Can I apply for a Retirement Visa or Non-Immigrant O in Thailand without proving residence?

Sep 17, 2017
7 years ago
Dianna *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
My retirement visa expired while I was traveling in the U.S. On return to Thailand, I got a 30-day entry visa which expires Sept. 29, 2017. I live in Pai, Maehongson, but have no paper to prove residence. Can I apply for a Retirement Visa and a Non-Immigrant O or O-A in Maehongson without proving residence, or is there a form I can get from Immigration? I have financial documentation from the U.S. Consul in Chiang Mai, plus photos. What else do I need? Thank you for any help.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is inquiring about applying for a Retirement Visa or a Non-Immigrant O/A Visa in Maehongson, Thailand, after their retirement visa expired while they were in the U.S. They currently hold a 30-day entry visa but lack official proof of residence in Thailand. Community responses suggest various approaches, including obtaining receipts from guesthouses, potential extension options at local immigration offices, and how to meet financial requirements. The consensus is that while a stable residence is typically necessary, creative solutions may exist, and converting a temporary visa to a Non-Immigrant O visa is possible.
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.
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Josef ******
Hi together, I where yesterday in Phayao.

They said to me I should to go go to Lampang where I have to go. Otherwise I can pay 40.000 Bath for the Same Visa Service like in Chiang Mai.
Josef ******
@Tod ********
I leaned when you give a Tip from 40.000 then you can go everywhere.
Tod *********
For yearly extensions you have to use the immigration office that services the area where you live.

You can't just go to any office anymore..
Dianna *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Does anyone know if Immigration is still at Promenada in Chiang Mai,, and do you need an appointment? Is Immigration at the Chiang Mai Airport open for extensions?
Dianna *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you, Tod!
Tod *********
it is still at promenada, you don't need an appointment and the airport one is NOT open.
Joe ***********
Your original question about having no established residence... It is easier than you may think. Live where you want to ... but in the same area you can do something like striking up a relationship with a Guesthouse owner/manager - book a room whether you stay or not... In this process get a receipt for your stay. You may try to see if the Manager will write a receipt for a longer term - for a modest inducement. Nothing states that you have to live in a Condo, leased Bungalow or Apartment. A Guesthouse or modest hotel will do nicely.
Tod *********
Just a correction.

You can ONLY get a Non-Immigrant Type O-A (Long Stay) visa in your country. That's the one that takes a police background check, a medical certificate and proof of adequate funds.

You can get a Non-O visa because you're over 50 (retirement) inside the country at the immigration office or at a thai consulate in a near by country by meeting the financial requirements.
Joe ***********
Going to Vientiane, Laos to apply for a Non Immigrant O Visa 90 days at the Thai Embassy there would be a good first step. Then upon returning to Thailand you apply for the Extension of Stay based on being over age 50 / Retirement at the local Immigration office. You will need proof of meeting financial requirements for both the initial O visa and the Extension but they are both the same. For a lot of people the simplest method in proving income from outside Thailand of the Equivalent of 65,000 Baht a month. You can get an official form letter - Income Letter / Affidavit at your own Embassy in Bkk. Proof of income to the Embassy depends on the policy of your Embassy. It all sounds a bit foreboding but taken step by step it is not all that difficult
Tod *********
IF your immigration office can do it, and you don't have enough time on this 30 day visa exempt stamp you can apply for a 30 day extension for 1900baht and then apply for the 90 day Non-O
Tod *********
There is a way to get an in country 90 day Non-O at the immigration office but you'd need at least 15 days left on your current admitted until" stamp. If you meet the financial requirements go to the immigration office and ask what the procedure is up there. It's 2000baht to go from a 30 day visa exempt or a tourist visa to a 90 day Non-O inside the country.

Failing that you could go to a thai consulate in a neighboring country and buy a single entry 90 day Non-O and then apply for an extension based on being over 50 (retirement) after that at the immigration office.
Robert *******
To apply for Extension Of Stay at Immigration office in Thailand you need an address in Thailand.
Dianna *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have only a 30-day on entry visa.
Dianna *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I do not have an O VISA yet. I am trying to get an O visa with the intent of converting later to a Retirement visa. Is your advice still the same?
Steve *******
You need a non imm o visa, avaliable at most Thai consulates, you can then apply for a yearly extention of stay in Thailand based on being over 50 years old. You will need to meet the requirements for both the visa and the extention.
Dianna *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Lloyd Turner, Thank you for your response!
Lloyd ********
Ok, you are too late to convert. You will need to go to an embassy,consulate get a new single entry Non-O and start the whole process again.
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