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How can I change a Non-Immigrant O Visa to a Non-Immigrant Retirement Visa in Thailand?

Non-Immigrant O VisaNon-Immigrant Retirement VisaVisa Change ProcessFinancial Requirements for Retirement VisaImmigration Procedure in ThailandThai Visa Regulations
Feb 3, 2022
3 years ago
Craig **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
How can I change a non-immigrant o a to a non-immigrant retirement Visa
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TLDR : Answer Summary
To change from a Non-Immigrant O Visa to a Non-Immigrant Retirement Visa (Non-O) in Thailand, you typically cannot do this process while remaining in the country; you must leave Thailand and apply for a Non-O Visa from an embassy or re-enter on a tourist visa. It is important to meet the financial requirements associated with the Non-O Visa. Some individuals report having changed visas while in Thailand with the assistance of an agent, although this may involve risks and is not considered legal by all. Make sure to understand the rules and potential consequences before proceeding.
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.
Dana *******
You can't. Just do the "one-year-extension-based-on-retirement" (provided you meet the requirements).
3 years ago
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Nigel *********
What exactly is the type o visa you already have? O visa covers several circumstances eg over 50, married, volunteer erc
3 years ago
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Johan ********
I changed from Non-OA to Non-O without leaving the country. But I had help from an agent.
3 years ago
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Tod *********
Umm using an agent
@Johan *******
 means they totally bribed someone to look the other way and give you an extension based on retirement without requiring the insurance etc. 😕
3 years ago
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Johan ********
@Tod ********
 Either that or travel. My choice.
3 years ago
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Johan ********
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Bobby ********
Johan Linder. It can't be done legally inside the country, so you may have a dodgy visa. I wouldn't advise this way as it can come back and bite you
3 years ago
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Maxim ***********
@Bobby *******
 Stop spreading false information. It CAN be done with the help of an agent and the stamps will be 100% authentic.
3 years ago
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Bobby ********
Maxim Thibodeau. The stamps are authentic, the method used to obtain the stamp was by way of paying bribes. If you think that is totally legitimate, it's your prerogative. I just believe in giving sound advice that using an agent can lead to serious repercussions.
3 years ago
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Maxim ***********
@Bobby *******
 You said "dodgy visa" it's not dodgy it's authentic. The same goes for a lotto ticket on the black market, if you win you get paid, it's legit.
3 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Maxim **********
 . If it's an authentic visa why pay an agent tens of thousands to get it, when you can get it at immigration for 1900 baht? Don't be a total fool!
3 years ago
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Maxim ***********
@Bobby *******
 Some people have money and don't want to leave the country, and on the other end some people don't have 400k for a marriage visa, etc, but still want the visa. Yes, everyone gets their cut, but it's valid and authentic, all the stamps are the same you would get if you had done it yourself.
3 years ago
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Bobby ********
Maxim Thibodeau. Sadly I've seen the result of someone being caught out with a bogus visa. It ain't pretty. IDC, deportation, five year ban. But you're right. I've got the money, can get legit visa and never have to leave the country, so yeah, I'm sitting pretty. 1900 baht per year for my visa! 😆😆😆
3 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Bobby *******
 Name one person
3 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Garrett **********
 . Jack Sullivan. Lived in Chiang Mai. Used the agent to circumvent the 800k. Used an agent in Pattaya to get a stamp from Khon Kaen. Someone in immigration had a look at some cases. He got a knock on the door, asked to see his bank book. Game over. IDC. Overstay was calculated back to his previous extension date (which was also bogus but they didn't worry about that). 20k baht fine. Deportation. Five year ban!
3 years ago
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Maxim ***********
@Bobby *******
 You are a grumpy old fart, there is no retirement visa for under 50 years old :)
3 years ago
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Maxim ***********
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Garrett ***********
@Bobby *******
 Yes it can
3 years ago
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Bobby ********
Garrett Greenwald. No it can't
3 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Bobby *******
 I've seen it done
3 years ago
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Garrett ***********
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Johan ********
@Bobby *******
 I did not get a dodgy visa. I got my picture taken in immigration. This was 3 years ago and I extended twice afterwards.
3 years ago
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Bobby ********
Johan Linder. What I'm saying is it cannot be done legally. Obviously money changed hands and a bribe was paid.
3 years ago
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Bobby ********
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Bobby ********
A non-OA is a retirement visa. I'm assuming you mean change to a non-O (over 50) visa? In this case, you ensure the original visa has already expired, leave the country and either apply for the 90-day non-O at an embassy and re-enter on that, OR re-enter on a tourism visa/exempt and apply for the 90 day non-O at an immigration office
3 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Bobby *******
 You can change it, legally in country.
3 years ago
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Bobby ********
Garrett Greenwald. You cannot go from OA to O (50+) in country legally
3 years ago
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Andy ********
@Bobby *******
 Thats my understanding too but best go to immigration and ask. I changed from METV and seem to recall you cant changed from a Non-OA.
3 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Bo***
 I disagree
3 years ago
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Tod *********
@Garrett **********
 there is no way (above the table) to go from an OA visa to an O visa inside the country, can't be done.

All you can do is after you have ONE extension based on the reason you have the OA (retirement) the next one you could change to 'married to a thai' IF you're married.

Otherwise there is no way it can be done,.
3 years ago
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Bobby ********
Garrett Greenwald. Excellent. But still can't be done 😀
3 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Bo***
 But it can
3 years ago
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Bobby ********
Garrett Greenwald. Can't!
3 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Bobby *******
 Don't post a link to the other group please. Screenshot the post if you need to.
3 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Garrett **********
 . No probs
3 years ago
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Maxim ***********
@Bobby *******
 November 2019, brahhhh, everything changed visa related during covid. You are an outdated boomer ;xd
3 years ago
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Bobby ********
Maxim Thibodeau. Covid did not change the fact that you cannot legally change from OA to O(50+) in country. If you get turned on by name-calling that's your prerogative, but it doesn't alter anything
3 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Bobby *******
 that was over 2 years ago.
@Tod ********
 didn't you help someone change from an OA to an O extension last year?
3 years ago
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Garrett ***********
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Lyndon ************
Cannot do in country...

Would need to leave and come back the easiest way is on a tourist visa and then apply for non-o
3 years ago
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George *************
@Lyndon ***********
 or come back on a Non-O, a tourist visa, or even visa-exempt entry. You can apply for a Non-O in Thailand if you enter with either of the last two.
3 years ago
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Lyndon ************
@George ************
 assuming a lot...
3 years ago
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Lyndon ************
@George ************
 yes possible, however many people struggle to meet the time lines with a visa exempt. Open bank account, needing a residence cert or embassy certified copy of passport, move money and submit non-o 90day application, with 15+ days left on their stamp. Also depends on the immigration office if they will even allow from a visa exemption
3 years ago
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Brett **********
@Lyndon ***********
 if he's already here in an o-a one would assume he already has a bank account sorted
3 years ago
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Lyndon ************
@Brett *********
 why? It's not a requirement of a Non-oa to have a bank account in Thailand
3 years ago
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Brett **********
@Lyndon ***********
 no, but if he's already been here a year I'd say it pretty likely he's opened one as it makes life a lot bloody easier and cheaper
3 years ago
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George *************
@Lyndon ***********
 Agree about the time line, but don't know of any immigration offices that won't allow application for a Non-O from a visa-exempt entry, although there may be some. The tourist visa gives you twice as much time, 60 days, compared to the 30-day visa-exempt entry. Both can be extended for an additional 30 days. A lot depends on how much of the groundwork has already been laid before you arrive: whether you already have a bank account, for example.
3 years ago
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George *************
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Bob **********
Meet the financial requirements bring all copies to immigration 1900 baht
3 years ago
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Tod *********
@Bob *********
 Totally NOT correct 🙁
3 years ago
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Bobby ********
Bob D'Andrea. Can't do this process inside Thailand
3 years ago
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Bob **********
@Bobby *******
 didn't see the a yes have to leave as I'm doing in a couple weeks
3 years ago
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Bob **********
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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