Ask question

Can a Visa Waiver entry be converted to a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand?

Visa Waiver Non-O Visa Retirement Visa Thailand Immigration Visa Conversion Bank Account Requirements Visa Procedures in Thailand Tourist Visa Exempt Entry

Nov 28, 2022

2 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I will be going to ChiangMai Jan 7 to start proceedings for a retirement visa. I am a US Citizen so I can enter on a Visa Waver entry. 

Question is, can a Visa Waver entry be converted to the Non O retirement? I would apply the 60 day tourist visa but I am in South China and the covid chaos here prevents me from being able to go to the Thai consulate to do so. I have also read that US will not issue one without me being in US (my plane ticket would give it away).

If it can't be, then I need to figure out another way.

Thanks in Advance!!

811

views

1

likes

23

all likes

17

replies

0

images

9

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

Yes, it is possible to convert a Visa Waiver entry to a Non-O retirement visa while in Thailand. However, you must act quickly to set up a Thai bank account and ensure that you have enough days left on your visa (typically 14-21 days) to apply for the conversion. It is essential to have the required funds in your bank account (800,000 THB) ready for the application, and if necessary, you may need to extend your visa before applying for the Non-O 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.

Steve ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks Everyone!! Understood on the Quickly!! I will likely need to set up the account and apartment then fly to Hong Kong for a few days then back to Thailand so that should reset the clock (I think).

Like

Reply

Sandra **********

for 1900b you can get a 30 day extention with the 45 upon arrival it's plenty of time.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Sandra **********

Reply

Sandra **********

If you have trouble getting a bank account go to Bangkok bank and buy life insurance which is cheaper than the fee to open an account and then get the bank account free for both your wife and yourself. You will need to keep the account at 800k for three months. If your wife is 50 you will need to do the same for her.

Like

Reply

Steve ********

@Sandra *********

Ok. I know many banks are reluctant to open bank accounts for tourists. I was speaking from a non-immigrant visa viewpoint, and it's been easy for me

Like

Reply

Steve ********

@Sandra *********

There's no fee to open a bank account and there's no requirement to buy insurance. This is a con by some banks, as the tellers operate on a commission. It's easy to open a bank account with passport and lease. I've done it in three different banks

Like

Reply

Sandra **********

on a tourist visa in Koh Samui it's impossible... We went to each bank until we got the tip to buy a product that comes with a bank account. Only Bangkok bank had these services.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Sandra **********

Reply

Sandra **********

We came here from Hainan, managed to get it all done with only one extention. No border run needed. You can pm me. They will take into consideration your Chinese residence as being an Asian citizen and be more understanding.

Like

Reply

Will ************

Yes, come in on 45 day exempt, go to the immigration office in your province in the first week and apply for Non-o visa (you get 3 months), immediately open a Thai bank account and transfer in 800k baht. A month before your 90 day Non-o expires apply for a 1 year extension.

Like

Reply

Steve *******

@Will ***********

You need a Thai bank account to get the Non Imm O visa.

Like

Reply

Will ************

got my initial one in the UK and banged 800k in my Thai bank account months before that. Getting a bank account is a piece of cake.

Like

Reply

Steve *******

@Will ***********

Yep, that's the best way but the OP wants to get his in Thailand so he needs a Thai bank account to get the visa first.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Steve *******

Reply

John **********

@Will ***********

almost. They need the 800k in the bank transferred from overseas before applying for the initial 90 day Non-O visa. They need to keep it there to apply for the extension.

Like

Reply

Will ************

@John *********

no its a minimum of 2 months before the 1 year extension.

Like

Reply

John **********

@Will ***********

that's correct. But it's also a requirement for the initial Non-O visa. Most offices don't require the 800k to be seasoned for any length of time to apply for the initial visa.

Like

Reply

Reply to

John **********

Reply

Stuart *********

You’ll need 21 days (15 for some offices) left on a valid stamp to apply to convert to a non O in country. You can do it from an exempt entry but you need to get your ducks in a row fairly quickly.

Like

Reply

Brandon ************

It's possible, but you need to move quickly once you arrive to get a bank account setup and the funds transferred. This is because you need 14-21 days left on your stay (varies by office) to apply. If you can't get everything setup in time, you'd need to apply for your visa exempt extension first, then apply for your conversion to the non-O visa.

Like

Reply

Garrett ***********

Yes, you can transition a visa exempt entry to a Non-O retirement in country.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Garrett ***********

Reply

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

... members · 60% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

View the Conversation

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

Can I change my visa to a retirement non-O visa upon arrival in Bangkok without a prior visa?

34 comments

2 months ago

Can I obtain a non-immigration O visa in the US and then convert it to a 1-year retirement visa in Thailand?

1 comments

3 months ago

Can I enter Thailand on a visa exemption and start the retirement visa process?

23 comments

4 months ago

Can I convert my Non-O marriage visa to a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand?

2 comments

6 months ago

Can I apply for a 50+ retirement visa while on a tourist visa in Thailand?

98 comments

9 months ago

Do you need to convert a tourist visa to a non-O visa before applying for a retirement visa in Thailand?

12 comments

a year ago

Can I convert a 45-day visa exemption to a 90-day Non-O visa for retirement purposes?

12 comments

2 years ago

Can an American convert a Tourist Visa to a Non-Immigrant O Retirement Visa in Thailand without exiting the country?

8 comments

2 years ago

Can I convert a visa on arrival or tourist visa to a Non-O visa while in Thailand, especially for retirement?

9 comments

2 years ago

Can I convert a 30-day tourist visa to a retirement visa in Thailand without leaving the country?

6 comments

3 years ago

Can I convert my Non-Immigrant 'O' visa extension to a retirement visa while in Thailand?

4 comments

3 years ago

Can I apply for a non-O retirement visa in Thailand after entering on a tourist visa?

1 comments

3 years ago

How can I convert a 60-day tourist visa to a Non-O visa based on retirement in Thailand?

10 comments

3 years ago

Can I enter Thailand on a 60-day tourist visa and later apply for a retirement extension?

14 comments

3 years ago

Can I convert my tourist visa to a Non Immigrant O visa based on retirement while in Thailand?

9 comments

3 years ago

Can I convert a visa waiver to a 90-day Non-O visa in Thailand and what are the financial requirements if I am over 50?

10 comments

3 years ago

Can I convert a visa exempt entry to a Non-O retirement visa at Chiang Mai Immigration?

4 comments

4 years ago

How can a USA passport holding couple convert their visa-free entry into a valid visa in Thailand?

28 comments

4 years ago

Can I convert a visa exempt entry to a Non-O visa for retirement, volunteering, or education in Thailand?

17 comments

4 years ago

Can you convert a tourist visa to a Non-O visa in Thailand?

11 comments

4 years ago

Can I convert my visa exempt entry to a Non-OA retirement visa in Thailand?

7 comments

4 years ago

Can we convert a tourist visa to a Non-Immigrant O visa in Thailand without leaving the country?

3 comments

4 years ago

Can I convert a 60-day tourist visa to a retirement visa in Thailand?

10 comments

4 years ago

Can I convert a tourist visa to a Non-Imm O visa for retirement extension while in Thailand?

0 comments

6 years ago

What are the requirements and process for converting a US tourist visa to a 90-day Non-O visa for retirement in Thailand?

0 comments

6 years ago

Data protection policy Terms and conditions Disclaimer Privacy policy Refund policy

The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.