Answered5 years ago

How can I obtain a long-term Non-O retirement visa in Thailand if I'm over 50 and have a 30-day visa exemption?

Non-O Visa Visa Extension Retirement Visa Visa Rules Immigration Thailand

Jake *********

asked Dec 29, 2021

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First of all, let me say thank you, in advance, to all of the mods for maintaining this group.  I can already see that there is a lot of very helpful information on here. 

I did do quite a bit of searching, but I apologize if my questions have already been answered elsewhere. 

I arrived on Dec 1, USA passport, got 30-day visa exempt(?) stamp.  2 days ago I extended another 30 days. 

I would like to extend beyond that (non-imm O visa?) for 50+ year-old.  I can liquidate some assets and put 800k in a Thai bank, but, from what I have gleaned from my searching, so far, it is already too late for that because of the 60-day seasoning requirement.

Is it workable to go to Savanaket or HCM to get a retirement visa?  I'm not married.

I suppose I would have to do another 10-day quarantine when I return. 

Hopefully, one of the mods will have a simpler approach for me to take or will correct any of my wrong assumptions.

Answer summary

The poster is seeking guidance on obtaining a long-term Non-O retirement visa after initially receiving a 30-day visa exemption and an extension. They plan to meet the THB 800,000 bank deposit requirement but are concerned about the seasoning period for the funds. They inquire about the possibility of acquiring the visa in Savannakhet or Ho Chi Minh City and are uncertain about quarantine requirements upon returning to Thailand. A commenter clarifies that applying for the Non-O visa is possible immediately after depositing the funds without needing them seasoned at that time, but the subsequent one-year extension will require the funds to be seasoned for two months.

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Ellie *******

You are confusing two different steps.

For you to obtain long-term Non-O based on retirement, there are two big steps involved.

1. You are going to apply for a Non-O initial visa based on being over 50 for 90days. It requires your funds of 800k thb in a Thai bank account, but does NOT require funds to sit in the account for a certain time. You can apply for a Non-O visa immediately after you have your money in Thailand.

This requires you have minimum 15days (21days in Chiang Mai and a few more provinces) remaining with your current stamp.

2. When you have 30days (45days in Bangkok, CM, and a few others) or less left of the stamp from No.1, Non-O visa, you will apply for a 1-year extension based on being over 50. For this, you have to have your funds seasoned for two months when you apply.

So you still should have time to apply in-country. Go to your local immigration office to get a recent handout of requirements for initial in-country Non-O based on being over 50.

5 years ago

Art ******

Does

*****

0thb can be an equivalent of foreign currency or strictly in thb?

5 years ago

Ellie *******

Just be aware, the exchange rate MIGHT not be the same as the bank or market rate.

5 years ago

Ellie *******

@Art *****

If you are using a Bank account inside Thailand, you can use a foreign currency account as well. Check with your bank and your local immigration office for detail

5 years ago

Jake *********

I have another question for you, Ellie, if you don't mind. Do you happen to know the specific requirement list for in-country Non-O for retirement purposes for Chaeng Wattana?

5 years ago

Jake *********

Thank you so much,

@El***

5 years ago

Ellie *******

@Jake ********

Bangkok immigration has the same list on their website. But I cannot guarantee this is the latest at CW. That is what you need to figure out by yourself.

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/8-1.pdf

5 years ago

Jake *********

Ok, thank you Ellie, appreciate the due diligence heads-up. Always good to read the fine print.

I know what to do now.

5 years ago

Ellie *******

You will go to Chaeng Wattana for Non-O and extension after.

If your funds can be shown as being transferred internationally to Thailand, you don't have to move.

Check with your bank for detail.

If you sell your asset in Thailand, earn money from that legally officially in Thailand, and you can prove it's legal in Thailand with your tourist status... Is it possible to use that money from inside Thailand for your funds requirement for your retirement visa/extension? That is the question you need to ask your local immigration office.

Otherwise, your funds have to come from abroad.

5 years ago

Jake *********

I'm in Bangkok. Do I go back to Impact Arena or to Chaeng Wattana?

5 years ago

Jake *********

Well, that's excellent! A lot more straightforward than what I was thinking.

So, since I will be liquidating assets in Thailand, I will need to transfer the money to another country and then back in?

5 years ago

Ellie *******

Here is the general requirement list for in-country Non-O for retirement purposes, but as I say this is a general one, you need to get a your-immigration-office-specific-requirement list.

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*******

/8-1.pdf

5 years ago