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How can I apply for a retirement visa in Thailand within 5 weeks using a US passport?

Thai VisaRetirement VisaNON-O VisaVisa Application ProcessThai ImmigrationExpat Advice
Feb 14, 2022
3 years ago
Eri ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Need a help please.

I've entered Bangkok 4 days ago with visa exempt US passport.

Anybody knows an agent to get retirement visa within 5 weeks?

Have enough fund in Thai account.

Many thanks!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A US passport holder recently entered Bangkok with a visa exemption and is seeking assistance to secure a retirement visa within five weeks. Several commenters advised that applying for the retirement visa (NON-O visa) can be done independently without an agent, given that the necessary funds are already deposited in a Thai bank account. They noted that basic documentation and filling out forms are required, typically costing around 2,000 Baht. There was some debate regarding the necessity of a police report for the retirement visa application; however, many affirmed it is not required when applying within Thailand. Alternatives and other immigration-related strategies were also discussed.
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.
Monica ***********
@Eri ***********
 I am trying to learn about all these steps because my father wants to move here and get an O visa. How do people bring in the right amount of money to set up a bank account here?
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
@Monica **********
 You may find it better to start your own post rather than tack on to a old 6 month or more post.

Your father would need to set up a bank account (not always the easiest thing). Transfer money in and apply for the visa. Ask at your local immigration office for the details of what documents would be needed.
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
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Chris ********
Goto your local immigration office with a Thai speaker and ask them what forms/I.D are required, took me 20 minutes and I walked out with everything I needed to do including the date I need to return for 1st stamp. I'm a first timer here and was nervous about the process but it is VERY EASY. Please don't waste your money on an agent!

Edit, I had only just opened a bank account, last week of January, so Immigration told me to come back 27th March for 1st stamp. My 90 day Non O visa expires on the 10th April. As you already have funds in a/c maybe they can "under consideration" stamp you on 1st visit if you have correct paperwork and you can return 2 weeks later for extension! Maybe Admin can post if I've got the info incorrect. Good luck
3 years ago
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Philip **********
@Eri ***********
 It’s as easy as making ice cubes. Do it yourself. It took me 45 minutes to do it. Surely you have 45 minutes to do it yourself. 1900 Bhat. If you want to throw your money away and pay an agent. Do it yourself and take the money you would of paid an agent and donate it to charity.
3 years ago
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กนกนุช *******
Direct to immigration where your want to live. Ask them to help. Its cost some money. My husband paid 10k
3 years ago
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Robert **********
I have a retirement visa. Converted from tourist visa, and extended several times. It is the Non O retirement. An OA Gotten in your home country requires a police report
3 years ago
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Channa ************
At Bangkok Sathron Street 3, Opp. Bangkok Bank Mr. Manan Chopra Advocate is best deal all kind of visas. Phone. 0898929291/0844371431.
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3 years ago
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Chulala **********
DM please
3 years ago
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Metty *******
Dont know any agents in Bangkok.

Done mine in pattaya

Takes 3 weeks

Shop around

Yours shouldn't be very expensive.allready got the bank account
3 years ago
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Neil *******
@Sutatip **************
, theres ways round it with an agent. And its 800,000bht
3 years ago
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Neil *******
Hope you dont mind me asking, how much in patts without thai bank?, im about to to it next month
3 years ago
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Sutatip ***************
@Neil ******
 for retirement visa need to hav momey 900'000bath in the bank
3 years ago
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Sutatip ***************
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Michael **********
Did you bring the police report that was notarized and then certified by the secretary of state in your home state? That is necessary to complete a retirement visa here in Thailand and the Philippines. If you don't have it then its pointless to apply for one now since those can only be had when you are back home.
3 years ago
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Philip **********
Michael Breadman You’re way off base. You do not need a police clearance, a police check, a criminal records check or any other checks at all for an extension based on retirement. There is no “retirement visa.” It’s an extension of stay based on retirement.

He doesn’t need an agent. He has the funds so he can apply himself and save 30,000 Bhat. It’s as easy as making ice cubes. Pay the 1900. Bhat.
3 years ago
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Ruth *******
@Philip *********
 But Michael found it on the Internet, so it must be true. Lol.
3 years ago
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Philip **********
@Ruth ******
 Absolutely! 🤣🤣
3 years ago
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Philip **********
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Chris ********
Michael Breadman Non O doesn't need police or medical report. I arrived on Non O in January and, as a first timer, I've already been to the local immigration office and they have seen all my paperwork and told me to come back the end of March for initial stamp. ZERO mention of police report
3 years ago
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Michael **********
Police Clearance

Four copies of Police Clearance, duly notarized, are also needed. They need to state that the applicant has no record of crime in his or her home country, and the verification must not be older than three months.

A common problem which seems to affect most Americans applying for a retirement visa in Thailand is past DUI offences. Especially when they were young. Thai immigration authorities require a satisfactory explanation on this matter, and you may need a lawyer to help you with this.

However, if you are an entrepreneur who wishes to start a business or you have a Thai spouse, this will not affect you since both don’t require police clearance in that regard. Talk to your lawyer about the various alternatives for you.

Holders of a retirement visa are allowed to stay in Thailand for a full year, and no border runs are required if you want to renew your stay. All you have to do is to avail yourself to a local immigration bureau every three months (90 day reporting) to update the authorities on your address.
3 years ago
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Michael ********
@Michael *********
 Google is not always your friend this is link for Thai Embassy in the US. No mention of police reports

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/17/nonoretirement/
3 years ago
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Philip **********
@Michael *******
 That’s because no one needs a police report. Idk where he got his information from. 🤣
3 years ago
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Philip **********
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Michael **********
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%20Clearance&text=They%20need%20to%20state%20that,Thailand%20is%20past%20DUI%20offences.
3 years ago
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Michael **********
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3 years ago
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Michael **********
Google quote: Police Clearance

They need to state that the applicant has no record of crime in his or her home country, and the verification must not be older than three months. A common problem which seems to affect most Americans applying for a retirement visa in Thailand is past DUI offences.
3 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Michael *********
 Wtf are you talking about? There's no police report for a retirement visa in country.
3 years ago
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Steve **********
@Garrett **********
. Never had one nor asked.

Been close to 20 years
3 years ago
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Hans ******
No agent needed. Take your papers Google and immigration helps you right away. Got the retirement in 2 hours, friend in one week
3 years ago
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Hans ******
@Garrett **********
 there is, plus a lot of other documents. But only asked if you ask the visa at rmassy or consulaten in your own country
3 years ago
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Michael ********
@Hans *****
 he asking in country nobody has heard of police report being required for a non O in country, also cannot find but not saying there isnt any countries asking for police reports for Non O visa overseas. You have any links just for our reference
3 years ago
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Michael ********
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Eri ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Many thanks guys. I don't have enough time this time around as I have to leave Thailand within 5 weeks.

Will make sure having more than 50 days to stay in Bangkok for the next visit.
3 years ago
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Janin ******
You can apply for O in Thailand ( immidiatly) but not for OA (only outside Thailand). Easy to do yourself…
3 years ago
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Steve *******
Do it yourself if you've got the funds banked already.
3 years ago
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Michael ********
Second that easy enough to do yourself.

Can browse through topics for more info.
3 years ago
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Eri ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I will. Thanks.
3 years ago
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Eri ************
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Stuart *********
If you have enough funds why use an agent? It’s filling in a couple of forms, having a passport photo, copying a few pages and getting a bank statement. Costs 2,000 baht.
3 years ago
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Philip **********
@Stuart ********
 Because some people don’t know how to make ice cubes so they buy them. Same thing as applying for an extension based on retirement. They can’t fill out paperwork and would rather pay someone 20 k to do it for them. A fool and his money. 🤣
3 years ago
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Eri ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes, I understand. My question is that how many days I have to wait to apply retirement visa.

I cannot afford 45 days...
3 years ago
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Stuart *********
@Eri ***********
 you can apply for the non O immediately. Whether they’ll let you apply for the extension early is unknown. You’ll need to ask them and plead your case.
3 years ago
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Stuart *********
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Eri ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
 Yes I had been doing so for 10 years but lost my retirement visa during Covid. My understanding is that, I have to apply O first then after 45 days I then can apply O-A, correct?

I have to leave Thailand in 5 weeks.
3 years ago
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Eri ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for the reply. I could do in 30 days. I'm in Bangkok. Do you know Chaeng Wattana can do in 30 days?
3 years ago
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Kool *******
@Eri ***********
 Chaeng Wattana can do it in about 30 minutes once you get to the front of the queue when you go there. Have your new bank letters, updated bank book that morning, and copies of your passport pages, and your ready to go for the type O retirement extension. The purpose of the first 90 days is so it gives you time to get your bank account set up and the bt800,000 in it for the minimum two months. Being you already have that, ask the immigration officer when you can come back to get your full one year extension, as you might be able to do it the next day. From my understanding that 30, or 45 day timeframe only applies to extending the yearly extension, not your first 90 day. Be sure to ask. With a ligitimate agent you'd have to go there anyway. They help get your documents in order, and then only save your spot in the queue so you don't have to stand there longer than needed.
3 years ago
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Eri ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
 If that's possible, it IS the best.
@Stuart ********
 do you think it is doable?
3 years ago
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Stuart *********
@Eri ***********
 that’s something you’ll have to ask the immigration officer. Perhaps it is.
3 years ago
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Stuart *********
@Eri ***********
 sorry I missed the word “prior” in my answer. You can only do the extension when you’ve got 45 or 30 days left of the non O visa. Bangkok is 45 days.
3 years ago
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Eri ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
That's what I want know. Thank you very much.
3 years ago
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Steve *******
@Eri ***********
 You get the 90 day Non Imm O visa the same day you apply.
3 years ago
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Steve *******
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Stuart *********
@Eri ***********
 nearly right. You apply for the Non O, which gives you 90 days. Then when that’s winding down (some offices allow 45 days, others 30) you apply for a year extension. A non OA visa is only available in your home country.
3 years ago
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Kristen ********
@Stuart ********
 does the Non O visa have a multi entry option? Thanks
3 years ago
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Stuart *********
@Kristen *******
 no, but you can buy a reentry permit. 1,000 baht for a single entry or 3,800 for multiple entries. It lasts as long as your current stamp.
3 years ago
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Kristen ********
@Stuart ********
 thank you, we’ve been trying to figure out what the best visa would be and I was getting a bit confused. Appreciate the help.
3 years ago
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Kristen ********
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