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Can I apply for a non-O retirement visa upon entering Thailand on a 60-day visa exemption if I have the required funds in my bank account?
Nov 16, 2025
5 months ago
Keith ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERQuick question….i own a condo and already have more than the required 800,000 baht in my SCB bank account….can I apply for a non O retirement visa upon entering Thailand on the 60 day visa exemption TIA
TLDR : Answer Summary
The inquiry is about the eligibility to apply for a Non-O retirement visa upon entering Thailand on a 60-day visa exemption, with sufficient funds in a bank account. Responses from the community vary, with some confirming the application is possible if over 50 and if the local immigration office allows it, while others suggest that a specific type of visa (Non-O) is required upon entry for a smoother conversion process.
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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Dennis *********
Just apply from the country you’re in
Gústaf *********
No you can not. To be able to get the retirement visa you must arrive here on a Non O 3 months visa, then after 2 months you can apply for it.
Fleace ********
@Gústaf ********
Not true. Currently, you can convet from a tourism visa. Tomorrow, who knows. It is Thailand and rules change often.Gústaf *********
It is true 100%. just read the question, you can not do that on entering Thailand.
Reply to
Gústaf *********
Reply
Pete *******
@Gústaf ********
you most certainly can convert a visa exempt or tourist visa into a Non-O in country as long as you qualify.Gústaf *********
@Pete ******
He asked if he can do that on entering Thailand and that is not possible. You might be able to convert after you are in Thailand but that was not the question.Dany ********
@Pete ******
the official and correct way is from outside of thailand via eVisa… doing it inside of thailand was possible before in some parts of the country or with agents but that is not the official way.Brook ********
@Pete ******
this was true in the past. I believe it was an exception made during Covid. I don’t think it’s available any more. Best to arrive on a 90 day Non O (NOT OA) from your home country.
Then, with 45 days remaining, extend one year based on retirement.
Gústaf *********
@Pete ******
Well I have never heard that and have been here 36 years. So I asked and got this answer: No, you cannot change a tourist visa to a Non-O visa at arrival in Thailand, but you can apply for a change of visa type while you are in Thailand on a tourist visa. To do this, you must apply at an immigration office in Thailand, have at least 15 days remaining on your current visa, and wait for the approval process there. The application must be made before your initial visa expires.Pete *******
@Gústaf ********
The retirement visa is not the 1 year extension of stay, the retirement visa is the 90 day Non-O.Reply to
Pete *******
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Laurie ********
You are in an enviable position - just go for it!
Keith ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Laurie *******
yes….bought the condo 8 years ago and was able to open a bank account….been planning retirement for quite a while….lolLaurie ********
Enjoy.
Reply to
Laurie ********
Reply
Yo***
It was Ok before. But recently more strict rules come and go. Well, I heard that Thailand will make the visa conversion in thailand harder than before. especially from tourism exemption. But I am not sure.
Matthew *********
Depends on the mood of the day
Jim ********
@Matthew ********
Yes that, also applies to getting a Drivers License ...Matthew *********
@Jim *******
I just experienced that myselfReply to
Matthew *********
Reply
John *********
@Matthew ********
yes. The mood of the day and the amount of tea money. *****
Matthew *********
@John ********
have a feeling the amount of tea money is going up this year 555 but also afraid more stupid policies to come because they lift the alcohol ban 555 during the day. Who needs Netflix, stay tuned for the next episodeReply to
Matthew *********
Reply
Ziggy ******
No
Dany ********
@Terry ********
its not the correct and official way. and things are getting more strict these days.Andie ***********
@Ziggy *****
why No?Dany ********
@Andie **********
because you need to apply from outside of thailand via eVisa website. thats the correct and official way of obtaining a visa.Andie ***********
@Dany *******
no you don't and it's notDany ********
@Andie **********
well it is… the official and correct way to obtain a visa is always outside the country. evisa… getting a visa inside of thailand, what some people did in the past, is not the official and correct way and immigration mostly stopped that procedure now. paying an agent to bribe your way to a visa isnt an official and legal way either ;) as i said, visa is always obtained outside of thailand via evisa / mfa / embassies. a totally different ministry than immigration. immigration handles extensions of stay.Andie ***********
@Dany *******
there is no such thing as an 'official' way, you can choose inside/outside, evisa, not evisa, you should stop spouting your nonsense as it's not helpful.Dany ********
@Andie **********
you cannot choose. visa isnt obtained inside thailand. thats a thing with bribery, agents, etc… and a thing of the past. inform yourself please… for most, if not all, nationalities & countries its only eVisa these days. you cannot get a new visa while inside thailand (on a legal way). what people used before was the „change of visa“ type which now is refused by most offices. anecdotes from the past do not help in visa questions *********
.Andie ***********
@Dany *******
you contradict yourself in your own reply 😂😂Dany ********
@Andie **********
no i dont… the official way is to obtain a visa outside of thailand. there is very few exceptions where a „change of visa“ is even accepted. and bribery makes things go. but its bending the rules and not the official way. the thing is that immigration law itself is very flexible with the „up to the officer“ policy and many internal guidelines how to handle it.Andie ***********
@Dany *******
your hilarious 😂Reply to
Andie ***********
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Jeremy ********
If you’re 50 or over you can
If your 49 and below in age you can’t
Good Luck
If your 49 and below in age you can’t
Good Luck
Thaimer ******
@Jeremy *******
how did you manage to use you’re and your for the same thing? 50-50 chance to get it right?
Jeremy ********
Reply to
Jeremy ********
Reply
Nigel **************
Yes
Brandon ************
As long as your immigration office allows conversions to non-O visa, then yes you can apply to convert.
Sam *********
Regarding recent Immigration announcements and forthcoming official clarifications due out on 17NOV... I wonder if the border.re-entry persons or Thai Immigration in general will "crack down" on that, too...the part about going across the border just to apply for non-O. I feel they won't want to inhibit long term residents, but, some in-country policies seem to go against logical reasoning. [True> I dont know the big picture]
Sam *********
Thank you for this answer. So I might understand better... Are you referring to what I've read about varying degrees of the interpretation of rules?...that immi.offic.A might allow that, but immi.offic.B or X might not allow that same conversion?
Jim ********
@Sam ********
Im in Lan Sak Uthai Thani and the Local office wouldnt do it, Had to run to Loas and get the 90 day Non-OJohn **********
@Sam ********
a small number of offices are not allowed to issue an in country Non-O. If yours is one just pop to a nearby country and apply thereBrandon ************
@Sam ********
yes. There are some immigration offices that simply will not allow a conversion to non-O visa. But most willSam *********
Regarding recent Immigration announcements and forthcoming official clarifications due out on 17NOV... I wonder if the border.re-entry persons or Thai Immigration in general will "crack down" on that, too...the part about going across the border just to apply for non-O. I feel they won't want to inhibit long term residents, but, some in-country policies seem to go against logical reasoning. [True> I dont know the big picture]
Brandon ************
@Jeff ************
there's probably less than 10 immigration offices that will not do it out of 77Jack ********
@Jeff ************
wrong as most will do inside ThailandGraham ******
@Jeff ************
Probably because you didn't have the 800k seasoned for 2 months in a Thai bank account which is a requirement for the Non-O in JomtienBrandon ************
@Graham *****
I think Jomtien requires 3 months actuallyGraham ******
@Brandon ***********
Yes a 3 month statement to ensure 2 full months of seasoningBrandon ************
@Graham *****
I meant I believe Jomtien requires 3 months of seasoning. They're always rogue thereJack ********
@Jeff ************
you’re leaving something out. I already had a bank account and the money and got my Non O in Thailand without any hassle.Brandon ************
@Jeff ************
because you failed to meet some type of requirement. People do it every day in Pattaya. And you cannot pick and choose your immigration office.Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Wayne *********
Yes
Reply to
Wayne *********
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