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Can I apply for a 90-day Non-O visa in Hanoi, Vietnam, as an American over 50?

Non-O VisaVisa ApplicationVisa RequirementsExpats in ThailandThai ConsulateFinancial RequirementsRetirement VisaThailand Immigration
July 19, 2018
6 years ago
Saffron *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am an American planning to apply for a 90 day single entry Non-O visa based on being over 50 years of age. Am I correct that this can be done at a Thai consulate in a country other than one of which I am a citizen or resident? Would I be able to do this in Hanoi, Vietnam? If so, could someone please give me a summary of their requirements, financial and other? I believe I need 800k baht in a bank account or combined with yearly income. Do I need to have funds in a Thai bank for this, or would proof of funds in a US bank account be sufficient? I checked the Hanoi embassy website, but it's light on details. Thank you for any information you can offer.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An American can apply for a 90-day single entry Non-O visa at a Thai consulate in a country other than their own, including Hanoi, Vietnam. Key requirements include an application form, photos, proof of 800,000 baht in a bank account (Thai or foreign), a medical certificate, and a criminal records verification. The 800,000 baht can be in a non-Thai bank, and the embassy in Hanoi has specific financial documentation requirements. Some applicants have noted a lack of clarity on the requirements from the embassy, suggesting direct contact for precise information.
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.
Saffron *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
While we're on the subject, I have a question about the financial requirement for the 1 year extension of stay obtained at an Immigration office in Thailand before the 90 day Non-O expires. I've read that they not only want to see 800k baht in a Thai bank account, but that they want to see documentation from the Thai bank of the transfer of that amount into Thailand from outside the country. What if I already have that much in a Thai bank account, and it was transferred here gradually over the past few years, mostly by withdrawing money from a US account at an ATM here, and then depositing it via ATM into a Thai account? If I have the funds here, but can't show a single large transfer (or any transfer, other than those ATM transactions), will it be an issue? Would I have to transfer another 800k baht into the country all at once? Or transfer 800k baht of my money that's in Thailand out of the country and then in again? I'd rather not do either of those things.
6 years ago
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Tod *********
@Saffron ********
 correct, Vientiane is an easy place to pull 90 day single entry Non-O visas based on being over 50 ro marriage to a thai.

I still am of the mind you don't need an agency to push your paper for you at the immigration office. Chiang Mai has a separate section that deals with issuing Non-Immigrant visas inside the country, has a hand out that goes over the requirements and I've yet to meet a foreigner here who wasn't able to do it themselves if they put their mind to it and got their ducks in a row.

Still good luck.
6 years ago
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Saffron *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rob *******
, I am not against using an agent. I believe the fee is generally justified by the convenience, and by the increased odds of everything going smoothly. I just sent you a private message on the subject, as I believe it is not supposed to be discussed in detail here.
@Tod ********
: So Vientiane just wants a Thai bank book showing 800k (no letter from the bank or proof of funds originating outside Thailand), and a Thai police background check? No other requirements outside the usual application/photos/fee?
6 years ago
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Tod *********
@Saffron ********
 Or just go to Vientiane, using a thai police background check and your bank book from here showing 800K (updated a day before you go) and get the 90 day single entry Non-O from that consulate.
6 years ago
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Rob ********
@Saffron ********
 if you’re willing to consider using an agent they will know exactly what’s needed but many people discourage the use of agents when you can do it yourself. I don’t disagree but we still used one because it was seemless after Tod helped us with all the correct information ahead of time
6 years ago
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Tod *********
@Saffron ********
 IF you're going to try for the 90 day Non-O in Chiang Mai go to the immigration office on the third floor of the Promenada and get the hand out that spells out exactly what you need as far as documentation. I'm only going by the hand out from Bangkok when I telll you banked money has to originate from overseas. (I doubt it but maybe Chiang Mai is different). Certainly check with them first.
6 years ago
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Saffron *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks,
@Tod ********
. If I do end up applying for the 90 day Non-O inside Thailand, which is starting to look like the easier path, what can I do about proof of origin of money? Are there any options other than the two I mentioned (transfer 800k baht more into Thailand, or transfer existing 800k baht out and in again)?
6 years ago
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Tod *********
The requirement that the 800K baht originated from overseas is ONLY if you are applying for a 90 day Non-O visa inside the country at the immigration office NOT when you are applying for a yearly extension of stay.
6 years ago
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Rob ********
I can’t answer with certainty but generally speaking, as long as there’s been 800K minimum for a continuous 60 day period, the bank will give you the letter for immigration stating this. We use Bangkok Bank and although we did transfer the funds only about 90 days before we applied for the extension, the agent we used didn’t care as long as the boilerplate bank letter says what it needs to say. Granted we used an agent. If u do it yourself they may well ask for proof that the funds were wired from overseas. They may not be happy about gradual ATM withdrawals subsequently deposited that add up to 800K but maybe
@Tod ********
 can help with that question
6 years ago
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Rob ********
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Saffron *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I emailed the Hanoi embassy last night to enquire, and this morning received a reply from them with an attached (rather stringent) list of their Non-Imm O Retirement visa requirements:

• 1 Application form for visa (fully filled) and 2 photos (3.5x4.5cm)

• A personal data brief/ a CV

• A copy of bank statement showing a deposit of the amount equal to and not less than 800,000 Baht or an income certificate (an original copy) with a monthly income of not less than 65,000 Baht, or a deposit account plus a monthly income totaling not less than 800,000 Baht.

• In the case of submitting a bank statement, a letter of guarantee from the bank (an original copy) is required.

• A letter of verification issued from the country of his or her nationality or residence stating that the applicant has no criminal record (verification shall be valid for not more than three months and should be notarised by notary organs or the applicant’s diplomatic or consular mission).

• A medical certificate issued from the country where the application is submitted, showing no prohibitive diseases as indicated in the Ministerial Regulation No.14 (B.E. 2535) (certificate shall be valid for not more than three months and should be notarised by notary organs or the applicant’s diplomatic or consular mission).

You can view the original document in full here:
**********************************************************************************


I'm pleased to know that applying there is an option, but I'll have to decide whether it's worth jumping through so many hoops.
6 years ago
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Rob ********
@Saffron ********
 converting the tourist to non O has advantages in Chiang Mai. It’s one if the three things you and can do at the smaller upstairs immigration office at Promenada and there’s rarely large amounts of people there. (The other functions are TM30 house master applications and business visas).
6 years ago
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Saffron *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I believe I'll either do that, or just get a tourist visa while in Hanoi and then convert to a Non-O within Thailand.
6 years ago
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Rob ********
Yeah. I’d take Tod’s advice first of Vientiane or maybe Penang as a second choice.
6 years ago
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Rob ********
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Tod *********
IF you're using the thai consulate in Vientiane to get a 90 day single entry Non-O visa based on being over 50 (retirement) you're going to also need a police background check.
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
@Tod ********
 thanks tod, that is my understanding too. I am squeaky clean in thailand. I don't even think illegal thoughts. LOL I am very nervous about anything illegal in thailand. not even break speed limit. LOL
6 years ago
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Tod *********
@Jackie *****
, remember you only need a thai police background check to get that 90 day single entry Non-O from Vientiane, NOT one from your country. I doubt anything from your country would appear on the one you get from the special branch office in Bangkok.
6 years ago
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Tod *********
@Jackie *****
, I'd say you can get a 90 day Non-O visa based on being over 50 at the immigration office when you have at least 15 days left on your current 30 day visa exempt entry, 60 day tourist visa entry or a 30 day extension off of one of those. That for sure doesn't require a background check.
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
Tod, where are the best places to get over 50 (retirement) without a police background check? I have explained my situation here before, so knowing this would be helpful. Thanks.
@J*
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
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Rob ********
The short answer is yes; you can apply for a single entry 90 day non O visa in another country’s Thai embassy or a consulate. As for the details, it’s sketchy. I can tell you with certainty the easiest way to ensure you’ll get this is to do it in Penang via a guy named Jim who an Indian guy that works out of a small office in Georgetown and is the resident expert on all things relating to Thai visas in Penang

My wife and I moved from Penang (both American citizens) to Chiang Mai and got the visa this way. We then extended based on retirement once in Thailand and got a one year period for the same visa. My understanding is that technically speaking, a consulate is not part of the Thai immigration department so they’re not legally allowed to ask you to show any cash in a Thai bank. To be safe, however, we went to Thailand first on a 30 day visa exempt status and opened an account with 100,000 THB and then came back to Penang. Jim recommended we do this as a “show of good faith” that we do intend to extend the 90 day non 0 based on retirement once in Thailand. But there are no technical requirements.

I can’t speak for Vietnam or other countries but everyone on this list will provide plenty of great information. I can tell you that once in Thailand with a 90 day single entry non 0, you can apply to extend based on retirement anytime after there’s 45 days remaining on the non O BUT you must have 800K THB in a Thai bank account for a 60 day consecutive period on the day you apply to extend if you use this method. From a timing point of view, this means you’d have to get that 800K in the Thai bank account no later than the first 30 days after you enter on the non 0 or you won’t meet the financial requirement and would have to either extend the 90 day another way or leave and re enter.

You can PM me if you want. My wife isn’t 50 and she “follows” so getting the initial non O for both of us was a bit more complicated
6 years ago
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Rob ********
@Steve ******
 in the example I cited, we paid Jim to go to the Penang consulate and get us the non o visas. The “show of good faith” was his words, not mine and since he rarely takes your cash if he can’t get a visa it didn’t matter much to us what he called it
6 years ago
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Saffron *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rob *******
, you were certainly correct about the embassies. See my update below.
6 years ago
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Tod *********
@Saffron ********
 You should be able to get the 90 day single entry Non-O visa from either thai consulate in Vietnam and the proof of funds don't need to be in a thai bank account either. BUT so few of people actually use them for this visa that there are almost no verifiable reports about it.

I think (seeing as you go there frequently) that you're gonna hafta slog on over to the consulate and see what's what. Be advised they only take USD for the visas at the thai consulates there
6 years ago
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Steve *******
A "show of good faith" wont swing it with Thai Consulates or Immigration. For a visa you need to comply with the Consulate requirements, quite often with financial proof
6 years ago
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Rob ********
Definitely won’t need medical or background checks if you use a consulate. However, embassies like the one in KL often require more stringent requirements so I’d go with a consulate. If you’re interested in Penang, you can look up Jim Tachinamurthy in FB and send him a message. He should respond and give you more information.
6 years ago
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Saffron *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you for this. I became wary of using the consulate in Penang after hearing stories of applications being rejected there, despite fulfilling all of the visa requirements. If that is the best option, I can go there, and I can show 100k baht or more in a Thai bank. I do intend to extend the Non-O for a year once I'm in Thailand, and I know of the financial requirements for that.

I would still be very interested in hearing whether anyone has successfully applied for this type of visa in Hanoi, as I will already be traveling there for other reasons. Also, I want to make sure that there isn't anything else I may need to show. Proof of accommodations in Thailand, medical certificate, criminal background check, that sort of thing. I know some of these are required for some types of visa.
6 years ago
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Saffron *********
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