Answereda day ago
How can I transition from a Non Immigrant O visa to the LTR Wealthy Pensioner Visa while in Thailand?
Regarding the LTR Wealthy Pensioner Visa:
The third 12 month extension of my Non Immigrant O visa (retirement) expires December 16, and for my own reasons I want to switch to the LTR wealthy pensioner option. I meet the requirements. I'm not in Thailand at the moment, but will be returning on November 17.
Questions:
For those who have successfully received the LTR visa, I'm looking for advice on how long it took to process your application from initial application to appointment in Bangkok, to stamp in passport. Timing might be too tight for me.
Can I apply from outside the country, or must I be in Thailand at the time I submit the application?
If I need to be in Thailand to apply, would from November 17 to December 16 be enough time for approval?
Or would my best option be to apply for the next 12 month extension and work on the LTR after? Certainly a safer plan, but I need multiple reentry so I'm looking at 1900 + multiple reentry fee + all the headaches of the application process. Plus the 50k LTR fee.
I see that a police background check from my home country "may" be required (upon request?). In the case of the USA, are we talking about the FBI, or would a local police department check suffice? In either case, this would need to be initiated from inside the US, so that tells me I should get on this ASAP, if I do plan to apply before December. Any comments as to whether or not this was requested for your application?
Last comment, I don't want to use an agent.
Thanks in advance for the advice!
The third 12 month extension of my Non Immigrant O visa (retirement) expires December 16, and for my own reasons I want to switch to the LTR wealthy pensioner option. I meet the requirements. I'm not in Thailand at the moment, but will be returning on November 17.
Questions:
For those who have successfully received the LTR visa, I'm looking for advice on how long it took to process your application from initial application to appointment in Bangkok, to stamp in passport. Timing might be too tight for me.
Can I apply from outside the country, or must I be in Thailand at the time I submit the application?
If I need to be in Thailand to apply, would from November 17 to December 16 be enough time for approval?
Or would my best option be to apply for the next 12 month extension and work on the LTR after? Certainly a safer plan, but I need multiple reentry so I'm looking at 1900 + multiple reentry fee + all the headaches of the application process. Plus the 50k LTR fee.
I see that a police background check from my home country "may" be required (upon request?). In the case of the USA, are we talking about the FBI, or would a local police department check suffice? In either case, this would need to be initiated from inside the US, so that tells me I should get on this ASAP, if I do plan to apply before December. Any comments as to whether or not this was requested for your application?
Last comment, I don't want to use an agent.
Thanks in advance for the advice!
Answer summary
The user is looking to switch from a Non Immigrant O visa to the LTR Wealthy Pensioner Visa, with questions about application timing, requirements, and processes. Insights from community responses indicate that applications can be started from outside Thailand, and processing times vary widely, usually between a few weeks to a couple of months. A police clearance is generally not required unless specifically requested. Users also reflect on their experiences of either applying independently or using agents for assistance.
23 repliesnewest first
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Ron *********
I got mine on my own with everything approved before I left the US. Did not need FBI or medical like I did for the AO. My AO was still.valid when I got here, they just cancelled it and gave me the LTR. This was 3 years ago I think it took a few weeks but I would think it's faster now as I was one of the first to get it. I didn't have any issues except when I showed up for the interview I had all my stuff printed on two sides. So I had to download from the cloud and print single sided. No big deal and no hassles.
John ******
OPRon Henning Good info, thanks. It seems like the application process is pretty well organized. I actually look forward to working with the BOI, after several years of headaches from immigration (different agents, different provinces, different rules, never knew exactly what documents were needed)
Tom **********
Forgoing all the frustrations of applying myself, I used an agency in Bangkok for my LTR-WP. If you can afford the LTR-WP, I recommend this path unless you are a patient do-it-yourself type person. My only delays were caused by my insurance company in America. The agency in BKK filed all paperwork that I provided digitally from America. After approval, I then came to BKK for the visit to the Immigration offices for processing and separate payment for the visa stamp. An agency rep accompanied me and cut through all the red tape. The time in the Immigration offices was only about two hours. Avoided all usual frustrations, delays, and hassles commonly experienced.
John ******
OPTom Kukowski Good advice, thanks for the reply.
Jeffrey *********
When I applied almost four years ago, approval took seven weeks. A few months later, a friend with nearly identical circumstances took only three weeks - so it's hard to predict.
You do *not* have to be in Thailand to apply! You can start the process online from anywhere in the world, and then choose to receive the visa either in Bangkok at BoI or as an e-visa from a Thai embassy or consulate abroad - entirely up to you.
You do *not* have to be in Thailand to apply! You can start the process online from anywhere in the world, and then choose to receive the visa either in Bangkok at BoI or as an e-visa from a Thai embassy or consulate abroad - entirely up to you.
John ******
OPJeffrey Schwenk Nice, thank you!
Marty *********
The timing may depend on what type of income you are using to qualify and the documents you present. I qualified with a work pension and I submitted a US tax return. The more questions and back and forth emails the longer it will take. Keep it simple. I ended up having to extend my OA visa before completing the LTR application.
I did not use an agent because, for me, the application process was very easy - plus there were no agents in October, 2022.
I applied while I was in Thailand and went to the BOI office in Bangkok to get my visa changed from OA to LTR
I did not use an agent because, for me, the application process was very easy - plus there were no agents in October, 2022.
I applied while I was in Thailand and went to the BOI office in Bangkok to get my visa changed from OA to LTR
John ******
OPMarty Pollard Using a work pension combined with interest income. Don't need to mess with the investment option. Good information, thanks for sharing.
Bob **********
F
David *******
Police clearance was not required. Don’t check the box. Do it only if asked in subsequent dialogues with them. Any documents needed, they will ask you to upload (under 3mb only).
John ******
OPDavid David The only thing that worries me is that in order to secure a US police check, I need to be in the US. Only travel home twice per year, so that could set me back months.
Jo **********
I did it myself it took 2.5 months. the translation process slowed things down. You can apply inside or outside Thailand
John ******
OPJo Clemente Thanks for this info. Sounds like I need to get my next 12 month extension and then start the LTR after that.
Chuck ********
John Knox
Some have recently reported receiving their LTR WP Visa in less that one month. It seems BOI is processing faster. Much depends on the correctness and completeness of your application.
Begin the application wherever you are. Select place of receipt as Bangkok
If you apply today, you may be good to go, receiving the LTR indorement before the current non-O extension has expired.
Leading up to that time, you’ll have to gauge if your LTR will be completed on time. If not, then get another non-O extension.
Be sure to keep your bank deposits for your non-O eligibility intact until you actually receive your LTR Visa.
Those who use an agent say they are glad they did. Those who applied without an agent are happy they didn’t. And they saved money that would have been spent on agent fees.
Some have recently reported receiving their LTR WP Visa in less that one month. It seems BOI is processing faster. Much depends on the correctness and completeness of your application.
Begin the application wherever you are. Select place of receipt as Bangkok
If you apply today, you may be good to go, receiving the LTR indorement before the current non-O extension has expired.
Leading up to that time, you’ll have to gauge if your LTR will be completed on time. If not, then get another non-O extension.
Be sure to keep your bank deposits for your non-O eligibility intact until you actually receive your LTR Visa.
Those who use an agent say they are glad they did. Those who applied without an agent are happy they didn’t. And they saved money that would have been spent on agent fees.
Mark *******
Can’t advise. I used an agent after getting my paperwork kicked back multiple times because they wanted it in different formats. It’s easier to pay a professional, in my opinion.
John ******
OPMark Darby I'll still give it a try on my own, at first anyway. Since the visa is 50k, adding another 30k for an agent really jacks up the cost. Considering the Non-O is just 1900 per year.
Bob **********
John Knox Don’t forget the insurance
John ******
OPBob D'Andrea I was planning to use my US bank balance to offset the insurance requirement. O self insure due to my age and pre existing medical conditions
Mark *******
John Knox understood.
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