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Should I enter Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption or opt for a longer visa to convert to a Non-O Retirement?

Visa Exemption Non-O Retirement Visa Visa Conversion Thailand Immigration Affidavit of Income Canadian Expats Chiang Mai

Mar 26, 2022

3 years ago

Kevin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

As a Canadian I am eligible to enter on a 30 day visa exemption but wish to convert my visa once in Thailand to a Non O Retirement in Chiang Mai. Would it be better to get a 3 or 6 month visa or does either of these incur problems in converting to a Non O? I have an affidavit of income as proof of funds. Thanks in advance to all sincere responses 😊

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user, a Canadian expat, is seeking advice on whether to enter Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption or a longer visa (3 or 6 months) in order to convert to a Non-O Retirement visa in Chiang Mai. Comments suggest that entering on a visa exemption allows for some extenuating options, like extending the initial 30-day stay by another 30 or potentially 60 days with a COVID extension. Key advice includes having a minimum of 21 days left on the current visa to apply for the Non-O and obtaining an affidavit of income from the Canadian Consulate once in Thailand.

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.

Kevin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you so much! 🤗 Great information from everyone. To all... Have a great weekend

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Helen ********

@Kevin ********

also Canadian. We entered with Non O's obtained from the Thai consulate in Vancouver, they were very helpful. The only reason we did this was because I am trailing spouse on my husband's retirement extension.

If you aren't doing that, just enter on visa exempt as mentioned. You can go to the Canadian Consulate in Chiang Mai for your affidavit letter. Email them at "

******************************

”. We were able to get an appointment within 2 days of originally contacting them.

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Tod *********

@Kevin ********

, you can get 30 days on a visa exempt entry, you can get another 30 day extension on that AND as long as it's before May 24th you get also get a 60 day covid extension.

That's FOUR months total (two without the covid extension) Certainly that's enough time to get the affidavit from the canadian embassy in bangkok. Worst case just get a single entry tourist visa that will stamp you in for 60 days and you can extend that another 30 as well.

There's no need to get the Non-O visa in your country before you come, none at all.

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Kevin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks Tod

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Tod *********

@Kevin ********

good luck with it, 🙂

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Kevin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

one last question please. The Non O applied for in Thailand for retirement purposes... Is there a specific type of Non O (?) I need ask for the paperwork for from Chiang Mai immigration or is it one generic form for all Non O applicants in Thailand with application sub sections based on type requested. Thanks again 😊

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Tod *********

@Kevin ********

You show up here on a visa exempt or tourist visa entry, you make sure where you're staying in Chiang Mai registers you on the TM30 program (notification of foreigner in residence) you go to the Chiang Mai immigraiton office and take a picture of the wall that has the documents you need to apply for an in country 90 day Non-O visa. <- the O means "OTHER reasons; marriage, retirement, raising children, volunteer, trailing spouse, etc) You will be getting it based on being over 50 (retirement)

IF you enter visa exempt get the TM-87 application for visa form, if you enter on a real 60 day tourist visa get the TM86 application for change of visa status.

The form is the same what differs is the requirements you meet to get the visa issued.

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Kevin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thank you Tod. You are a godsend 😁

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

@Kevin ********

If you go to the information window at CM IO they will give you the instruction sheet and the necessary forms. The instructions don’t say it but you must have TWO SETS of all documents. And it’s AT LEAST 21 days remaining. It was 23 for me because of 2 holidays.

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Kevin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

thank you

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Kevin *********

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John **********

I suspect you will need to obtain the affidavit of income once you are here from your embassy. So 30 days is a bit tight. Why not get the 90 day Non-O before coming to Thailand, that should be plenty time to arrange the affidavit before getting an extension of stay

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Peter ****************

And watch out

you not buy an STV (SPECIAL tourist visa for 90 days). With that visa you only can extend it 2 times 90 days with no possibility to get an incountry Non imm. O.

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Kevin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

That's what I am wondering as the Thai embassy in Canada offers a 90 and 180 day visa. I just don't want to go that route and find out that such a visa excludes me from acquiring a Non O Retirement in Thailand. I haven't been able to find a clear answer on the embassy websites of course so this my question here.

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John **********

@Kevin ********

what are these visas though. Neither sound like tourist visas unless your referring to the length of validity of the visa rather than the duration of stay they allow? As an example a standard tourist visa allows you to enter Thailand for 60 days when you present to immigration, that visa is valid to use anytime for 90 days from the date of issue

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Kevin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

hi. The Canadian embassy offers a 90 and 180 day length of stay tourist visa. Also there is the visa exemption 30 day entry option. Canada seems to have a fairly good relationship for visas

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John **********

@Kevin ********

You are mixing up validity with length of stay, both the 90 day validity and the 180 day validity only allow you to stay in Thailand for 60 days after which you must either leave or obtain the appropriate extension. The only difference between them is the one with 90 day validity is "use it and lose it", the 180 day one allows you to come and go during the validity period getting 60 days each time

Required Document

The validity of a visa is 3 months or 6 months.

Period of Stay

Upon arrival, travellers with this type of visa may be permitted to stay in Thailand for a period of not exceeding 60 days.

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Kevin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

Thanks for the clarity I was mixed up indeed. I think it sounds like I should do the 90 day validity TR visa with 60 days in country being enough time to get my consular affidavit of income done and still having 21 days left to meet Chiang Mai immigration requirements for in country Non O as Tod Daniels said. Please let me know if I remain wrong 🤔

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John **********

@Kevin ********

that would work and you'd have a 30 day extension up your sleeve should you need it

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John **********

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Tod *********

Just so you know, in Chiang Mai they require you have a minimum of 21 days left on your current stamp to apply for the in country Non-O visa

SO entering visa exempt gets you 30 days, you can extend that ONCE by 30 more, (and possibly again by 60 days with a covid extension).

IF you have your wits about you, get here, get ahold of your embassy here and get the affidavit of income from abroad notary stating you get at least 65K baht a month, then get over to the immigration office you should have plenty of time time to process the Non-O visa application.

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Kevin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I don't see a specific 'retirement' visa online under the Non O. Is it something specific I need ask for? Is there a correct term is what I mean? Offshore this would be an OA but I wish to avoid the insurance requirements by securing my retirement visa in country in future. Thanks Tod. You're the oracle 😊

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John *********

You can also get the income affidavit from the Canadian Consulate in Chiang Mai. You will need proof of income to get it (such as your 2020 income tax Notice of Assessment).

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Kevin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks.

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Kevin *********

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Tod *********

@Kevin ********

just come in on a 30 day visa exempt and get the non-O visa INSIDE the country using the affidavit of income you get from the canadian embassy here in Bangkok

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Alf ***********

@Kevin ********

, the visa you are looking for is non-immigrant O, based on being over 50 years old (retirement).

In the Thai E-visa portal you look for this alternative:

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Reply to

Alf ***********

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Tod *********

Remember you can only get that affidavit of income from abroad here in thailand from your embassy and it's good for 6 months after it's issued

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Reply to

Tod *********

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