How soon can I apply for a Non-O retirement visa while on a tourist visa in Thailand?

Michael *******

You cannot apply in Thailand.Has to be in your own country.

Jo **********

you can

Tony **********

not true. But it's difficult because no bank is now going to open an account for a tourist. Hence they would not qualify since when applying in country you need 800k in Thai bank at time of application, not 2 months prior to extension.

Graeme ******

@Michael ******

thats not true for a 90 day non O over 50 retirement visa. You have to be in your own country to apply for a Non OA retirement visa which is a different visa

Reply to

Graeme ******

Jim *******

The OP stands no chance. Go back to his country and apply from there for Non O 90 days visa. Then jump through the hoops.

18 hours ago

Greg *********

@Jim ******

can you open a bank account on a 90 day visa?

12 hours ago

Liam ***********

@Jim ******

that’s the answer I wanted to know, thanks

Reply to

Liam ***********

Lyndon ************

In short, opening a bank account will be your biggest hurdle. Much easier (possible) arriving on a non-o visa.

John **********

To convert a tourist entry to a Non-O visa you need to have between 15 and 21 days remaining on your current stamp and have the required funds in a Thai bank account. If you don't have a bank account it's almost impossible to open one on a visa exempt stamp so you may find it easier to exit to a nearby country and apply for the visa there

Jack ********

@John *********

between 15 to 21 days? That’s not for all offices. Some allow 45 days before

John **********

@Jack *******

that's for an extension. He asked about conversion

Jack ********

@John *********

I did my conversion from visa exempt to Non O based on retirement 45 days before my stamp expired. Another case where you make broad generalizations without understanding each office is different

John **********

@Jack *******

try reading what I said. Nothing there conflicts with doing it earlier, just that you need to have that time remaining, if you have less they won't allow the conversion

7 hours ago

Reply to

John **********

Liam ***********

Hi ,I thought you had to apply in your own country for a non o based on retirement? Can you apply on a visa exempt while in Thailand?

Lyndon ************

yes, if you have a bank account here already. Otherwise you'll struggle to open one, to deposit the required funds on a tourist visa or visa exempt entry

Liam ***********

@Lyndon ***********

yes I understand that but if I’m on a Visa exempt for 60 days and then say halfway through that holiday can I then apply for a non-immigrant oo and then open a bank account while still in Thailand, I’m slightly confused because then you would be given a non immigrant o Visa for 90 days so I don’t think that can be done on top of the 60 days you already have with your exempt

Bob **********

no you have to have an account already and the OP has lived in Thailand for 5 years on an OA visa ,he’s probably wanted to switch to Non-o so left came back on a TV or exempt stamp you can certainly apply for a non-o with seasoned funds in a Thai bank in his name

Lyndon ************

not without a bank account, which you'll find near impossible to open. Go ask a local bank for their requirements...

Wayne *******

Do you have a Thai bank account?

Liam ***********

@Wayne ******

Reply to

Liam ***********

Ali *******

However, without a Thai bank account showing the required funds, you cannot change your visa to a retirement visa in Thailand

Nicky *******

@Ali ******

I arrived on 25th November , Now I have a retirement visa and new bank account , Cost to do this was 58,000 thai baht , it can be done

9 hours ago

Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ali ******

thank you..lived here for 5 years on NON IMM O-A .have bank account with required funds...thank you for your reply

Bob **********

@Michael *******

you’ll need 15-21 days left on your stamp to apply

Reply to

Bob **********

Ian ********

Big question is have you read the guidelines on how to do this ?

Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ian *******

yes ..

Ian ********

@Michael *******

you won’t have any issues

18 hours ago

Reply to

Ian ********

Nigel **************

Stuart *********

Depends on the office you use. Most allow 30 days prior. Some like Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket allow 45 days.