Answered5 years ago

What are the requirements for extending a Non-Immigrant O visa in Thailand for a German expatriate over 50?

Visa Extension Non-Immigrant O Visa Thai Immigration Rules Bank Account Requirements Expatriate Health Insurance Living in Thailand

Martin ******

asked Jan 19, 2022

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i am german, single and over 50.

Suppose i enter the country with an o-visa.

then i have to apply for an extension for 1 year after 90 days. at that time i have to prove that the money in my thai bank account came from abroad, right? if i want to extend again for one year after one year, it is no longer important that the money came from abroad, right? the account balance only has to be 800000 baht 3 months before and 2 months after the application. and it never had to be less than 400000 baht. did i understand that correctly? and health insurance doesn't matter at all? so i can freely choose one, e.g. april, right? is there anything else i have to consider? thank you very much for your support.

Answer summary

The user, a German citizen over 50, inquires about the requirements for extending a Non-Immigrant O visa in Thailand. They seek clarification on whether they need to prove the source of funds in their Thai bank account, the balance requirements for the extension, and health insurance specifications. Comments from the community confirm that funds in the account must be maintained above 400,000 baht for the year, but there is variation in how strict different visa officers are. Insurance requirements appear to be flexible, allowing choice in timing. Additional advice about alternative visa routes to Thailand, such as a tourist visa, is also shared.

11 repliesnewest first

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Reiner *********

Well ….if the non o in Germany is to difficult…just come in on a 60 days tourist visa….come trough the phuket sandbox , means from the first day on you can enjoy the beaches , just need to wait till the first test at the airport is confirmed negative…..then you are free…..just need to have an 2. Test after 3 days….but in the meantime you can open a thai bank account if you not already have one……it’s much easier to get a non o and later noA here then trough the paperwork in Germany…….

5 years ago

Martin ******

@Reiner ********

i will immigrate in 2023. and i will live in hua hin. last holiday in december 2021 i opened a bank account (bangkok bank) only with passport and certificate of residence. no problem in hua hin.

5 years ago

Ken ******

just practice is not standard across visa offices, some strict, some lenient

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

@Ken *****

Most immigration offices are strict about the 2 months before, and 3 months after requirement for the 800K THB in banked money. I say most because there's 70+ immigration offices and I'm not familiar with all of them.

5 years ago

Ken ******

it seems some people have been queried about whether money came from overseas and they need banks issue proof

5 years ago

Geoff **********

@Ken *****

if you enter Thailand o a tourist visa or visa exempt and buy a nonO visa in Thailand then you have to show the money came from an international source. However if you enter Thailand on a nonO visa purchased outside of Thailand the when you apply for a 1 yr extension of stay it does not matter where the money cones from.

5 years ago

Noah ******

I just renewed my O-A retirement visa last week. I'm still not 100% sure what the difference is between the non O and non O-A visa is. I was led to believe it is where you applied for it. Originally I had 800,000 in the bank, but last year, here in Chiang Mai I did the second option, which was to do a monthly minimum transfer of 65,000 baht per month. It must show on your statement as an international transfer. That option does make it much easier on me anyway, I use Wise. I did have to have the required health insurance. LMG has a policy for 7,700 baht (it's pretty much worthless as far as insurance goes) but it does satisfy immigration for now. I was told that changes to insurance requirements are coming in September.

5 years ago

Noah ******

@Benjamin *****

sorry, I used the wrong wording, since this is the third time that I've done this "extension of stay" the word renewed sounded appropriate.

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

@Noah *************

You did not renew anything. Given what you are describing, it sounds like you got a:

One Year Extension of Stay based on Being Over 50/ "Retirement" from a Non-OA Visa.

The key word is "Extension of stay". You are *NOT* on a visa, and that visa expired a few years ago.

For a brief refresher about visas:

A Non-OA VISA is a multiple entry visa, acquired outside of Thailand, is valid for one year, and on each entry allows you to stay for a year.

A Non-O VISA is a single entry visa acquired outside of Thailand, is valid for 90 days, and on entry allows you to stay for 90 days.

An in-country Non-O Visa is a "ZERO ENTRY" visa acquired INSDIE Thailand, is valid for 90 days. It's "Zero Entry" because you acquired inside Thailand.

5 years ago

Reiner *********

@Geoff *********

NO….

5 years ago

Robert *******

Almost correct, Yes if you enter with a Non Immigrant O visa you get 90 days on entry, before these 90 days ends you need to apply for the Extension of Stay.

The money in the bank: Minimum 2 months prior application date until 3 months after (you changed the months) and the rest of the year not less than 400.000 thb. The bank account must be in your name.

There is no proof needed where the money came from.

5 years ago