Can I convert a visa waiver to a 90-day Non-O visa in Thailand and what are the financial requirements if I am over 50?

How about stating the country the "friend" is comin' in from. As Ellie correctly pointed out entering on a visa exempt versus a visa waiver are two completely different things.

Make sure your friend is talking about the entry on the visa-exempt scheme, not visa waiver program (those are different programs to enter Thailand). If your friend really wants to enter the visa waiver program, the story might be different.

Here is what our Admin

@Tod ********

has replied before...

"okay, lets sort this out a little clearer.

What you do to GO from a 60 day tourist visa entry OR a 45 day visa exempt entry to a "retirement visa" is actually a THREE step process.

You GO to the immigration office and first apply for a 90 day non-O visa based on being over 50 (retirement).

The 800K baht needs to be in a thai bank account in your name only BUT it does NOT need to be in there any length of time.

In Bangkok you need a minimum of 15 days left on your current entry stamp or a 30 day extension from that stamp to apply for the 90 day Non-O visa in country.

When you apply you will pay 2000baht and get a receipt that says you come back in 14 days.

When you go back they will stamp a Non-O visa into your passport, stamp it USED, and give you a new 90 day stamp.

Then when you have 45 days or less left on that stamp (and your 800K baht has been in a thai bank account in your name only for 2 months) you go back and apply for the year extension (again based on being over 50 "retirement") for 1900baht.

That is issued on the spot.

SO the three steps (in Bangkok) are...

1 - Apply for the 90 day Non-O (2000baht)

2 - go back after the under consideration stamp runs out and get the visa inked in

3 - go back after the stamp runs down to 45 days or less and apply for the year extension 1900baht "

Hope this helps you understand the steps.

Take care and stay safe.

If you use the search tool top of page enter

Non O retirement

Extension of stay based on retirement

Posts will pop up to read others experiences and advice given.

I posted the links on your post..

Just click on them and read posts.

I deleted my post as I gave the wrong info (it's been a confusing year) anyhow. Benjamin Hays advised the non oA rout where your money stays in your home account. Perhaps he could re post. Applogies again.