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How can I transition from a visa exempt stamp to a Non-O visa in Thailand?
Non-O visaVisa exempt stampBank account openingVisa application processExpats in ThailandVisa requirementsImmigration issuesVisa agents
Jan 19, 2026
3 months ago
PeterP******
ORIGINAL POSTERSo, i’m here on visa exempt stamp. Want to flip to non o. It’s 50 k baht for agent, they deposit and withdraw probably same day or 38k baht, where i deposit in cash on day of account opening. (Need to get money here somehow) Or i go spend a few weeks out of country. The time away amounts to maybe 30 k baht. I’m probably gonna opt for the 50 k plan. (Fast) The caveat, once the agents deposits and withdraws funds, and i transfer mine in, which mine would take a week digitally. Am i open to being scrutinized now or in the future. Not into circumventing the law, I have the funds it’s just the practicality of going through motions because i’m slready here! 😊 not trying to skip out but trying to facilitate it… thanks
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is currently in Thailand on a visa exempt stamp and wishes to switch to a Non-O visa. They consider using an agent for assistance, which involves depositing and withdrawing funds in a Thai bank account. However, they express concern about potential scrutiny by immigration authorities due to using agents and money transfers. Comments from other users suggest various alternatives, including leaving the country to apply for the Non-O visa using funds from their home bank statements or directly managing their funds to avoid complications.
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.
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Andy ********
I think what you are looking to do is have an agent help you open an account, deposit the money and then apply for your 90 day and the 1 year extension on the same day. This is the service that most agents provide.
Then after a week or so you put the 800k in the account.
The problem I can see with this approach is that your balance has dropped from 800k to whatever you opened the account with on the same day you applied for your 1 year extension. The requirement is that you maintain 800k from the day you apply for the extension for at least 3 months. I belive you will have an issue when you apply for your second extension.
The solution is to get the agent to get you the 90 day Non Immigrant O only. You send the 800k into your account as planned then 2 months later you can apply for your first extension yourself.
Best of luck.
Then after a week or so you put the 800k in the account.
The problem I can see with this approach is that your balance has dropped from 800k to whatever you opened the account with on the same day you applied for your 1 year extension. The requirement is that you maintain 800k from the day you apply for the extension for at least 3 months. I belive you will have an issue when you apply for your second extension.
The solution is to get the agent to get you the 90 day Non Immigrant O only. You send the 800k into your account as planned then 2 months later you can apply for your first extension yourself.
Best of luck.
PeterP******
ORIGINAL POSTERI’m going to
Immigration tomorrow and going to ask them how i can open a bank account on my tourist visa and transfer my funds in… that’s the issue no? I have the retirement income, the required money, it’s all legit, just didn’t really plan on staying, now i do, at least for a year or two…then because of theses requirements, i use an agent and get put on a possible naughty list…but thanks everyone for your input… Ai says Penang is my better option to apply for non-o… i don’t need a visa to enter whereas Vietnam i do…?
Immigration tomorrow and going to ask them how i can open a bank account on my tourist visa and transfer my funds in… that’s the issue no? I have the retirement income, the required money, it’s all legit, just didn’t really plan on staying, now i do, at least for a year or two…then because of theses requirements, i use an agent and get put on a possible naughty list…but thanks everyone for your input… Ai says Penang is my better option to apply for non-o… i don’t need a visa to enter whereas Vietnam i do…?
Dylan ********
PeterPear999 save yourself the time and trouble. You can’t open a Thai bank account on a tourist visa.
Keith ********
Dylan Taylor
I did a few years ago...
But that was a few years ago!!
Last year I did have to link my Thai phone number to the bank account, which they done for me at my branch.
I'm not able to withdraw cash out the machine but can still use the scan option to pay for things.
This is with Bankgkok Bank.
I know things have changed dramatically in the last couple of years though.
I did a few years ago...
But that was a few years ago!!
Last year I did have to link my Thai phone number to the bank account, which they done for me at my branch.
I'm not able to withdraw cash out the machine but can still use the scan option to pay for things.
This is with Bankgkok Bank.
I know things have changed dramatically in the last couple of years though.
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Keith ********
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Gregory *********
To go to siem reap cambodia or laos and get a non o will be less than a month. You get to visit another country and explore and you spend less than 50k and can do it all yourself legally and properly. I would do instead of paying an agent.
Jim *******
Gregory Kleiman I concur with that.
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Jim *******
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Tania **********
Too messy and complicated !
Lots of Beautiful nice Countries that are smart, welcoming tourists( short/lobg, retired , students etc etc…)
Lots of Beautiful nice Countries that are smart, welcoming tourists( short/lobg, retired , students etc etc…)
Dylan ********
Tania Pettifer oh yeah, like which ones?
Tania **********
Dylan Taylor Indonesia, Vietnan, Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, etc etcetc………
Dylan ********
Tania Pettifer Vietnam does not have a long-term retirement visa. You have to do a Visa run every 90 days. It’s a very nice country though.
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Dylan ********
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Alan *******
It would be the bank giving you up to immigration if they are taking notice and dont forget it is supposed to be coded as overseas transfer.
Dylan ********
Alan Moore I heard that the initial ฿800,000 does not need to be coded that way. Putting ฿65,000 per month in the account does.
Bob **********
Dylan Taylor Some offices require it to be an foreign transfer for your first extension
Nongnuch ********
Dylan Taylor if you do the "change of visa type" from a touristic entry to the initial 90-days Non-imm-O visa, you need 800,000 THB sitting in your Thai bank account and the money has to came from abroad. Only if you enter on a 90-days Non-Imm-O visa, open the bank account and transfer the 800,000 THB into it, you need no proof that the money came from abroad. This rule is different only in Pattaya, a very corrupt office with their own rules
Alan *******
I have heard people here say immigration want proof it came from outside ,i want to use my wise account because its a better conversion rate than a bank transfer but many have said wise is not accepted unless you ask the bank to code it as international so i asked the question on google and it tells me wise can be used but make sure it is coded as from outside of the country . It looks like peter wants to deposit in cash from inside thailand not sure how he will go.
Andy ********
Dylan Taylor not sure you can do the 65,000 on first visa application. To qualify for that you have to put that amount or above for twelve month showing that it came from outside thailand.
Dylan ********
Andy Spence true, you can’t use the 12 months deposits on your initial application.
I wasn’t trying to suggest that you could. 
I wasn’t trying to suggest that you could. 
Reply to
Dylan ********
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Dylan ********
I just did a 90 day non-O plus one year Visa extension. I used my own funds and used an agent. The total cost was ฿24,500. It’s all rumor, but I didn’t feel comfortable using the agents money For the bank balance. I heard immigration is not looking the other way at that sort of thing as much now.
Anyway, as I’m sure you know you have to leave the country to apply for the 90 day non-O. Even if you do it online. But that doesn’t mean you have to stay out of the country until it gets approved. If you come back in on a Visa exemption you’ll just have to leave again and come back again when the non-o gets approved. I was coming from my home country, but Mine took so long to get approved That’s what I did.
Anyway, as I’m sure you know you have to leave the country to apply for the 90 day non-O. Even if you do it online. But that doesn’t mean you have to stay out of the country until it gets approved. If you come back in on a Visa exemption you’ll just have to leave again and come back again when the non-o gets approved. I was coming from my home country, but Mine took so long to get approved That’s what I did.
John **********
@Dylan *******
you are meant to remain where you apply until your visa is approved so lucky to get away with that, but it doesn't fit with the rest of your storyDylan ********
@John *********
what doesn’t fit with the rest of my story?John **********
@Dylan *******
that's how it is meant to work. Sometimes you even get asked to sign a declaration that you will remain where you applied until the process completesDylan ********
@John *********
i’m not saying you’re wrong but I never saw that anywhere and I researched it a lot. Anyway, maybe I got away with something. Ignorance is bliss.In my defense, I had airline tickets booked and they ask you when is your flight. I gave it over a month lead time and they just never got around to approving it. So it was either forfeit the tickets or do it the way I did it.
John **********
@Dylan *******
your not the first to do that but I've seen others having to jump on a plane back to where they applied so not recommended but all good for youDylan ********
I never saw anything that said you have to stay where you are. Where did you get that information?
Reply to
Dylan ********
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Dylan ********
I’ve heard There are agents that can even convert the visas exemption to a 90 day non-o for you. Without leaving the country. For a fee, of course.
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Dylan ********
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Collywobble **********
wonder if the visa exempt and other visa issues will change after the imminent election??
Jim *******
Collywobble Thomason Thais elect their Trump?
Collywobble **********
Jim Davis whoever wins the election it will be the military but reshuffled military as usual
Reply to
Collywobble **********
Reply
Tania **********
Reply to
Tania **********
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Jesper *******
Probably deposit your own cash and not break any rules but will need the help of agents to open your bank accts and do your extension for the 1st year .....keep your funds in there so you can do your own extensions the following year
Will ************
Better idea . Leave Thailand to somewhere like Vietnam, apply for you non-o using your home country bank statement, get visa, arrive in Thailand, open bank account and transfer at least 800k baht in. Leave for 2 months and pay 1900 baht for your 1 year extension.
Tom *******
You have just identified yourself on social media
Agents break the law to get your visa
So now you’re probably going to be flagged at immigration
Agents break the law to get your visa
So now you’re probably going to be flagged at immigration
Mark ********
Tom Whyte You honestly think that is his real name🤣🤣🤣
Bob **********
Tom Whyte immagration wants agents,the money is big time
Matthew *********
Tom Whyte get real, this is how it's done. No one would ever get flagged my immigration for posting agency method. What a moron
Tom *******
Matthew Plymale before you call someone a moron think before you put your arsehole into gear. They can monitor anything they want and very easily. Just setting computer algorithms to alert on certain words how do they catch criminals these days. Big Brother is Watching all the time c@nt
Jim *******
Matthew Plymale I am sitting in Bangkok now via Thai Visa Center, 1 year extension of stay based on Non O 90 days visa, retirement that I had. They made all the work. Immigration had no questions, all OK, bye, said the officer, Souvarnabhumi airport, October 29. 2025.
Whatever way they (agencies) do that (I told the agency I can deposit 800K THB), they said no need. It was 34,000 THB.
Whatever way they (agencies) do that (I told the agency I can deposit 800K THB), they said no need. It was 34,000 THB.
Stuart ***********
34,000 baht for an extension 🫣. It takes me 30 minutes and costs 1,900 baht. I use the 65k method, so no need for 800k either.
Reply to
Stuart ***********
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Todd *********
Tom Whyte no they don’t. So
No worries
No worries
Jesper *******
Tom Whyte agents just help to provide smoother transitions from a tourist visa to a nonO if OP is using his own funds .....immigration will not waste time on FB lol
Brian ********
Jesper Ngiam
Read the post - he has the funds but not available at the moment - so the agent will deposit for him.
Therefore illegal visa
Read the post - he has the funds but not available at the moment - so the agent will deposit for him.
Therefore illegal visa
Reply to
Brian ********
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