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Is entering Thailand on a visa exempt the best option when planning to convert to Non-O visa later?

Visa Exempt Non-O Visa Extension of Stay Visa Types Thai Immigration Expat Advice Visa Conversion Travel Plans

Oct 7, 2021

5 years ago

Mary **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Am currently out of Thailand in US. I was on 1 year extension of stay which expires October 15 and prior to my return. I have booked a flight to BKK for early November. My plan is to enter on visa exempt and then to convert to Non-0 while in Thailand and then to one year extension of stay. Sufficient money is already seasoned in Thailand. My question: is entering visa exempt the best option or is there a reason to purchase a 60 day tourist visa? I'm thinking the only difference would be the length of insurance to purchase but am open to suggestion.  Thanks for your help!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is currently outside Thailand and plans to enter on a visa exempt basis, with intentions to convert to a Non-O visa and later secure a one-year extension of stay. They seek advice on whether this is the best path compared to purchasing a 60-day tourist visa, mentioning seasoned funds already in Thailand. Responses from the community suggest that entering on a visa exempt might be sufficient given the user's circumstances, while also noting the importance of having an onward ticket.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

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Martin ********

I thought there was considerable advantage in getting the O visa in the states, prior to going to Thailand. Maybe there is not time for that now.

5 years ago

Louis ************

Why not get a COE for Phuket, one week stay then fly to Bangkok. Get visa on arrival. Unless they change it to Bangkok sandbox and do the same in Bangkok. Take care of immigration a few weeks after arrival?

5 years ago

Frédéric ******************

I am in the same situation. My worry is if immigration will accept the seasoning money as I understood that money should be coming from abroad for the first extension.

5 years ago

Steve **********

@Frédéric ****************

I am guessing that just like Everything else here it depends on the office. I did my first extension in Ubon. No one asked about where the money came from. And it did not come from abroad. It was from my wife’s account to mine. Zero questions about that at all.

5 years ago

Reply to

Steve **********

Mary **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks everyone!

5 years ago

David *********

For your first O retirement visa hire a Visa agent and let them do it for you after you arrive in Thailand. Sure you can do it yourself for 1900 BHT, which is a lot cheaper but an agency takes away all the hassle

5 years ago

Michael ********

@David ********

you cant even read question properly this is not her first visa.

This why YOU need an agent

5 years ago

Danny ********

@David ********

i takes me an hour to gather up the paperwork and go do my retirement visa. Paying

*****

baht for a lazy agent to do your easy work is exactly one of the things that is wrong with this country.

5 years ago

Brian *******