Answered2 years ago
Can I apply for a Long Stay Visa or Retirement Visa while currently in Thailand on a Tourist Visa?
I am currently in Thailand on my first 30 day tourist visa on arrival, I plan to get an extension at the local immigration office for another 30 days. At some point I want to apply for Long Stay Visas (OA, OX) for a 12 month visa. I understand this can be done as an Evisa application before arrival, what about now I am here?
Also, asap I want to apply for my next visa - the retirement visa. Any chance I can do that as an Evisa too?
Also, asap I want to apply for my next visa - the retirement visa. Any chance I can do that as an Evisa too?
Answer summary
The original poster is currently in Thailand on a 30-day tourist visa and plans to extend it for another 30 days. They inquire about applying for Long Stay Visas (OA, OX) and a retirement visa while already in Thailand. Responses clarify that once in Thailand, they cannot use the e-visa application system for Long Stay Visas, which must be done from their home country. They can apply for a Non-O visa from within Thailand, which could later be extended based on retirement qualifications. Importantly, to open a Thai bank account, a Non-Immigrant Visa is typically required, complicating access to banking and potentially delaying future visa applications.
24 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Bart **************
Why do you connect two times the same question with an "also"?
Anyway. The answer to both is no, you cannot do it from Thailand as an e-visa.
Anyway. The answer to both is no, you cannot do it from Thailand as an e-visa.
Bart **************
Get the visa you need from your home country or from one that doesn't require your money to already be in Thailand. I don't know everything about who requires what exactly, but I thought only the most nearby ones require your money to be in Thailand.
I would be against agents (read: bribes) to open bank accounts.
I would be against agents (read: bribes) to open bank accounts.
Richard **********
OP@Bart *************
so, having read my info, how do you suggest I get the Thai bank account and finally the retirement visa? TIA
Ben ******
Thank you for the info.
Ken ***********
1. From your profile, you are from the UK. UK passport holders receive a 30 day visa exempt on arrival. This is not a visa on arrival.
2. You can convert a visa exempt to a 3 month Non O based on being 50 or above and not working in Thailand as long as you can meet the requirements. In the last month of your 3 month Non O, you can apply for a one year extension.
This must be done at an Immigration office within Thailand, it cannot be done online.
2. You can convert a visa exempt to a 3 month Non O based on being 50 or above and not working in Thailand as long as you can meet the requirements. In the last month of your 3 month Non O, you can apply for a one year extension.
This must be done at an Immigration office within Thailand, it cannot be done online.
Richard **********
OPSo on what visa can I open a Thai bank account? I am getting knocked back trying to do it in Trang on a tourist visa. Also was told that the immigration and Embassy etc do not recognise a Revolut account with registered address in Thailand and all funds in Thai Baht as a Thai bank account, can I be sure this is correct advice?
Stephan ***********
@Richard *********
Yes, it must be an account from a Thai Bank. Normally you need a Non-Immogrant-Visa, with a lot of luck you can do it with a tourist visa. But that will be difficult... things have changed lately. That's why many people use an agent now... they can solve this problem, even if you are on visa exempt.Ken ***********
@Richard *********
what I understand is it must be a Thai Bank in Thailand. Opening an account has become a difficult task. Many pay an agent to assist.Richard **********
OP@Ken ******
Thank you. It looks like the best advice on here. To clarify, where must I go to apply for the 3 month Non O visa?Ken ***********
@Richard *********
the Thai Immigration office in your provonce. I live in Bangkok, so I go to Chaeng Wattana.Ken ***********
@Richard *********
no. It must be a Thai bank account. Outside of Thailand you can use a non thai account but inside Thailand it must be Thai bank.Richard **********
OP@Ken ******
and there is no requirement for it to be a bank account in Thailand? Obviously it should be in my name, but in UK is okay?John **********
Now that you are inside Thailand you need to forget about the evisa system as you can't use it. You'd need to return home to do so. To apply for a visa inside Thailand you need to visit the immigration office that serves the area where you live
Richard **********
OP@John *********
I understand, but also ask myself how they will know what country I am in when applying online with a VPN?John **********
@Richard *********
tickets?
Andy ************
Unless you're Australian forget about the OX
Brandon ************
You're not on a tourist visa. You're on visa exempt (not a visa at all).
The only retirement visa you can apply for in Thailand is the non-O visa. This is a 90 day visa. Once you have it for 60 days you can apply for the 1-year extension based on retirement. You'll need to meet the requirements including 800,000 baht in your Thai bank account or a certified income verification from your embassy if they offer this service (many do not)
A non-OA and non-OX are ONLY available from the Thai embassy in your home country.
The only retirement visa you can apply for in Thailand is the non-O visa. This is a 90 day visa. Once you have it for 60 days you can apply for the 1-year extension based on retirement. You'll need to meet the requirements including 800,000 baht in your Thai bank account or a certified income verification from your embassy if they offer this service (many do not)
A non-OA and non-OX are ONLY available from the Thai embassy in your home country.
Richard **********
OPThanks for all your answers, although the final solution for me is not much clearer. So, from a visa on arrival stamp in my passport, (not a visa an exemption) what is my quickest and cheapest route to a retirement visa? I have the 800,000 baht, (currently in my UK account), I have proof of address in Thailand from the local Thai Immigration office stapled into my passport, I have medical certificate from a doctor at the local hospital. I apply today for a UK Police certificate for visa application purposes. I have 2 passport photos. To complete the checklist I believe I must open a Thai bank account and deposit 800,000 baht in it for 3 months, but keep on getting told different stories. First, I can not open a Thai bank account on a tourist visa I am told many times from many different sources. Other sources say it is easy for ferang on a tourist visa to open a Thai bank account in Bangkok or Pattaya.
The Bank of Bangkok branch in Trang, my preferred branch to open an account, they say I must have a long stay visa, no 30 day tourist visa exemption. They told me to ask about a long stay visa (oa, ox) and I can open an account with this. The immigration office told me the same. They say a Thai bank account is not a requirement for this visa although I will still need to show 800,000 baht in gbp has been in a UK account for 3 months. No problem for me to show this.
The Bank of Bangkok branch in Trang, my preferred branch to open an account, they say I must have a long stay visa, no 30 day tourist visa exemption. They told me to ask about a long stay visa (oa, ox) and I can open an account with this. The immigration office told me the same. They say a Thai bank account is not a requirement for this visa although I will still need to show 800,000 baht in gbp has been in a UK account for 3 months. No problem for me to show this.
John **********
@Brandon ***********
I think you can also apply for the OX in Thailand although not sure why anyone would want to
Kool *******
@John *********
from my understanding you can not apply for a brand new OA, or OX visa inside Thailand. You can only extend them inside Thailand after you have received one in your home country.John **********
@Kool ******
you are correct for the OA but not the OX. Item 20 in this list *******************************************
Stuart *********
@John *********
Theoretically possible but I’ve never heard of a single case of someone doing so. As you say. Why would you?I believe the only place that people get the OX is from the Sydney consulate as you don’t need the 3m baht funds in Thailand.
Since switching to the evisa system I do not know if this option still exists.
Brandon ************
@John *********
can you? If so there's a reason no one ever doesJohn **********
@Brandon ***********
might have something to do with the financial requirements 😉Activity
10 joined10
people
Related
25Can I apply for another Non-O visa after my current one expires in Thailand?
8105112mo
Can I apply for a retirement O visa in Thailand while on a tourist or a 60-day visa?
1.6k10206mo
Can I re-enter Thailand on a 60-day tourist visa after a 3-month break and then apply for a retirement visa?
8.7k78869mo
Can I enter Thailand on a tourist visa and then apply for a retirement visa?
6k361019mo
Should I apply for a non-O retirement visa or do a visa run for my 4-month stay in Thailand?
48821y
Can I apply for a retirement visa while already in Thailand or do I need to leave and apply from abroad?
2.3k17221y
Can I apply for a retirement visa in Thailand while I'm in Italy?
1.7k1451y
Should I apply for a Retirement Visa or extend my stay with a tourist visa in Thailand?
1.6k1491y
Should I apply for my retirement visa in the USA or in Thailand?
700352y
What steps can I take to obtain a retirement visa for Thailand during my current trip?
4.7k43302y
How long must I wait before transferring my 65k deposit to my daily use account for my retirement visa in Thailand?
3.7k17643y
What is the process to transition from an O-A visa to a Non-O visa in Thailand?
2.5k19203y
When can I apply for a 1-year retirement visa in Thailand after obtaining a 90-day Non-O visa?
1.1k3174y
Why does the Thai embassy recommend a non-O visa for retirement while the online application does not clearly reference this?
2.5k20194y
How does the retirement visa validity and extension work for someone who obtained their visa on May 11, 2022?
1k584y
Can I apply for a Non-O visa while on a tourist visa in Thailand, and will it affect the remaining days on my tourist visa?
2.2k17134y
Is 90-day reporting necessary if I'm leaving Thailand before the due date?
2k13195y
Can I apply for a Non-O Retirement Visa in Thailand while on a Visa Exempt?
4.7k41355y
Can I enter Thailand on a tourist visa and then apply for a Non-O retirement visa using cash for the 800,000 baht requirement?
3.5k27335y
How can I obtain a Retirement Visa in Thailand while on a NON-IMM visa?
2.1k14165y
When can I apply for a long stay retirement visa after obtaining a Non O visa in Thailand?
838445y
Do I need to apply for a new Non-O visa or can I just extend my current retirement visa in Thailand?
4108y
Can I obtain a proof of income affidavit for a Thai retirement visa from an embassy in Thailand if I live in Japan and have US citizenship?
3.9k4189y
How soon before turning 50 can I apply for a Retirement visa in Thailand if I currently have a Non O visa based on marriage?
2k1869y
What do I need to know about obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand as an Australian expat?
5.4k50339y
Resources
Need help with your retirement visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served