Answered6 months ago
How soon should we start the Non-O Retirement Visa application for our move to Chiang Mai?
My husband and I are planning to retire and move to Chiang Mai, arriving on Sept 1st. I know we need to apply for the Non-O Retirement Visa and that we should do the application in our home country (United States). My question is: how soon in advance of our planned arrival should we start the application process online with the Thai embassy? I understand we’ll have 90 days to complete the process once we apply and I know we’ll need to open a Thai Bank account and deposit 1,600,000 Baht (typo fixed) once we get there. Any guidance on timing and order of operations would be helpful as I wasn’t entirely clear on this from my research. Thanks in advance for the advice!
Answer summary
This post discusses a couple's plan to retire in Chiang Mai and their questions about the timing for applying for a Non-O Retirement Visa. They plan to submit their application through the Thai embassy in the US and ask how early they should start this process before their arrival. Comments suggest applying 6-8 weeks prior to the intended arrival date, emphasizing that the visa must be processed within 90 days of application. Furthermore, the couple discusses the necessity of putting 1,600,000 Baht (for both) in a Thai bank account and the required steps to obtain a residence certificate once they arrive.
45 repliesnewest first
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Robert *************
Also, you do not need to have 800,000 Thai baht invested into an account if you have a monthly income of 60,000 Thai baht or more.
Robert *************
I came here on a 60 day visa and applied while here in Thailand. Just go to any visa shops and explain that you want to live here and it will happen. I ran out of time and was given another 60 days until I got approved. Find a bank that allows you to do transfers between banks. I use Charles Schwab bank. Schwab refunds any ATM fees you might get each month. There is also a stock investment account you can get at Charles Schwab. This is the way I did it and have been here nearly 5 years.
Terry ***************
Couldn’t be any clearer, try reading the actual guide on the website ffs
Dennis **********
You need to add one more zero to that $160,000 make it 1.6 million 800,000 each bhat
Fabian *****************
Why, why does a question about visa end up with unsolicited advice, in almost every post. What is wrong to just answer the questions?
Isn’t it also possible for one spouse to apply for Non OA and the other one as “Accompanying”? But maybe more paperwork?
Isn’t it also possible for one spouse to apply for Non OA and the other one as “Accompanying”? But maybe more paperwork?
Andrew ********
Pay a reputable agent
It’s complicated
And
They know whose palm s need to be greased
It’s complicated
And
They know whose palm s need to be greased
Sailor******
Oh no!
The 90 day non O visa MUST be done from home country???
I’m already here on tourist visa🤔
The 90 day non O visa MUST be done from home country???
I’m already here on tourist visa🤔
Jonathan **********
SailorLady⛵️ you can do it here in Thailand.
Brandon ************
SailorLady⛵️ no. Only the non-OA must be done from home country. The non-O can be done from any Thai embassy that accepts visa applications from non-residents of that country, which includes every Thai embassy in SE Asia.
Cris ******
Brandon responded so he will give you solid advice. My question is, have you looked into Chiang Mai? Like actually looked? Or just social media stuff? Because at the moment its rated the most polluted city in the world with "critically dangerous" levels of pollution and smoke...
Vicki **********
OPCris Murl we were there during the smoke season and agree, it sucks. Our plan is to travel and stay somewhere else for 6-8 weeks during burn season. Agree, this is a problem in Chiang Mai. It’s so bad for everyone and I feel so bad for people who live and are from there and can’t leave.
Barath *******
Vicki Sorensen consider Hua Hin... We wanted to go there but chose Phuket because of close proximity to the airport, my mum is 83, she lives in Singapore.
Tommy **********
Are you sure concerning the 160,000 baht? It’s normally 800,000 Thai baht or show income of 65,000 each Thai Baht. I would look at You tube “moving to Thailand “ the host is Cal. He has many videos covering this topic!
Vicki **********
OPTommy Benjamin thanks! Helpful. (Meant to say we need 1,600,000 baht for two. Typo)
Rod ***********
The most polluted city in the world, lung cancer 😥, yes it's a great city, would never live there sadly.
Jon *******
Rod Crosswell the most polluted city in the world? Poorly worded comments like that are then used by even more ignorant people to eventually spread outright false information. Consider your words a little more carefully
Rod ***********
Jon Popow prove me wrong.
Jon *******
Rod Crosswell see my statement to Petr. Are you going to stick with a general statement like that or give it more context that you’re referring to AQI during a specific period of time among a selected list?
Petr *********************
Jon Popow it is true, very polluted
Rod ***********
Jon Popow don't like being wrong, narcissistic nob.
Rod ***********
Petr S. Van Valkenburg sorry I should have corrected myself,it's seasonal, March through to June July it's the most polluted city in the world due to burning season also from countries nearby, lung cancer is very prevalent in that region.
Jon *******
Petr S. Van Valkenburg not arguing that it’s NOT polluted. However, an all encompassing statement like this is so broad that it’s a useless statement. Sure, there are times when it tops the AQI among SELECTED cities. However, keep in mind that there are cities in Thailand alone that aren’t counted against the list, let alone other cities around the world.
Andrew ******************
Just starting, so excuse the dumb question. I keep reading that 800,000TB, is requied to be parked in a Thai Bank. You mention 160,000 above. Are there different kinds of retirement visa's? I'm so confused and thinking it has to be easier than what Im reading
Vicki **********
OPAndrew Copeland Griggs will fix that. My bad
Ralph *******
Andrew Copeland Griggs I think it’s a typo and they meant 1.6 million baht.
Patricia **************
Andrew Copeland Griggs Someone above asked if it was a typo. It's 1,600,000 (she missed a 0) for her and her husband, 800k baht a piece.
Cliff *********
6-8 weeks prior to your planned departure.
Side Question: have you ever visited CM before?
Side Question: have you ever visited CM before?
Vicki **********
OPCliff Sussman yes I have! My husband and I were there a few weeks ago, right before Songkran. And my cousin and his wife live there. We fell in love with the people.
Tommy **********
Vicki Sorensen I would strongly make plans to Visit the south of Thailand during the Burning season. I think is Jan to March. I lived in Bangkok from 2002-2020 and the smog was not always bad from the north but some days it was kind of thick!
Wannikea *********
Where do you live in the US? That determines which consulate will handle your application. I'd say about 6 weeks before you intend to arrive.
Vicki **********
OPWannikea Wanblee I live in Minneapolis (Minnesota). There is not a Thai consulate nearby so my plan was to do it online. Does that make a difference on processing, my location I mean?
Wannikea *********
Vicki Sorensen all Thai Visa applications worldwide are now done online. Your location when you submit the application will determine which consulate the application is directed to for approval.
Vicki **********
OPWannikea Wanblee based on the map above, Chicago. I can get there on a day trip if I need to be in person form some reason also …
Brandon ************
@Vicki *********
You would have to apply through the e-visa system, and choose the consulate from the list that serves your area.Brandon ************
The visa is valid to use for 90 days once the embassy issues it. That means you can submit the application anytime within 90 days of your trip to Thailand. Probably best to do it about 60 days before your planned departure date so you leave yourself some flexibility if needed.
Once you arrive within the 90 days the visa allows, you'll receive a 90-day entry stamp into Thailand. I'm not sure if you putting "160,000 baht" is a typo or what, but it's 800,000 baht per person.
Once you arrive within the 90 days the visa allows, you'll receive a 90-day entry stamp into Thailand. I'm not sure if you putting "160,000 baht" is a typo or what, but it's 800,000 baht per person.
Vicki **********
OP@Brandon ***********
that is a typo. Missed a zero. I meant to say we’ll need 1,600,000 Baht. So once we are in the country, we have 90 days to get a rental lease, open a Thai bank account, deposit the funds, and apply for the retirement visa, correct?
And thanks for your advice on timing to start the non-O visa. Super helpful!
John **********
@Vicki *********
best that you each get your own bank accounts with a minimum of 800k baht, some immigration offices won't allow joint accounts and with a joint account only one of you will get access to online banking (which will require a Thai SIM registered against your passport). Also you will be applying for an extension of stay not a visa, that requires the 800k baht must be in your account for 2 months before you apply, remains there for 3 months after the extension is granted and can't drop below 400k baht at any point so add at least 5 months spending to the 800k.Brandon ************
@Vicki *********
You don't have 90 days to get that all done. You have approximately 30 days to get the bank account open. What that means is you need to go to immigration shortly after arriving and find out what they require to get a residence certificate (which you will need to open a bank account). Some provinces only want a TM30 from wherever you are staying, but some might require a lease. You need to get the bank account opened and the money transferred within the first 30 days, because one of the requirements for the extension is that the money must be in the account for 2 full months already when you apply for it.Vicki **********
OP@Brandon ***********
thank you! You are the best 🙏
Ann ****************
Vicki Sorensen My research indicates to find a long-term lease within 2 weeks of arriving. Then get a certificate of residency from Immigration. That form will help you at the bank. Don’t use Bangkok bank. They say the friendliest bank for expats are at Central Festival, which is also where an immigration office is. Good luck!
BC ********
Michael Sternberg Bangkok Bank is notorious for creating extra problems with their own made-up absurd rules. Avoid at all costs !
Kool *******
Vicki Sorensen you don't need a lease to get the bank accounts. Get a separate bank account for both of you, as not all immigration offices accept joint accounts.
Michael ***********
Ann Parris Estill
"Don’t use Bangkok bank"
Why? If that's just for 800,000 THB deposit and all the rest of my financial activity will be via other bank in Thailand, why not Bangkok Bank?
"Don’t use Bangkok bank"
Why? If that's just for 800,000 THB deposit and all the rest of my financial activity will be via other bank in Thailand, why not Bangkok Bank?
Graeme ******
Vicki Sorensen you need a residence certicate from immigration which you can get with a TM30 from the place you are staying. You dont necessarily need a lease, you could be in a hotel or Airbnb for a period which has been accepted many times to gain the residence certificate
Vicki **********
OPAnn Parris Estill I wondered about the timing issue for getting a rental lease. Must have this before the bank account so it really doesn’t give you much time since the money needs to be in the account for 60 days. Helpful advice, thank you!
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