What are the requirements for applying for a Non-O 'Retirement visa' at Jomtien Immigration?

May 24, 2024
6 months ago
Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Well heck, I have run across another confusing aspect to me regarding my initial application for a Non-O 'Retirement visa' (the 90 day initial visa).

I have read and read dozens of sources and watched all kinds of You Tube videos, plus read the form given to me by immigration regarding the specific requirements for WHEN to present 800K baht in my bank book, along with a bank letter.

About half of what I see is that there is no need to present the bank account papers for the initial 90 day visa. ONLY when you apply for the one year extension near the end of the 90 day period are the bank papers needed.

Obviously only one of those suppositions is correct.

BUT, my immigration application instructions from Jomtien says I DO need to present my bank papers during this initial application for the 90 day visa (Non-O).

I am dizzy with trying to get the straight scoop on this matter.

Naturally I would lean towards what the immigration instructions spells out. If those instructions are accurate, why is there so many sources saying otherwise?

I ask not for speculation, but rather an answer related to your informed knowledge or your experience.

THANKS for your valuable input!
7,017
views
8
likes
200
all likes
69
replies
2
images
21
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user seeks clarification on the requirements for applying for a Non-O 'Retirement visa' in Thailand, particularly regarding the necessity of showing 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account at the time of the initial 90-day visa application. Conflicting advice is noted, as some sources indicate that showing bank documents is only required when applying for a one-year extension, while instructions from Jomtien Immigration state otherwise. Community responses emphasize that different immigration offices may have varying requirements and that Jomtien is known for a stricter stance requiring the funds to be in the account for at least two months prior to the application. Practical advice and personal experiences are shared regarding the application process and potential next steps for the user.
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.
Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Well, here it is Thursday the 24th. I went to the Bangkok Bank and got the paperwork and updates there in order to go to Jomtien Immigration office and apply for the Non-O visa, taking my astute Thai GF with me to help.

It did not work out at all. As many folks here said, they would not process my application due to my 800k deposit not being in the bank for 2 months. Plus the lady looking at my application got real shitty and very loud with me.

When I realized she was turning me down in speaking to my GF, I mentioned to her that only the Jomtien office requires that seasoning before the initial application, and that the rest of the immigration offices require it when the one year extension is applied for at a later date. That the 90 da visa is what gives a applicant the time needed to season the bank account. I could be wrong in that, but that is what I told her.

She then started practically screaming at me that all immigration offices require that when the visa is first applied for. Then she hollered at me that I must cross a border and come back in. I then responded that I could not get a 90 day visa on a border bounce, and then I adked her if she sees I am barely able to walk (due to my recent double knee replacement), and how does she expect me to do that make such a trip? She acted like I just shot her dog in front of her. Hollering at me in English and my Thai GF in Thai (who did not deserve such abuse).

She put on a helluva scene, while during the entire time I spoke at normal volume levels and with a neutral tone. So much for the old saw about Thais not showing their asses in public, especially in regards to not dipaying high levels of anger with a very loud voice.

She then (while fuming) made a big display of making another copy of my passport and taking it and writing on it some large letters in Thai and uderlining it twice with about 400 lbs of pressure on her pen.

She then told us to go and she left he office practically running over my crippled ass and I see she ran to a young clerk and started gestering wildly at that copy of my passport and giving her forceful instructions in Thai. I would guess she put me on some kind of blacklist of falongs that are troublemakers. Who knows? What a B*TCH in my book in any case.

SO, can you offer some advice as to what to do now? My 30 day medical extension expires on June 18th.

What would you say about my going to Bangkok and rent a place and get a appropriate TM3O and certificate of residency and or landlord ownership form, and apply at a Bangkok Immigration office? Should they not give me the 90 day Non O visa, and THEN let me present my bank papers having the 2 month money seasoning with my application for the one year extension?

Is that an option?

If not, I am inclined to go to the Thai embassy at Vientiane, Laos and apply there for the 90 day Non O visa. How us that for an option? They would not require 2 months bank deposit seasoning, right? Then obtain my one year extension at some point later in Thailand at a some other place other than Jomtien? Think that is a workable option?

If not, what may be another option?

Thanks a bunch!@
Brian **************
@Ron *******
seems you are the complete idiot

Must be so dense she couldn’t deal with you anymore

Poor cripple and dumb
Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Brian L. Proffitt Thank you for you misguided input TDS sufferer. You are a peach. Only wrong on 4 out of 4 counts. You are batting a thousand!
Brandon ************
@Ron *******
if you apply for the visa in Bangkok you also must apply for the extension in Bangkok. Normally a requirement for the extension is being able to show a rental agreement. So unless you're actually planning on living in Bangkok it's not a good plan.

Getting a non-O in another country would work, but you'll have to look at the embassy websites to decide which one offers it and you can meet the requirements. Beware that Vientiane requires an appointment to be able to apply for a visa and so does Savannakhet as of June 4th.
Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Thank you very much for all that excellent info and advice Sir!
Russell *******
With Charlie being a abbreviation for Charles, how come so few have any money 🙏
Cris ******
You do it day off applying in person. In Thailand that is.
Tony **********
My guess is that it is because you are applying in country rather than you native land.... Hence they assume you would have gotten a bank account and should have put 800k in it.

I believe that with evisa, that is not required.
Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I think you are correct. But as I am in Thailand now I have approach matters from that direction. Thank you for the correction.
Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony *********
Hard to say......especially in regards to Thai immigration, huh?

Specifically I did not want a Non-OA visa, but rather a Non-O visa. There are some important advantages to the Non-O visa IMHO.

I did come in on a E-visa.

Thanks!
Tony **********
@Ron *******
but you didn't apply for the non-o visa evisa, correct?
Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony *********
No, it was a METV visa. I did not want a Non OA visa, but rather a Non O visa. So that requires applying from within Thailand.
Tony **********
@Ron *******
I believe a non-o can be applied for from home country.
Greg ***********
@Tony *********
not true. One can apply for a 90-days single entry Non-Imm-O visa category on almost ANY Thai embassy or consulate around the world. if you can fulfill the requirements. . . . . . AND one can apply inside Thailand on Immigration - the process is called "change of visa type" from a tourist visa to any of the different 90-days Non-Imm-category visa. What you CANNOT do, is applying for the Non-Imm-O/A visa anywhere else than in your home country
Tony **********
@Greg **********
fully agree
Greg ***********
@Tony *********
thank you for confirming
Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony *********
That is not my understanding, but even if it were true, I am in Thailand. Thanks!
Greg ***********
@Ron *******
NOTE: . . . .Non-O visa categories can be applied for

***in your home country

*** on a Royal Thai embassy or consulate worldwide

*** and also inside Thailand
Greg ***********
@Ron *******
Not only inside Thailand. You can also apply for the 90 days Non-Imm-O retirement visa in your home country as well as in any neighbouring country of Thailand, if you fulfill the requirements.
Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg **********
My understanding is OA visas are applied for outside of Thailand, and O visas are applied for within Thailand. Thanks!
Greg ***********
@Ron *******
stick to the Non-Imm-O visa and avoid the O/A route. With an O/A, you need the mandatory health insurance, and from the 3rd year on Immigration only accepts a "tgia-listed" Thai private insurance. With a Non-Imm-O visa, there is no mandatory insurcance needed. You have the freedom of choice to contract an international health insurance like the BDAE or AXA, which are worth the paper they are written on.
Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg **********
Exactly!! Several advanatages to the O visa over the OA. That is so in my case anyway.
Greg ***********
@Ron *******
well, if you already got the money in the Thai bank account, can prove it came from abraod, and if there are no more 15 workdays left on your stay permit, exit Thailand, and re-enter visa exempt. And then immediately get the bankbook updated to show the deposit is in the account, and apply for the "change" from the 30-days visa exempt to the "90-days Non-Imm-O visa"
Greg ***********
@Ron *******
O/A visa can only be applied for in your home country. Some Non-O visa categories can be applied for in your home country, as well as in any other country, and also inside Thailand
Chris *******
Okay Jomtien wants the 800k for 2 months prior to application for the original visa.

Most offices require:

Bank letter

Bank statement

Updated Bank book - last line must show date of application
Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris ******
Yes, Jomtien also requires those things, save the bank statement.
Frank-Steven ***********
How hard could it be to have all immigraiton offices apply the exact same set of rules and procedures? Will we ever witness that? How hard can it be?
Steve **********
Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
OK to all concerned:

I feel my question has been well answered. No need for further input unless you just want to, and that would be fine too. THANKS!
Geoffrey ******
@Ron *******
Unfortunately, immigration offices tend to make up their own set of rules as they go along. Best to abide by what they say, and the process will normaljy be smooth, I said normally. I always provide a little coffee money. Never any issues in 10 years. Best of luck.
Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Good advice! I would be happy to provide them some tea money if I knew exactly how to and when to and whom to give to without getting on camera and/or getting slammed into a Thai jail and being deported! Ha Ha!

What would be an appropriate amount in any case, assuming I get the 90 day stamp?
Geoffrey ******
@Ron *******
Call me. 0942729900. Anytime after10 AM tomorrow morning.
**********
*****
*****
. Anytime after10 AM tomorrow morning.
Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Geoffrey *****
OK......lemme try ro accomplish that. I will set my clock to help me remember. I am a old bastard and forget stuff pretty regularly. Thanks!
Nongnuch ********
@Ron *******
unfortunately for you, Jomtien and a handful other Immigrations do require the 2-month seasoning for the initial application to the 90-days visa, despite the police order says that you just have to show the 800K in your account and can prove it came from abroad. Jomtien Immigration makes up their own rule. You will have to get a 30-days touristic extension for 1900.- THB in order to gain more time, because you also need to have a minimum of 15 workdays left on your stay permit stamp, to apply for the visa
Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nongnuch *******
OK.......well, I may run into issues then. I will only have the 800k in my account a day or two.

I was on a 6 month METV that will expire next week, but I got a 30 day medical visa extension that will end on June 18. I will easily beat the 14 day stipulation required to apply before the visa runs out. But I dont know if they will snag me on the 2 month seasoning stipulation.

I had thought that the 90 day Non O visa was granted to give you the time to get your papers togather and enable the 2 month seasoning stipulation to mature in time for the one year extension application. But this is Thailand. Who really knows until after things actually happens.

All I can do at this point is throw the dice and go in with all the papers and bank book, etc and hope for the best. I will holler back with what happened, good or bad. Thanks!
Nongnuch ********
@Ron *******
Jomtien will DEFINITELY ask for a two-months seasoning of the 800K, to be proven with the "bank letter of guarantee". They are KNOWN for this. . . . . You could try an agent to "grease" the wheels on Immigration but I guess your chances are zero . . . . . I will await your report with fingers crossed
Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nongnuch *******
Thank you for the info and the heads up! I appreciate it!
Stuart *********
You may be getting confused in that Jomtien will want to see the 800k seasoned for two months prior to applying for the in country Non O whereas other offices just require to see that it is an international transfer and don’t require seasoning.
Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
Right, could well be. I am just going to play dumb (which I am good at!) and go in there and apply with a fresh 800K and see what happens. I will let everyone here know what happened late next week. Thanks a bunch!
David *******
It can vary depending on Immigration Office which makes it quite confusing. You need to check with the office you will be dealing with.

To the best of my knowledge, Jomtien is one that DOES require the funds in the bank and maybe even 2 months before. Please check with them in plenty of time.
Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ******
Very good advice Sir! I appreciate the confirmation! Yes, I plan on applying next week with a fresh 800K in my Thai bank. Hopefully that will fly and they will only require the 2-month aging stipulation at the one-year extension application near the end of 90 days. Thank you!
Robert ********
@Ron *******
why do it need to be fresh 800k baht ??

what if you have it sent to your bank from overseas 4 months prior to even applying for the o visa what happens then?
Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert *******
Does not "need" to be. That is just a word I use to describe a very recent transfer. This is how things shook out. Many factors at play.
Nigel **************
I think the answer lies in the fact that every immigration office works alone. Each one has their own set of rules and requirements. So that is why u get so many conflicting answers. Concentrate on the IO where u will submit your application only. Follow their rules only
Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ohhhhh OK. That makes good sense and aligns with all the different answers/thoughts I see across the spectrum. Yes, i will just go with that sheet issued by Jomtien per my instincts and your good advice. Thank you Sir!
Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I would guess some of us are not made of money Mr. Tucker. You have 25K Thai baht you can "loan" me?

Why do you people offer up tangent answers and opinions not specific to the question is my thought.
John ********
@Ron *******
Totally agree with you Ron, some people just like to be righteous keyboard warriors
Jeff ********
Why do t you people just break down

Hire an agent

And be done with it in one visit?
Kevin *******
@Jeff *******
why spend between 15k and 22 k baht on an agent when he can fo it himself for 1900 baht ?
Jim ********
@Jeff *******
Not everybody is as helpless as you! We've managed to get to 50 years of age, so filling in a few forms and getting some photocopies is within most people's mental capabilities 😆
Greg *********
@Jeff *******
I didn't want to deal with the Hassle, no going back and forth. Everything is done in one day and no headaches with an agent. That's why people do it with an agent.
Randy ******
@Greg ********
Can you please recommend a trustworthy agent in Bangkok? I prefer to go that route myself.
Greg *********
@Randy *****
never dealt with one in bangkok, did mine in Pattya with Nan services on facebook. I like them because they donate to charity
Jim ********
@Greg ********
Maybe people who cannot cope with a visit to an immigration office to complete a couple of forms shouldn't be in Thailand either! 😆
Michael *******
@Greg ********
agents feed corruption and support thousands who do not or cannot comply with Visa requirements ie 800k or 65k a month the day of reckoning beckons and many may end up being exposed when this web of corruption implodes as it one day, will……for single guys no issue but folks with families have to take a more reasoned approach.
Julie ******
@Michael ******
how much is that in us dollars?
Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael ******
I must say I was asthonished by the open and brazen corruption in the office. When I got my last 30 day extension, I was asked by an officer If I would rather just go ahead and apply for a Non O visa

I said sure but I have not transferred the 800k as of then. She said no problem. She then gave her seat to a gentleman in some sort of official looking clothes, but not the police-type uniform. He asked me a few questions and said no problem in my case. He can get me the visa right away. I said I really did not understand, but that would be great. He then wrote 25,000 baht on a pad and showed it to me. I immediately understood what was going on, but nonetheless somewhat shocked an agent was working at a office counter. I just said no thank you, and then he immediately exuded a bad attitude towards me. Oh well. Too bad-so sad for him and the officer.
Greg ***********
@Greg ********
you'd better say, if one doesn't have the 800.000.- THB to apply for the one-year extension of stay based on retirement, he shouldn't be in Thailand. Using an agent to front the financial requirement when someone doesn't have any backup money, isn't just the recommended way
Tony *********
@Greg ********
it takes me about 30 minutes every year at the immigration office. Even if you use an agent you will still have to go to your bank to get the statement. So you're telling someone who doesn't have the money for an agent but they do have 800k to put in the bank that they shouldn't be in Thailand? But If you don't have the 800k but you do have the money for an agent then that's just fine because the agent can get you the Visa without the 800k and and that's actually illegal. Which means you will be stuck with that agent forever. If you then subsequently want to do it yourself immigration will start asking you all sorts of uncomfortable questions.
Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg ********
As far as my case, I am a spend-thrift, and I have plenty of time......plus I have a charming Thai GF who is a good help in such matters.
Tony *********
@Jeff *******
it's so easy to do it yourself.
Peter *********
@Jeff *******
100 💯 correct mate 👍
Jeff ********
@Peter ********
that's what I get for being just another rich American
Peter *********
@Jeff *******
ham shank ok lol 😆
Galen *******
@Jeff *******
This group is not an advertising platform for agencies. With the right information, which some sensible members provide here, everyone can arrange their visa matters themselves and save a lot of money.
Jeff ********
@Galen ******
cheap charlie
Galen *******
@Jeff *******
I think it is your favorite restaurant😅
Max **********
@Galen ******
Not everyone has the know how like the know alls.
Galen *******
@Max *********
...and the brain🙈😅
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else