What are the steps to apply for a Non-O visa in Thailand as a retiree with UK passport?

Nov 12, 2024
2 days ago
Nick *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi all, UK passport holder previously working in Phuket. I’ve decided to retire so cancelled my business visa. Once cancelled, I left the country and have just re-entered Thailand after 4 days from Laos by air. I was stamped in for 60 days.

Can you help me with the following please…

1. If I extend a further 30 days, do I have enough time in that extention period to apply for a Non-O?

2. If I need more than the 30 days extention period to apply, at what point in my 60 days should I start the process?

3. Every month (various dates in each month) for over 12 months, I’ve been sending 65k funds via Wise to my Thai bank. Can I use this method on my first application?

4. If I can’t use the monthly 65k method on my first application, at what point does the 800k need to be in my Thai bank account?

Thanks in advance.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user, a UK passport holder who recently canceled their business visa to retire in Thailand, seeks guidance on applying for a Non-O visa after re-entering Thailand with a 60-day stamp. Key points include the need to have 14-21 days left on the initial stamp to apply for a Non-O visa, the requirement for 800,000 baht to be deposited in the bank two months prior to application, and clarification on using monthly transfers from abroad for visa qualification. Responses highlight the importance of timely actions regarding extensions and banking requirements.
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.
Alf ***********
The "business visa" you cancelled was likely an 1 year extension of stay.

To bad you did that. You could have applied for a retirement extension immediately. Thus no need for a new visa. Just a change of your reason for extension.

You would also had the possibility to get a new work permit without a new visa, should you later on decide to come out of retirement.

But all that is too late now...
Nick *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alf **********
Had no option, the company I was working for cancelled it after I resigned.
Alf ***********
@Nick ******
, hmmm. Both the WP and extension are yours and not for them to cancel
Nick *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alf **********
Ok, didn’t know.
John **********
@Brandon ***********
there's only a few immigration offices require the 800k baht to be in the bank before applying for the Non-O visa, mostly it's a requirement for the 12 months extension
Brandon ************
@John *********
yeah it was very early when I wrote that. Think I got it mixed up. Hopefully op isn't in Pattaya and won't have to worry about that
Brandon ************
1) You must have 14-21 days left on your existing stamp when you apply for the non-O visa. If you do not have that many days then you would need to apply for the extension before applying for your non-O visa.

3) You cannot use monthly transfers for your 90 day non-O visa application, or for your first 1-year extension. You can only use monthly transfers for the 2nd year visa exenstion.

4) The 800,000 needs to be in the bank 2 full months before you apply for the non-O visa and it must show as an international transfer.
Nick *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Thanks for that.

Can I ask just as a matter of curiosity, about your answer to point 1.

How do you apply for the extension before the Non-O?

Isn’t the extension, an extension of the Non-O? So doesn’t the Non-O have to come first?
Brandon ************
@Nick ******
I was referring to the 30 day tourism extension
Nick *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Ah ok, my bad. Thanks again.
Brandon ************
@Nick ******
John corrected me below. Only Pattaya and a couple other immigration offices require the money to be in your account for 2 months already. It's the extension that requires the money in your account for 2 months already but not the 90 day visa.
Nick *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Ok thanks bud.
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