Answered5 years ago

What are the requirements for an American to apply for a retirement visa after arriving in Chiang Mai on a tourist visa or visa exempt?

Retirement Visa Non-O Visa Visa Requirements Chiang Mai Expatriate Visa Bank Account Requirements

Brook ********

asked Apr 9, 2022

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What are the requirements to apply as an American, for a visa based on retirement, if I return to Chiang Mai on a tourist visa, or visa exempt?

Answer summary

To apply for a retirement visa (Non-O) in Thailand as an American citizen after entering on a tourist visa or visa exempt status, you must be over 50 years old. Key requirements include: 1) Opening a Thai bank account and depositing 800,000 baht for at least 2 months prior to application. You can't use an embassy affidavit for income verification. 2) Entering Thailand on a single-entry tourist visa (valid for 60 days), which can be extended by 30 days. 3) Having at least 21 days remaining on your tourist visa when applying for the Non-O visa, which costs 2,000 baht. 4) Maintaining a minimum balance of 400,000 baht in your account for the remainder of the year after the 12-month extension is granted. For subsequent years, similar requirements apply as long as your reason for extension remains unchanged.

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James ********

5 years ago

Amanda *********

And for the next year what’s the deal?

5 years ago

Ellie *******

@Amanda ********

. the same requirements for the same extension as long as you don't change the reason for your extension.

5 years ago

Tod *********

@Graeme **********

Just so you're clear about the "seasoning requirements" using banked money method for a retirement extension

as Ellie said, to get the year extension the 800K baht in funds need to be in your account for 2 months before you APPLY for it

Once the extension's granted the funds need to stay in the account for 3 months after and then the balance on that account can't go below 400K baht the rest of the year

5 years ago

Tod *********

The main requirement is that you get here, open a thai bank account in your name only and transfer in 800K baht from abroad. As an American you can't get an embassy affidavit to verify your monthly income SO in order to get first the 90 day Non-O visa and then the year extension based on being over 50 (retirrement) your only option is banked money method.

I'd say come in on a single entry tourist visa (as that'll give you 60 days and you can extend that by 30 more if you need to) so you have time to get the account open, get the funds transferred in AND get the documentation together so you still have enough time left on your entry stamp/extension (a minimum of 21 days) to apply for the 90 day Non-O in Chiang mai for 2000baht.

5 years ago

Graeme ***********

@Tod ********

How long does the 800,000 baht need to be in the Thai bank account ?

Does this money have to remain in the account for the duration of the visa ?

Thanks 🙏

5 years ago

Ellie *******

@Graeme **********

, the fund doesn't have to be seasoned for the initial in-country Non-O visa.(you can apply for your visa just after you transfer your funds)

You will need to keep your funds in your Thai Bank account at least two months before you apply for a 1-year extension (after you get your initial visa).

5 years ago

Ellie *******

This is the “general” requirements to apply for in-country Non-O based on being over 50.

For CM specific requirements, maybe you better to post to ask in ChiangMai local groups.

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/9.FOR-RETIREMENT-PURPOSES-50-YEARS-OLD-NON-O.pdf

5 years ago

Ellie *******

clause 6 is not available for you as an American

5 years ago