Answered5 years ago
What are the options for US citizens regarding visa types and extensions when arriving in Thailand for retirement?
Background: I am going to take advantage of the Phuket Sandbox and I have a "as of now current" list of all the requirements from another group. I plan to apply for the retirement visa once in Phuket (I have a good answer to what is required from another post, but feel free to share again).
Question: For visa options for arrival as US citizen and length I can stay on each, including extensions = and can I convert to the retirement visa? I guess the first part I can see on the consulate websites but the extension and conversion questions I'm not sure.
1. visa exempt entry for a 45 day stay. Can it be extended or converted to another visa like retirement? This would be easiest since I likely wouldn't need to send my passport to LA consulate. Maybe the exempt can be extended by 10 days as I seem to remember?
1. Tourist visa - so I apply for that by doing application online and sending in my passport, once I get it back I can start the Phuket Sandbox process. Can I convert to retirement visa? With extensions what is the max time I could get?
1. Non-Imm B letter invite from my law firm, they say I'd get 3 months and can convert to Non-imm 0 easily (if meeting all requirements). Is the 3 months extendable at all?
I'm not really planning to get a retirement visa from USA as the process, at least to me, seems more complicated with doctor visits, tests and such, plus the insurance requirement.
Thank you!
Question: For visa options for arrival as US citizen and length I can stay on each, including extensions = and can I convert to the retirement visa? I guess the first part I can see on the consulate websites but the extension and conversion questions I'm not sure.
1. visa exempt entry for a 45 day stay. Can it be extended or converted to another visa like retirement? This would be easiest since I likely wouldn't need to send my passport to LA consulate. Maybe the exempt can be extended by 10 days as I seem to remember?
1. Tourist visa - so I apply for that by doing application online and sending in my passport, once I get it back I can start the Phuket Sandbox process. Can I convert to retirement visa? With extensions what is the max time I could get?
1. Non-Imm B letter invite from my law firm, they say I'd get 3 months and can convert to Non-imm 0 easily (if meeting all requirements). Is the 3 months extendable at all?
I'm not really planning to get a retirement visa from USA as the process, at least to me, seems more complicated with doctor visits, tests and such, plus the insurance requirement.
Thank you!
Answer summary
The inquiry pertains to the various visa options available for US citizens entering Thailand, specifically focusing on converting to a retirement visa. It outlines the benefits and limitations of arriving on a visa-exempt entry (45 days, extendable), a tourist visa (60 days, extendable), or a Non-Immigrant B visa with a 3-month duration. Key insights indicate that the visa-exempt entry can be extended for an additional 30 days, while the tourist visa can also be extended and potentially converted to a Non-O retirement visa if specific requirements are met. Additional financial requirements for maintaining a retirement visa and its extension are discussed.
32 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
George *************
By the way, the financial requirements for a retirement extension can be met in a number of ways. By far the easiest is to have your embassy confirm that you are in receipt of a pension that pays excess of 65,000 baht/month. As you are a US citizen your embassy has decided not to do that for you. The second easiest is to transfer a lump sum in excess of 800,000 baht into a Thai bank. The money must be in Thailand to get a Non-O visa for retirement purposes in Thailand at the time you apply.
Every year, including your first, that you apply for a retirement extension you must have in excess of 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account for 2 months prior to applying for the retirement extension.
Thereafter, you must meet the following requirements for as long as you wish to stay in Thailand on a retirement extension:
800,000 baht in account 2 months before the application
800,000 baht in account 3 months after application
400,000 baht minimum balance required all year long.
Every year, including your first, that you apply for a retirement extension you must have in excess of 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account for 2 months prior to applying for the retirement extension.
Thereafter, you must meet the following requirements for as long as you wish to stay in Thailand on a retirement extension:
800,000 baht in account 2 months before the application
800,000 baht in account 3 months after application
400,000 baht minimum balance required all year long.
George *************
3) No idea. Recommend 1 or 2. 3 would only be of interest if you wished to continue working while in Thailand. You cannot legally work on a retirement extension of stay. Personally, I don't think 3 would be the easy way to go, but it depends where you want to end up. Retired -> retirement visa/extension. Still working -> business visa.
George *************
2) You would get stamped into Thailand for a 60 day stay with a Tourist Visa and you could apply for 30-day extension at immigration for 1,900 baht.
I don't like the word conversion, but with a visa-exempt entry or Tourist Visa you can apply for a Non-O visa in Thailand for 2,000 baht if you meet the underlying requirements for the visa (such as being over 50 - retirement - and meeting the financial requirements). This Non-O visa gets you a 90-day stay which can be extended forever, for a year at a time for 1,900 (you must meet financial requirements). You would never have to leave Thailand again if that were your wish. Trips outside Thailand would require a re-entry permit (1,000 baht) to re-enter Thailand and resume your permission to stay granted on your extension of stay.
How to do this, at least in Phuket is explained at the following two links. First is getting the Non-O in Thailand, second is getting a retirement extension of stay.
I don't like the word conversion, but with a visa-exempt entry or Tourist Visa you can apply for a Non-O visa in Thailand for 2,000 baht if you meet the underlying requirements for the visa (such as being over 50 - retirement - and meeting the financial requirements). This Non-O visa gets you a 90-day stay which can be extended forever, for a year at a time for 1,900 (you must meet financial requirements). You would never have to leave Thailand again if that were your wish. Trips outside Thailand would require a re-entry permit (1,000 baht) to re-enter Thailand and resume your permission to stay granted on your extension of stay.
How to do this, at least in Phuket is explained at the following two links. First is getting the Non-O in Thailand, second is getting a retirement extension of stay.
******************************************************
******************************************************
George *************
1) As a US citizen you can arrive on visa-exempt entry and get stamped in for 45 days (it will be 45 days until at least the end of September, anything else would require a change to the law). You can extend for 30 days at immigration for 1,900 baht. Visa-exempt entry is by far the easiest as don't have to get visa from embassy/consulate.
Katie *******
@George ************
when should someone go apply for the 30 day extension? George *************
@Katie ******
You can go anytime, but going sooner rather than later will not cost you anything as the extension will start when your current permission to stay ends. Generally, I advise going when about 30 days remaining in your current permission to stay. If you have the flexibility to pick the day of the week try to avoid Monday or Friday, or the days before or after a day the immigration office is closed as the office can be busier on these days.Katie *******
@George ************
so helpful! Thank you! 
Stuart ******
Am I understanding that on arrival can stay for 3 months before needing to apply for another visa?
Michael ********
@Stuart *****
No unless you got visaJoe ***********
@Stuart *****
with which Visa? 
Steve *******
Apply for your Non Imm O visa before you leave, much easier than applying in Thailand.
Christopher ******
OP@Steve ******
Out of curiosity, why do you say that it is much easier?
Greg ********
Pre-covid I entered on Visa exempt. That was changed to a 3 month non-O extension. 12 month Retirement extension given towards end of the 3 month "O".
Christopher ******
OP@Greg *******
did you use an agent?Joe ***********
@Christopher *****
All done before Covid Restrictions - not doable nowGreg ********
@Christopher *****
I did actually. I am a lazy arse and just could not be bothered doing it myself. Glad I did in the end as it was a nightmare trying to get Retirement Extension cancelled when I was offered a job. I went to immigration to ask how to cancel. they said fly out and come back in on Exempt. I did that and airport would not give me exempt as I has multi re-entry. Went back to immigration office and they said nothing they could do. I contacted agent and after a bit of hassle it was cancelled. border run in 7 days for visa exempt then off to Singapore for 2nd time for a "B"Joe ***********
You should ask questions - not pose answers - which were mostly wrong
Ruth *******
@Joe **********
you are not being helpful, only critical.Joe ***********
You are very confused
Michael ********
Number 1 normally visa exempt is 30 days has been extended to 45 days to allow for extra time spent in ASQ. Nobody knows yet but its likely phuket will be issuing 30 day visa exempt as no ASQ
Christopher ******
OPI'm still a little in confusion about the 800k in the bank for the retirement visa - so it is 2 full months prior to applying, does that mean it is 2 full months end-of-month statements so if I'm set at 800k on July 2nd, would it mean July and August would count or is it only August and September? Thanks!
Jeffrey *********
@Christopher *****
If you're applying for a non-O in Thailand as a "conversion" from a visa exempt or tourist visa entry, the 800k only has to be in the bank on the day of application - the two month requirement is only for extensions. Since you'll be given a three-month stay when you receive the non-O, there will be plenty of time to meet the seasoning requirement by the time of your first extension application. Please note, though, that the in-country non-O application requires you to show that the 800k came from overseas, which is not required for extensions. Christopher ******
OP@Jeffrey ********
Yeah, I have had that issue in other countries like France, UK, etc so I was hoping it wasn't an issue. Thank you for all your information, very helpful and appreciated.Jeffrey *********
@Christopher *****
I'm not aware that the location of your bank branch would make any difference to immigration - I've heard of many people who have continued to use accounts at branches in other parts of Thailand after they moved, simply because it was too much of a hassle to change. (From what I understand, no Thai bank will let you just change the location of your account - you have to close the existing account and open a new one at the other branch.)Christopher ******
OP@Jeffrey ********
Okay thanks, for me the overseas part is not a problem as all funding from overseas, I already have a BBL account but the address is in Bangkok from my previous residence, though the application will be for staying in Phuket, I guess change the address but will that impact anything in your opinion?Michael ********
@Christopher *****
***********************
Michael ********
@Timmy *****
i dont believe so 
Timmy ******
@Michael *******
is there a immigration volunteer group based in Bangkok also?Michael ********
@Christopher *****
Just go and see the guys when you arrive and they can steer you in the right direction advise easiest banks to open accounts etc.Christopher ******
OP@Michael *******
That's really helpful! Thank you!!Michael ********
@Christopher *****
Starts from when you put money in, no end of month statement.The volunteers at Phuket immigration are very helpful and they have a website with all that is required for Phuket, will see if i can find it now
Michael ********
That can be extended one time for 30 days
Activity
11 joined11
people
Related
25What type of visa do I need for a one-year stay in Thailand?
1.2k354mo
What steps do I need to take after obtaining my 90-day NON-O retirement visa to secure a one-year extension in Thailand?
2.9k212910mo
What type of visa should a single retired person obtain to stay in Thailand for a year with options to extend and travel?
2.3k18161y
What are the options for obtaining a tourist visa in Thailand for several months of travel?
3.3k30182y
What options do I have for a long-term visa in Thailand if I'm a tourist accompanying my son who is working there?
9.4k681272y
What is the best visa option for staying in Thailand for 6 months each year without exceeding tax implications?
2.4k19153y
What is the best visa option for a Belgian citizen wanting to spend winters in Thailand?
2.7k25123y
What visa options are available for an Australian passport holder visiting Thailand from Bali for two months?
1.8k5323y
Can an American citizen apply for a 6-month METV while in Thailand?
2.6k16303y
Can I extend my Non-B visa in Thailand while waiting for my teaching license, or do I need to exit the country?
591143y
What is the best strategy for obtaining a Non-O visa in Thailand for retirement?
2.2k13223y
What are the procedures and requirements for extending a 30-day visa exempt stamp for an American passport holder in Thailand?
1.9k4394y
Can I convert a tourist visa to a retirement visa in Thailand without leaving the country?
1.6k11104y
What are the options for a UK citizen applying for a tourist visa to Thailand and what documentation is required?
1.4k984y
What should I do about flight booking while waiting for my Thailand visa application?
2.3k15224y
Can I apply for a 90-day and then a one-year visa for Thailand while in the country?
971584y
When can I apply for a one-year extension for a Non-Immigrant O visa in Thailand before returning to the UK?
1.3k8115y
Can I extend my stay in Thailand if I'm using visa exemption, and what are the current requirements for entry?
971575y
What is the best visa option for an American expat wanting to stay in Chiang Mai for most of 2020?
5.2k44497y
What should I prepare for my visa-exempt entry to Phuket for a holiday if I have a longer travel plan?
1.3k987y
How can I change my tourist visa to a retirement visa in Ratchaburi?
1k5118y
How can I extend my 60-day tourist visa to a 12-month visa in Thailand based on my age?
3.6k30328y
Is the retirement visa in Thailand the same as the Non-Immigrant Type O visa?
2k16129y
What are the best visa options for UK residents living in Australia who frequently visit Thailand?
768369y
What is the process for obtaining an interim tourist visa after switching from a Non-Immigrant B Visa to a retirement or Non-Immigrant O Visa in Thailand?
2.3k2349y
Resources
Need help with your retirement visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served