Can I change my visa to a retirement non-O visa upon arrival in Bangkok without a prior visa?

Sep 6, 2024
2 months ago
Alex *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello All, I’m looking for the professional advice,

If I’m arriving to Bangkok without visa from Canada and get 60 days exemption visa, in the airport, can I change or ask right away to get retirement non 0 visa ?

Thank you for any help,🙏
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A traveler from Canada seeking advice on converting a 60-day exemption visa upon arrival in Thailand to a Non-O retirement visa is facing challenges. Key points include: 1. There is no immigration office at the airport to process the Non-O visa application. 2. To convert to a Non-O visa based on retirement, the traveler has two options: apply at a Thai embassy prior to arrival or visit a local immigration office in Thailand. 3. Proof of funds, such as 800,000 THB in a bank account or an embassy income verification certificate, is necessary for the Non-O visa. 4. Opening a bank account in Thailand typically requires a visa; therefore, travelers might need to pay for assistance from agents to help open an account without a visa stamp.
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.
Alessandro **********
Yes, you can if you have what it takes (bank account with 800k thb and so on), not at airport tho. You must visit your local immigration office to apply.
Alex *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alessandro *********
Thank you , but how you can transfer 800thb if you do t have bank account open ,, can’t get in cash ,,
Alex *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks
Graham ******
@Alex ******
You can get your Non-O before arriving in Thailand which makes opening a bank account easier or, with a Canadian passport, you can use the Embassy income affidavit method as proof of funds for your Visa or Extension of Stay
Alex *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
It’s any chance to get Bank account with exemption visa?
Brandon ************
@Alex ******
not really. You'll need to pay an agent to help you open one.
Alex *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Thank you 😊
Alex *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Hey Brandon do you any agent who we can trust.
Brandon ************
@Alex ******
I don't know about bank account agents. Most of them are in Pattaya
Alex *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Thanks for the advice 🙏
Alex *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
I ask one of them but charge 120k,thb ?
Brandon ************
@Alex ******
that's not the price for a bank account, that's the price for a bank account and a visa. And it's also about 4x the normal price.

Just a bank account should be between 3-5k
Robert ********
Have him buy an onward ticket from bangkok to A different country, cheap, one seventy dollars, one way.. Problem solved
Alex *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you so much for all this help !

Do you recommend any agent in Bangkok or Krabi ,

Thank you 🙏
Alex *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Alex *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Todd ********
Thank you I will try
Todd *********
@Alex ******
they will give you precise information for your situation. And pricing. Reach out to them via messenger or Line. Good luck
Alex *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
First of all Thank you for your quick response, but If I’m in Thailand already how I’m able to prove 800.thb , to the immigration office,I can’t get cash with me , and also I herd can’t open Bank account if you don’t have non 0 visa stamp ,
Luke **********
@Alex ******
go to an agent they will open bank account and help with everything else
Alex *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Luke *********
Thank you 🙏
Luke **********
@Alex ******
no worries
Alex *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Luke *********
I ask one of them but charge 120k,Thb/ !

This is normal price ? It’s for me little bit not to high ?
Luke **********
@Alex ******
yes it’s high , elite visa is good , should be around 35-40k for the whole process, visa and bank account
Alex *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Luke *********
hey Luke the 35-40k is in THB ?
Luke **********
Luke **********
Luke **********
Graham ******
@Alex ******
You can get an income affidavit from the Canadiam Embassy, check their website for services
Alex *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Jan ******************
@Alex ******
You’ll need to get an agent to assist you with opening a bank account. But if you have an income/pension equal to minimum 65K baht a month, your embassy in Bangkok still offers to provide you an affidavit letter to confirm your income. You’ll then don’t need to prove the 800K baht in a thai bank for the first year.
Alex *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jan *****************
Thank you 😊
Brandon ************
There is no immigration office at the airport.

If you want a non-O visa based on retirement you have 2 options.

1) Apply at the Thai embassy in your country before you travel.

2) Go to the immigration officer where you are staying and ask them for their list of requirements to convert to non-O visa. Then you can meet those requirements (including 800,000 in a Thai bank account or an embassy income verification certificate) and apply to convert to the 90 day non-O visa.
Graham ******
@Brandon ***********
Canada still does the Embassy income affidavit
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