Can I convert a tourist visa to a retirement visa in Thailand without leaving the country?

Visa Conversion Retirement Visa Tourist Visa Thailand Immigration Non-Immigrant O Visa Visa Extension Bank Requirements for Visa Thai Visa Policies

Dec 22, 2022

2 years ago

Debbie ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Just joined the group so apologies if these questions have been answered before. Appreciate the input.

1. Is it possible to convert from a tourist visa to a retirement visa if I already have 800K in the bank for two months -- I was told that I could do this by the Govt Contact Center and also the reception info officer at Imm. at cheangwattana. However, the Royal Thai Embassy website says different, that you need a Non-Imm. O to do so. 

Hoping to convert without having to leave the country -- and not need all the extra expense of health insurances...etc.if applying from abroad..

2. If one gets a 60day tourist visa to come in, is it possible to get the 30 day extension on this ?  Or would it just be easier to enter and get the 45 days and the 30 days on top of that? 

Thanks for your input and advice.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user seeks clarification on converting a tourist visa to a retirement visa in Thailand, possessing 800,000 baht for two months. There are conflicting statements between government sources and the Royal Thai Embassy regarding this conversion. Additional queries include obtaining a 30-day extension on a 60-day tourist visa. Comments clarify that it is possible to convert to a Non-O visa based on retirement inside Thailand and that extensions can be applied for while in the country, provided the funds are shown in a Thai bank account and transferred from overseas.

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.
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Mark *********

Everything I know assist Thai visa in Chiang Mai did for me, they are great and reasonable.

2 years ago

Tom *******

You said, “I already have 800K in the bank for two months,” but by that I assume you mean in a foreign bank account? it needs to be in a Thai account, in any Thai bank.

2 years ago

Kool *******

The only problem you could have is with where the bt800,000 came from. If it did not come into your account from a direct deposit from an overseas source, you could have serious problems. Drawing the money out of an ATM, with the receipt, and then depositing it in your account doesn't work. If you have been working legally in Thailand and saving the money from your job, then are changing over to no longer working and retiring the same day, it might be accepted that way.

2 years ago

Carol ********

Can it be any Thai bank?

2 years ago

Graham ******

@Carol *******

Some people have posted that only a few Thai banks now accept large sums from International transfers so, if that's the case, the money may need to be transferred in multiple smaller amounts.

2 years ago

Brandon ************

@Carol *******

yes

2 years ago

Reply to

Brandon ************

Steve *******

The Non Imm O IS a 'retirement visa'. You can convert to this in Thailand with 800k in a Thai bank, the visa is for 90 days, as it runs down you can then apply for a 1 year extention of stay based on being 50 or over.

2 years ago

Russell *******

Yes you have already accomplished the had part which is opening a bank account.

I did it earlier in the year 🙏

2 years ago

Brandon ************

Never listen to what an embassy says about visa and extension issues inside the country. They are 2 completely different government agencies that do not communicate with each other and do not know the policies of the other. Inside the country things are handled by immigration, and outside they are handled by the MFA.

Yes you can convert from visa exempt or tourist visa to Non-O visa based on retirement as long as you can show 800,000 baht in a bank account in your name only, and proof that it was transferred from overseas.

You can also get the 30 day extension on either of the above before you apply for the non-O visa.

The conversion will give you a 90 day visa which you can then extend for 1 year when you have 30 days or less left. (45 days in Bangkok or Chiang Mai).

2 years ago

Debbie ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

Thanks -- I have been here for the last 3 decades and the accumulation of funds comes from local sources. Is that a problem. I have been on a non-imm-O for a length of time but recently decided to leave that job. So now seeing my options of going back in and getting a retirement.

2 years ago

Brandon ************

@Debbie *****

almost all immigration offices will require you to prove the money came from overseas if you want to convert to non-O for retirement. The only workaround is getting the non-O from an embassy outside the country, as the 1 year retirement inside the country does not have this requirement.

2 years ago

Reply to

Brandon ************

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