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Can I apply for a Non-O retirement visa in Vientiane if my application was denied in Savannakhet?

Non-O visaRetirement visaVisa applicationThailand immigrationSavannakhet consulateVientiane consulateVisa requirementsFirst time applicantLegal documentation
Mar 25, 2019
6 years ago
Al *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I apply this morning in Savannaket with all required documents for a Non O (retirement) and was told to apply in my own country as they do not accept first time applicant. Should i try my luck in Vientiane ? Any feedback from recent Savannaket experiences and will appreciate any advice.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster applied for a Non-O retirement visa in Savannakhet but was informed that first-time applicants must apply in their home country. They are considering applying in Vientiane and seek advice on others' recent experiences with Savannakhet and Vientiane consulates regarding the issuance of Non-O retirement visas. Comments highlight various experiences, indicating that while some consulates are issuing these visas, requirements such as police background checks and proof of funds are enforced. Some suggest alternatives such as obtaining a tourist visa before applying in Thailand.
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.
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Florian ***************
it’s worth trying at different banks and immigrations
6 years ago
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Tod *********
@Pierre ********
, last I heard the consulates in Savannakhet and Vientiane WERE issuing 90 day single entry Non-O visas based on being over 50 (retirement) IF you had the police back ground check, the medical certificate & proof of funds.
@Amornrat *********
, do you know if Savannakhet is still issuing 90 day single entry Non-O visas based on retirement?
6 years ago
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Amornrat **********
no, but I will ask the Consul.
6 years ago
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Al *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 I will
6 years ago
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Al *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 Sorry Tod i forgot to ad that they do NOT accept first Non O retirement application because she ask if i had an Non O before witch is no in my case. In short she will have take my application if i had an Non O before.
6 years ago
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Robert *******
@Pierre ********
 Let's us know the outcome in Vientiane.
6 years ago
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Al *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Also the guy next to me (US passport) had to come back with 20K proof of fund for his 30 days tourist visa.
6 years ago
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Al *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Correct i was the last victim, i book the next slot in Vientiane for 22 April.
6 years ago
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Tod *********
@Pie***
 if that's the case then it's just they stopped doing it :( That will be a bummer..
6 years ago
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Al *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Outside funds did not look like an issue at all.
6 years ago
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Tod *********
@Pie***
, WOW, sorry to hear that :/I wonder if it's because you're showing a bank statement from a bank NOT in thailand rather than a notary letter from your consulate stating you have the funds ??
@Amor****
, any idea why he was denied ??
6 years ago
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Al *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Just took another shot this morning in Savannaket and was told the same as yesterday, Non O retirement are NOT accepted anymore, but Non O Marriage are OK, i then ask if Vientiane can do my Non O retirement she did not want to answer my question. I DO have everything : police-medical-800K outside Thailand but did NOT look like an issue to be outside. Hope it can save time for future retiree.
6 years ago
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Amornrat **********
yes, but said two things are required, plus the money in the bank.
6 years ago
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Amornrat **********
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Wilmont ******
Applied this morning for my Non O (Married) and went off without a hitch. Gave all required paperwork the only asked to see my original marriage license, no bank statement, nothing. Got it in 3 minutes paid money told to return tomorrow.
6 years ago
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Wilmont ******
@Asger ********
 Savannakhet never ask for money in bank for non o married visa
6 years ago
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Asger *********
@Wilmont *****
 great! Please update here if you get it. My visa (married to a Thai) expire in middle of May and since I do not earn enough to satisfy IO I would like to know if I still can go to Savannakhet. Else I will go to Vietnam.
6 years ago
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Wilmont ******
@Pierre ********
 Retirement and Married need different requirements.
6 years ago
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Al *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Wilmont i will try tomorrow again.
6 years ago
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Al *****************
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Robert *******
The alternative you have is to get a Single Entry Tourist Visa, come to Thailand. transfer a minimum of 800.000 Thb into a Thai bank account on your name and you can apply for this visa at an Immigration Office.
6 years ago
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Al *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 Thanks Roberts
6 years ago
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Robert *******
Not for the conversion from Tourist visa to Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years. You get the visa and 90 days of stay, after 60 days you can apply for the 1 year Extension of Stay and for that the money must be 2 months prior application date in the bank and 3 months after and the rest of the year not less than 400.000 Thb.
6 years ago
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Al *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 Could be an alternative but the 2 months requirement still apply ?
6 years ago
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Al *****************
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Robert *******
I just visited the website of HCMC in Vietnam, Phnom Penh in Cambodia. Kuala Lumper in Malaysia and I can not find the Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age on any of these pages. It seems things changed,
@Tod ********
 can you help here? Edit: also no mention on at the Thai Embassy in Yangon, Myanmar.
6 years ago
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Ron ******************
@Robert ******
 they are managed in a coordinated manner. If the government need to change its immigration policy it will instruct MFA to adjust its policies and procedures to be inline with the new policy. For example if the new Thai immigration policy state that you can only obtain a "retirement" visa n your home country then MFA will stop issuing non imm o visas based on being over 50 years in countries like Laos for non citizens.
6 years ago
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Robert *******
@Ron *****************
 It may sound as a surprise to you but Immigration rules has nothing to do with the policy of the Ministry of Foreign affairs. These are two total different Government organizations.
6 years ago
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Ron ******************
@Robert ******
 maybe part of the changes coming under the new immigration laws. Lets see.
6 years ago
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Ron ******************
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Robert *******
So you have a France passport, what was the visa you applied for and the reason to deny this application?
6 years ago
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Al *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 French Passport, apply for Non O retirement based. She ask me if i had a non O before and when i say no she say that they do not process first time non O applicant.
6 years ago
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Al *****************
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Robert *******
I was told to apply in my own county. Nice information but it would be much more informative if you also give the reason for this? Now we have to start guessing of the country of origin of your passport to see if that was the reason, or did you apply for the Non Immigrant O-A visa.
6 years ago
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Gilles *******
@Pierre ********
 yes
6 years ago
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Al *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gilles ******
 You mean Thai Embassy in Ho chi Minh process Non O retirement Applications ?
6 years ago
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Gilles *******
@Pierre ********
 Ho chi minh city
6 years ago
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Al *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris *******
 She really scrutinized my bank statement and did not say anything also it is technicaly impossible to have the money in a thai account as a first time applicant.
6 years ago
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Robert *******
@Chris *******
 Not if you apply at a Thai Consulate, only if you apply at an Immigration Office inside Thailand.
6 years ago
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Chris ********
Pierre Sumedho the 800k shouldn’t be in Thai bank ? 🧐
6 years ago
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Al *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Any suggestion beside Laos, cambodia, malaysia etc
6 years ago
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Al *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes. medical certificate, police report, bank statement 800k in france.
6 years ago
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Robert *******
You need to make an appointment in Vientiane, next available day is 22 April. You can not just show up there.
6 years ago
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Robert *******
Did you meet all the requirements of the Non Immigrant O visa?
6 years ago
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Al *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Still in Savannaket. Should i go to Vientiane ?
6 years ago
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Robert *******
Very strange. You are now back in Thailand?
6 years ago
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Al *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
French Passport, apply for Non O retirement based. She ask me if i had a non O before and when i say no she say that they do not process first time non O applicant.
6 years ago
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Al *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 The country if France but look irrelevant in the way they treat my application.
6 years ago
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Al *****************
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Nicholas *******************
If you are really from the DRC.... you need to go home to apply.
6 years ago
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Nicholas *******************
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