What are the steps for a foreigner on a 30-day exemption in Thailand to apply for a 90-day Non-O visa and retirement visa?

Visa Application Non-O Visa Retirement Visa Financial Requirements British Embassy Document Certification Thai Banking Requirements

Feb 2, 2024

a year ago

Mark *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi

My friend is on a 30 day exemption and is looking to apply for a 90 day visa as a first step towards applying for retirement visa. Immigration told him he must get his financial evidence certified by the British Embassy but they don’t do this. Can the group advise where he should go to get his documents certified so that they will be presentable?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A friend currently in Thailand on a 30-day exemption is looking to transition to a 90-day Non-O visa as the first step towards obtaining a retirement visa. However, he has encountered issues with financial documentation since the British Embassy no longer certifies income. Instead, he must deposit 800,000 baht into a Thai bank account to apply for the 90-day visa. There are additional options for using monthly income for future extensions, but for the initial extension, the 800k baht requirement remains.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
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Mark *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for your responses. My friend is in Thailand at the moment. Is it possible to open a bank account to bring in funds whilst on a 30 day visa exemption?

If he went back to his home country (U.K.) could he apply for 90 days retirement visa on the basis of his income or are you saying no matter what he will need B800,000 deposited here? I think you are confirming that this proof of income is no longer an option at the application stage Tod.

a year ago

John **********

@Mark ********

he's going to need 800k in a Thai bank 2 full months prior to applying for an extension anyway so he may as well bite the bullet and get an account opened

a year ago

James ********

@John *********

correct ✅

a year ago

Mark *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@James *******

which bank will open an account for him if he is still on his Visa Exemption?

a year ago

James ********

@Mark ********

I believe that you have the answers to your question. Banks account info is not a Thai Visa question.

We wish your friend success in obtaining his Visa.

Comments Closed

a year ago

James ********

@Mark ********

it's luck 🍀 with visits to many banks and branches. Patience is a virtue. Suggest you ask your question on an Expats forum where he's living to get their recommendations.

a year ago

Reply to

James ********

John **********

He can't get his income certified. He needs to deposit 800k baht in a Thai bank account in his name only and use that for the 90 day visa and the first annual extension. If he wants to use monthly income for year two onwards he has to transfer a minimum of 65k baht each and every month for a full 12 months before applying for it

a year ago

Mark *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

ah so if he transfers B65,000 each month to his Thai bank account then at renewal he would not need to also have the B800,000 deposited here?

a year ago

John **********

@Mark ********

for the first annual extension he would need it. For the second annual extension he wouldn't. During the first year he would have to honour the terms of that extension while also doing the 65k transfers from overseas for a full 12 months prior to applying for the second extension. The good news is he can spend that 65k as it comes in

a year ago

Reply to

John **********

James ********

Sorry but the UK EMBASSY in Bangkok no longer provides an affidavit of income letter to give Thai Immigration as proof of your having 800,000 Thai baht.

You MUST transfer the 800,000 Thai baht by international transfer to your Thai Bank account in your name only in Thailand.

Follow the requirements for the Non O Visa as retiree and the One year extension of stay as retired.

Is your friend now in Thailand or still in the UK?

Is he married to Thai?

Or father of Thai child?

a year ago

Tod *********

Sadly for your friend, there is no "document certification" by the brit embassy anymore. They stopped issuing the affidavit of income from abroad notary letters at the end of 2018 😮

That means he cannot use proof of monthly income in his country to get the in country 90 day Non-O visa OR the year extension. 😕

His only option is to transfer in to a thai bank account in his name only 800K baht. THEN he could apply for the in country 90 day Non-O visa based on retirement at the immigration office for 2000baht.

He'd wait the review period go back get the Non-O visa and a new 90 day stamp inked in.

Then he would wait until the 800K baht has "seasoned" in his bank account for 2 months and go back and apply for the year extension for 1900baht

That's his only option . .. ...

a year ago

Reply to

Tod *********

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What is the best plan for opening a Thai bank account and transitioning to a retirement visa upon my return to Thailand?

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