This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What are the requirements for converting a tourist visa to a Non-Immigrant Retirement Visa in Thailand after it has expired?
Dec 13, 2024
a year ago
Jack *******
ORIGINAL POSTERI had a retirement visa a couple of years ago, but as I spent more time in Europe it expired. I kept the 800k in my account here though. I want to change my present tourist visa to a Non-Immi, then retirement. As per the last 2-3 times I got a retirement visa I got the statement from the bank confirming I have the 800k in my account. However, the woman at the reception in immigration is saying I have to send the 800k again, and I can't get my head around what she means. Can someone explain, because I see no reference to this on the form telling us what documents are required.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user wants to convert a tourist visa into a Non-Immigrant visa (Retirement) but is confused by immigration's request for proof of the 800k THB, which has been maintained in their bank account. Previous experiences showed that a bank statement sufficed, but the immigration officer now insists on sending the funds again from abroad. Comments suggest varying experiences, with some indicating that it’s crucial to show funds came from an overseas source. Some users recommend obtaining a specific statement from the bank, going through an agent, or considering other strategies to navigate the immigration process.
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.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Retirement Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Charlie ***********
Before you go to make your visa send some money to another account so it will show that on that day you have the amount of money
Sergiu ******
Unfortunately yes they change rules aș they wish , however your story is a new rule, or maybe a zealot employee full of hate towards farangs .
Move the money to a foreign account and transfer it to a new bank account at Krugsri , they won’t mess around about bank statement.
Hope you do the best out of it .
Move the money to a foreign account and transfer it to a new bank account at Krugsri , they won’t mess around about bank statement.
Hope you do the best out of it .
Bob *********
@Sergiu *****
seems like an expensive way to do itReply to
Bob *********
Reply
Jack *******
ORIGINAL POSTERA few people have mentioned you have to show the funds came from an overseas account which of course they did. That initial deposit is still visible in the bank book, a copy of which was provided. And that was acceptable for the previous renewals of my retirement visa. So perhaps I can go back to the bank and have them specifically state that these funds came from abroad and have not been withdrawn since... I should add that the individual at the reception has hinted at a 'way' to resolve the situation without having to transfer, and likewise for my child's education visa, so the solution may be just to bypass her and hand the application in to the clerks. It's not really feasible for me to do a visa run as I'm a single parent with a small child.
Brandon ************
@Jack ******
I'd ignore the front desk and submit your application at your actual counter that you'll be using.Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Bryan ********
Unfortunately it seems they make up the rules as they go along. As I understand the rules , the funds must come from your overseas account and you are able to show this. My funds came from my Thai wife’s Thai bank account and there was no problem. When you use an agent who “provides” the funds similarly it does not come from your overseas account. It seems to me whatever rule they want to make up on the day is correct.
My Thai wife and I dressed smart , were very respectful and found the immigration very helpful in Hua Hin ( Hin Lek Fai )
My Thai wife and I dressed smart , were very respectful and found the immigration very helpful in Hua Hin ( Hin Lek Fai )
Brandon ************
@Bryan *******
Non-O based on being married to Thai does not have a requirement for the money to be international transfer.Bryan ********
@Brandon ***********
OK , thanks. A lot of misunderstood but well intended advice on facebook, including myself being ignorant of the complicated rules. Sorry
Bryan ********
@Brandon ***********
To prove 800,000 Thai baht (THB) for a retirement visa in Thailand, you can provide a bank book or passbook that shows the deposit and a bank letter that confirms the deposit came from an overseas source within two months of your application. I had a retirement visa , not marriage visa. Do you mean that If you’re married to a Thai you don’t have to show funds came from overseas?Brandon ************
@Bryan *******
you mentioned your Thai wife multiple times, so assumed you were referring to marriage visa. The conversion to the non-O visa if done in Thailand has international requirement. But if you arrived with a non-O visa already, the 1-year extension doesn't have that requirement.
Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Paul *******************
TIT after 18 years living here it's become impossible to make sense of the rules and regulations and the ubiquitous nonsense
Brian *********
Just show them the original transaction and you will be fine. Banking transactions never disappear
Paul ********
@Brandon ***********
so dyipiyes they just fm with ya.Pe ****
@Paul *******
I think he’s saying you should go to the DYI store and listen to FM radio.Sound advice.
Brian *********
@Pa**
what language is this as translator doesn’t recogniseBrandon ************
@Paul *******
English?Brian *********
@Bra****
my sentiments exactlyReply to
Brian *********
Reply
Graham ******
Go to a neighbouring country to get your Non-O Visa (retirement) then when back in Thailand you can get the 12 months Extension of Stay
Brandon ************
@Graham *****
That is a good workaround since the 1-year extension does not have the international origin requirementReply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Brandon ************
You have to be able to show that the money was transferred from outside of Thailand. If the money has been in your account for too long, possibly the statement from the bank no longer shows that?
Mitchell *******
This was my initial thought.
Reply to
Mitchell *******
Reply
3 comments
2 years ago
81 comments
2 years ago
2 comments
2 years ago
69 comments
2 years ago
24 comments
2 years ago
9 comments
3 years ago
28 comments
3 years ago
5 comments
3 years ago
3 comments
3 years ago
36 comments
3 years ago
16 comments
3 years ago
7 comments
3 years ago
34 comments
3 years ago
16 comments
4 years ago
46 comments
4 years ago
6 comments
4 years ago
13 comments
5 years ago
43 comments
5 years ago
89 comments
5 years ago
13 comments
5 years ago
10 comments
5 years ago
2 comments
6 years ago
0 comments
7 years ago
15 comments
7 years ago
18 comments
7 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.