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Do I need to leave Thailand to change from a Non Imm ED visa to a retirement visa (Non O)?

Visa Types Non Imm ED Visa Non O Retirement Visa Visa Change Process Immigration Office Expat Advice Thai Bank Requirements

Nov 28, 2023

a year ago

Eamonn *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello. Currently living in Thailand on a Non Imm ED visa. I’d like to change to a retirement visa next month. I have the required funds in a Thai bank account. 

1. Will I have to leave the country to apply? (Maybe I need to have a non imm O before I can apply? 

2. If so, anyone with experience of foreign Thai embassies abroad that can recommend where I might go? 

I ask because I’ve heard so much contradictory information and the odd horror story. I’m told it is possible to do without leaving the country too? 

It’s all a bit confusing to me…

Thanks in advance for any suggestions and advice you can offer.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is currently on a Non Imm ED visa in Thailand and wishes to switch to a retirement visa (Non O). Key questions arise regarding whether the user must leave Thailand to apply, and what the experience is like at foreign Thai embassies. Various comments provide insights into the complexities of the visa change process, affirming that some immigration offices may allow the change without exiting the country, though fees and procedural requirements vary. Suggestions include checking with local immigration offices and possibly seeking assistance from a visa agency to ease the 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.

Eamonn *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Same up north.

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Robert ********

ThaiVisa Agent are 5***** in Bangkok.

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Eamonn *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Poor grammar. Meant to say I don’t know about you but….

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Eamonn *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for that Dan. I don’t know about immigration stuff really stresses me out! I think, as you suggest, something that simplifies this will be best for me. Shame we have to use agencies though. It’s that or Cambodia for me😩😩

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Dan ********

If you can spare a few hundred dollars, a good Thai visa agency can simplify and de-stress the retirement visa process. Google for visa agencies in your area. Find ones with +4 star reviews. Visit one or two, to compare their prices and how well they communicate. There's no charge to talk with them. They made my retirement visa much easier than expected. Their fee was worth it.

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Nongnuch ********

all you need to do is cancel your ED visa and exit Thailand. Enter visa-exempt (or with a 60-days tourist visa aquired abroad) , and apply immediately for a "change of visa type" from the "exempt entry" to a "90-days Non-Imm-O retirement visa" on Immigration. you must proof that the 800,000.- THB on your account came from abroad. . .here are the relevant requirements . . click on number 9 for your situation

**********************************************

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Andy ********

I changed my Visa from Tourist Visa to Non-O in Chiang Mai for 2000, baht. I believe it changes at each location which is strange but true. Ive also changed from a visa exempt stamp to a Non-O, again at Chiang Mai. The high fee is probably because you are using an agent.

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Eamonn *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

You have been a help Andy. Thanks.

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Andy ********

@Eamonn ********

You could also try posting the same in the group 'Thai Visa Advice' they are super knowledgeable and im sure can asdist you.

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Andy ********

@Eamonn ********

Good luck with everything. 🙏

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Andy ********

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Eamonn *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks Andy.

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Eamonn *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks.

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Andy ********

@Eamonn ********

My son says you may need to leave the country to cancel your Ed Visa but again he's not 100% sure. Its a pity there is no immigration office in Chiang Rai to ask them there as it can change at different locations. I'm sorry I can't be of more help.

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Andy ********

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Eamonn *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yep….you’re right. If it’s ok with you, can I drop you a line before I go so I can run through my list of things to take? U.K. proof of money coming in etc?

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Andy ********

@Eamonn ********

Sure. It was different to what was asked for in the requirements posted ar immigration and on the Chiang Mai Immigration website.

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Eamonn *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

hi Andy. Sorry pal. I don’t want to take up your time but I’m getting some odd info here. Do you think it’s possible that a Non imm ED visa will mean I have to leave the country? I can’t read my teacher. She’s a funny one for sure. But she is adamant I will have to leave the country? I’ve emailed CM immigration but nothing back. I don’t expect I’ll get anything back either. I live in Chiang Rai just now. Ideally I don’t want to go to CM just to ask the question but it’s looking like I will have to. I’ve got slight learning difficulties and looking online for this stuff isn’t great. Do you have a phone number for CM immigration? I’m not getting anything. Number no longer in use. If you can help me a little I’d be grateful. Anyway, enjoy the sun🙏

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Andy ********

@Eamonn ********

I really dont know as I've never had an ED Visa but my son has so I will ask him to see if he knows.

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Andy ********

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Eamonn *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I’m not actually? I asked my teacher and she called immigration for me. They said

*****

. I like this country a lot but now and then I despair at too. Thanks again Andy. I’m not far from Chiang Mai so I will head there in a week or so.

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

@Eamonn ********

sounds like there's a middleman adding 12,000 baht somewhere between you and immigration. Whether it's your teacher or who they called, it definitely wasn't immigration.

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Andy ********

@Eamonn ********

There maybe a fee from the school to cancel your ED visa. I have no experience at all with the Ed Visa so I can't comment on that I'm afraid. Good luck.

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Andy ********

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Eamonn *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks Andy. I think you might be spot on. I’m told CM would be cheaper. You’re

*****

less than I was told!!

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Andy ********

@Eamonn ********

2000 is the price of the Non-O at every immigration office in Thailand if you do it yourself.

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Andy ********

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Eamonn *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks. Just now did that and was told I can but for a fee. Quite a large one.

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

@Eamonn ********

shouldn't be any large fee. Visas are 2000 baht at immigration and extensions are 1900 baht.

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

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Damo ***********

Coming here and asking will most likely give you another 8+ different seperate answers. Is there a particular answer you are hoping to see here, which would fully satisfy your queries?

As per previous advice, head down to Immigration and ask them... they do not bite!

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

You need to ask your immigration office, not us. Some offices will allow you to cancel your education extension and some will not. I'm assuming you're actually on an education extension and not the original 90 day non-ED visa. Because if you're on the visa then no, you cannot convert from one visa to another.

But if you're on education extension and your immigration office allows it, you can get documents from your school stating your last day of study and then go cancel your extension and apply for the non-O visa on the same day.

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

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