Answereda year ago
Can I convert a 60-day tourist visa to a year-long visa while in Thailand?
If i come over with a 60 day tourist visa can i get a Years visa when im there? I cant get one online from the Embassy because its impossible to get travel insurance for that length of time here in the UK as im over 60, my mate has just paid £990 for 3 weeks. Hes 71 with ZERO past ailments
Answer summary
It's possible to apply for a long-term visa while in Thailand on a 60-day tourist visa, but there are challenges, such as the need for a bank account, which is difficult to open on a tourist visa. Many respondents suggest obtaining a Non-O visa (which does not require insurance) before traveling to Thailand, as this would simplify the process of obtaining a bank account and applying for extensions. There are also alternatives such as using local insurance companies for better rates on health insurance and employing visa agents who can help navigate the requirements.
53 repliesnewest first
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Lonnie ********
If you plan on being here a year and WANT health insurance, there are Thai insurance brokers or insurance companies that can help you get sorted. I used AA Insure, though there are others.
Harrys ************
I am 71, fit with pre existing medical conditions and I can get an annual travel insurance with VIRGIN for £577. It gives me upto 94 days away at any time, as many times as you want
Robert ******
OPMy mate Dave, coincidentally is 71, no lingering ailments has been quoted £993.10 by Saga Travel Insurance Single trip for 1 month November this year
Tom *******
@Robert *****
be careful with saga insurance the underwriters will find any reason to not pay out or alcohol in your bloodstream 🥲Robert ******
OP@Harrys ***********
Im getting a lot of good advice on here and its great but dont you have to move countries after 30 days? you cant go back to a country you have already been to. Mate im asking you with respect are you sure you have a years insurance for that money? I also am 71 and for a years insurance my quotes were in the thousands. I will take your good advice and try Virgin and ask them. Thank you for the ideaHarrys ************
@Robert *****
yes. Check out Virgin. I even spoke to a real person to confirm
Nigel *******
It’s done online, for the none O there is no place on the form for insurance. I have recently done it, if you don’t have the 800,000 laying around, Anna visa in Hua Hin will do a multi entry one year extension for 28,500. That is if you have the none O, and a bank account. She is doing it for my friend.
David *******
@Nigel ******
Others in hua hin do the retirement extension for 17,000. Place 800k for you. Just get a re-entry stamp as required.
Robert ******
OP@David ******
Thanks Nigel thats what im looking for. Just dumping the whole thing in an agents hand and let them do it. I have a bank account and im fortunate enough to have the money (just) now i need the agentRobert ******
OPThanks bud i will have another look. Im beginning to think im a bit thick.
Robert ******
OPGuys thank you for all your advice its lovely to experience non nasty or some know all putting their nose in. The thing is i got it from London this week that ALL NON-O visa to them have to have insurance whether its in the rules or not they decide who gets a visa nd that is what they told me so im not stupid enough to upset them no matter what the ex wife may tell you (Joking)
Gary ********
@Robert *****
u don't need insurance mate
Chris *********
You have to get the non o visa in your home country then you can apply for the year visa once in Thailand .. maybe a agent could help you out - good luck ….
Ian **********
If you are thinking of a retirement visa then simply get non-o immigration visa based on retirement while you are in the UK. There is no compulsory insurance requirement
Robert ******
OP@Ian *********
Buddy you know how it works there, anyone who thinks they know doesnt because it can change numerous times in an afternoon hahaha. What you are saying is literally correct but London is demanding a bit more according to the phone call i had this week. IE: ALL Non-O visa through London require full $100,000 = 3 million baht travel/health insurance for the full duration of stay. That why im asking about the "Agent way" i dont want to upset them in London
Giovanni **********
@Robert *****
the Visa is done online why are you messing around with calling them. Do your application you will soon see what's required
Brandon ************
@Robert *****
you're wrong. A non-O visa from London doesn't require any insurance.Robert ******
OP@Brandon ***********
Yeap looks like it. Must of got someone on a bad dayPete *******
Get the Non-O visa online before you come, there is no insurance requirement.
David *******
@Pete ******
And if you get the 90 day non 0 prior to arrival there's several options to add a one year retirement extension. (Insurance is not mandatory, and your own choice)
Robert ******
OP@Pete ******
Oh mate there is now. I was told that in very stern terms Thursday from the London EmbassyPete *******
@Robert *****
Non-OA = Insurance required Non-O = No insurance required
Suggest there may have been a communication breakdown.
Jan ******************
@Robert *****
These are the general requirements for a regular Non O issued through the Thai embassy in London.Robert ******
OP@Pete ******
Peter that would not surprise me bud. It would not be the first time. I just want to get the visa without upsetting London, you will know about the losing face syndrome.Stuart *********
@Robert *****
You were told wrong. There is a requirement for a Non OA visa but not for a Non O.Robert ******
OP@Stuart ********
I have the money but only 200k in my Thai bank account, the other is in my UK bankStuart *********
@Robert *****
You could come in as visa exempt and convert to a Non O based on being over 50 if you have 800k in a Thai bank account. If you don’t have those funds then an agent will be able to help you.Robert ******
OP@Stuart ********
Again thanks Stuart. i am a bit stuck now as they have my name and i dont want to upset them buddy LOL. I was asking for peace of mind can i get someone to do it when reaching Thailand? Ive heard the stories but never done it in the 33 years ive been there. first time (well not really true i had to make a flying visit not long ago but just a tourist visa) that i have ever had a problem as always had a marriage visa
Jesper *******
Yes u can only with the help of visa agent that provides u the full package bank acct+90days nonO+1yr extensions
John **********
Very difficult to open a bank account on a tourist visa. Get a 90 day Non-O visa based on being over 50 before you travel, open a bank account and put 800k into it for the 12 month extension. The Non-O visa doesn't require any insurance. The Non-OA does so avoid that one.
Gary ********
@John *********
sure, everyone has 800k down the back of the chairPete *******
@Gary *******
anyone planning their retirement to Thailand will have 800k to put into a Thai bank. If not then you really shouldn’t be thinking of retirement.Pete *******
@Mal *******
no, I am talking about banking 800k in a Thai account and then removing it as quickly as possible and switching to the 65k monthly method.Pete *******
@Gary *******
you certainly can argue. Paying an agent = investment opportunity loss. It is not a viable financial strategy. Within 5 years you will be losing money compared to the 65k monthly method. Simple maths.
Mal ********
@Pete ******
or can you show proof of *****
baht/month correct?Gary ********
@Pete ******
not compared to deposit 800k. @12,500thb a year u can't argue
Graham ******
@Pete ******
the 800k is required for just over 5 months so no great lossPete *******
@Gary *******
you most certainly have paid to be here for 4 years and the money wasted on agent fees is money you could have invested into passive income streams. Not a financially literate strategy.Jan ******************
@Gary *******
Then you’re not on a legitimate stay if you used an agent to bypass formal requirements for extension of stay. One day you might run into issues with the crackdown being done on bank services these days.Gary ********
@Pete ******
been here 4 years and paid nowtRobert ******
OP@John *********
Thanks John, i cant get a Non-O anymore because of the insurance bud, i have a Thai bank account for years. I know that people can get visas done for them in Pattaya but ive never done it i live in the sticks when in Thailand up in Chiang Rai province.
Jim **********
@Robert *****
something wrong here. I got my Non O visa 3 weeks ago through the embassy in London. No insurance was requiredRobert ******
OPSeems ive got someone having a bad day on the phone? Excuse me from being dim on this subject ive never had to do this before in 33 years hence the call for advice
Jan ******************
@Jim *********
As explained above there’s no mandatory health insurance requirement for the regular 90 days Non O visa. Only the one year Non O-A.Jan ******************
@Robert *****
If you have a Thai bank account and deposit the required 800K baht, you can also apply for a Non-O visa in-country with 15-21 days left on your stamp. These are the general requirements for a Non-O visa in Chiang Mai. I suggest you visit the immigration office in Chiang Rai to obtain a handout of their specific requirements.John **********
@Robert *****
there is NO insurance requirement for the Non-O visa. You are looking at the Non-OA ******************************************************
Stuart *********
You could but the big hang up is trying to get a bank account (which you need to get a year visa/extension).
Get medical insurance from a Thai company. Would be way cheaper than that.
A better option is to get the Non O visa prior to coming and you’ll find it easier to open the account needed for the year extension.
Get medical insurance from a Thai company. Would be way cheaper than that.
A better option is to get the Non O visa prior to coming and you’ll find it easier to open the account needed for the year extension.
Robert ******
OP@Stuart ********
Thank you Stuart. I already have a bank account in Thailand buddy. I wanted to know if i come on a 60 day visa do you guys know anywhere that would get me the years visa. Ive never had a problem before these last 2 years, my ex wife divorced me after bad advice from the Puu Yai Baan so i cant get a marriage visa anymore LOL
William ***********
@Robert *****
you might want to check if you really still have that bank account. Many have been closed and frozen. Go thru this groups posts for examples of closures.Stuart *********
@Robert *****
Your local immigration office should be able to give you a conversion to a Non O (not all do) and from then onwards a yearly extension as long as you meet the financial requirements. If you can’t then an agent will be able to help for a fee.
Graham ******
@Stuart ********
RTE London does not require insurance for a Non-OStuart *********
@Robert *****
Ok this post is getting weirder. Why would a Thai citizen that owns land have to divorce a foreigner to keep land? I’ve not seen a single reference anywhere that London is requiring travel insurance to issue a Non O visa. Why would they? It’s not a requirement to issue one, nor a requirement to get an extension off one.
IF that was a new requirement then I’m sure this forum and others would blow up with posts about it. I suspect it was a “lost in translation” thing.
Robert ******
OP@Stuart ********
Thanks for the help mate. Its pretty nice to get advice without the abuse. I have been in Thailand since 1991 but had to come home (Yeah right the UK is home) a few years ago and the visa situation is getting over complicated for me, . always had a marriage visa but the damn official Puu Yai Baan advised my ex wife (WE are great freinds) she had to divorce to keep her land and now our names are different and bang goes 30 years of marriage visa's. I have spoken to London Thursday not a pleasant experience and was told that i was to have Travel Insurance for the full duration of my stay or no visa of any type NON-O from London as they now require that and if i tried without i got Thank you for the non refundable deposit, nice yeah?Activity
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