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What are the current requirements for changing a tourist visa (TR) to a Non-O visa for retirement in Pattaya?

Thailand VisaNon-O VisaRetirement VisaTourist VisaPattaya ImmigrationVisa RequirementsExpat ExperienceBribery in Immigration
Jul 20, 2022
2 years ago
Peter ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am holding a tourist visa 60 days, and want to change to non O under retirement.

Today I went to the pattaya immigration to submit the application to change from TR to non o under retirement. However the immigration staff said , I need to have the 800k deposited for 2 months before I can apply the non o.

From the post I read before, it is not required to keep the 800k 2 months before the change of TR to non o .

Is it a new rule, or it is just the famous pattaya immigration want to make thing difficult to people who don’t use agent ?

Any person have such experience , especially in pattaya immigration for the change of TR to non o under retirement ?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the user's attempt to convert their 60-day tourist visa (TR) into a Non-O visa based on retirement status at Pattaya immigration. They faced issues when immigration staff insisted on having 800,000 THB deposited for two months before applying. The user recalls previous posts indicating this was not a requirement, raising concerns over possible new rules or difficulties imposed by Pattaya immigration. Responses from other users confirm similar experiences, suggesting the need for either a monthly income method instead or potential unofficial payments to expedite the process.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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Brandon ************
If you haven't used your 30 day tourist extension, get that and hopefully it will be 2 months by the time that's up.

If you've already gotten that, then apply for Covid extension.
2 years ago
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Neil *******
Yes, i have experienced this exactly the same. Would it of been that incredibly nice lady in the little room for service counter 7?????, she is the devil.

I got stuffed over with the pattaya special requirements as even with an extension on my tr60 money would not have been in long enough, so imwas told would neednthe covid extension as well, went for that and was refused under the grounds of having 25days+ of stay already.

Ive decided to fight on and do a border bounce/run for another 30 days which will mature my deposit for the "make believe" requirement.

Just for your information the bribe money to get past that is
*****
2 years ago
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Neil *******
I find it amazing how they come up with more stuff everytime you apply. When i originally applied i asked for a list of things i need and as far as residency was concerned it was rental contract and TM30 only. FIGHT ON
2 years ago
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Neil *******
I will be trying early next month, by which time my money will be 60 days matured
2 years ago
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Patrick *********
@Neil ******
 I had the exact same experience in that little office. Thankfully I got my Covid extension granted, but with a 30day under consideration stamp. During this time I'm not allowed to apply for the 90 day non-O - according to the friendly lady in the office behind #7

I'll go try again mid August when the 800k will be seasoned and my Covid extension no longer is under consideration.
2 years ago
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Patrick *********
My attempt was not successful. I was not able to satisfy the long list of documents required to prove residency
2 years ago
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Peter ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Patrick ********
 you will try again?
2 years ago
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Peter ****
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Peter ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Patrick ********
 hi, did you go again to apply the non o and successfully got it without any other problems ?
2 years ago
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Peter ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Patrick ********
 mine will be 22 Aug to have 2 months seasoned. Good luck to all of us to get through their wall by Aug…
2 years ago
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Peter ****
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Neil *******
This is also my concern. However the way i see it, is i will jump through the hoops they create with the knowledge that on the last day i could pay the bribe, although i have heard when it comes close to you being ejected from the country it has to be sanctioned by a higher officer at which point if you have ticked all the boxes then they will be in a whole world of trouble, ie you will get your your 3 month o visa. Please stay in contact as my 60 days will come before yours. Best of luck, others have won.
2 years ago
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Peter ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Neil ******
 hello, did you got your 90 days non o visa successfully? I will apply it next week.
2 years ago
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Peter ****
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Neil *******
Not yet, 60days not reached yet
2 years ago
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Peter ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Neil ******
 oh… I am worry they will have other unexpected requirement after we fulfill the 2 month 800k requirement. Please update if you can. I will have my money 60 days by 21 Aug. let’s see what happen by that time.
2 years ago
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Peter ****
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Peter ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Neil ******
 so you successfully got the non o without any other unexpected requirement from pattaya immigration?
2 years ago
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Peter ****
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Peter ****************
No
@Peter ********
. Officer NOT correct. Asking for the incountry non imm O (After tourist visa or visa exempt) the rule is to prove 800k฿ transfered INTERNATIONAL to a bank account in his name only. Then, with 30 days or less, he can ask for a year extension. If he wants to use the 800k฿ method only THEN it needs to be there 2 months before asking this extension.
2 years ago
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Peter *********
Officer correct
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
@Peter ********
 As Peter states that is not the rule. I’m not sure Jontiem are the only office that try this on but it’s one I’ve heard about. For an in country conversion to a Non O there is no requirement for seasoning funds, only that they have come in from overseas.
2 years ago
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Peter *********
@Stuart ********
 thought is was seasoned 2 month before applying and 3 months after getting that was my assumption unless changed ?
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
That’s for the year extension from a Non O. Not the initial Non O obtained on country.
2 years ago
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Peter *********
@Stuart ********
 ok understand now thank you 😊 🙏
2 years ago
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Peter *********
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Philip **********
You can also use the 65k a month income method. That’s what I do. I don’t have 800k in a bank account doing nothing.
2 years ago
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Robert ******
@Philip *********
 Doing nothing is right. Will they let you put your money in a CD or investment account?
2 years ago
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Philip **********
@Robert *****
 No idea. I keep my investments in Canada.
2 years ago
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Philip **********
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Gareth ********
@Philip *********
 have you used the 65k a month option in Jomtein?
2 years ago
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Philip **********
@Gareth *******
 Yes and in Kohn Kean
2 years ago
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Gareth ********
@Philip *********
 thank you
2 years ago
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Philip **********
@Gareth *******
 However I’m a Canadian. I got a verification letter from the Canadian Embassy. I had to show the letter plus my pension statement together. It took about 45 minutes.
2 years ago
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Philip **********
@Gareth *******
 no worries
2 years ago
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Philip **********
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Peter ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Philip *********
 I have 800k deposited 1 month ago. Just I am surprise that it need to keep 2 month before I can apply the non o.
2 years ago
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Philip **********
@Peter ***
 Go back and try another officer with a big smile and a 1000 Bhat in your passport.
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
@Philip *********
 from reports it’ll need a LOT more than a 1K note….
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
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Stuart *********
It’s that office. If you ask them nicely how can I do it now they’ll tell you can for a price. No receipt mind.
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
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