Answered3 years ago

Can I extend my 30-day visa exempt entry in Thailand before applying for an O Retirement Visa?

Visa Exempt Entry Non-O Retirement Visa Thai Immigration Visa Extension Retirement Visa Requirements Thailand Immigration Office

Alan ********

asked May 3, 2023

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Im arriving in Thailand and i get a 30 day visa exempt, my Q is, im applying for O Retirement visa, i meet all the 50+ financial needs, address etc, however i see that a review can take 2-3 weeks, thats the problem, as i stated im on a 30 day visa exempt i could run out of time, should i first apply for 30 dat extention first THEN CAN I APPLY FOR O RETIREMENT IN THE EXTRA TIMEFRAME,. THANKS IN ADVANCE.

Answer summary

The user is arriving in Thailand on a 30-day visa exempt entry and is concerned about applying for an O Retirement visa, given the possibility of the application review taking 2-3 weeks. They are advised to first apply for a 30-day extension at the local immigration office to secure additional time before applying for the retirement visa. Various comments suggest visiting immigration early to understand specific local requirements, noting that some offices may have restrictions on when extensions can be applied for.

13 repliesnewest first

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Bob **********

You need 15-20 days left to apply for the non-o in jomtien it’s tough as the want the 800k in your bank two months before you can apply for the non-o

3 years ago

Ellie *******

very rough summary for in-country Non-Immigrant type visa/extension application procedure

3 years ago

Tony *********

Maybe come on a TR visa and then extend 30 says giving you 90 days total for any problems that might arise

3 years ago

Dimitris ************

@Tony ********

when you go apply for retirement visa your immigration office will ask you to extend your current so you are aligned with your requirements. They know what to do and what to tell you

3 years ago

Tod *********

@Tony ********

good suggestion (Y)

@Alan *******

why not apply for a single entry tourist visa before you come into the country as that will give you 60 days with a 30 day extension <- more than enough time to get your ducks in a row without a gun to your head to get it done fast ..

3 years ago

Tod *********

@Alan *******

I see a visit to your local immigration office to ask them how long the under review period on the initial 90 day Non-O is <- meaning how long you need to have left on your current stamp. For instance SOME offices say you need a minimum of 15 days left on your current stamp BUT some offices say you need a minimum of 15 Business days left on your stamp (almost 21 actual days).

SO slog on over to your immigration office, once you're here and get the hand out, get the time line and then make your plan.. Also keep in mind some offices (Jomtien especially, require the 800K baht banked money to be in the account for 2 months before you apply for the 90 day Non-O visa) SO find out that information from your immigration office once you're here

3 years ago

Marc *********

Apply for 30 day extension first to give you time

3 years ago

James ********

@Marc ****

some Thai Immigration offices will not allow application for the 30 days extension of stay until the LAST week of the Visa Exempt Entry stamp received on arrival.

BUT it still is important to go to your local Thai Immigration office and ask for their requirements for the Non O Visa and One year extension of stay as retired.

3 years ago

Marc *********

@James *******

good to know,usually I've done my 30 day extension in the first week & never had an issue.

3 years ago

Marc *********

@James *******

i usually use the IO in Blue Tree Phuket for 30 days extension 👍🏼

3 years ago

James ********

@Marc ****

Most all Thai Immigration offices allow for immediate application for the 30 days extension of stay.

BUT there are several, like Jomtien Immigration in Pattaya which only will accept the 30 days extension application during the final week of your permission to stay date.

3 years ago

James ********

When you arrive into Thailand with a VISA EXEMPT ENTRY, you will be stamped in for 30 days.

Go to your local Thai Immigration office as soon as possible following your arrival into Thailand...

and ask them for their list of requirements for the Non O Visa as retiree and the One year extension of stay as retired.

You can apply for a 30 day extension of stay, which with the 30 day stamp on arrival will give you max of 60 days to obtain the retirement visa.

Time is important in doing the steps needed to obtain the retirement visa and one year extension of stay as retired.

3 years ago

James ********

THIS was posted recently on steps to enter Thailand and getting the Non O Visa as retiree and the One year extension of stay as retired...

Subject: Steps to Retirement Visa...

"works out pretty much like this to do an in country Non-O and then a year extension

Buy a single-entry tourist visa in your country ONLINE using the eVisa web portal before you come here

1 - Come in get stamped in for 60 days

2 - open a bank account in your name only

3 - get 800K baht transferred in

4 - go to your immigration office and apply for a 90-day Non-O visa based on being over 50 for 2,000 Thai baht

***wait the under-review time frame (2 - 3 weeks depending on your office)

5 - go back and get the Non-O visa and new 90-day stamp inked in

***wait until your funds are in the bank for 2 months and you have 30 days or less left on that new 90-day stamp

6 - go to your immigration office and apply for a year extension based on retirement for 1,900 Thai baht.

this is where you buy the single-entry tourist visa online

****************************

I say do that because that gives you plenty of time to get your bank account open, get the funds in, and then still have enough time left over so you can apply for the in country 90-day Non-O visa <- the visa that starts the "retirement" process here in Thailand"

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3 years ago