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Can I extend my stay in Thailand based on retirement using a visa-exempt entry and a new bank account?
Thai visaretirement visaextension of stayNON-O visavisa exempt entrybank account requirementsfund transferhealth insurance for visaimmigration procedures
Nov 27, 2022
3 years ago
John ********
ORIGINAL POSTERWill this process work for an extension of stay based on retirement?
1) Enter Thailand on a visa exempt
2) open a new bank account. I have an existing one but use it multiple times a day to ‘scan’ etc and would like a new clean bank account for visa purposes
3) transfer 800k baht via wise to the new account using the ‘long term funds…’ option
4) apply for non o at immigration. how early can I apply for this? Is a TR visa obtained outside Thailand a better option than visa exempt?
1) Enter Thailand on a visa exempt
2) open a new bank account. I have an existing one but use it multiple times a day to ‘scan’ etc and would like a new clean bank account for visa purposes
3) transfer 800k baht via wise to the new account using the ‘long term funds…’ option
4) apply for non o at immigration. how early can I apply for this? Is a TR visa obtained outside Thailand a better option than visa exempt?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is inquiring about the process for obtaining a Non-O visa based on retirement after entering Thailand on a visa-exempt stamp. The outlined plan involves entering Thailand, opening a new bank account, transferring 800,000 baht for the necessary funds, and applying for the visa at immigration. Responses suggest that a tourist visa is not needed and highlight the advantages of obtaining a Non-O visa from a Thai Embassy before arrival. They also note specific procedures regarding fund seasoning and insurance requirements for the Non-O visa.
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.
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Jason **********
Non O retirement from a USA consulate requires health insurance for the full duration of the stay (90 days). In country application does not.
Ellie *******
@John *******
, at least the Thai Embassy in Washington DC lists the insurance as one of the requirements. Check the detailed and latest requirements at the consulate where you are going to apply for your visa at.************************************************
*******
/17/nonoretirement/Reply to
Ellie *******
Reply
Tod *********
@John *******
no issue at all coming here on a single entry tourist visaEnter get 60 days
get the bank account open and the 800K baht transferred in
go apply for the initial 90 day Non-O at your immigration office when you have between 15 and 21 days left on your stamp pay 2000baht
application goes under review for 14 to 20 days depending on the office
go back on that date, get the Non-O visa and new 90 day stamp inked in
once the funds are seasoned in the account for 2 months go apply for the year extension for 1900baht, the extension is issued on the spot
buy a re-entry permit if you want to exit/re-enter during the year the extension is valid for
***NOTE, I believe ONLY Jomtien requires the funds to be seasoned the 2 months before you apply for the Non-O visa itself, all the other offices only require the funds be in thai bank account in your name transferred in from abroad on the date you apply.
So once you get here, get the account open get the funds transferred in GO to your immigration office, talk to them and get the hand out for the 90 day Non-O visa documentation requirements.
James ********
What is your passport nation?
And I assume that you are age 50+.
And I assume that you are age 50+.
John ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
USA 50+James ********
@John *******
this is the map of Thailand Embassy or Consulate in the USA serving your home State. Look at the website of the Thai Embassy or Consulate which serves you for the requirements for the Non O Visa as a retiree. IF you can easily meet them, then I suggest you do get the Non O Visa before you fly to Thailand. Of course you can get it after you arrive... But it's a simpler process if you have it when you arrive.John ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
what’s the advantage besides an additional 15 days over visa exempt + 30 day extension ?James ********
@John *******
with visa exempt entry your airline may ask for proof of your flight departing Thailand within 45 days of your arrival into Thailand... Ask them.And when in Thailand, it gives you ADDED days to open the Thai Bank account in your name only and make the international transfer of 800,000 Thai baht in a Thai bank account in your name only.
And two fewer trips to Thai immigration office to get the One year extension of stay as retired.
Again... The costs are essentially the same....
Whether you do it in the USA or in Thailand.
John ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
understood thanks. How long do I have to open the bank account and transfer the funds? Should this be done before I visit immigration or after?James ********
@John *******
Opening the Thai Bank account will take patience and persistence. As you may have to visit several banks or branches to find one which will open the Thai bank account for you. If you have a Thai friend have them go with you to ask the bank to open an account for you.The funds in some Thai immigration offices need to be seasoned two full months (Jomtien immigration is an example) before you can make application for the Non O or One year extension of stay as retired...
BUT..Most offices do not require seasoning of funds to apply for the Non O or One year extension of stay as retired.
Begin the search for a Thai bank as soon as possible following arrival into Thailand.
Mario *********
@James *******
Bangkok bank is user friendly for opening accountsJohn ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
as I mentioned in my original post I already have a Thai bank account opened years ago on a tourist visa. So i can use this one but I think I want to open a new one to just keep the 800K in it. The deposit insurance in Thailand is 1 million baht per bank so will probably go to another bank for a new account. Also instead of the 800K can I just transfer 65k per month from the US(no pension or social security) and will that work without any embassy letter etc?
James ********
@John *******
for your FIRST year you will need to show PROOF of the 800,000 Thai baht in your Thai bank account.During the second year .. keep the required 800,000 /400,000 in the Thai bank account...
AND
Start the monthly international wire transfer of funds of at least 65,000 Thai baht monthly into your Thai bank account...
When you seek the second year extension of stay as retired...
Then you can use the 12 months of 65,000 or more deposits as proof of funds to obtain the second year extension.
Reply to
James ********
Reply
James ********
What could be advantage to you is obtaining the Non O Visa for retirement from your Thai Embassy or Consulate in your home country before you fly to Thailand. It gives you a 90 days stamp on arrival.
James ********
Your plan looks good...
Getting the tourist visa is really not needed for you. You will enter Thailand Visa EXEMPT and get 45 days stamp plus one 30 day extension of stay at Thai immigration office for 1900 Thai baht.= 75 days to open the Thai Bank account in your name only during the first days after arrival.
Getting the tourist visa is really not needed for you. You will enter Thailand Visa EXEMPT and get 45 days stamp plus one 30 day extension of stay at Thai immigration office for 1900 Thai baht.= 75 days to open the Thai Bank account in your name only during the first days after arrival.
Reply to
James ********
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