How can I extend my NON-OA retirement visa in Thailand without showing proof of financial requirements?

Obviously, those of us that do not have any history with VISAs anywhere, appreciate what information this group provides. Yes, it is sometimes as ‘clear as mud’ but reading all the comments helps a lot.

Okay, let's try ONE LAST TIME to sort out how you can get two years of stay out of a visa that is valid for one year.

First off let's get the idea of an extension OUT OF YOUR HEADS becuase you're NOT extending this visa during the two year stay you get out of it. <- An extension is gotten at the immigration office.

A year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O-A visa is gotten in YOUR country before you wing your way here. You show proof of funds from your country, a police background check from your country, a medical certificate from your country and you get the VISA from the thai consulate in your country.

That visa is good for unlimited entries for it's validity (a year from the date it's issued) EVERY entry to the country is good for a whole NEW years stamp.

This means IF you exit/re-enter the country just prior to the expiration date of the visa itself you will get stamped in for a whole new year <- effectively giving you TWO years of stay on a visa that has a validity of one year.

Let's look at an example O-A visa

This O-A visa was issued by the thai consulate in London on 10th of April 2018. It has a valid until date of the 9th of April 2019. IF the holder of this visa exits/re-enters the country on the 9th of April 2019 they will get stamped in until the 8th of April 2020 <- that gives them almost TWO years of stay out of a one year visa.

They are not showing proof of anything when they do this, they are NOT getting an extension at the immigration office, they are simply exiting/re-entering the country to get another year's admitted until stamp.

So if I do the math, at 5% interest a year (can't count on it but a valid conservative estimate over the long run) 0k thb or k dollars would yield 2500 usd biennially. That pays for the trips home every 2 years!

Jason, I am from the UK and have been through this process. Hopeful I am correct in saying, but you can get nearly two years out of your O-A visa before you have to meet the financial requirements in Thailand and have to apply for an extension of stay. Your original O-A visa will be valid for 1 year, (with 90 day reporting) and when you exit and re-entre the kingdom (before the use by date) you will receive another stamp for 1 more year, so therefore effectively you can get almost 2 years from your original visa. Not forgetting that if you leave the Kingdom in the second year you will need to get either a single or multiple re-entry permit.

appreciate the detailed help here