Answered5 years ago

How can I convert my visa exempt entry into a retirement visa in Thailand?

Retirement Visa Visa Exempt Thailand Immigration Visa Extension Non-O Visa Chiang Mai Immigration

Simonetta ***************

asked Dec 13, 2021

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Hi, I entered on a visa exempt, which i would like to convert to a 'retirement visa'.  How to do that? my understanding is that i must:

!- extend the visa exempt by one more month (what documents do i need?)

2-convert the exemption to a three-month tourist visa (what documents do i need? can i avoid step 1, and do the conversion straight away? )

3- convert the above visa to a retirement (i know which docs i need  but... i am not sure that i can do it all here in Chiang Mai, without leaving the country?)

Thank you for your help

Answer summary

To convert your visa exempt entry into a retirement visa in Thailand, follow these steps: 1. Extend your visa exempt entry by applying for a 30-day extension at the immigration office, which requires specific documentation. 2. After the extension, convert it to a 90-day Non-O visa, also requiring certain documents. Ensure you have at least 21 days remaining on your current visa to apply. 3. Lastly, apply for a yearly extension of your Non-O visa when you have 45 days or less remaining. All of this can be done in Chiang Mai without leaving the country.

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Tod *********

You need a MINIMUM of 21 days left on your stamp to apply for the 90 day Non-O visa at the Chiang Mai immigration office. I doubt you have 21 days left on your 30 day visa exempt entry stamp 😕

SO that means go to the immigration office by the airport and apply for your 30 day extension first for 1900baht.

While you're there look at the diagram they have on the wall that shows the steps and documents you need to apply for the 90 day non-O visa based on retirement.

Get those documents, the bank letter, etc and then go apply for the 90 day Non-O visa for 2000baht.

It will go under review for 20 days and then you go back to get the Non-O visa and a new 90 day stamp inked in.

THEN you wait until you have 45 days or less left on that new stamp and apply for the yearly extension for 1900baht

5 years ago

Simonetta ***************

wow! Thank you Todd. Very clear. such a pity i didn't ask before ;)

5 years ago

Craig **********

@Simonetta **************

after you apply the second year for your retirement Visa if you have 65,000 baht every month coming in to Thailand to a Thai bank then you can use that instead of 800,000 in the bank. You must have documentation for one year of at least

*****

coming into a Thai Bank

5 years ago

Ellie *******

@Craig *********

and remember, you still need to keep your banked money requirement from the previous year until you are granted next year's extension using monthly income even if you change the method.

That means you need to meet both requirements to keep 800k for three months, not get lower than 400K for the rest of the year, AND to transfer internationally min 65K every month for 'transiting' one year.

5 years ago

Gooddy *******

@Simonetta **************

and make sure you have the 800,000 baht seasoned in your Thailand bank account in your name only for 60 days before you apply for your yearly extension.

5 years ago

Ellie *******

@Chris *****

, just a bit of side rail.

you may want to know that “60days” and “two months” are not same regarding Thai immigration matter. When it’s said by “60days”, it is always 60days. But by “Two months”, it is date to date month count and not 60days. Same goes on three months vs 90days, etc.

5 years ago

Gooddy *******

@Benjamin *****

thought that’s what I meant . Sorry to confuse anyone with my incorrect use of “seasoning.”

5 years ago