What are my options for obtaining a Non-Immigrant O Visa after my extension was denied at Immigration?

Mikael Olofsson Contact Thai Visa Centre, they're very good & reliable, have been around for many years and many people use them. They can give you the price and all the details. They're actually the owner/runner of this group. Look at the group's page & details to contact them directly if you're interested in an agent. I've used them before (not for a retirement visa) & they were really good & very organized.

Mikael Olofsson For a Non-o retirement extension,roughly between 12-15k in Pattaya.

Mikael Olofsson why would you have to “try to stay calm”? YOU are the one who is requesting something. YOU are the one who has communication/language issues. Do you really think they are going to be helpful in getting you into THEIR country when they see you getting angry? Follow the rules. They are just doing their job. Use an agent and simplify your life.

Mikael Olofsson Reason of your lack of luck might be something like this if i'm not mistaken :

** if you had done your first extension with proof of funds of 800k you had to keep that balance until doing your new extension to proof that you met the requirements of your first extension even tough you transfered 65k on a month basis (like someone else here said that you have to run the 2 methods in parralel for one year when you switch)

** since you did your first extension with an Embassy letter and 2 months of transfers, Immigration is probably applying the same (twisted) logic where they want to see again the same proof of funding (aka Embassy Letter in your case) that you presented originally. It practically doens't make much sense outside an archaic and retarded bureaucratic mindset , but i sense that their refusal is based on some interpreted technicality like that. And they don't care that your embassy stoped issuing letters.... TIT

Mikael Olofsson OK, got it. And can you not use the embassy letter again this time?

And, how about a few dates nere. 1) On which date did your account reach 800,000 baht? And 2) On which date does your current extension expire?

If before the expiration date, and preferably a few days before because you never want to leave things to the last day, and the date of reaching 800K in the bank account there is a two-month spread, then you should be able to apply then, at the time of a two-month spread.

If that's not possible, then the embassy letter should work for you. Immigration is well within its jurisdiction of asking you to provide proof of the pension transfers as well. Not sure if it must be 'pension payments' only. Many folks just transfer the 65K monthly from abroad, and these are not necessarily pension payments.

Otherwise, if your IO is telling you to start over, and you are going to continue with residing in that area, it's probably best to take their advice.

I just re-read your earlier post. I see it will not be possible for a two-month spread between reaching 800K and the expiry of your current extension.

You have two options. Employ the services of an agent to get the extension, which will present itself with issues for later extensions. The other option is to start over.

Seems only Laos and Vietnam are the most viable for someone in your situation, applying for a 90-day non-O. You would apply online after being in-country. Laos seems to have a good turnaround time frame, and you have to visit the embassy in Vientiane once. I think in Vietnam (HCM) everything is done online, you don't have to visit the consulate.

Your 800K in the Thai bank should suffice for the funds requirement.

Mikael Olofsson They probably want something to show the source of a pension.

Nope. His post specifies that they wanted a letter from the Swedish consulate...look at the 3rd paragraph. "When came to Immigration officer told us I also need to show a balance of 800 000 baht OR have a letter from my Swedish Embassy to show that money comes from my pension." That refers to the 65k he deposited monthly. He is asking why immigration will not accept his monthly deposits. Plain and simple

I believe you. lol However..his post says this: "When came to Immigration officer told us I also need to show a balance of 800 000 baht OR have a letter from my Swedish Embassy to show that money comes from my pension." Why did the immigration officer ask for that letter..if the Embassy discontinued it? Weird.

Mikael Olofsson you need to allow at least 15 business days for areas served by the Ho Chi Minh embassy. They used to be much quicker, but now they are slower. On about day 15, they will ask for further proof that you are still in Vietnam (a selfie with a receipt showing the date and location in Vietnam) Probably easier to do it from Laos.