Can I apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa in Thailand without knowing my exact stay details?

Feb 13, 2024
9 months ago
Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Apologies for what is probably a stupid question.

I'm applying for a non immigrant O visa. Is there anyway I can apply while I am still not sure about my dates of visit and where I will be staying?

I can supply my girlfriends address, but we will not be staying there. Is it possible to apply with her address and then update as I we find a place to stay? I'll be in Bangkok but her address is in Nakhon Si Thammarrat

I don't want to run afoul of Thai immigration.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is inquiring about applying for a Non-Immigrant O visa while unsure of specific travel dates and accommodation in Thailand. They are considering using their girlfriend's address, which is not their intended place of stay, for the application. Comments clarify that the embassy is unlikely to be concerned about the address used for the visa application, but specific address details will be necessary for extending the stay in Thailand.
Stuart *********
I’m assuming you are applying from outside of Thailand from your wording. If that’s the case then the embassy won’t give a rats arse about the address you put down and where you’d actually end up staying to issue the visa.

Upon arrival immigration won’t give one either about where you go once you arrive.

Where you’ll need specific address information is when you get to the stage of applying for an extension of stay. Then you’ll need specific details and depending on the office and what extension you’re applying for a filed TM30 - your address registration. That needs to be from the province you are applying at.
Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
Thanks Stuart. You have just gotten one monkey off my back.

How strict are they on dates? I'm planning to get to Thailand some time in April. I have so many balls in the air at the moment that I cannot be more specific right now.

thanks
Stuart *********
@Paul ******
Not an issue on dates. Single entry Non O visas are valid for 90 days from issue. As long as you enter Thailand before the visa expires you’d be stamped in for 90 days.
Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
Thanks Stuart. Much appreciated.
Brandon ************
Are you asking about applying for a non-O visa from your home country before you travel or about applying to convert to a non-O visa inside Thailand?
Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
I'm currently in the US, and due to some unforeseen events I'm retiring March 1 this year rather than December 31 as I had planned.

Long term is to get a retirement visa (I'm > 50) but I need to a lot sorted out before I can apply - Thai bank acount etc.
Steve *******
@Paul ******
The Non Imm O is the retirement visa. Just so you know 👍
Peter **********
@Steve ******
One of the types is extension based on retirement. Non-immigrant O *is* not a retirement visa.
Steve *******
@Peter *********
Technically you're correct, however it is the VISA for age 50 years or over commonly referred to as a 'retirement visa' as opposed to the 1 year extention of stay.
Peter **********
@Steve ******
There is no such thing as a "retirement visa".
Steve *******
@Peter *********
Yes we know that but the Non Imm O is commonly referred to as a 'retirement visa'. It's the visa needed for the 1 year extention based on being 50 or over!
Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
The way the agent worded it, I thought it was a different visa from the retirement visa. Quoting them verbatim

"I recommend to apply 3 months Non immigrant O with Thai embassy in your country and you can come to Thailand to contact local bank to open bank account. After than we can provide 1 year Retirement visa for you which we can process without you depositing 800,000 THB in Thai bank account."

Did I miss something in translation?
Ken ***********
@Paul ******
beware, what the agent is offering is illegal. In most cases it will work, but if the agent gets caught by the police, you could have issues. Up to you
Steve *******
@Paul ******
The Non Imm O is the visa, commonly referred to as a 'retirement visa', the 1 year is an 'extention of stay'
Peter **********
@Paul ******
It’s about wording. There is no such thing as a “retirement visa”. When you want to stay in Thailand longer than 3 months, you start with a non-immi O visa. The visa is valid for three months. Before expiry you can apply for an extension based on either retirement or marriage to a Thai national (I believe there are more forms, but these two are most common).

You agent says ‘retirement visa’ but should have said ‘extension based on retirement’.

The non-O visa is basically a foundation on which you get the extensions. Once you have a one year extension (which must be repeated every year) you will need to subject to 90 day reporting so immigration knows where you are. (Easy process which can be done online).
Brandon ************
@Paul ******
Stuart should have you sorted then
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