Questions re Non Immigrant O visa applied for in Thailand and then 1 year 'Extension based on Retirement.'
I'm a UK citizen approaching 50 later this year. I've been periodically in and out for Thailand for the past 5 years on tourist visas, visa exemptions and last year on covid extensions. I left TL in April 2022 and will be returning on a TR visa later this month, with a view to a 3 month stay. I then plan to go to a neighbouring country and then come back on an exemption or another TR visa + 30 day extension and leave again.
I've just started transferring into my Bangkok bank, the equivalent of 65,000 baht from my UK account through Wise marked as 'for a long term stay in Thailand'. I intend to do this every month for the next 12 months so I can later apply for the extension based on retirement. I have no desire to tie up 800k THB in a Thai bank for 5 months for an extension of stay based on retirement and keep 400k baht in the account for the remaining 7 months. I would rather invest this money.
My question is, once I have deposited 65k THB per month into my Thai account every month for 12 months , could I then apply for a Non Immigrant O visa in Thailand, being aged 50 and would these deposits meet the criteria to get this visa? I know it should meet the requirements to get the 12 month extension.
I don't want to have to go back to the UK to apply for an O or OA visa there.
Are there specific financial requirements to meet to get an Immi non O in Thailand? ie a minimum balance in a Thailand bank account at the time of application? If so, does this need to be seasoned?
Of the 65k THB I transfer in each month I intend to use it for monthly living expenses, withdraw some for investments and for purchases, so the balance will not grow from month to month.
Thanks.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user, a UK citizen approaching 50, seeks advice on applying for a Non-Immigrant O visa based on retirement while in Thailand, given their plans to deposit 65,000 THB monthly into a Thai bank account. They express a desire to avoid the requirement of maintaining 800,000 THB in a Thai bank for five months and inquire about the financial prerequisites for obtaining both the visa and the subsequent extension. Comments indicate that the monthly income method of demonstrating financial stability may not be accepted for initial visa applications, suggesting that the traditional method of maintaining a lump sum in a Thai bank account is required.
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.
