What are the current requirements for converting a Tourist visa to a Non O Retirement visa at the Chiang Mai Immigration office?

October 10, 2023
a year ago
Dean ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Today I went into the Chiang Mai Immigration office next to the airport to get the up to date information regarding requirements for the application to change a visa from Tourist to a Non O for Retirement. I was of the belief that the CM office did not require proof of foreign remittance. However, if previously they didnt, it seems they now do so. The document states:

Financial Guarantee:

5.1 A guarantor letter from a bank in Thailand

5.2 Photocopy and original of bank book from a bank in Thailand showing that balance in account not less than 800,000 baht (the bank book must be updated until the present date

and 5.3 A document proving of foreign remittance

(there is also an option of a guarantor letter from ones embassy regarding pensions etc but this is not the route I would take so not relevant to this discussion.

My question is this:

My Bangkok bank book shows my transfers as FTTs... which i believe stands for "Foreign Telegraphic Transfers"

Would that be enough proof for the I/O that the funds have come from overseas?....

Or does this mean that I need to get some other proof document?

I see that "Wise "can generate statements which seem quite handy ..can focus on the Thai baht "jar" as they call it and can even generate officially "stamped" statements of the jar up to the previous year ... Should i just print this out and add it to the mix?

Does anyone have recent experience regarding lodging this Non O over 50 retirement application in the Chiang Mai office that may shed some light on this.

I also have an online appointment booked. But am unsure of how to access this. Does one have to go through the document vetting proceedure outside, (surely not)...but how and where does one go to to be awaiting ones appointment ..straight into the main office or? Do they just call out your name at around the allotted appointment time?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user inquired about the updated requirements for changing a Tourist visa to a Non O Retirement visa at the Chiang Mai Immigration office, noting the new demand for proof of foreign remittance. They questioned whether their Bangkok bank book, which shows Foreign Telegraphic Transfers (FTTs), would suffice as proof, and whether additional documentation from Wise would be necessary. The conversation provided insights from others who shared experiences regarding acceptable documentation, the importance of bank letters confirming transfer origins, and procedures for attending the immigration appointment.
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.
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Billy ************
My BKK Bank statement shows FFT from Wise. Always accepted by CM Immigration.
Dean ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Billy, when was the last time you just used the BKK Bank statement alone? Recently?
Lyndon ************
Bangkok bank, are able to issue a letter confirming the FTT status
Lyndon ************
Lyndon ************
Rough google translation
John **********
I would say that the bank needs to write you a letter stating the funds originated from overseas. Wise receipts are not relevant, only your Thai bank
Glenn *****
@John *********
wise transfers the money but Bangkok Bank shows the deposits as foreign transfers FFT
Ellie *******
Thank you for the update of the requirements.

You need to ask your local office what code they accept.
Ellie *******
This question is the one usually we don't let on the group. But seeing the requirement change, open this for a while. But this will be closed if this goes into far bank transfer details....
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