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How can I extend my Non-Immigrant O Visa based on retirement in Thailand?

Nov 15, 2025
3 days ago
Mikael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yesterday I got my first 1 year extension at Saraburi Immigration on a Non-Immigrant O Visa based on being over 50 years old ("retirement") and that feels great!

In two earlier posts I mentioned that this office refused my income letter from Swedish Embassy on my first visit about 3 weeks ago, IO told me to open a bank account and start to transfer money from abroad into it.

So I did, transferred 65 000 baht in October and also a few days ago in November, had my updated pass book, a bank account statement and a certificate from my bank Kasikorn with me to present.

Now that income letter from Embassy became valid together with my bank documents, enough to grant my first 1 year extension.

About proof of transactions coming from abroad it was enough with that code (see photo) on my updated pass book, that means "international transaction" at least on a Kasikorn pass book.

Immigration Officer told me from next month to transfer around 67 000 baht, not 65 000, every month the coming year to reach up to the total sum of 800 000 baht.

The dates can be any as long as I transfer 67 000 baht every single calendar month to get my next 1 year extension using same method.

At the same visit I bought a single re-entry permit so I don't forget about it if I wait to buy it on the airport instead.

My costs was a little bit different than normal I believe, 2200 baht for my extension and 1100 baht for the re-entry permit, use to be 1900 both if I'm not wrong.

Sorry for a long one but I felt I wanted to share how everything about my extension ended because I posted about it before.

Obs, this was on Saraburi Immigration Office .
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The author shares their recent experience of obtaining a 1-year extension for their Non-Immigrant O Visa at the Saraburi Immigration Office, based on retirement (being over 50 years old). After initially being turned away for lacking proper documentation, they successfully provided an income letter from the Swedish Embassy, alongside bank statements and proof of international transactions, to meet the visa requirements. They outline the necessity of transferring a minimum amount monthly to maintain eligibility for future extensions and mention the costs associated with the visa and re-entry permit.
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.
Shawn ********
Great info
Mikael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Gary *******
Im going to move to Saraburi area soon ,was it easy to open a bank account in saraburi?
Mikael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gary ******
Immigration Officer wrote me some kind of letter (not a residence certificate) with my photo on it to bring to any bank to be able to open an account before I got my 1 year extension. I choosed Kasikorn because I've heard from many people that it's the easiest bank to be able to open a bank account and it was. You must also have a Thai phone number connected to your passport, I did that at a regular phone shop.
J **************
I wish I was 50 again with or without a visa!
Eric **********
Same feeling 3 days ago !!
John **********
Income method is clearly stated as 65k per month..not deposits equalling 800k. No big deal but that's the current law.
Reinhard ********
@John *********
Yes ,but every Immigration has theire own rules.77 Immigration offices 77 rules.Also the
*****
0 bank account and
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income isn't accepted everywhere for the retyrement.
Sam ******
Don’t you just love the corruption here- the most ridiculous laws are made and changed daily and even officials have no idea what’s current. Makes no difference what the immigration website says, all depends on the officer on the day. My point is, there is no guideline here, its each to their own and a bit of luck of the draw 🥴
Mikael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sam *****
Exactly, who am I to question 67k instead of 65, I mean I'm only happy to get my extension, no big deal at all.
Graham ******
@Mikael *********
to cover any possible exachange rate or transfer/receipt charges obviously, who would transfer exactly
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?
John **********
As long as it shows exactly 65k deposited for 12 consecutive months it's all good.. but I do go with
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😃
Mikael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
Okay but I choose to listen to the one person in charge that I will sit in front of in one year
Mikael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
This time for 2 months I transferred what they asked me to do, 65 000, then IO told me to instead have 67 000 baht per month into my account following 12 months.
Jesper *******
Thanks for sharing and consider you are one of the lucky ones that your embassy does provide affidavit.....my immigration office CW bkk rejects my statement of 12mths deposit as my embassy does not provide affidavit I have only one option which is the 800k bankin method OR im going to relocate and use other immigration office that accept the 12mths statements without the affidavit from my embassy
Heikki **********
@Jesper ******
In Hua Hin there will not be any problems with only Bank Statement🙏
Jesper *******
@Heikki *********
thanks 🙏
Mick ******
Any one done half in the bank 400k and say 40k a month.

Do I need a British embassy letter I thought those had finished in January 2019.

I use wise so don't see a letter will help
Graham ******
@Mick *****
It depends on the nationality of your passport as some Embassies still do the income affidavit
Heikki **********
@Mick *****
you can use 400K + 40K/ month combo, at least in Hua Hin imm
Harisonjohn ******
How if 50 plus age benefit in Thai if no government job only own work or business
Mikael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Harisonjohn *****
Sorry don't understand this one?
Tim ******
For my second one-year extension, I switched from proof of 800k bank balance to proof of pension from the embassy. I brought a letter from the bank, a bank statement, and copies of my bank book to the Immigration Office in Khon Kaen. They didn't look at any of the bank documents. Next year, I only need to show the letter from the embassy to get my extension.
Andy ********
The costs are 1,900 Baht for the extension and 1,000 Baht for the re-entry permit. If you get charged more next year it may be worth questioning why.

With regards to issuing the extension on 2 months bank deposits and the letter from the embassy that seems like a great compromise to me.

Well done to you for clarifying the requirements of your particular office in good time to get the paperwork together to satisfy their requirements.
Mikael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andy *******
Okay thanks then i misunderstood about normal fees but as long as I get my extension I will not ask or argue with Immigration Officer, I'm happy to be able to stay long term without hassle.
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