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Is it possible to switch from a tourist visa to a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand using an affidavit?

Visa typesNon-O visaTourist visaRetirement visaCanada embassy affidavitVisa extensionImmigration rules in Thailand
Aug 24, 2022
2 years ago
Jamie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi All. I am in a bit of a panic. After a year of research and talking to a countless people online in visa advice forums etc., I had planned to retire in Thailand (coming this September) using this approach (see below) but now I have been told with some confidence that this is not possible. Thoughts?

1. arrive in Thailand with a tourist visa for 60 days and extend another 30 days.

2. Switch from a tourist visa to a 90 days non immigrant O based on retirement. To do this, I intend to use statement of pension income with affadavit from Canadian embassy (this proof of funds approach I am now being told by someone is not allowed with a non immigrant O).

3. From here I would have visited immigration in Thailand to extend for another 270 days and do so yearly, using the same income method as described above?

Is this income proof approach (affadavit from embassy of 65K pension income) not valid? Point #6 in the attached Thai immigration memo seems to indicate it is valid.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster is anxious about transitioning from a tourist visa to a Non-Immigrant O (Non-O) retirement visa in Thailand. They outlined a plan that includes arriving on a tourist visa, extending it, and then applying for a Non-O using a pension income affidavit from the Canadian embassy. Several commenters provided insights and experiences, confirming that while Canada does issue such affidavits, some embassies do not. They suggested that obtaining the Non-O visa prior to arrival in Thailand might be more straightforward, as there are inconsistencies in acceptance of income proof for in-country applications.
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.
Helen ********
@Jamie ******
 Also CAD. We found that applying for the Non O in Canada was pretty much the same as the single entry tourist visa by the time it was said and done. Just a couple of extra bank details. It costs more up front but you don't have to pay for and get the 30 day extension when in Thailand. You'd just get your income verification affidavit and then get your yearly extension. Doing it off the tourist visa, you'll be paying for the 30 day extension and again for the yearly extension.
2 years ago
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Jamie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Helen!
2 years ago
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Jamie *******
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Peter ****************
Do yourself a favor and post to the Thai visa advice FB group. The admins are nitpickers, pedantic, detail oriented, just the sort of people you want to listen to.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
You should get the non-O from Canada before you come. It's highly likely they will not let you convert from tourist to non-O with an income letter. If you get the non-O before coming you won't be doing any conversion, just an extension where the letter should work.
2 years ago
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John **********
@Brandon ***********
 they should allow that. It's specifically mentioned in the requirements for an in country Non-O
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@John *********
 that may be the case, but there's some offices that won't even accept income method for the first extension at all. Every office is different and getting it outside is the safer bet.
2 years ago
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John **********
@Brandon ***********
 income method and affidavit method are not the same thing. You can't use income method for an in country Non-O
2 years ago
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Jamie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
*********************************************************************************************************
*******
/9.FOR-RETIREMENT-PURPOSES-50-YEARS-OLD-NON-O.pdf (see point 6)
2 years ago
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Jamie *******
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John **********
Use of an affidavit from your embassy is fine. Some embassies don't issue them any more but Canada does. Once here contact the embassy and see what they require from you
2 years ago
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Jamie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 Thanks John, I have already had communcation with the Canadian embassy and they have provided me with the process which can all be done via email now.
2 years ago
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James ***********
@Jamie ******
 Could you elaborate on the process? I'm planning on coming in November. What type of documentation would you need such as tax filings?
2 years ago
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James ***********
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Philip **********
You can email the Canadian Embassy for the affidavit. It’s $50.00. It’s valid. I’ve done it twice.

You’re coming on a visa exemption not a tourist visa. After October I hear it’s 45 days not 30. Then apply for an extension 1900 Bhat.

You can apply for an extension based on retirement. Do it yourself. It’s as easy as making ice cubes.

Apply in Thailand not Canada.

Ps: I’m from Windsor.
2 years ago
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Jamie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Philip *********
 Thanks Phil! Huh, I am too am originally from Windsor! I chose to go with the tourist visa because it gave me 60 + 30 days, I arrive Sep 28 - so before the new 45 day exemption opportunity kicks in. Otherwise that is the process I am using - thanks for the response!
2 years ago
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Philip **********
@Jamie ******
 Then you’ll apply for the extension based on retirement? I’m in Pattaya Jomtien. If you’re this way send me a message.
2 years ago
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Jamie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Philip *********
 yes, everything else the same, just arriving via tourist, not visa exempt.
2 years ago
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Steven ***************
About 3 or 4 years ago, most embassies here stopped issuing income affidavits, because the thai immigration wanted the embassies to prove the income. Affidavits don't work like that. Embassies were only witnessing your statement of your own income. The onus is on the statement maker that it's true, not the embassy. That's why they stopped issuing them. Some still issue them but most don't.
2 years ago
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John **********
@Steven **************
 not most, only 4 I'm aware of
2 years ago
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Steven ***************
@John *********
 . What I meant by that was many didn't issue them in the first place regardless so most don't anyway. Only a small amount did. There are 80 embassies here. Op is Canadian so yes , he can.
2 years ago
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Jamie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 I have spoken with Canadian embassy to discuss the process for securing the affadavit.
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Steven **************
 Canada still does
2 years ago
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Todd *********
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Will ************
You need a minimum of 65k a month for 12 consecutive months before you apply for the extension or 800k in 2months before the 1year extension
2 years ago
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Stephen *******
Nik Dadd I don't understand your response. Income affidavit people don't have to prove money coming to Thailand. Just that they earn 65k per month in their home country.
2 years ago
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Jacques ********
@Will ***********
 some say 40k
2 years ago
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Stephen *******
@Jacques *******
 That's for marriage extension not retirement extension.
2 years ago
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Jacques ********
@Stephen ******
 ok good to know. I'm on the marriage type O
2 years ago
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Jacques ********
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Mark *********
Nik Dadd Too True.
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Will ***********
 he is Canadian. The money doesn’t even have to be in Thailand. Just needs to prove to the embassy he has 65k monthly income.
2 years ago
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Mark *********
@Todd ********
 Yep. The position for Americans, Brits and Australians is absolutely apalling and all thanks to their own embassies. A disgrace.
2 years ago
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Dianne *****
@Mark ********
 it's very frustrating, but rather than blame our embassies we should blame our own citizens who previously lied when declaring their income / funds. Which prompted Thai immigration to insist on embassy verified income, paperwork
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Dianne ****
 no, it’s definitely substandard service from the embassies. Absolute shite.
2 years ago
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Mark *********
@Dianne ****
 Point sort of taken. However, whereas we were told about the Thai authorities acting in that way how truthful was it in that other embassies are still offering an affadavit approach. I am suspicious. Further, then why not embassy verification, duly charged to us and probably outsourced. Would still be better for us than the current mess. I am not aware of any of the embassies mentioned having investigated ways forward other than abandonment.
2 years ago
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Mark *********
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Steve *******
@Will ***********
 Or the affadavit from your Embassy
2 years ago
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Stephen *******
@Will ***********
 Only for those countries that don't give income affidavit, USA, Australia and UK. Other countries don't have to show the 65k per month for a year
2 years ago
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Stephen *******
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Peter *********
Easier if you can deposit
*****
0baht into your thai bank account less hassle
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Peter ********
 less hassle with the income affidavit. A lot less. And you don’t need to foolishly tie up 800k in a Thai bank at .25%. Better off using an agent.
2 years ago
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Todd *********
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Russell *******
I think your extension will be for 1 year , you first get the non O which is 90 days
2 years ago
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Steve *******
Just get the Non Imm O before you get here then extend for a year using the affadavit from your Embassy.
2 years ago
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Steve *******
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