ask
Search
Ask
Unanswereda year ago

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?

Keith ***********
asked Nov 16, 2025
8.6k
views
50
replies
45
likes
Quick 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
Summary so far
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.
50 repliesnewest first
23

Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.

Dennis *********
Dennis *********
Just apply from the country you’re in
Gústaf *********
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.
11
Fleace ********
Fleace ********
@Gústaf ********
Not true. Currently, you can convet from a tourism visa. Tomorrow, who knows. It is Thailand and rules change often.
Gústaf *********
Gústaf *********
It is true 100%. just read the question, you can not do that on entering Thailand.
Pete *******
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 *********
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 ********
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 ********
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 *********
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 *******
Pete *******
@Gústaf ********
The retirement visa is not the 1 year extension of stay, the retirement visa is the 90 day Non-O.
Laurie ********
Laurie ********
You are in an enviable position - just go for it!
Keith ***********
Keith ***********
OP
@Laurie *******
yes….bought the condo 8 years ago and was able to open a bank account….been planning retirement for quite a while….lol
Laurie ********
Laurie ********
Enjoy.
Yo***
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 *********
Matthew *********
Depends on the mood of the day
Jim ********
Jim ********
@Matthew ********
Yes that, also applies to getting a Drivers License ...
Matthew *********
Matthew *********
@Jim *******
I just experienced that myself
John *********
John *********
@Matthew ********
yes. The mood of the day and the amount of tea money.
*****
Matthew *********
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 episode
Ziggy ******
Ziggy ******
No
Dany ********
Dany ********
@Terry ********
its not the correct and official way. and things are getting more strict these days.
Andie ***********
Andie ***********
@Ziggy *****
why No?
Dany ********
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 ***********
Andie ***********
@Dany *******
your hilarious 😂
Dany ********
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 ***********
Andie ***********
@Dany *******
you contradict yourself in your own reply 😂😂
Dany ********
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 ***********
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 ********
Dany ********
@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 ***********
Andie ***********
@Dany *******
no you don't and it's not
Jeremy ********
Jeremy ********
If you’re 50 or over you can

If your 49 and below in age you can’t

Good Luck
Thaimer ******
Thaimer ******
@Jeremy *******
how did you manage to use you’re and your for the same thing?

50-50 chance to get it right?
Jeremy ********
Jeremy ********
@Thaimer *****
autocorrected and I didn’t proofread

It’s FB 50% is actually a 100% on Social Media
Nigel **************
Nigel **************
Yes
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
As long as your immigration office allows conversions to non-O visa, then yes you can apply to convert.
Sam *********
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 *********
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 ********
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-O
John **********
John **********
@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 there
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
@Sam ********
yes. There are some immigration offices that simply will not allow a conversion to non-O visa. But most will
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
@Graham *****
I meant I believe Jomtien requires 3 months of seasoning. They're always rogue there
Graham ******
Graham ******
@Brandon ***********
Yes a 3 month statement to ensure 2 full months of seasoning
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
@Graham *****
I think Jomtien requires 3 months actually
Graham ******
Graham ******
@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 Jomtien
Sam *********
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]
Jack ********
Jack ********
@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 ************
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.
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
@Jeff ************
there's probably less than 10 immigration offices that will not do it out of 77
Jack ********
Jack ********
@Jeff ************
wrong as most will do inside Thailand
Wayne *********
Wayne *********
Yes

Activity

23 joined
Keith ***********
Keith ***********
Keith ***********
Keith ***********
Keith ***********
Keith ***********
23
people
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
...members60% approval
Member 1
Member 2
Member 3
Member 4
Member 5
Member 6
Member 7
Member 8

Related

25
Can I apply for a retirement visa in Thailand with 800k in my bank account if I enter on a visa exempt?
4.8k444710d
What are my options for extending my Non-O retirement visa in Thailand when I can't meet the 800k requirement in time?
5k406511d
How can I obtain a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand without a Thai bank account?
7385101mo
Can I apply for a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand from neighboring countries?
1.7k10282mo
Can I apply for a retirement visa in Thailand if my bank funds have only been there for 5 weeks?
1.2k11102mo
Can I apply for a retirement visa in Thailand while on a 90-day Non-O family visa?
4.7k44396mo
What happens if I can't get my 800k in a Thai bank for my Non-O retirement visa?
3.7k33308mo
Can I re-enter Thailand on a 60-day tourist visa after a 3-month break and then apply for a retirement visa?
8.7k78868mo
Can I apply for a retirement visa in Thailand before the last 30 days of my visa-exempt entry?
1.9k9321y
Can I enter Thailand on a one-way ticket if applying for a retirement visa?
3.3k29171y
Should I apply for a retirement visa to Thailand in the UK or during my 60-day visit?
3.8k28372y
If I apply for a Retirement Visa in Thailand, will I lose the remaining days on my current Non-O visa?
1.5k1182y
Can I get a retirement visa in Thailand after entering with a visa free entry?
1.7k6292y
Can my wife apply for a dependent visa in Thailand once I have a retirement visa, or does she need to return to the UK?
2.6k18263y
Can I obtain a Non-O visa in Malaysia to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand?
640313y
When can I apply for a 1-year retirement visa in Thailand after obtaining a 90-day Non-O visa?
1.1k3174y
Can I apply for a Non-O Visa at immigration in Phuket after entering Thailand with a visa exemption?
1.3k5184y
Do I need to keep the retirement funds in my Thai bank account for 2 months before applying for the Non-O visa?
1.5k6214y
Can a US passport holder apply for a Non-O retirement visa while in Thailand on a visa exempt or tourist visa?
1.6k11124y
How can I change the expiration date on my Non-O retirement visa in Thailand?
1.7k9225y
Can my parents enter Thailand on the STV and apply for a Non-O visa based on retirement?
1k2186y
Can I apply for a long-term retirement visa while in Thailand or do I need to apply from the USA?
1k728y
Can I apply for a Non-O visa in Thailand if I am over 50 for retirement purposes?
2k14139y
How can I correctly apply for a retirement visa extension in Thailand while on a Non-O visa?
1.3k1069y
Do I need a Non-O visa to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand and what documentation is required?
3.9k4479y

Resources

Need help with your retirement visa?