Answered5 years ago
How can I apply for a Non-O (Retirement) visa in Thailand after entering with a visa exempt status?
Hello, I am 50+ and I entered Visa Exempt. I have successfully extended my 1x 30 days extension....my stamp expires 18 July. I would like to apply for Non-O (Retirement) 90 days. Which office do I go to apply? CW or MTT
Answer summary
The individual is planning to apply for a Non-O (Retirement) visa after having entered Thailand on a visa exempt basis. They have extended their stay once already and must apply for the Non-O visa at the Chaengwattana Immigration Office (Counter C-1). To qualify, they need proof of 800,000 THB in their Thai bank account, which must have been transferred from abroad and seasoned for at least 2 months for a subsequent one-year extension. Comments clarify the requirements and address previous uncertainties about changing visa status while on a visa exempt entry.
50 repliesnewest first
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Scott *******
Hi Timmy, Sorry to bother you mate. I notice that you managed to get in with a ‘visa exempt’ …. Is this the same as a visa on arrival? Friends in Thailand do not understand how you managed this. Any info would be much appreciated.
Scott *******
Thank you very much Timmy. Ignore the pm I sent you 😂👍🏻 So is it available or not?
Bobby ********
Scott Blair. Visa exempt is available for passport holders of the 64 countries as mentioned by Timmy.
Timmy ******
OP@Scott ******
The VISA EXEMPTION RULE allows tourists from 64 countries to enter Thailand without a visa. I have an American Passport. USA is listed as 1 of those 64 Countries.Bobby ********
Scott Blair. Visa exempt means you turn up without a visa and get stamped in for 45 days. You do not have to apply for visa. A VOA is only applicable to a few countries. You turn up and have to apply and pay for a visa at the airport. The scheme is currently not available.
Lisa ********************
You can get 60 day covid extension up to 29th July.
Andy *******
The 'transfer', method, of getting the money to the account is scrutinized ? Simple deposits over time are not good ?
Timmy ******
OP@Andy *********
I read some people having issues with the monthly income method from this forum. The 800K is less hassle.Bobby ********
Timmy Wynn. It's less hassle but it's more restrictive. It means tying up a relatively large sum of money that cannot be withdrawn and still having to bring money in to live on. The 65k per month is not restrictive and can be spent immediately it's received. A bank to bank transfer whilst expensive achieves this. A cheaper method is through the trusted Wise>Bangkok Bank process.
Timmy ******
OPFrom reading other comments on this forum. 65k method can ONLY be done Year #2. I will stick with 800k method for Year #1.
Timmy ******
OP@Bobby *******
Good point. How can I go about doing the 65K per month method?Bobby ********
Andy Crocitto. Yes. It is a requirement to present bank book and certification from your bank that money has been transferred from overseas.
Tod *********
Okay to apply for a 90 day Non-O visa based on being over 50 (retirement) in Bangkok you go to Chaengwattana Counter C-1. You'll need proof the 800K baht funds were transferred in from abroad into a thai bank account in your name only, AND you need at least 15 days left on your current stamp to apply for the Non-O visa (because it goes under consideration for 14 days before you go back to get the 90 day stamp and Non-O visa inked in).
THEN
You wait until the money has been in the account for 2 months and go back to apply for a year extension of stay at Chaengwattana Counter L-1.
THEN
You wait until the money has been in the account for 2 months and go back to apply for a year extension of stay at Chaengwattana Counter L-1.
Timmy ******
OP@Tod ********
Thank you for the clear and concise advice/information.
Scot *******
Hi Timmy. Was it an easy process to get the Thai bank account with the visa exempt status? Did it make any difference?
Timmy ******
OPI heard some places may accept 6-Month Lease, but I don't know which Branch. I think Banks prefer giving accounts to Long Term Stay Folks for stability...which is understandable.
Timmy ******
OP@Scot ******
Yes, I thought it was an easy process:1- Bring Original Passport 2-One Year Condo/Apt Lease Agreement. After filling out some standard paperwork, I was given a Bank Book and ATM Card on the spot.Scot *******
@Timmy *****
- is there a way around the one year lease agreement? We want to be able to travel around the country.Mike *********
I thought if you came in visa exempt you couldn't change to visa in country, I'm in same situation, and saw somewhere else that is the case, I don't want retirement I just want non O, so I can eventually get married.
Mike *********
Have bank account with money maturing already, was lucky enough to have work permit previous 2yrs
Scot *******
I've certainly received both answers in here when I asked the question. Yes I can change, no I can't change. Either people are guessing or it can be done. I think the trick is getting the Thai bank account with a visa exempt. Maybe. Probably. 🤷♂️
Bobby ********
Mike Harness. Which non-O do you want? You can change visa from visa-exempt?
Mike *********
@Bobby *******
looking to get married but was under impression I had to have long term visa first as well as required money seasoned in bank, but if I had come on visa exempt I had to go back to UK to change.Tod *********
@Mike ********
you can get married on what ever entry stamp or visa you want to. Mike *********
@Tod ********
so you can get married on visa exempt ?Tod *********
@Mike ********
you get MARRIED first then you apply for the 90 day Non-O visa (based on marriage) then you apply for the yearly extension when that runs downMike *********
@Bobby *******
yes I know mate that's why I'm looking to get visa, so then I can get married, came across here at short notice hence exempt, the builder was fu##ing everything up on house were building.Bobby ********
Mike Harness. You can change from visa exempt to a "married" visa no problem, but you have to be married. Looking at getting married doesn't mean a thing to immigration.
Philip **********
Unless you can show income of more than 65k Thai Bhat a month you don’t need 800 k in bank.
Ken ***********
@Philip *********
you can show 65,000+ THB in a,Thai bank for the 1 year extension. HOWEVER, to obtain the 3 month Non O it must be 800,000 in the bank...the 65,000 per month IS NOT an option.I just discovered this last week at Chaeng Wattana.
Jeff **********
@Ken ******
that sounds like an office-specific rule. The income method worked for me in Krabi immigration office. Two months of foreign deposits.Ken ***********
@Jeff *********
to receive a 3 month Non O ? Yes. It can vary by provincePhilip **********
@Ken ******
. Ok I’m on a retirement visa I didn’t need 800 k just a affidavit from my embassy. Proving my monthly income. 
Ben ****
@Ken ******
it's the other way round, only a few embassies don't issue an income declaration/affidavit (US, UK, AU). However it does affect most of the foreigners. Philip **********
@Ken ******
Canada 🇨🇦 Ken ***********
@Philip *********
what Country ? Most don't give a letter but Chaeng Wattana will accept if foreign Embassy will issue.I am from the U.S. and they no longer issue.
Bobby ********
Have you got the 800k in the bank?
Timmy ******
OPNot yet...still working that issue. But I did manage to open a Thai Bank account with Krungsri.
Bobby ********
Timmy Wynn. So you are aware you won't be able to apply for Non-O retirement on 18th July? What do you plan to do when your stamp expires?
Bobby ********
Timmy Wynn. Sorry, my misunderstanding. You're correct, you get 90 day stamp. No seasoning required.
Timmy ******
OP@Bobby *******
from my understanding....there is NO 800k seasoning requirement when applying for Non-O 90 days.......the two month seasoning is only required when applying for 1 Year extension?Bobby ********
Timmy Wynn. The 800k has to be in the bank at least two months before you apply.
Bobby ********
Timmy Wynn. MTT. Make an appointment online.
Timmy ******
OP@Bobby *******
I plan to file Non-O 90 day 2 weeks before my stamp expires.....NOT on 18th July.Timmy ******
OP@Bobby *******
if I was interested in getting a 60-day COVID extension do I go CW or MTT? I came VISA exempt.Ken ***********
Chang Wattana for change of visa to Non O. You will need a Thai bank statement and bankbook showing THB 800,000. You must have at least 15 days remaining on your 30 day extension.
Once you get the Non O, it is good for 90 days. You can then apply for one year extension once you have not more than 45 days on your Non O but not less than 15.
Once you get the Non O, it is good for 90 days. You can then apply for one year extension once you have not more than 45 days on your Non O but not less than 15.
Timmy ******
OPThank you for the useful information
@Ken ******
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