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Should I apply for a Non-O visa in Vietnam or enter Thailand with a tourist visa and convert it later?

Aug 31, 2025
4 days ago
Pierre ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello,

I am working on a non-o visa (retirement). I am currently in Vietnam. Should I request the non-o visa in Vietnam or enter Thailand with a tourist visa and convert it to non-o. I am under the impression of I do inside of Thailand, I end up with more time on the visa (convert tourist visa to non-o gives me 90 days then ask for 1 year extension as opposed to getting 1 year from Vietnam). Any help would be appreciated
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user seeks advice on whether to apply for a Non-O retirement visa in Vietnam or enter Thailand on a tourist visa and then convert it to a Non-O visa. Comments clarify that regardless of the approach, the visa process requires obtaining a 90-day Non-O visa first, which can be done either from the Thai consulate in Vietnam or through entry into Thailand. They also emphasize the importance of having a Thai bank account and a condo lease for obtaining the necessary financial documentation for visa extension.
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.
Clarence *********
Can you still do this process if you show you make over 65,000 baht in a pension every month?
John **********
@Clarence ********
looks like you are Canadian? If so your embassy has stopped providing income certificates. So if you are already inside Thailand on an extension of stay and can show a minimum of 65k baht per month transfers for the past 12 months you can use this to apply for the next extension. But you can't use this method to apply for a 90 day Non-O visa nor the 1st extension from that visa
Clarence *********
@John *********
I am not in Thailand currently
John **********
@Clarence ********
so you can apply for a 90 day Non-O in your home country using your pension income but to get a 12 month extension of stay inside Thailand after arrival you will need to put 800k baht minimum in a Thai bank account. If you build up 12 months of transfers from overseas of a minimum of 65k baht per month you can use that for the 2nd extension onwards
Jon ******
If you need to open a Thai Bank account, you will need to get the Non-O eVisa from outside Thailand. Enter on the 90day Non-O. Then get your condo lease ASAP. You'll need the condo lease (if you don't own a condo) in order to open the Thai bank account. Go to immigration (with the condo lease) to get the resident letter from them which is required to open the bank account. The letter from immigration is specific, so you tell immigration which bank you want to open the account, and they'll address the letter to that bank. Go to the bank with passport, Non-O visa, condo contract (or your house book if are an owner), immigration resident letter, and get the account opened. Immediately transfer in the 800k from your home country bank account (it must show as a foreign transfer). The funds must be in the account at least 2 months before you apply for the 1 year Extension of Stay, so you need to get all of this done within the first 2-3 weeks of entering on the initial 90day Non-O. When you arrive, you may want to double check with the bank as to what (if anything) else they may require to open the account. Good luck.
Tod *********
@Jon *****
good advice,

but

the O/P already posted back that they have a bank account

so that's one less thing for them to worry about 🙂
John **********
If you already have a Thai bank account you can come in visa exempt, but if you don't you will have difficulty opening one on that so get the Non-O before you come
Tod *********
You've got your wires crossed a bit

Any way you look at it you need to get the 90 day Non-O visa FIRST before you can do the year extension at the immigration office after it runs down.

You can't get a Non-O visa for a year from the thai consulate in vietnam, you get a 90 day Non-O visa from them (same as you'd get inside the country)

OR

You come in free stamp, visa exempt, get the 800K baht in a thai bank account in your name and then apply for the 90 day Non-O at the immigration office where you stay.
Pierre ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
thank you. When I entered Thailand visa free the last time immigration gave me a hard time. I will get a Visa in Vietnam and proceed once I m in Thailand. I have a lease and I have a bank account.
Dick ********
@Pierre *******
you’re in great shape if you already have a Thai bank account into which you can deposit the 800,000 baht before applying for your first annual extension of stay. Be sure to check how far in advance you’ll need to get your funds seasoned before applying for the extension
Pierre ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dick *******
noted and thank you 🙏
Tod *********
@Pierre *******
the seasoning at EVERY immigration office in the country for banked money funds on retirement extensions is the same. The 800K needs to be in the account for 2 months before you apply for your extension

Some 'renegade' offices tell people it's 3 months BUT it most definitely is not.

This is a translation of the seasoning requirements for banked money method on retirement
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