Can a 30-day visa on arrival be converted into a retirement visa for a one-year extension in Thailand?

Thai visa rules Visa exemption Non-O visa Retirement visa Extension of stay Visa application process Bank requirements for retirement visa

Oct 31, 2021

3 years ago

Graham ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Does any one know if a 30 visa on arrival can be converted to a 1 year extension of stay, so called retirement visa. My passport is full of 1 year extension of stays but may expire before I can get back.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A 30-day visa exemption cannot be directly converted into a one-year retirement visa. To obtain a retirement extension, one must first apply for a Non-O visa. This can be done within Thailand, provided you have at least 15 days remaining on your current visa. After obtaining the Non-O visa, you may then apply for the one-year extension. Additionally, specific financial requirements must be met for the retirement extension, such as maintaining a minimum balance in a Thai bank account or having regular monthly transfers.

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.
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Axel ********

It´s just a matter of money. Go to a "Visa-Service" they will help you.

3 years ago

Graham ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

So against all covid sence and risk I would have to leave Thailand so I can come back in again just for a stamp.

At the moment I have a vald retirement visa and a Re entry permit, can this be extended outside of Thailand

3 years ago

Tod *********

@Graham *******

nope, you can't get a year extension outside of thailand, you get that inside the country at the immigration office (just like you got the one in your passport now)

IF you're out of the country when this current one expires you'd have to start the whole process again.

What do you mean you would have to leave and come back. I think you're not understanding the process to go from a visa exempt, to a Non-O to a retirement extension inside the country

You'd come in on a 30 day visa exempt, apply for the in country 90 day Non-O visa for 2000baht, wait the under consideration period (14 days), go back get the Non-O visa and the new 90 day stamped inked in, wait until you had 30 days or less left on that stamp and then apply for a year extension for 1900baht.

3 years ago

Graham ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

I mean that If I enter on 30 day I will have to leave to get a non O in another country after 30 day plus extensions, assuming there are countries I can go to issuing non O

3 years ago

Tod *********

@Graham *******

nope you apply for the Non-O visa INSIDE the country at the thai immigration office

Most require you to have a minimum of 15 days left on your current visa exempt or 30 day extension from that stamp to apply in country. Because the application goes under consideration for 14 days until you go back and get it

3 years ago

George *******

@Tod ********

Is a bank account required for the extension ??

3 years ago

Tod *********

@George ******

yep for a retirement extension you either bank 800K baht in a thai bank account in your name only for 2 months before you apply for the extension OR you transfer IN to the country into your thai bank account a minimum of 65k baht a month each month every month for the previous 12 months

3 years ago

Graham ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

Right gotchya. I think I had read something about that. This will save me if I can't get back before 23rd as the application for a non O has turned ridiculous at the UK Thai embassy.

3 years ago

Steve *******

@Graham *******

Easy to get the Non Imm O in London, all done online now. Much easier than it used to be.

3 years ago

Reply to

Steve *******

Tod *********

nope can't go directly to a year extension based on retirement from a 30 day VISA EXEMPT entry 😕 You first have to apply for a 90 day Non-O visa, then wait for that to run down and then you can apply for the year extension.

3 years ago

Tod *********

and there is NO 30 day visa on arrival, you're talking about coming in without having bought a visa from the thai consulate in your country and getting stamped in here for free for 30 days without any visa <- that's a visa exempt entry 🙂

3 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

Steve *******

If you entered with a 30 day visa exemption you need to apply for a Non Imm O visa before you can apply for the 1 year extention of stay.

3 years ago

Peter *********

Yes

3 years ago

Lynnette *******

You mean visa exempt/no visa?

3 years ago