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Can I apply for a Long Stay Visa or Retirement Visa while currently in Thailand on a Tourist Visa?

Long Stay VisaRetirement VisaThailand ImmigrationNon-O VisaVisa ExtensionThai Visa RulesExpat Life in ThailandBank Accounts in Thailand
Jun 17, 2024
6 months ago
Richard **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
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?
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TLDR : 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.
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.
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.
6 months ago
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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.
6 months ago
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Richard **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bart *************
 so, having read my info, how do you suggest I get the Thai bank account and finally the retirement visa? TIA
6 months ago
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Richard **********
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Ben ******
Thank you for the info.
6 months ago
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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.
6 months ago
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Richard **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So 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?
6 months ago
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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.
6 months ago
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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.
6 months ago
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Ken ***********
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Richard **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@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?
6 months ago
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Ken ***********
@Richard *********
 the Thai Immigration office in your provonce. I live in Bangkok, so I go to Chaeng Wattana.
6 months ago
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Richard **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@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?
6 months ago
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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.
6 months ago
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Ken ***********
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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
6 months ago
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Richard **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 I understand, but also ask myself how they will know what country I am in when applying online with a VPN?
6 months ago
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John **********
@Richard *********
 tickets?
6 months ago
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John **********
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Andy ************
Unless you're Australian forget about the OX
6 months ago
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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.
6 months ago
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Richard **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks 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.
6 months ago
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John **********
@Brandon ***********
 I think you can also apply for the OX in Thailand although not sure why anyone would want to
6 months ago
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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.
6 months ago
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John **********
@Kool ******
 you are correct for the OA but not the OX. Item 20 in this list

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6 months ago
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John **********
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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.
6 months ago
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Brandon ************
@John *********
 can you? If so there's a reason no one ever does
6 months ago
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John **********
@Brandon ***********
 might have something to do with the financial requirements 😉
6 months ago
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John **********
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