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Should I apply for a 60-day tourist visa or use the 30-day visa exemption to obtain a Non-immigrant O visa in Thailand?

Non-immigrant O visa retirement visa visa exemption Thai bank account financial requirements applying for visa in Thailand

Ann ********

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asked Apr 15, 2022

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Non-immigrant O visa advice please.

We arrive in Thailand early next month. Our plan was to fly in on the 30 day visa exemption, then apply for the retirement visa from within Thailand.

Should we rather apply for a 60 day tourist visa in South Africa, instead of visa free, and then apply for the O visa in Thailand?  We have received conflicting advice. 

We don't want to apply for a retirement  visa in

 SA as it's time consuming and lots of paperwork.  

We've had a Thai bank account for many years and meet the financial requirements. (money has been in the account for a long period as well). 

We have South African passports (I have a UK passport as well, but my husband only has a SA. )  

TIA 🙂

Answer summary

The original poster is seeking advice on whether to enter Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption or a 60-day tourist visa before applying for a Non-immigrant O visa based on retirement. They already meet financial requirements and wish to avoid the lengthy process of applying for the retirement visa in South Africa. Community responses provide insights on the pros and cons of each option, particularly regarding the financial deposit needed for the visa and the importance of having a Thai bank account.

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Samson *****

Samson *****

For those without a local bank account and enter with Tourist Visa or Visa Exempt, how can you open a bank account?

0

James ********

James ********

you go bank to bank and ask to open an account. Persistence has its rewards. Even with other branches of the same bank. If you have a Thai friend take them with you to the bank. Also ask Expat groups in your area for their suggestion.

4

Ellie *******

Ellie *******

If you are applying for in-country Non-O based on retirement, be sure your funds in Thailand were internationally transferred (as long as the bank can trackback, regardless of how many years passed)

Here is general requirements for Non-O retirement when you are applying inside Thailand.

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3

Kevin ***********

Kevin ***********

Does the money in your Thai account for a long period include the 800K or 1.6M needed for the visa? Do you still have proof it came from an international transfer?

0

Ann ********

Ann ********

OP

@Kevin **********

it's not an international transfer. Money earned in Thailand, working legally.

0

Ellie *******

Ellie *******

unless you ARE working legally as of the time of application for new visa/extension, I don’t think you can use that as valid option.

2

Kevin ***********

Kevin ***********

I don’t know if earned money is an exception but as Ellie says, and everything I’ve ever seen says, the money MUST be from an international transfer.

1

Ellie *******

Ellie *******

@Kevin **********

, for an initial in-country non-O retirement visa, you need to prove it was transferred internationally, For a 1-year extension after you got the initial Non-O visa, no requirement of international transfer.

2

Ellie *******

Ellie *******

As I already commented below

0

Kevin ***********

Kevin ***********

I understand that but they are applying for the initial visa.

0

James ********

James ********

1

James ********

James ********

The choice is yours...

A tourist visa gives you 60+30=90 days to obtain your Non O as retired.

But...if your planning on using a Non O for both of you..and obtain it inside Thailand....are each of you going to place 800,000 Thai baht into a Thai bank = 1.6 Million Thai baht to obtain the one year extension of stay as retired?

If you both obtain the Non O in your home country as retiree...and enter Thailand...only one 800,000 Thai baht deposit is required with the spouse obtaining a Trailing Spouse Non O based one year extension of stay.

2

Ann ********

Ann ********

OP

Yes, together, in Thailand. The non O visa. We qualify.

0

James ********

James ********

so are you both getting the Non O as retiree in your home country BEFORE you fly to Thailand?

0

Ann ********

Ann ********

OP

thank you, your advice is appreciated. 🙂

1

James ********

James ********

then you are fine...

Meet the requirements to enter at the time you plan...watch for changes in Thailand Pass rules to enter.

Safe travels

2

Ann ********

Ann ********

OP

Thanks for your advice, we will do that. We have the required amount in a Thai account.

1

James ********

James ********

then you will need to deposit 1.6 Million Thai baht in a bank account for each of you to obtain the Non O as retiree and the one year extension of stay as retired. A spouse cannot piggy back as a trailing spouse on a Non O retirement extension inside Thailand if the Non O is obtained inside Thailand.

2

Ann ********

Ann ********

OP

no, within Thailand

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