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Can I apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa in Thailand with monthly bank transfers for retirement?
Aug 8, 2022
4 years ago
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTERQuestions 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.
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.
Pelle Erikssonā
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Luca G.ā
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I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
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Ellie *******
Very summarised comparing how to get your 'retirement' visa/extension
Tod *********
That will sadly not work. No one has gotten an initial in country 90 day Non-O using monthly income method by international transfer š
The only way to get the 90 day Non-O inside the country is the banked money method of 800K baht in a thai account in your name only.
I don't even think you can use monthly income with 12 months of transfers for the first yearly extension either (BUT that is between you and your immigration office)
The monthly income method could be used the following year.
There is no amount you need in the account you show that a minimum of 65K baht a month is transferred from abroad into a thai bank account in your name only each month every month for the previous 12 months
The only way to get the 90 day Non-O inside the country is the banked money method of 800K baht in a thai account in your name only.
I don't even think you can use monthly income with 12 months of transfers for the first yearly extension either (BUT that is between you and your immigration office)
The monthly income method could be used the following year.
There is no amount you need in the account you show that a minimum of 65K baht a month is transferred from abroad into a thai bank account in your name only each month every month for the previous 12 months
Tod *********
@Mart *****
I'm not at all concerned you were able to bully/badger them into issuing you the extension before the 45 days that is the max I've seen at immigration offices. That is neither here nor there in the grand scheme of things. I'm asking you DID you use the previous 12 months of incoming international transfers of 65K baht a month to get the FIRST yearly extension on a new 90 day Non-O visa?
Mart ******
@Tod ********
correctTod *********
@Mart *****
so you used 12 months of incoming monthly transfers to apply for the FIRST yearly extension from new 90 day Non-O visa you'd gotten?Mart ******
@Tod ********
well now you know one that allows prior to 45 days. Koh Samui. Mind up the did moan, but then again they moan about everything. Yes I had a years worth of 65k or more per month.Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
OK Tod, thanks for the info, I'm glad I asked here. Assuming that I could try get the extension in the first year with the 65k THB per month banked, what would be the alternative, apply for a Non O in my home country? What would I have to show in terms of finances to apply in the UK for a 90 day Non O?
I am a resident of New Zealand also and have a bank account there and in Australia. Would I also have the option to apply for a Non O in one of those countries? I have no desire to go back to the UK again any time soon, if I can help it!
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks Michael. šš¼
Michael ******
@Ian *******
I got my non O (retirement) form the Canberra Embassy (not Sydney) in April this year. $120. Iām an Australian citizen.Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael *****
Good to know Michael. What did they require? What were the financial requirements.Michael ******
@Ian *******
I donāt think thereās an insurance requirement any more. I had the 800,000 in the Thai bank but they never asked for it. The Canberra Embassy were very good at replying to emailsā¦.I asked simple specific questionsā¦no long sentencesā¦.Michael ******
@Michaela *******
item 4ā¦.that email is or was from the Canberra Embassy.Michael ******
Tod *********
@Ian *******
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Reply to
Tod *********
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Tod *********
@Ian *******
you can get the Non-O 90 day visa where ever they'll sell it to you, Check the websites of the consulate in New Zealand and in Oz to see if you can apply at one of them (you'll have to be IN those countries to get it though) OR check with the online eVisa system for the UK, see what the requirements are for the 90 day Non-O visa based on retirement using that system.
Reply to
Tod *********
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Richard *******
@Tod ********
Samut Prakan allow you to apply to extend up to 45 days too.Tod *********
@Mart *****
most offices allow you to apply for an extension when you have 30 days or LESS left on your current stamp, Chiang Mai and Bangkok will do it when you have 45 days or less, BUT none I know will do it earlier than thatTod *********
@Mart *****
and you had 12 months of incoming transfers in to a thai bank account in your name only when you applied for the first yearly extension from a 90 day Non-O visa ?Reply to
Tod *********
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