How can I meet the 800,000 THB requirement for a retirement visa if I start on a tourist visa?

I want to thank Benjamin Hays, I followed his directions for the in-country non-O Visa. I did it myself and it wasn’t that difficult since most of the documents needed were within my reach.

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You don't have to put money in a Thai bank account for specific days when you apply for in-country Non-O (1st step in benjamin's post). You transfer your money to a Thai bank account and you can apply for in-country Non-O being retirement next day (or maybe even on that day if time allows)..

When you need your funds in a Thai bank account for a certain period is time you apply for a 1-year extension after you get an in-country visa.

So, it shouldn't be much problem time-wise for you to enter on tourist status and go to the Non-O retirement route.

Or apply for a non imm O single entry in the US ? Gives you 90 days in Thailand to open a bank account (and put the 800k฿ in) and then ask for the 1 year retirement extension. Or is it nowa-covid-days harder to fullfil the requirements

@Benj****

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Before you can apply for a one year extension of stay based on retirement you must first have a Non-O visa for the purpose of retirement. So you can come on a tourist visa, transfer the required funds to a Thai bank, then apply for the 90 day Non-O. Around 30 days later you apply for the annual extension

It is a two step process to get a retirement visa/ one year extension of stay based on retirement in- country.

STEP 1: In-Country Non-O Visa.

You will first need to acquire a “Zero Entry” 90-day Non-O Visa In-Country. Each immigration office has slightly different requirements. Expect the following to be asked.

1. The applicant’s passport and a copy of:

a. The data “picture” page.

b. The most recent visa (if applicable).

c. The most recent entry stamp or extension of stay (if applicable).

d. The departure card (“TM 6”) stapled in the passport.

2. If entered on a tourist visa, a TM 86 visa change request form, and if entered on a visa on arrival, visa exempt, or bilateral agreement, a TM 87 visa change request form.

3. A copy of the submitted Notification of Residence of Foreigners form ("TM 30”).

4. A letter from a Thai bank showing that 800,000 THB was transferred into the bank account from overseas.

5. 2x passport sized (4cm by 6cm) photos.

6. A processing fee of 2,000 THB.

STEP TWO: Acquiring a One Year Extension of Stay based on Retirement. Each immigration office has slightly different requirements. Expect the following requirements.

1. The applicant’s passport and a copy of:

a. The data “picture” page.

b. The most recent visa (if applicable).

c. All entry stamps or extension of stay (if applicable) since arrival .

d. The departure card (“TM 6”) that should be stapled in the passport.

2. The extension of stay application form (“TM 7”).

3. A copy of the submitted Notification of Residence of Foreigners form ("TM 30”).

4. To meet the financial requirements:

- 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account seasoned for 2 months along with a letter from the bank. If renewing the one year extension of stay, the 800,000 THB must be seasoned for two months before applying and three months after the last extension of stay was granted, and for the money not to have been lower then 400,000 THB throughout the calendar year,

5. A hand drawn map to the applicant’s residence. Some immigration offices may want this map on a special paper.

6. 2x passport sized (4cm by 6cm) photos.

7. 1,900 THB processing fee.