Answereda year ago
What are the requirements and process for applying for a retirement visa in Thailand while on a 30-day visa?
I am currently in chumphon on a normal 30 day we entry visa...wanting to apply for a retirement visa....I have 6 months bank statements for proof of incoming pensions...I know I must get health insurance and an apartment...do you suggest a visa agent to help or should I just get a 30 day extension and keep on...how long is the process once applied for.
Answer summary
The user is currently on a 30-day entry visa in Chumphon and wishes to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand. They have mentioned having six months of bank statements to prove their pension income. Various comments provide insight into the complexities of obtaining a retirement visa, highlighting the necessity of having 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account and the fact that income verification from an embassy may not be an option for them. Some users suggest visiting local immigration for guidance while others recommend applying for the retirement visa from their home country or even using a visa agent, although many believe it's possible to do it independently without an agent.
67 repliesnewest first
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Wayne ********
@Vicki ******
vickki has already stated by Brandon your monthly pension deposits don’t really mean anything you need to have 800,000 in the bank two months prior to your filing your first one year extension 
Len *****
Do it properly. Start with a visa from your home country. Then get proof of residence. Then get ID. Then get a bank account. Make the bank account solid and either put
*****
0 into it or the correct monthly amount of *****
. Leave it in there for three months and then go to immigration with all the documents. Take someone with you to translate as all Thai docs are in Thai and you will have to sign a lot of paperwork. At the end of this process there will probably be something that you will have missed but you will get there eventually. Do not try to cut corners.
Robert *****
You can't apply for that while you're in Thailand unless you entered on a 90 day Non Immigrant O visa.
Nongnuch ********
@Robert ****
WRONG: she actually COULD apply for a "change" from a visa-exempt entry to a 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa, but for this she needs a Thai bank account with 800,000 THB already sitting in itRobert *****
@Nongnuch *******
you just proved yourself wrong, cuz you can't open a bank account with a tourist visa. And it's a lot cheaper and less hassle to leave and apply from home.
Mark ******
Do it yourself. No need for qn agent
Vicki *******
OP@Mark *****
gonna tryMark ******
@Vicki ******
I would avoid going to immigration on mondays...Vicki *******
OPI am taking notes.
Lynnette *******
@Vicki ******
Brandon has explained steps to follow. . He's the best source of advice.Vicki *******
OP@Lynnette ******
ty so muchLynnette *******
@Vicki ******
nervous about what? Follow the correct steps and it'll be ok. 1 leave and get a Non-O visa. 2. Use this to enter. 3. Immediately open bank account with whatever they ask you to provide. 4. Season money. 5. Apply for 12 month extension based on retirement.Vicki *******
OP@Lynnette ******
ty..just nervousVicki *******
OPIt's a bit much on this phone challenged older gal.....hahaha..but really.
Vicki *******
OP@Mark *****
ty...I guess my plan is now go to immigration for a 30 day extension..then go to laos or somewhere and apply online for a 90 day exemption...then come back to chumphon and file for a 12 month exemption and after that a retirement visa..does all this sound correct to you please..I'm trying to decide on getting a place to live before or after all this .still in hotel...Nongnuch ********
@Vicki ******
WRONG: in Laos you don't apply for a 90-days extension. In Laos you apply online for a "90-days single entry Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa". You enter Thailand on this visa, get stamped in for a 90-days stay permit, then immediately open a Thai bank account and transfer 800,000 THB into it. Once the money has "seasoned" in your account for two months and you got the bank letter which confirms this for Immigration, and when you have a minimum of 30 days left on your 90-days stay permit stamp, you can apply for the "1-year Extension of Temporary Stay Permit Based on Retirement"Tony **********
@Vicki ******
you need to do a little better research. Go to Laos, apply for visa via evisa for non-o based on over 50. Once you get visa, reenter the kingdom on your non-o. Then go open a bank account. At the end of your 90 day non-o visa, and having seasoned your 800k for 2 months, you can apply for a 12 month extension of stay.
Nick ************
@Mark *****
she can not do it in Thailand without a bank account and she will not get a bank account on a visa exempt stamp.Vicki *******
OP@Mark *****
I'm gonna try this first.Vicki *******
OP@Tony *********
ty muchVicki *******
OP@Mark *****
i will sure ask at immigration..ty so much for info..taking all sorta of notes.Vicki *******
OP@Mark *****
ty..i hopefully i have good luck at immigration on monday....Vicki *******
OPMark ******
@Tony *********
why go to Laos, when she can do it here for 1900baht!
Terry *********
Keep until you get you retirement visa
John **********
You can't really apply for anything until you meet the criteria. Your first step should be a visit to your local immigration office and ask them for the information sheet for a 90 day Non-O visa based on being over 50 and also the one for the 12 months extension of stay that follows that. If you don't already have a Thai bank account you will likely have to travel to a nearby country to obtain the 90 day Non-O visa and then open a bank account on your return
Vicki *******
OP@John *********
again ..thanks for the info....I wrote it all down...am I to understand that I have 60 days on my initial entry or only 30.Nick ************
@Vicki ******
look in your passport where there will be a stamp indicating your allowed to stay to date.Nick ************
@Vicki ******
I'm not sure how long it will take to get the 90 day non o wherever you choose to go but on your return to Thailand with it get a bank account opened up as quickly as you can. You must have *****
0 baht in that account for at keast two months in order to get the 12 month extension. An agent could help you get the bank account if you have problems but use your own money and get the extension yourself. There is nothing dodgy in doing that which might give you problems. I also recommend a Kasikorn account as people seem to be having less issues with this bank that others. I have been denied access to my Bangkok Bank account even though I have done everything by the book.Vicki *******
OP@Nick ***********
I'm good till 9 nov so I'll check immigration about 90 day non-0 ...then I may have to depart and reenter...how long can this take so I know when I should leave and take care of it..then I'll open a bank acct...ECT.Vicki *******
OP@John *********
oh..are you saying I must have a 90 day extension to open up account.John **********
@Vicki ******
it's very difficult if not impossible to open a bank account on a tourist visa or visa exempt entry. The solution is to go elsewhere and apply for the initial 90 day Non-O visa using funds in your home bank then return to Thailand and open the bank account for the 12 month extension of stay
David **********
@Vicki ******
Might I suggest a trip to Vietnam. That's where we did our Non-O and it was quite easy AND we really enjoyed Vietnam. It takes 5 business days to complete the process. If you have any questions feel free to message me 😊Vicki *******
OP@John *********
I'll look..so sorry..this is all a bit confusing..John **********
@Vicki ******
a visa exempt entry gives you 60 days and you can extend this for a further 30 days at your local immigration office. It might have been easier just to look in your passportVicki *******
OP@John *********
so I could go to laos...or Philippines and apply online....am I correct.Vicki *******
OP@John *********
ty much..I guess 1st step is immigration this afternoon...then I believe I have to have a permanent ..sorta address to open up bank account....then back to immigration..do I have these steps down correctly ...
Stuart ***********
There's also the non -OA visa available and that is the one that requires medical insurance and criminal checks etc. Unfortunately you will definitely need to leave Thailand to apply for it the same as the non-O. It used to be possible to get the non-O inside Thailand but this year the banks made it virtually impossible to open an account here.
John **********
@Stuart **********
not just leave Thailand but travel to your home country (or other country where you have official residence rights)Tony **********
You needed to apply for your non-o while you were in the states. It will be very expensive to convert your exempt stamp to a non-o and will require an agent to open a bank account for you.
Faye *******
We were told in July that the banks are cracking down (govt) only the O/ OA can now open bank accounts. Agents found doing otherwise will be finding themselves in trouble. They want expats to have insurance of 3,000,000 Baht. People are leaving medical bills unpaid becoming a drain. They also said to us visas will be checked more as illegal immigration is rising. Also mentioned was International drivers license and proof of where you will be staying. This was according to a lawyer doing our house purchase.
Vicki *******
OP
Wannikea *********
@Tony *********
not necessarily true, the price is 2000 baht for non O, either way the OP would be in Thailand with a 90 day non O and trying to open a bank account.Vicki *******
OP
Ralph *******
@Wannikea ********
But more chance of opening an account with the non-O than a visa exemption.Ralph *******
@Wannikea ********
How do you open the necessary bank account? Need it for non-O.Wannikea *********
@Ralph ******
so they buy a non O in Thailand.Tony **********
@Wannikea ********
but the agent is going to cost then serious bhat for help with bank account. OP obviously did zero research about non-o before arriving.Tony **********
@John *********
that is exactly what i advised her to do. But also, to do a little better research so she understands the process better rather than relying on FB opinion.John **********
@Tony *********
easier to leave Thailand to a nearby country and get the 90 day Non-O visa there using funds in your home bank account. Return to Thailand, open a bank account, put 800k baht in it and apply for the 12 month extension of stay
Brandon ************
Not sure where you're getting your information, but you're way off on a lot of things.
First of all, there is no 30 day entry. If you entered without a visa then you received 60 days.
Next, bank statements don't mean anything. If you want to apply for a non-O you only have 2 options. Proof of 800,000 in your Thai bank account, or income verification from your embassy in Thailand. It appears you are from the US, and the US embassy does not offer this, so that means your ONLY option is 800,000 baht in your Thai bank account. You do not have any other options for the non-O visa, or the first 1-year extension.
Finally, there is no insurance requirement for a non-O visa or the extension based on a non-O visa. Whether or not you need a lease is up to your immigration office. Some might require and some will not.
First of all, there is no 30 day entry. If you entered without a visa then you received 60 days.
Next, bank statements don't mean anything. If you want to apply for a non-O you only have 2 options. Proof of 800,000 in your Thai bank account, or income verification from your embassy in Thailand. It appears you are from the US, and the US embassy does not offer this, so that means your ONLY option is 800,000 baht in your Thai bank account. You do not have any other options for the non-O visa, or the first 1-year extension.
Finally, there is no insurance requirement for a non-O visa or the extension based on a non-O visa. Whether or not you need a lease is up to your immigration office. Some might require and some will not.
Vicki *******
OP@Brandon ***********
thank you so much..I may be screwed...Brandon ************
@Vicki ******
When all else fails, an agent can help you. But if you want to do it on your own, you'll need to start planning from scratch most likely.
Mark *******
Robin *******
@Brandon ***********
you need to start charging for this advise Brandon, you know your stuffFaye *******
The embassy would not do it over the phone. Only online. They did help with questions.
Faye *******
if he doesn’t have a bank account already his only choice is to show 3 mths income . The visas can now be done online. We are going for the O-A retirement. Includes criminal check, insurance, proof of residence in home country. All sent online to Thai embassy in your country.
Faye *******
@John *********
CorrectJohn **********
@Faye ******
in order to apply for an evisa of any sort online you must physically be in the location served by the consulate you want to apply through. You can't use the consulate in your home location while you are physically in Thailand. They want to see proof of location as part of the application processFaye *******
@Vicki ******
Also they were no longer doing in person at the embassy. This is for Vancouver Canada.Vicki *******
OP@Faye ******
Ms. Faye...I brought 6 mos bank statements showing my 3 monthly pension deposits..will this work possibly..I am seriously phone challenged and do not do on-line banking.
Ann-Louise ********
Vicki *******
OP@Ann-Louise *******
great ideaVicki *******
OP@Robin ******
he sure does..Activity
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