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What are the new requirements for converting a 30-day visa-exempt or 60-day tourist visa to a Non-O visa in Bangkok?

Non-O VisaThailand Visa RequirementsVisa ConversionProof of ResidencyRental AgreementThai ID CardImmigration PolicyExpat Life in Thailand
Jun 2, 2017
7 years ago
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Just a heads up about doing a Non-O conversion from a 30 day visa exempt or a 60 day tourist visa stamp in Bangkok.

Now they require proof of residency; meaning if you're renting you need the thai i/d card of the owner, the thai house book on the property you're renting AND a rental contract. If the rental contract is in your thai significant others name you also need a copy of her thai i/d card and a letter stating you live with her.

I just had a friend knocked back for the Non-O conversion because we did not have that documentation.

Previously they didn't ask for ANY of that information.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Recent changes in the visa conversion process for Non-O visas in Bangkok now require additional documentation. Specifically, applicants must provide proof of residency, which includes the Thai ID card of the property owner, a house book (if applicable) that lists the property, and a rental contract. If the rental contract is under a Thai spouse's name, it requires their ID and a letter of cohabitation. These new requirements have caused denials for applicants lacking the necessary documents, a stark contrast to previous processes.
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.
Vincent *************
Actually I just went to immigration in Hua Hin as it was at the time and asked for a proof of residency to buy my car I filled in a form with my address they stamped it I paid my 500 baht ! that was it I did not prove to them that I actually lived at the address i provided! Then I got my Blue book for my car based on that. then I used my blue book as proof of address to get my retirement visa! that's logic !!
7 years ago
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Jonathan *************
don't tell anybody! TIT
7 years ago
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Jonathan *************
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Cookie ********
If it's just a residency cert just go to your embassy and get one?
7 years ago
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Cookie ********
yeah i just went through all this getting my DL here... My missus rents for cash so no rental contract, and no house book, it was very difficult to get the residency cert because of this scenario...

In the end we found a valid work around and now I have my DLs here...
7 years ago
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Coo***
, it was just because the person was renting they wanted the thai i/d of the owner of the condo, along with the house book of the condo and the guys lease agreement (which was in his thai g/f's name, meaning we needed her thai i/d too).
7 years ago
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Cookie ********
well if the requirement for the visa is that you need to supply a residency certificate, they dont really need to know HOW you got it, right?

The 2 things (residency cert and visa) can be obtained at different times...
7 years ago
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Cookie *******
 I knew it worked for driver's licenses and other stuff, but it's a good idea and I'll find out if they accept it. That would really be a good way to "tick the residency box" without the thai i/d, house book, lease agreement etc.
7 years ago
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Cookie ********
Tod Daniels honestly I dont know if it will work with visa scenarios, but it works with getting a driving license

In the end I know immigration will issue a residency cert based on a stat dec from your embassy, thats as far as my knowledge goes with that one...
7 years ago
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Cookie ********
@Jonathan ************
 you sign a statuary declaration saying you live at X address, simple. They do not need to "know" anything about where you live, the fact that you are saying you live there is proof enough because you are signing a legal document...
7 years ago
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
That's actually not a bad suggestion
@Coo***
, (y) I wonder if the immigration office here in Bangkok would take that as proof of address when applying for a 90 day Non-O in country?

I'm going out to Chaengwattana this comin' week and will ask about it. Thanx :)
7 years ago
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Jonathan *************
"just go" lol
7 years ago
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Jonathan *************
what does your embassy know about where you live?
7 years ago
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Jonathan *************
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Vincent *************
You also need proof of address when renewing your retirement Visa! lucky I had the Blubook for my car! or elso I would not have been able to renew!
7 years ago
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
In bangkok I've never ever been asked for proof of address or even my rental agreement when applying for another yearly extension of stay..
7 years ago
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Tod *********
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Jennifer *********
What if the property owner is Israeli+
7 years ago
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm just guessing, but I'd say you'd need a copy of their passport, the valid visa and or extension they have AND a copy of the chanote (title deed) that shows they own it along with your rental agreement.

They wouldn't need the blue house book listing because foreigners can't be listed in it unless they hold permanent resident status or are a naturalized thai.
7 years ago
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Tod *********
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Jennifer *********
Has it hit retirement visas yet? I'm sure it will. WTF.
7 years ago
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Jennifer *********
You keep telling me this Tod but it seems like a slow motion tornado is heading our way.I'll quit worrying for another few months.
7 years ago
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Paul **********
Yes Tod you know thats the very one the 27th going to Bangkok stay 2 nights hotel have me and my wife gotta go inform Burirum immigration on my return
7 years ago
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jenn****
, they can ALWAYS ask for a rental agreement when you apply for an extension of stay. I take mine with me but in 8 yearly extensions based on being over 50 I've never been asked to provide a copy of it.
7 years ago
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pa**
, IF I was betting I'd bet they were making the wife of the foreigner who lives on her land file a TM.30 <- Alien in residence form.
7 years ago
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Paul **********
In some offices its hit Thai wife visa I had to prove this last month in Burirum immigration
7 years ago
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Paul **********
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Paul **********
All i can say is well done and thank you too Tod Daniels for all time and sound helpful advice too 1,000s upon 1000s of people . There is a sight called The Bitching Expat especially for people who are not happy with the advice given
7 years ago
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Teck ***********
Hi Tod, for someone in a apartment, does he need the Thai ID of the Thai owner for the conversion? Anything else besides the ID?
7 years ago
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Teck ***********
Thanks Tod. The apartment is just one of the business entities of the Thai owner alongside a few companies. Wondering if he will lend a hand especially with a signed copies of both his ID and the house book listing 'cos this is just one foreigner out of the many tenants in the apartment building.
7 years ago
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
IF you are renting an apartment, you need the thai i/d card of the owner AND the thai house book listing that names the owner too along with your rental agreement. The thai i/d & house book listing need to be signed by the owner.
7 years ago
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Gerd **********
The sticks are getting bigger and bigger..the hurdles higher and higher...
7 years ago
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Adam ***********
Thanks as always for the timely update Tod!
7 years ago
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Sarah ********
Ty
7 years ago
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Frank **************
Thanks for the update
@Tod ********
7 years ago
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Andrew ******
Going to do another none o visa in savannakhet. Got the tabian bann book with my wife name in it but she isn't the owner but her parents are. Is this still ok Tod Daniels ? Not sure if your Thai wife has to actually own the property
7 years ago
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Andrew ******
Thank goodness for that! Cheers pal
7 years ago
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
nope, she doesn't need to own the property. It's just to show she's registered in some thai house book.
7 years ago
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Tod *********
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Ron *******
Going to be an issue for those renting from AirBnb with a foreign landlord and no rental contract.
7 years ago
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Now,
@R**
, I am not advocating breaking the law, I was offering out a 'work around". If you stay at a hotel that's where you live (even if only when you apply for the visa)..

I know possible 50-60 people who live in a hotel year round. They use that address when they get yearly extensions of stays.
7 years ago
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Ron *******
Great idea. Keep posting how to break the law and scam visas. You people are mostly the cause of this.
7 years ago
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
If I was wanting to do this I'd check into a hotel for a few days and use their address as my residence.. ;)
7 years ago
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Cliff *********
Another Turn of the ever Tightening Screw !
7 years ago
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
It sure threw me for a loop :O I'd never ever seen that request before, nor is it on the sheet they had out as far as the list of requirements.
7 years ago
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Tod *********
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