Answered4 years ago
What are the steps and requirements to apply for a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand?
#touristvisa. Hi. Im new to the group. Reading and learning. Thanks. Im aware the Thai Pass may be ending July 1.
I planned on entering visa exempt July 22, 2022. Put 800k in the bank and get a 30 day extension. Im 56. Then take a side trip on day 60 to Malaysia for 3 or 4 days.
Return exempt again and apply for an O retirement visa. With another 30 days extension, will 60 days be too close to get the visa?
The other option is applying in the US for a tourist visa. 60 days then 30 extension. I know things change often. I only have 32 days before I travel, so hopefully still time to get the E visa.
Under tourist visa (maybe I looked at STV?) It required health insurance for Covid. Trying to avoid that 90 day cost. If I have pay, that's fine. My Blue Cross covers me anywhere. I've seen reports Thai immigration doesn't accept the Blue Cross letter. Is health or Covid insurance always required on regular Tourist Visa?
I've seen other people say, they funded an account 800k in day 1 and applied retirement O on day 2. This guy said he was approved at BKK, with a retirement O within 3 weeks. He said the "money in the bank for 60 days" language was for reapplying a year later. Did he get lucky?
I plan on leaving 800k in the account year round. Ill also transfer in 70,000k once a month. Hopefully avoid the 800k sitting idle at some point.
Im leaning towards the tourist visa. Just not sure about the health insurance.
Although im always up for a side trip. I need a throw away ticket anyhow. In 7 trips, I've never been asked for a return ticket, but I've also never had 2 large suitcases.
Thanks for any advice
I planned on entering visa exempt July 22, 2022. Put 800k in the bank and get a 30 day extension. Im 56. Then take a side trip on day 60 to Malaysia for 3 or 4 days.
Return exempt again and apply for an O retirement visa. With another 30 days extension, will 60 days be too close to get the visa?
The other option is applying in the US for a tourist visa. 60 days then 30 extension. I know things change often. I only have 32 days before I travel, so hopefully still time to get the E visa.
Under tourist visa (maybe I looked at STV?) It required health insurance for Covid. Trying to avoid that 90 day cost. If I have pay, that's fine. My Blue Cross covers me anywhere. I've seen reports Thai immigration doesn't accept the Blue Cross letter. Is health or Covid insurance always required on regular Tourist Visa?
I've seen other people say, they funded an account 800k in day 1 and applied retirement O on day 2. This guy said he was approved at BKK, with a retirement O within 3 weeks. He said the "money in the bank for 60 days" language was for reapplying a year later. Did he get lucky?
I plan on leaving 800k in the account year round. Ill also transfer in 70,000k once a month. Hopefully avoid the 800k sitting idle at some point.
Im leaning towards the tourist visa. Just not sure about the health insurance.
Although im always up for a side trip. I need a throw away ticket anyhow. In 7 trips, I've never been asked for a return ticket, but I've also never had 2 large suitcases.
Thanks for any advice
Answer summary
The individual is seeking advice on applying for a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand after entering on a tourist visa. They are concerned about the requirement to have 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account for the application and whether health insurance is mandatory for the tourist visa. Community members clarify that the 800,000 THB needs to be in the account for only one day before applying for the Non-O visa, and that health insurance is generally not required for the Non-O visa, but could be a requirement for the Non-OA visa. They suggest entering Thailand on a visa-exempt basis, then quickly opening a bank account and transferring the required funds.
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Joe *******
OPThanks Steve. I was mixing up the 90 day from the 1 year part. I could get the Non OA in the US, but if I read correct it requires Thai health insurance. I have federal Blue Cross that already covers me
Brandon ************
@Joe ******
Non-O and Non-OA are very different. Non-OA requires very specific insurance. Non-O does not require insurance generally, but some consulates have started requiring it.If you get a Non-OA you can keep the money in your home country and get about 2 years in Thailand based on that but you'll need the special insurance for 2 years, and any future years if you extend in Thailand.
If you get a Non-O it will only be fore 90 days, and if they require insurance you will only need it for 90 days. Then when you extend for 1 year in Thailand is when you will have to show the 800,000 in Thailand but won't need insurance.
Joe *******
OP@Brandon ***********
ThanksJoe *******
OP@Brandon ***********
That's the plan. Thanks again.Joe *******
OP@Brandon ***********
Perfect. Thanks for all the advice and patience for a new guy. I tried to research, but I always thought I needed the 800k before the first 90 day Non O part. Now I get it. Liked you mentioned, sometimes problems opening a bank account. I looked into (I think) Siam Legal. About $125us for account setup. A good idea?
I need to learn immigration, so ill attempt my Non O
John **********
@Joe ******
you do need the 800k before the first 90 day Non-O part, but having it for just 1 day is enough. I'd come in on a tourist visa as that gives you 60+30 just for a buffer as you have to apply for the Non-O when you have at least 15 days left on your stay (21 in a couple of places)Brandon ************
@Joe ******
I think most agencies charge about 5000₿ for help opening an account. But if I were you I'd try myself first. Go to some bank branches in the big malls.
Emquartier, Central World, Siam. (If you'll be living in Bangkok)
Tell them you want to transfer 800,000 and they may become receptive.
It's somewhat common for them to say you need to buy an insurance policy from them to open but just say no, and if they insist then leave and try another bank or another branch. Each bank manager makes their own policies (typical in Thailand).
If you can't open one yourself then find outside help.
Then as soon as you get that taken care of, take your proof of overseas transfer 800,000 from the bank to immigration and get your 90 day non-O visa.
Joe *******
OP@Brandon ***********
I finally had something correct. I planned on the Non O all alongBrandon ************
@Joe ******
You definitely can get a Non-O before you go to Thailand, but that MIGHT require insurance, and you need to be fast when you arrive to get the bank account open and funded because the visa is only 90 days and you need the money in the bank for 60 days. I recommend come on visa exempt, open the bank account and transfer the money. You can do it fast or get your visa exempt 30 day extension and take a little bit longer. But as mentioned you need 15 days left on your stamp when you go to immigration to apply for the non-O. This gives you a 90 day visa. Then after 60 days you go to immigration and get your 1 year extension. No insurance to worry about anywhere in that process.
Steve *******
You DONT need to season the 800k for 2 months for the Non Imm O VISA. Seasoning is for the 1 year extention of stay. Why not get the Non Imm O evisa before you arrive?
Aslam ******
Long story
Joe *******
OPThanks but that's exactly what I said I would do. Not complicated at all.
The question was is it possible to apply non O before 60 days, like the guy on YouTube did. I think the guy got lucky.
The question was is it possible to apply non O before 60 days, like the guy on YouTube did. I think the guy got lucky.
Joe *******
OPOk, thanks
Brandon ************
@Joe ******
No. The money doesn't need to be in the bank for any time. The day your money hits the bank account and you can get a letter from the Bank you can go and apply for your 90 day Non-O visa. There is NO seasoning requirement for the initial Non-O visa, the 60 day requirement is for the one year extension based on this initial visa.All of this stuff about leaving the country etc etc is just extra unnecessary complication.
Go to Thailand, open bank and transfer money, apply for Non-O, done.
Jonas *************
The initial cuz you get is 90 days non-o for retirement purposes, only this can be extended for 1 year.
The money needs to be in the bank for 60 days and not go before 800k. Then you can apply.
Btw when you apply for the non-o you need to have more than 15 days legal stay left. I didn't and had to get 30 day extension. After 15 days you get non-o for retirement.
The money needs to be in the bank for 60 days and not go before 800k. Then you can apply.
Btw when you apply for the non-o you need to have more than 15 days legal stay left. I didn't and had to get 30 day extension. After 15 days you get non-o for retirement.
Joe *******
OP@Jonas ************
Thanks JonasBrandon ************
You're making it a lot more complicated than it needs to be.
Arrive visa exempt, get a bank account (this can be difficult on visa exempt) and then transfer money in from overseas. Once you have that you can go to immigration and apply for your 90 day non-O visa.
After that money has been in the account for 60 days you can then apply for the 1 year extension to your non-O visa.
Arrive visa exempt, get a bank account (this can be difficult on visa exempt) and then transfer money in from overseas. Once you have that you can go to immigration and apply for your 90 day non-O visa.
After that money has been in the account for 60 days you can then apply for the 1 year extension to your non-O visa.
Giuseppe **********
@Brandon ***********
, good explaination, but if i am not wrong, the money have to be at least 3 months in bank before applying for yearly visa.Brandon ************
@Giuseppe *********
No it's 60 days for the 1 year extension. But that's not even what the OP was asking about, he was asking about getting the initial Non-O visa which does not have any time seasoning requirements.Activity
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