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Can you convert a tourist visa to a retirement visa in Thailand?

Thailand visa rules O retirement visa tourist visa visa conversion bank requirements Immigration Office policies

Nov 18, 2025

5 months ago

Sabrina *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Has anyone come in on a tourist visa and successfully changed it to an o retirement visa with an extension from within Thailand?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Yes, it is possible to change a tourist visa to an O retirement visa from within Thailand, provided certain conditions are met. Key factors include having a Thai bank account with the required amount (800,000 THB) and being aware that not all Immigration Offices may process this conversion. Recent changes in banking and immigration policies may affect the ease of this process.

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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Jeremy ********

What tourist visa did you come in on

SETV?

METV?

Elite?

Or did you get the 60 day visa exemption stamp?

5 months ago

Oo *****

Is that where the need for a visa run comes into play? Didn't think you could just jump one to the other. Thanks

5 months ago

Pete *******

A daily occurrence…

5 months ago

Graham ******

It can be done if you have a Thai bank account and 800k in it but some Immigration Offices will not do this conversion so you need to say where you will be doing this

5 months ago

Stuart ***********

Yes, many people did it this way in the past. Are you asking if it's a good idea to do it now? It might be better if you ask if they managed to do it in the past 6 months as the banking situation changed this year, making it virtually impossible without an existing bank account or using an agent.

5 months ago

Sabrina *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart **********

this is what I learned today at immigration! Rats terrible timing they just changed it 😣

5 months ago

Stuart ***********

You can fly to one of the neighbouring countries and apply from there. Not ideal, but it would save you flying home.

5 months ago

Aid *****

@Stuart **********

do those neighbouring countries need thai bank deposit? Or I can use the one from Canada? Anyone ever tried that? Thanks in advance

5 months ago

Stuart ***********

You can use any account, so definitely Canada. You don't need a Thai account to apply outside Thailand. I have not personally done it, but it's something that people do on a very regular basis.

5 months ago

Reply to

Stuart ***********

Colin **********

As long as you have money in the bank in Thailand for the visa (seasoning fund)

5 months ago

Brandon ************

Yes

5 months ago

Reply to

Brandon ************

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