Can I enter Thailand visa exempt and later obtain a Non-O visa in Pattaya?

O/A Visa Visa Exempt Entry Non-O Visa Police Clearance Letter Pattaya Immigration Bank Account Requirements Visa Extension Thailand Immigration Rules

Jul 15, 2023

a year ago

Charles *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you in advance.  I applied for a O/A visa here in the USA and was told to reapply with a FBI or STATE POLICE clearance letter ( I had given a local police clearance letter) to do this would have me cancel my flight and hotel reservations as that it would take another 3 weeks. Can I enter visa exempt and extend to get a O visa in Pattaya. Again thanks

1,191

views

likes

all likes

replies

images

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

The user asked if they could enter Thailand on a visa exempt basis and extend their stay by applying for a Non-O visa in Pattaya after facing issues obtaining necessary clearance letters for their O/A visa application. Responses clarified that while it is possible to enter with a visa exemption and apply for a Non-O visa, specific immigration requirements in Pattaya, such as having a seasoned bank account with 800,000 baht, must be taken into account.

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.

Tod *********

And on that note we are done..

I was hoping against hope this thread wouldn't devolve into a "how can I open a bank account" or a "this happened to me" train wreck

One last and final time, the rules which allow foreigners to open a bank account at a particular branch are set by that branch's manager, NOT a bank company wide policy.

There is NOTHING in the official rules that states a foreigner can't open an account on a free entry stamp OR a 60 day tourist visa stamp.

You suck it up, get over yourself, and pound the pavement, bank after bank until you find one that will let you do it with documentation you can get a hold of.

Even here in Bangkok it can take almost a doze tries to find one.

You wanna open an account post on a f/b group related to where you live, believe me you're NOT the first foreigner in that city to wanna open a bank account, you'll get recommendations

Thanx one and all for the comments (y)

a year ago

Dennis **********

What these Great People aren't telling you is getting a bank account is a pain in .......

Day 1, as Tod told me, put your big boy pants on and hit the bricks.

a year ago

William ******

@Dennis *********

bank account was easy in my experience. Go to US consulate and get your passport notarized / affidavit. And then bangkok bank will open account even with a regular tourist visa. It’s just waiting for appointment date at consulate that can take time.

a year ago

Mike ******

@William *****

I saw this last week at a bank in CNX. This is one of the big banks in Thailand and now a foreigner needs a long term visa to an open account. I was waiting there last week to see a teller and the new accounts desk rejected 2 foreigners on TR’s who wanted to open an account. Also at this bank a foreigner on an Education Visa must be attending an actual school and not an academy. My guess those who are learning Muay Thai at a gym would not qualify.

a year ago

Tod *********

@William *****

they don't do that ANYMORE 😕 when did you get your passport notarized? June 1st they stopped that

a year ago

William ******

@Tod ********

I did mine last year around this time. So I guess maybe it has changed now. I got lucky. Good to know for others.

a year ago

Reply to

William ******

Graham ******

Can you get a Tourist Visa to give you 60 (+30) days before you travel?

a year ago

Charles *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Graham *****

the e visa system takes 3 weeks and my flight and my moving out of my living place both happens on the first of August. So I don't think I have time to get tourist visa.

a year ago

Graham ******

@Charles ************

You could apply for one and if it doesn't come in time enter on a Visa Exempt stamp then border bounce to activate your Visa to give you time to season your money

a year ago

Reply to

Graham ******

Tod *********

You certainly could enter on a 30 day visa exempt entry, open a bank account, get the 800K baht transferred in and get a Non-O visa issued in the country.

The problem with your plan is Jomtien (Pattaya) immigrations requires the 800K baht in a thai bank account in your name only be "seasoned" (in the account) for 2 months before you can apply for the 90 day Non-O visa..

Most other offices don't do that, and you can apply for the in country Non-O visa once you get the 800K baht transferred into a thai bank account in your name only

a year ago

Charles *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

could I live in rayon and apply for visa there I would not have to season the money. I love jomtien but I can live elsewhere in Thailand. To change flights and more rent here in USA would be expensive. Thanks for you input.

a year ago

Charles *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Could I do a border bounce to get more time for money to be in account and then apply in jomtien

a year ago

Ellie *******

@Charles ************

, yes, you can do border-bounce to enter Thailand again on visa-exempt (and 30 days extension again if needed)

a year ago

Charles *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******