Should I apply for my Non-O visa in Thailand or should my family and I apply outside Thailand for our visas?

Question

Hi again, this is a follow-up to my 1st of March post/request for info & the advice was really helpful....thanks!  My wife (under 50) & our 8 mth old twins went to Phuket Immigration yesterday & got our TM30 sorted OK.  Though when I went for my non-O (retirement) visa, they told me that the bank letter has to be issued on the same day (it was from the day before) & that it would actually be 'easier' for us if we all applied outside Thailand (eg Malaysia), rather than me getting the visa here & then my family getting it outside.  Could you please advise as to whether this is the case, or whether I should go back & get mine done here, then go with my family outside to get their 'trailing' visas; and what documents will the Thai Embassy in Malaysia require? (would I need a bank letter dated the same day, for example).  Admittedly, I've been confused with information I've gleaned from the internet & advice received at Immigration yesterday (who appeared to be a trainee/had to go inside & ask for info each time & initially advised that our kids could stay without a visa until they're 15).  TIA

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user received conflicting information while applying for a Non-O (retirement) visa in Thailand. After obtaining a TM30, they learned that the bank letter for the visa application must be dated the same day, leading to confusion regarding whether to complete their visa applications in Thailand or go to Malaysia as a family. Responses emphasize that the wife will need to leave Thailand to obtain a trailing spouse visa. There's also clarification about children's visa requirements, stating they cannot stay in Thailand on an expired visa, even if they are minors.

Tod ********* · Answer

[mention redacted] okay, NONE of you arrived on a visa on arrival 😮 you came in on what's called a visa exempt entry <- got stamped in free for 30 days when you showed it, it's NOT a visa on arrival

Be that as it may you have applied for the in country Non-O visa and you go back the day they told you to with your passport and the receipt that you paid 2000baht

On that day you show up and will get the Non-O visa and a new 90 day stamp.

THEN YOU WAIT until you have 30 days or less left on that stamp and you go back to the immigration office to apply for a yearly extension based on retirement.

You need to get that before you send your family out to get the Non-O based on trailing spouse

Tod ********* · Answer

you will NOT get a 90 day Non-O trailing spouse visa issued in thailand. YOU can get a 90 day Non-O based on retirement issued at the Phuket immigration office IF you have a minimum of 21 days left on your current stamp and if you meet the financial requirements.

So any way you do it, your wife WILL have to leave the country and go to a thai consulate nearby to get a 90 day Non-O based on being married to someone on a "retirement visa).

As far as the children, just let them overstay. They're only 8 months old and have no fine for overstay.

Chris ******* · Answer

Experts will chime in.

There may be some confusion between visa and extension.

Do you have non-O 90DAY visa based on retirement already ?

If you do not, then yes your dependants will likely have to leave and re-enter to qualify.

For an extension the bank letter is good for up to 7 days for the extension (I have renewed recently at Phuket).

The bank statement/balance has to be sameday, best to do some sort of transaction then print update.

Needs more info I think.

Ellie ******* · Answer

That's on you. Which you prefer is what you need to decide. People's priorities and preferences are different and people don't mind yours before giving advice.

Check with the embassy/consulate KL, Penang, and Kota Bharu if they issue the visas you need for your family and eligible nationalities. The sites have visa requirements information.

Your kids cannot stay in Thailand legally without visas even if under 15yo. Once their visas/extensions are expired, they are on overstaying. Minors are just not charged a financial penalty for overstaying.

KL: [url redacted]

Penang: [url redacted]

Kota Bharu: [url redacted]

Should I apply for my Non-O visa in Thailand or should my family and I apply outside Thailand for our visas?

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