What are the options and requirements for Canadian expats applying for a Non-Immigrant O-A visa in Thailand?

Final update for future searchers. Yesterday we received our new "stickerless" Non-Immigrant O visas from the Canadian Consulate in Vancouver. The process was extremely easy using the thaievisa.go.th site. We gave the consulate a call and they confirmed there was no need to upload signed guarantee letters or signed/stamped statements from our bank. We simply uploaded 3 previous months of bank statements and investment account statements. We also contacted the Canadian consulate in Chiang Mai. They were very friendly and familiar with the process of providing affidavits of proof of income letters along with our marriage license to take care of Helen's trailing spouse extension. We will do a separate post for the extensions but based on the conversation with CM consulate we should not need 800K in a Thai bank. 🙂 Thanks to the amazing help and info from the folks running this group for helping us figure this all out!

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r and others, this is a fantastic resource you have setup here, thank you so much. 🙏

Ok, would just like to summarize what we are planning to do and hear if it makes sense.

I apply for the Non-O retirement visa in Canada. This does not require money in a Thai bank account. I just need to show that we have the funds. My wife (Helen) applies for the Non-O trailing spouse visa from Canada referencing my Non-O retirement application. She will not have to prove any financials. This will give us 90 days in Thailand.

Once we get to Chiang Mai, make an appointment with the Canadian consulate to show them my annual income using tax statement and get them to issue an affidavit of income letter. After I get the affidavit of income I apply for the 1 year extension based on retirement. Helen applies for the 1 year extension as a trailing spouse referencing my retirement application.

Every year we re-apply for the same extensions before the date that we received our initial extensions.

Couple of questions:

- At what point of the initial 90 day Non-O visa should/can I apply for the extension? Anytime after I get the affidavit or some specific time before the expiration?

- Does Helen have to wait until I get the 1 year extension before she can apply for the trailing spouse extension referencing my retirement visa or do we do it at the same time?

- For subsequent extensions after the initial one, how soon before our initial extension anniversary date should we apply for new extensions?

Feel like we are almost there with a good plan. We will still open a Thai Bank account but it'll be nice not having to move 800K into it. Thanks again! 👍🙏

While researching I have come across reports of people using the Canadian Embassy in BKK to get an affidavit of income so they didn't have to show 800K THB for their Non-O extension based on retirement. Anyone know anything about this? We absolutely would still open a Thai bank account for living expenses but not having to move 800K would be a major bonus if possible.

If we enter on Non-O visas (retirement and trailing spouse), would that improve the experience of opening up a bank account (in Chiang Mai)?

> "The bank" is in Thailand right? Concerned we have to get this from our Canadian bank who have told us they cannot provide a "guarantee letter".

For the Non-OA VISA issued OUTSIDE of Thailand, you would need to show 800K THB in equivalent local currency in a bank. The Thai consulate is looking for something like a certified bank statement, or another document from the Canadian bank showing that you have the equivalent of 800K THB.

>Official page says says "Can be extended for 1 year every year". Does that mean after we receive the O-A visa we can get multiple extensions without re-applying all over again?

Correct! You can get a one year extension of stay based on retirement (and a one year extension of stay based on being a trailing spouse) inside Thailand without leaving.

>Can the annual extensions work with the afore mentioned ability to leave Thailand and come back every year?

No. You can only enter on the validity of the visa. HOWEVER, on each entry, you get a stamp for one year.

>In the past we were under the impression we couldn't open a Thai bank account while on a tourist visa.

Not true. Anyone can open a bank account on any visa status. Each bank branch has their own policy, and you'd have to shop around. Ask on a local Facebook group.

>s there a way that one of us can "piggyback" or trail the other visa so we both don't have to deposit 800K?

I believe you can. One of the spouses can get a Single Entry Non-O Visa Based on Being a Trailing Spouse. However, this visa is only valid for 90 days, and the spouse will need to get a one year extension of stay (which will be only for the validity of the remaining time on the Non-OA visa, so about 9 months). But, there is no financial requirements.

>is it better to arrive on a single entry TR and apply when in Thailand?

No. If you enter on a single entry tourist visa, you would need to apply for a Non-O visa based on retirement INSIDE Thailand. They do not sell the Non-O Visa Based on Being a Trailing Spouse to a Retiree Inside Thailand.