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

Question

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.

Ask Thailand · Answer

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.

Mark ********* · Answer

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

Tom ******* · Answer

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.

Kool ******* · Answer

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.

Carol ******** · Answer

Can it be any Thai bank?

Steve ******* · Answer

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.

Russell ******* · Answer

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

I did it earlier in the year 🙏

Brandon ************ · Answer

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).

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

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