Can I Extend My Visa Exempt Stamp in Thailand to Qualify for a Non-O Visa?

Question

I arrived Thailand 26th December on Visa Exempt 30 day stamp, I was intending to apply for an O visa and transfer to a 1 year visa based on retirement, but have only had funds in the bank here since December 3rd.

Is there anyway I can extend my original Exempt stamp to give me the 3 months needed for funds to be in the Thai bank?

Is there anyway I can extend my original Exempt stamp to give me the 3 months needed for funds to be in the Thai bank?

Ask Thailand · Answer

A user inquired about extending their 30-day Visa Exempt stamp in Thailand to have sufficient time to meet banking requirements for transitioning to a Non-O visa based on retirement. Various community members suggested methods such as extending the visa by 30 days at an immigration office or performing a visa run. They clarified that there’s no requirement for the funds to be in the bank for three months prior to applying for the Non-O visa; rather, proof of overseas transfer suffices. The user later confirmed a successful extension at a local immigration office.

Barry ****** · Answer

Great help everyone, took advice and visited Immigration in Hua Hin and extended for a further 30 days, asked about getting Non-O visa, they tell me no problem with how long money has been in bank only need proof that money has been transferred from overseas not 3 months as previous, think this new ruling came in a while ago I did visit my bank SCB then about obtaining a letter showing overseas transfers but they just seemed blank, has anyone obtained this type of letter????

John ********** · Answer

And make sure you do that before applying for the non-o. Can't leave the country while waiting to hear if you are granted the visa or not.

Tod ********* · Answer

did you already extend your 30 day visa exempt entry by 30 more days at the immigration office for 1900baht?

IF you did, as people suggested, border bounce to get a new 30 day visa exempt entry stamp and then extend that by 30 days at the immigration office as well.

Tod ********* · Answer

AFAIK there is no seasoning requirement for the 800K baht when you are applying for a 90 day in country Non-O visa at an immigration office that can issue them.

The requirement is that the money be transferred in from overseas. I know people who transferred the money in and went to the main immigration office at Chaengwattana in Bangkok and applied for the 90 day Non-O visa the next day.

The real requirement is that you have xxx days left on your current 30 day visa exempt entry stamp. The actual number of days varies by office (Chiang Mai wants 21 days or more, Bangkok requires 15 days or more).

I would say GO to your immigration office and check what their requirements are. I think you will find the money does not need to be seasoned. The seasoning comes into effect when you apply for your yearly extension the 800K baht needs to be in the bank account for 2 months before you apply.