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Can I transition from an amnesty period to a retirement visa in Thailand without my current visa being valid?

Thailand Visa RulesRetirement VisaNON-O VisaVisa AmnestyImmigration Procedures
Jul 20, 2020
4 years ago
Anne *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello, I am on a non imm. O, multible entry. Valid until 24 of July. I will be 50 middle Sept. And apply for a retirement visa(800000 already on the Thai bank). If there will be another amnesty, will it be possible to go direct from the amnesty to the retirement visa or must my current visa still be valid?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user holds a Non-O multiple entry visa expiring on July 24 and is concerned about the transition to a retirement visa upon turning 50 in September. Comments indicate that there may be opportunities to apply for a retirement visa directly from an amnesty status if the current visa or 90-day extension can be leveraged effectively. The discussion covers the complexities of visa types, the importance of meeting financial requirements, and the potential challenges posed by the current immigration policies.
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 *********
You are "technically still on the 90 day entry" you came in on and went to amnesty on, SO you could apply for a yearly extension (NOT a retirement VISA) right off amnesty as soon as you turn 50 and meet the financial requirements of 800K baht in a thai bank account in your name only for 2 months before you apply.
4 years ago
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Joe ***********
And yes, I know the

I/0's position on my request for an Address Certificate and my request for the One Year Extension are contradictory - BUT I was not going to point that out to the I/O. 😁
4 years ago
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Joe ***********
Tod - You obviously know your stuff - BUT you cannot - nor can anyone know how any particular I/O is going to interpret a person's status under conditions of Amnesty. As it has never happened before.

Obviously the I/O working on my case yesterday sees the situation differently than you do. You could well be absolutely correct but it does not matter if an I/O in one of 70+ Immigration Offices sees it opposite from your point of view.
4 years ago
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Joe ***********
@Tod ********
 - She says the visa will expire before her 50th birthday. It is not clear whether he 90 stay will expire before her Bday or her actual Visa will expire before her B Day.

I took what she wrote that the actual Visa will expire before her 50th birthday. Which means she could not Extend.

The only reason I was able to Extend Yesterday was that my Actual B Visa did not expire until next January 2.... My last 90 day Stay expired weeks ago under the Amnesty.
4 years ago
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Tod *********
@Joe **********
 the reason you got your extension yesterday has NOTHING to do with the VISA being valid or expiring. It's the 90 day stamp you got from that visa and which went to amnesty that lets you get the extension. It could have been the last 90 day entry on the visa and the visa could have expired 4 months ago and you still could have gotten the extension.

The visa validity has nothing to do with whether you can get an extension or not.
4 years ago
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Joe ***********
@Tod ********
 The I/O explained it Exactly as I just did. He said you are okay for the Extension because your Visa does not end until January 2021.

Previously about 5 weeks ago - he said when I ask for a simple Certificate of Residence and was denied... The same I/O said "You are on Amnesty - you have no Valid Stay - stay run out - you have no status - You have to have status before I can issue the Address Certificate"

I was concerned he would not grant the One Year Extension of Stay yesterday - That"s when he said what I just wrote above about my B Visa Expiring in 2021..
4 years ago
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Tod *********
at least you got your extension.
4 years ago
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Tod *********
@J**
 he's blowing smoke up your ass. Believe it or don't.
4 years ago
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Tod *********
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Joe ***********
I suggest you check with a reputable Visa agent. By the way when you say your non Imm O Multi-Entry is based on nothing please explain how / why it was granted in the first place
4 years ago
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Jenn **********
Tod Daniels is a goofball! stay away from his advice,,,total lowlife perv
4 years ago
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Anne *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jenn *********
, please stay polite. He was trying to help me and he was spending his time to think about my problem. I guess the problem is that there is no solution for me.
4 years ago
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Anne *******
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Anne *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Joe **********
, I can not explain. I went to the Thai embassy in Germany, told them I want to stay one year until I get 50 to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand and they gave me this visa without any problem. 🤔
4 years ago
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Joe ***********
@Anne ******
 - This Visa used to be issued much more often. But is rarely issued now. Consider this... I/Os put obstacles in your path to elicit "tea money" under the table. As I said, find a Visa Agent... hopefully the agent will not charge more than 15,000 Baht.

I/Os much prefer to deal with agents because they feel large "tea money" payments will be kept totally quiet dealing with Agents.

I suggest this because you have no realistic way to do a Border Run to get another 90 day stay under the Non Imm O Multi-Entry Visa. The Agent may say they cannot do it or they will want to charge a lot more... But if you have some cash - take a chance.

The alternative to wait until this new "Grace Period" sets in means your Non O could / would expire. If you chose to or are pushed to leave Thailand - it could take months and lots of big money to get back in (Covid-19 Insurance, Long Quarantines, plus other expenses).
4 years ago
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Joe ***********
Sorry Ann - I did overlook one glaring fact in my suggestion.... you won't be age 50 until late September. So what I suggested won't work. Pardon me for wasting your time
4 years ago
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Anne *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Joe **********
, but thanks for trying to help me.
4 years ago
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Tod *********
@Joe **********
 why would you send her to an agent? As long as she can sit tight on amnesty until she turns 50 AND meets the financial requirements she can apply for a yearly extension on her own without securing the services of a hand-holding, paper-pushing agency to grease the wheels and get an extension for her by the back door or under the table :O
4 years ago
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Joe ***********
@Tod ********
 - look at the timing - she explained earlier up the thread. And the I/O has already said NO!
4 years ago
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Tod *********
@Joe **********
 now could she get a new Non-O visa based on retirement? nope..

BUT she couldn't but once she turns 50 if she's still here on an entry from her non-O visa (even an entry that clicked over to amnesty, she could get a yearly extension..

The BIG question is, will they extend the amnesty long enough for her to turn 50 OR will her visa still be valid once they open the borders so she can bounce out and back for a new 90 day entry?
4 years ago
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Joe ***********
@Tod ********
 - Between now and the end of this so called "Grace Period" where Extensions can still be filed - I see no way conditions will change from today until the end of September relative to being able to realistically do a Border Run. There has not been even a hint that Thailand will open the Thai Borders by October 1. Then no real expectation that the Covid-19 $100,000 Insurance Requirement will be dropped, the 14 day Thailand Quarantine would likely still be in effect. Plus a neighbor country will have to have an open border limiting choices. Then a neighbor country or even a fly in country such as Vietnam may well retain their 14 day Quarantine. Add up the potential costs, quarantine time spent and Covid-19 insurance premium and the tally makes a Border Run last 5 weeks minimum with a 50,000 to 70,000 cash outlay
4 years ago
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Anne *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
, pm send.
4 years ago
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Tod *********
@Joe **********
 I think it was a lost in translation she had with the I/O because you CAN most definitely apply for a yearly extension based on retirement from a 90 day Non-O entry which is on amnesty.
4 years ago
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Joe ***********
Not if the Visa itself is expired
4 years ago
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Anne *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
, maby I have had just bad luck on the I/O. (and yes, I was very friendly and well dressed) I asked the lady if there is any possibility to extend the visa at least for 30 days. Her answer was no. I was completely shocked. My correct situation is now. My visa is running out in three days.
4 years ago
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Roy ***********
@Anne ******
 You will not be the first who gets the wrong answer due to communication problems.

But if I understand Todds message correct, you may still get the year extension if the amnesty date is extended till after your 50th birthday.

A 30 day extension would not get you that far also.

So if they have more news on a possible new amnesty, you will know more on how to act.
4 years ago
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Anne *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Roy **********
, thank you for your clear words. This is all so difficult especially because English is not my mother lenguage.
4 years ago
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Anne *******
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Joe ***********
Anne Soone... Yesterday I was granted a one year Extension of Stay - Extended from my Non Imm. B Multi-Entry Visa (which functions the same as a Non Imm O Multi-Entry Visa in that one must Exit and Reenter Thailand once every 90 days to gain another 90 day stay.
4 years ago
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Tod *********
If you got a yearly extension of stay yesterday from the immigration off you DON'T bounce out and back every 90 days to get a new 90 day stay. There is no such extension inside thailand as that.
4 years ago
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Joe ***********
@Tod ********
 You talking to me Tod? You need to read what I wrote again. I went from a Non Imm O Multi-Entry Entry B Visa where I had to (used to) do a Border Run To a One Year Extension Of Stay where I now do 90 day report. My paragraph was written to explain to Anne how my B Visa I HAD functioned the same as her Multi-Entry entry O Visa (Border Run Every 90 days).
4 years ago
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Joe ***********
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Anne *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is it possible to go from the amnesty, with no valid visa directly to the non imm o retirement visa?
4 years ago
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Bim *******
My friend got his at 49. Ask your immigration office
4 years ago
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Paul *******
@Bim ******
 which country eas he from and where in thailand did he get retitrement visa
4 years ago
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Anne *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bim ******
, I tried that 4 days ago, they said I have to leave the country and come back when I am 50 :(
4 years ago
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Anne *******
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Steven ****************
Just get it sorted now. what is the point to squeeze out a possible few more months get on it
4 years ago
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Andrew *********
@Anne ******
 can I ask which bank you used to open an account as i have asked and they if i am just a tourist i can not open an account can you help me which which bank would allow. I am looking to retire i have just turned 50. Thanks for your help.
4 years ago
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Nick ************
@Andrew ********
 I have had a devil of a time getting a bank account. You have to keep trying. Rules are different everywhere. I had to get landlady to provide housebook and guarantee.
4 years ago
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Andrew *********
@Nick ***********
 ok thanks for the info
4 years ago
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Andrew *********
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Anne *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andrew ********
, I have a non imm o visa, I opened the account befor the amnesty at Bangkok Bank. Pls. Google how to open a bank account while on amnesty. Maby Siam bank does but I am not 100% sure.
4 years ago
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Andrew *********
@Anne ******
 ok thanks for the info.
4 years ago
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Andrew *********
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Anne *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steven ***************
, I would love to do the retirement visa right now, but I have to wait till I am 50. But then my visa is not valid anymore.
4 years ago
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Steven ****************
@Anne ******
 extend your non O then for a year and change next year.
4 years ago
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Anne *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steven ***************
, my non imm. O, is not based on anything, so I can not extend it. I asked on the immigration.
4 years ago
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Anne *******
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