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Is it necessary to leave Thailand to apply for a 90-day Non-O visa from a tourist visa?

Visa Extension Non-O Visa Tourist Visa Immigration Office Retirement Visa Thailand Visa Rules

Sep 26, 2018

7 years ago

Brian *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi. Thanks for the add. Need advice re Visa and extension. My circumstances- age 59 - arrived in Thailand 4 September 2018 on a 60 day tourist visa (Issued in Liverpool ,UK) . Am currently in Prachin Buri  where I went to the Immigration Office with a view to convert tourist visa to a 90 day Non Immigrant O visa -(retirement )I was informed all they would issue was a 30 day extension to my tourist visa which takes me to 2 December 2018. (1900baht). - which I did.(after providing proof of address with my partner - (she's a Thai national).  Furthermore I was informed I would HAVE to leave Thailand to apply for Non O Immigrant extension , then re-enter . I have confirmed I can open an account with Bangkok Bank to deposit the required  800,000 baht.  is it REALLY necessary to leave Thailand to apply at overseas consulate ? Seems to conflict with what I have read elsewhere.  Any advice greatly appreciated - am just not sure how to proceed . Thanks.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is seeking advice on converting a tourist visa into a 90-day Non-Immigrant O visa in Thailand. Initially, they received only a 30-day extension but were told that to obtain the Non-O visa, they must leave Thailand and apply at a consulate. Several commenters provide mixed feedback, with some suggesting that specific immigration offices may not have the authority to issue the Non-O visa, necessitating a trip to a neighboring country such as Laos. Others mention that, under certain conditions, it might be possible to apply from within Thailand if certain documentation and income proofs are provided. There’s a consensus that the user should verify the policies at their local immigration office.

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Tod *********

If your immigration office will not do the conversion from a 30 day visa exempt entry or a single entry tourist visa entry to a 90 day Non-O visa inside the country your only option would be to go to a neighboring country and get a 90 day single entry Non-O visa . As posters suggested, Vientiane or Savannakhet would be good choices.

7 years ago

Brian *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Just like to say thank you to all that replied to my post - appreciated

7 years ago

Robert *******

It depends on the Immigration Office, some smaller offices do not have the authority to hand out Non Immigrant O visa. If you're in that area, the only option is to visit a Thai Consulate in a neighbor country and apply there for the Non Immigrant O visa.

7 years ago

Tod *********

@Brian ********

nope you can apply for a police clearance from the Special Branch Police Office in Bangkok at this link:

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7 years ago

Brian *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yrs , but do I have I got to got to got to go back to UK for my police clearance ?

7 years ago

Joe ***********

Going to Vientiane - after getting an income letter from your Embassy is the best route to get the 90 Single Entry Non Imm O Visa. Getting the One Year Extension of Stay based on that Non O Visa is easy enough. Done once - it all gets easier each year.

7 years ago

Robert *******

Vientianne: copies passport, copy Laos visa, letter bank minimum 800.000 Thb in your name or letter Embassy with minimum 65.000 Thb monthly income, recent police clearance and medical certificate.

7 years ago

Brian *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I really don't want to go down the Agent route unliss someone can recommend one that is 100% . If I went to say Laos or Vietnam or other neighbouring country , what docs will the embassy require to issue a Non-immigrant visa ?

7 years ago

Reply to

Brian *********

Mikkel *******

Maybe depends on the particular immigration office. I had a friend coming in on a METV last winter, and got a years extension based on being over 50 directly from that in the local immigration office.

7 years ago

James ********

I suggest you leave your money in the UK. You can get a income verification letter from your British Embassy in Bangkok. You should not have to leave Thailand to change your current status to the so called retirement visa. Tod Daniels and others can reply with detail.

James ********

agreed

Steve *******

That's only providing they have an income and then only if it's not less than 65,000bt per month.

7 years ago

Reply to

Steve *******

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