Should I apply for a Non-O visa for retirement before leaving Thailand?

Non-O Visa Retirement Visa Visa Strategy

May 22, 2020

5 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I am here on the amnesty for a tourist visa extension. I will go back to USA before July 31st. I would like to  maximize my chances of being allowed back in during November, as I am having a house built with an eye towards long-term residency. I'm thinking people with long-term visas might have a better chance than those trying to come back on a tourist visa.

Would it make sense to apply for a non-O visa based on retirement, even though I am planning to leave before the end of July? I have read on the Thai Embassy website that the period of stay is only 90 days, but it also says if you get a multiple entry visa, the visa is good for one year. Does that mean I could leave in July and I would get a new period of stay when I come back in November? And then I could apply for the one-year extension of stay when I return in November? I meet the age requirement, and already have my Thai bank account and the money needed (but not deposited yet.) I also have a pension that would qualify, but I don't think I can get a letter from the US Embassy now.

Sorry this is so complicated, but that's just how they make it for us.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is currently on amnesty for a tourist visa in Thailand and plans to return to the USA before July 31. They are considering applying for a Non-O visa based on retirement to improve their chances of re-entering Thailand in November. They inquire if applying for the visa now while on amnesty, despite leaving soon, would be beneficial. The comments advise that applying for the Non-O visa while still in Thailand will not work as intended because it typically has a 90-day stay period, and they suggest applying for the visa from the USA instead to return to Thailand with a proper long-term plan.

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.
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James ********

As you are now on amnesty thru July 31..

Leave it at that...no change.

Return to home country and apply for the Non O for retirement at a Thai Embassy/ Consulate serving your State.

Upon your return to Thailand you will be stamped in for 90 days.

Go to Thai Immigration and seek the one year Extension of Stay for retirement.

Hopefully you already have a Thai bank account. If not you will need to open one.

You need 800,000 Thai baht transferred internationally into the Thai bank account two months prior to making application for the one year extension of stay.

The US Embassy no longer provides the affidavit of income letter for you to use with Thai Immigration.

The 800,000 Thai baht must be left in the Thai bank account for three months following your one year extension of stay. And during the year after three months the bank balance must be at least 400,000 Thb. And again two months before your next renewal year the bank balance must be at least 800,000 Thb.

5 years ago

Jeff **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@James *******

Yes I have a Thai account. I also have a pension that is enough by itself but I understand I have to get a confirmation letter from the US Embassy even though my pension comes from United States government.

5 years ago

Reply to

Jeff **********

Robert *******

Thanks, lets try to explain. You like to convert your current stay into the Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age, BUT as you already be inside Thailand this visa from Immigration does not have entries and is only good for 90 days, If you apply now, you have to apply for an 1 year Extension of Stay based on being over 50 years of age after 60 days.

It does not work out if you leave before 31 July and want to come back in November.

Better is to leave when you planned, apply in the USA for the Single Entry Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age, come back into Thailand and make sure that you have the money in the Thai bank as soon as possible and apply 60 days later for the 1 year Extension of STay

5 years ago

Jeff **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Robert ******

Right.

5 years ago

Jeff **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@James *******

I think that's what I will end up trying to do. I just hope that by November the Thai government is accepting tourist visas.

5 years ago

Jeff **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Robert ******

when I look at the link provided by Robert the only non-immigrant visa I qualify for is type O-A, is that the one you mean? We cannot get the other non-immigrant O at a Thai consulate or embassy in USA. I think in some countries a person can get this but not in USA. With O-A I would have to prove my clean police record, get a health certificate, and meet the Health Insurance requirements. So it's really not that easy.

5 years ago

Jeff **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Robert ******

cool

5 years ago

Jeff **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Robert ******

Interesting. Is the SEV something I would apply for a while I'm still here, or when I get back to United States?

5 years ago

Jeff **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Robert ******

thanks, I was hoping to apply in Thailand as my Thai consulate in Portland Oregon does not issue any long term visas. I will have to fly to a larger city to apply in United States. But I guess it's not an option to get it done in Thailand now for me.

5 years ago

Reply to

Jeff **********

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Can I apply for a new Non-O retirement visa now, or should I wait for my current visa to expire?

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