Answered5 years ago
Can I apply for a Non-O Retirement Visa in Thailand while on a Visa Exempt?
Hi everyone, I am a bit confused, I saw a post yesterday stating that you could not apply for a non O retirement Visa in Thailand, you have to apply in your home country , I was of the impression that I could come to Thailand on a 30 day Visa exempt and then apply for the Non O retirement Visa, I thought this situation only applied if you wanted a Non OA retirement Visa, thanks for any replies π
Answer summary
The community discussion clarifies that you can apply for a Non-O Retirement Visa while in Thailand, even if you entered on a Visa Exempt stamp. To do this, it's suggested to arrive in Thailand on either a 30-day Visa Exempt or a 60-day Tourist Visa. Key steps involve opening a Thai bank account, depositing the required funds, and applying for the Non-O visa at your local immigration office with a minimum of 15 days left on your current visa. The process also highlights that while an OA visa must be applied for outside of Thailand, the application for Non-O can be conducted within the country.
41 repliesnewest first
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Eric *******
You can apply for a Non O visa IN Thailand.
You can only apply for a Non OA visa outside of Thailand.
Coming to Thailand on a 30 days visa exemption that you can extend easily at the immigration for 30 more days (1900 Thb), you've got plenty of time to then apply for a Non O visa.
You might wanna use an agent for your first time though, to make it all smoother for you (cause not that evident of a procedure the first time).
If you need more info, feel free to ask.
Take care.
You can only apply for a Non OA visa outside of Thailand.
Coming to Thailand on a 30 days visa exemption that you can extend easily at the immigration for 30 more days (1900 Thb), you've got plenty of time to then apply for a Non O visa.
You might wanna use an agent for your first time though, to make it all smoother for you (cause not that evident of a procedure the first time).
If you need more info, feel free to ask.
Take care.
Stuart *********
OP@Eric ******
Cheers, thanks heaps ππ
Peter *********
Your are correct what you said
Garry ********
You can apply for anything in Thailand, if you have the money π°πππ
Charlie *******
If on Visa Exempt, how long before you can start application for O visa?
Terary **********
Good to see you active Tod
Russell *******
@Tod ********
hi , great post lots of good information.Any advice for me. I am on a tourist visa 60 days with 30 extension . I have been here one 5 weeks. Still trying to open a bank account . If I get a bank account open and deposit the funds ,is there a way around me not having to leave to go out and come back ? Any advice appreciated ππ
Zap **********
Russell Blake is it ok if I send you a pm?
Russell *******
Zap **********
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Russell *******
@Michelle ***********
excellent ,thank you πZap **********
You just need money in bank to apply non O in Thailand does not have to be in bank for 2 months but it has to be in 2 months for retirement extension then also has to remain for first 3 months of retirement extension
Kylie ********
At Bangkok Bank you can get a bank account with tourist visa. I organised one for my father, although it does not have online banking.
Russell *******
@Michelle ***********
if all else fails with opening a bank account by myself . Would it be a wise move to use a agency to get the bank account ?Russell *******
@Stuart ********
oh ok , I get it. Sounds like it's saves a lot of stress . Thanks πStuart *********
OP@Russell ******
they don't have my bank details, I went with the agent, she just organised the bank the appointment and sat behind me and translated anything I didn't understand, I was only holiday on a tourist Visa and had no permanent accommodation , car/bike Licence , etc so it was the only way for me to get a bank account, it ended up being a stress free situation so the cost was incidentalπRussell *******
@Stuart ********
ok thanks. Do you worry about the agency having all your bank details ? Sounds like the easiest option π thanksStuart *********
OP@Russell ******
in February i used an agent to get 2 bank accounts at BBK in Phuket, it took about 1 hour, cost me 4000THB, πZap **********
Russell Blake where in Thailand do you plan to live? A few things may differ slightly by area but this website helpful to explain
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Russell *******
Zap **********
You don't have to leave country, apply for 90 non 0 once funds in account then last 30 days when funds have remained in bank 60 days untouched then apply 12 month extension for retirement
Russell *******
@Michelle ***********
ok great thanks. I think I am starting to understand it. So as long as I manage to open an account a couple of weeks before I am due to leave on the tourist visa,I can apply for a non o for 90 days ? I was understanding that I needed the funds in the bank for 2 months before I could apply for the non o . Thanks very helpful π
Jeh *****
@Russell ******
Your question is quite broad.You'll get more replies if you state your intentions:
Are you looking to retire?
What do you mean by still trying to open up a bank account..
What happened when you tried to open an account..
Which banks did you try?
Tod *********
You are correct
- arrive here on a 30 day visa exempt or a 60 day tourist visa entry
1 - get your thai bank account open, and transfer in 800K baht
2 - go to your immigration office and apply for the 90 day Non-O visa for 2000baht
**NOTE you must have a minimum of 15 days left on your current stamp to do this at most offices
the application will go under review for 2 weeks
3 - go back to immigrations, get the Non-O visa and a new 90 day stamp inked in
- wait until your funds are seasoned in the thai bank account in your name only for 2 months and you have less than 30 days left on your new 90 day stamp
4 - go back to the immigration office and apply for the year extension for 1900baht <- it will be issued that day (or in pattaya you come back the next day to pick up your passport)
That is how the process works start to finish.
@Stuart ********
you can indeed apply for a Non-O visa inside the country based on being over 50 "retirement". It is a multi-step process that works like this - arrive here on a 30 day visa exempt or a 60 day tourist visa entry
1 - get your thai bank account open, and transfer in 800K baht
2 - go to your immigration office and apply for the 90 day Non-O visa for 2000baht
**NOTE you must have a minimum of 15 days left on your current stamp to do this at most offices
the application will go under review for 2 weeks
3 - go back to immigrations, get the Non-O visa and a new 90 day stamp inked in
- wait until your funds are seasoned in the thai bank account in your name only for 2 months and you have less than 30 days left on your new 90 day stamp
4 - go back to the immigration office and apply for the year extension for 1900baht <- it will be issued that day (or in pattaya you come back the next day to pick up your passport)
That is how the process works start to finish.
David ********
@Tod ********
absolutely correct. Note you have to produce a paper trail showing how your funds came into Thailand.Tod *********
@David *******
only for that 90 day non-O visa application. There is no requirement that you show proof of funds origin when you apply for the yearly extensionDavid ********
@Tod ********
i was asked to produce it for the retirement extension.
Ken ******
@Tod ********
hi i m on OA but wish to exit thailand and re-enter to apply non.O retire visa. In that case, do i need to arrange ANOTHER 800k baht to be sent to thailand two months before, or just use the ORIGINAL 800K baht (sent here several years ago, for application of OA.visa)in bank account to applyοΌyour reply much appreciatedTod *********
@Ken *****
BUT check with YOUR immigration office to make sure πTod *********
@Ken *****
you should be able to use the same 800K baht, especially once they see you had an OA and extensions in your passportStuart *********
OP@Tod ********
once again I am in your debt, awesome response, I am currently transferring 800k THB into my BBK account which I opened in February on a tourist visa in preparation for my anticipated retirement in September/October, I will save this response and follow the steps outlined ππTod *********
@Stuart ********
just one addition, MOST offices that will let you apply for a 90 day Non-O visa require 15 days or more left on your current stamp (because of the 2 week under review period of the application) BUT Chiang Mai and a few others require you have 21 days or less (because their review period is 20 days) CHECK with your office before you run down the days on your stamp and can't do it π
Good luck, post back and let us know how it goes for you
Stuart *********
OP@Tod ********
Cheers Tod, just for your reference, the Phuket immigration require 21 days, thanks for the heads upππStuart *********
OP@Tod ********
thank you, I will keep you posted ππ
Brian ***********
@Tod ********
great info. ThankbyouvWilliam ********
If u have the the requirements covered application can be made after you enter. I've done it recently so it is no problem
Michael ******
You can apply for Non O in thailand
Bim *******
A visa exempt will leave you little time to apply for a Non O inside the country but I know it can be done. An OA has be applied for in your home country. If you're going to do it that way for a Non O inside the country better to have a 60 day tourist visa but from my understanding doing it that way you have to prove your funds come from overseas.
Stuart *********
OP@Bim ******
Cheers Bim, thanks for that, I am glad you qualified this for me and the added info regarding the 60 day tourist Visa is priceless, I will adjust my plans accordingly ππActivity
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