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Can I use a 90-day tourist visa to apply for a retirement extension in Thailand?

ThailandRetirement ExtensionVisa ProcessTourist VisaBank Account OpeningExpat LifeVisa Agencies
Apr 10, 2025
8 months ago
Frank *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
hello, I have a question about the process to get a retirement extension. I have been living here since 2016 on retirement extensions, but have been helping a new guy, who now has had two agencies tell him he needs an education visa which three months down the road can then be turned into a retirement extension. problem is they both want a total of +- 60K baht.

it is still possible to get a 90 day tourist visa (from outside the country, online), then request an extension? are the visa agencies just not offering this because they can charge more for the education visa route? or has this avenue been closed?

also, my friend also was turned down by two banks yesterday for an account, are there still banks who will open an account for a new person with a residency certificate?

so, the questions:

1. can you still go the 90 day tourist visa route to get a retirement extension?

2. will banks still open accounts, and you just need to find the one that will?

thanks for your input!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
This discussion addresses the feasibility of obtaining a retirement extension in Thailand after acquiring a 90-day tourist visa, and the challenges faced in opening a bank account without a long-term visa. Community members provide insights into visa types, bank requirements, and the potential pitfalls of using agencies versus direct applications.
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Frank *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
My bad, he has 90 day OA visa, not tourist visa.
8 months ago
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John **********
@Frank ****
 no such thing as a 90 day OA visa, that's the 12 month visa. Don't you mean a 90 day Non-O visa? With that, a residence certificate from immigration and apply telephone registered in his own name he should be able to open a bank account in his own name. He might still need to try and number of bank branches though
8 months ago
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John **********
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อรรจนา **********
You can extend your tourist visa for about 30 days.

And I can help you open a bank account in Thailand.
8 months ago
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Eddie **********
Cost abt
*****
bath to open bank and get a non o then 1 year

Without you put any mony in. They fix it al

But….. all illegal and then you have to use same agent every year…

Not a good way to do it….
8 months ago
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Frank *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Eddie *********
 100% agree.
8 months ago
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Frank *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Eddie *********
 using an agency to pretend you have the required funds is shady. My friend has plenty, just struggling through the morass. It will all get sorted.
8 months ago
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Frank *****
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Eddie **********
Problem are bank. Can not open bank on a tourist visa.

If you have a bank with 800 you can go from tourist to a non o, and then a extensions 1 year retierment.

Don’t go for a non o a..

Then you need to buy

Expensive health Insurrance…

May be use agent to open bank.

Rest you can do by your self ( you need to be here abt 2-3 month
8 months ago
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Anna *********
He needs to get a O or OA ( i can't remember which is better) visa from his home or other country which will give him 90 days He should then be able to open a bank account Deposit the required funds 800KThb within the first 30 days so it is seasoned Then go and apply for extension for retirement -No need for agent Good luck
8 months ago
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Frank *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Anna ********
 my friend has 90 day visa and was declined at two banks yesterday.
8 months ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Frank ****
 did he have a 90-days single entry Non-Imm-O visaclass? On this visaclass he can open a Thai bank account. He needs a Thai mobile number, a "certificate of residence" from Immigration and some cash to deposit. Best to have a Thai accompany him for translating, or use an agent. . . . . 90 days . . it can't be anything. As there is - despite your earlier remark - nothing such as 90-days tourist visa.
8 months ago
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Frank *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nongnuch *******
 thank you, this is best answer! He's given up and paying an agency, lol. They will smooth the way.
8 months ago
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Frank *****
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Graham ******
@Frank ****
 did he have a residence certificate from Immigration?
8 months ago
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Graham ******
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Brandon ************
@Anna ********
 the non-O is the 90 day visa
8 months ago
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Anna *********
Thank you I remembered after I posted 😀
8 months ago
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Anna *********
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John *********
Why would you get an education visa when you want a retirement visa? Just go to immigration and get your retirement visa. It’s there waiting for you to take it. I am flying out to Australia today because I want to go to Canada.
8 months ago
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Frank *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ********
 two different visa agencies are telling him this, surprised me. He entered country on 60 day waiver, then the visa he'd applied for was sent. He has res cert, phone, and was turned away by 2 banks so far. I love Thailand! Never a dull moment!
8 months ago
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Graham ******
@John ********
 Because the agent giving the advice gets a better return this way ;)
8 months ago
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John *********
@Graham *****
 deceptive.
8 months ago
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John *********
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John **********
A tourist visa is a 60 day visa that can be extended by a further 30 days, a visa exempt entry is currently similar. Both can be converted to a 90 day Non-O visa at most immigration offices but you need a minimum of 800k in a Thai bank transferred from overseas and between 15 and 21 days left on your current stamp in order to apply. It is still possible to open a bank account on a tourist visa but it's not easy and can require visiting many branches of different banks until you find one that will accommodate you. It may be easier just to take a trip to a nearby country and apply for the 90 day Non-O visa there, once you have this it's much easier to open a bank account
8 months ago
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Albert ********
@John *********
 if I meet the $65,000 TB per month requirement, how long do I need to to show that income level in deposits, not for a renewal. For the purpose of obtaining a non O or OA Retirement visa, I don’t remember which it is if applying inside of Thailand. I had an agent tell me apply for non O in U.S. and travel there and they’d do the rest.
8 months ago
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Albert ********
I am assuming you’ve never had a stroke that leaves your hand wobbling. I do practice printing my name. It is not something that is just managed. Months of therapy had no impact.
8 months ago
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John **********
@Albert *******
 you can't use the 65k baht per month to apply for a Non-O visa inside Thailand. You can show the equivalent in your home country bank to apply for a Non-O visa inside your home country before you travel to Thailand, but you would still need to show 800k baht in a Thai bank to get your 1st 12 month extension inside Thailand. During that 12 period you could transfer 65k baht (which you can spend) each and every month for a full 12 months prior to applying for your 2nd extension and use that option then. As to problems filling out forms, they're not extensive so I'm sure you would manage, mostly you just need to be able to write your name, address and passport number along with a couple of dates
8 months ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Albert *******
 Your US embassy doesn't issue any "income affidavuts". So for a first 15 months stay on a Non-O visa and the 1-year Extension, an agent would have to first open a Thai bank account for you, then they need to front your 800,000 THB deposit in your Thai bank account (which is bribery except if you can use your own funds!) You can expect from up to 32,000 THB for such a service (I have already seen agencies asking for 72,000 THB)
8 months ago
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Albert ********
@Nongnuch *******
 So if I’ve been given a quote for $800 USD I should jump on it? He said he’d do all of those things you mentioned and set me up with a real estate agent to look at condos.
8 months ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Albert *******
 it's up to you if you chose to pay an agent to bribe Immigration, because you cannot fulfill the requirements by yourself. Be aware that it is not easy to get out of the Agent's "hamster wheel" in the years following
8 months ago
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Albert ********
@Nongnuch *******
 it’s not that I can’t meet the requirements it’s that I have a disability. I guess you skimmed over that part
8 months ago
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Albert ********
I expected to pay a good bit because it is all stuff I really would want done right and frankly, just have someone else do it. I have an impairment with my dominant hand and I’m not to good at filling in forms any longer. It is a rather difficult task and my 6 year old granddaughter writes more legible
8 months ago
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Albert ********
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Michael *******
@John *********
 which countries allow you to obtain an O-A retirement visa if you are non -resident, citizen or work permit holder, I know Singapore doesn’t….normally they want you to go to your home country……
8 months ago
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John **********
@Michael ******
 a Non-O can be obtained in most countries or even inside Thailand but a Non-OA only in your home country
8 months ago
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Michael *******
@John *********
 makes sense 👍
8 months ago
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Michael *******
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Stuart ***********
He can get a non O visa based on retirement inside Thailand if he meets the requirements. He needs to open a bank account in Thailand first and this is virtually impossible without a long term visa these days.

Ask the agency to open a bank account for him. The rest he can do himself at immigration.
8 months ago
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Wayne *********
Got more hope of bank account with a Non O visa than a tourist visa these days, even then still may need to try a few banks.
8 months ago
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Wayne *********
You can not extend a tourist visa more than one time.

Are you confused with the 90 day Non O visa which can keep being extended.

Tourist visa are 60 days plus 30 extension. I have not heard of a 90 day tourist visa.
8 months ago
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Frank *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
 yes, 90 day non o, stand corrected.
8 months ago
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Albert ********
@Wayne ********
 I thought it’s a visa exempt status, different lengths of time depending on origin of tourist
8 months ago
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Albert ********
There are exemptions for certain visas from certain countries is all I was trying to say. It’s not definitively 60 for every single person.
8 months ago
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Wayne *********
@Albert *******
 even exempt depending on passport is only 60 days and can extend once only each entry
8 months ago
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Wayne *********
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