply for a non-o visa. Insurance is not a requirement
a year ago
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Lee *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 I have more than 15 days that's not an issue. Do they let you choose a start date for the visa to start
a year ago
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John **********
@Lee ********
 usually it starts from the expiry date of your 90 day visa but you can ask
a year ago
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Galen *******
@Lee ********
 John Stanners gave you the correct answer. Nevertheless you must do nearly the same after about 3 months when you apply for a yearly extension of stay.
a year ago
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Galen *******
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Peter *****************
Dude just pay the agent they do everthing for you from bank acc to insurance under carpet.Only 7 days.
a year ago
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Gregory *******
@Peter ****************
 your right
a year ago
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Jim ********
@Peter ****************
 Pay someone
*****
Baht to fill in a few forms? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
a year ago
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Stuart ***********
@Peter ****************
 he's done everything already, but if he wants to give someone 25,000 baht for nothing he can give it to me 🤣
a year ago
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Stuart ***********
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Rok ********
Do you need health insurance for non O (i thought only for non-OA) ?
a year ago
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Garrett ***********
@Rok *******
 Nope
a year ago
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Garrett ***********
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Stuart *********
There is no requirement for health insurance for a Non O visa applied for in Thailand.
a year ago
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Stuart *********
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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