What are the requirements for obtaining a Non-O visa in Thailand, especially for first-time applicants with monthly transfers?

Oct 27, 2023
a year ago
Padraig *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Did I make a mistake applying for 1st time Non O in country based on 12 x foreign monthly transfers 65k+ to my Thai a/c. I was declined today at HH immigration, they advised can only use this method for Non O extensions/renewals? I re - entered in Sept on a 60 day Toutist Visa as I wished to change from my previous Non O-A. I provided all bank statements, bank letter, credit white I think they call it etc.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user applied for a Non-O visa in Thailand based on monthly transfers to a Thai bank account but was denied by immigration. Commenters clarified that to apply for a Non-O visa, one cannot use monthly bank transfers; instead, they must either provide an embassy-certified income affidavit (if applicable) or have 800,000 baht in a Thai bank for the visa application. Monthly transfers can only be considered for extensions after the first year.
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Steve ********
That's strange. In Bangkok I was allowed to get non-O using 65k transfers I'd been using for years on OA, but with no break in the transfers. I've never had the 800k lump sum
John **********
@Steve *******
does your embassy provide an income affidavit though? If it does you have to use that and can't use monthly transfers
Steve ********
@John *********
No I use the 65k transfer method
John **********
@Steve *******
if your embassy provides the income affidavit you can't use monthly transfers
Steve ********
@John *********
Actually you can depending on immigration office. A German friend of mine can get the affidavit but cannot reach the 65k threshold, so he uses the transfer method. That's at Bangkok
John **********
@Steve *******
I didn't think that was allowed
Steve ********
@John *********
I think it depends on immigration office and if the home country pension is insufficient. They wouldn't allow him to "top up" the pension with a smaller amount. He either had to do the full 65k or do the 800k lump sum
Brandon ************
@Steve *******
there's some scattered reports about OA transitions but neither common or consistent. The OP might (emphasis on might) be able to escalate to a supervisor and continue trying but it's also possibly a waste of time to try.
Steve ********
@Brandon ***********
I can only talk about Bangkok. I'd started the 65k transfers midway through year one on OA, so by the time I'd done the "free" second year, and went for the extension I already had about 18 months of 65k transfers so I easily got the extension. I left the country without a re-entry permit and re-entered two months later on an exempt entry (I still maintained the 65k transfers the whole time). When I re-entered I got the initial 90-day non-O and the subsequent 12-month extension still using the 65k as evidence of finance. There was no issue. I can't see why when an applicant has several years of 65k transfers there would be any need to suddenly have to put 800k lump sum in the account. It contradicts the whole policy of "either-or". I'd say the immigration officer wasn't fully conversant with the policy
John **********
You appear to be an Irish citizen. I believe the Irish embassy in Bangkok still issues an income affidavit so you won't be able to use monthly transfers. Either contact your embassy and obtain the income affidavit or use the 800k method
Brandon ************
You cannot apply to convert to a non-O visa or apply for the first yearly extension from a 90 day non-O visa using monthly transfers. You can only use embassy certified income or 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account. Then during that year you do the monthly transfers and can apply for your 2nd yearly extension using the monthly transfers.

If you're from a country whose embassy certifies income then the only method you can use for income is embassy certified income, they will not accept proof of monthly transfers.
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