Answered4 years ago

What documents are needed to convert a Visa Exempt entry to a Non-O visa in Thailand for a retired US citizen?

Non-O Visa Visa Exempt Entry Thailand Visa Conversion Retirement Visa Pension Requirements Foreign Nationals in Thailand

Ed **********

asked Oct 18, 2022

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What documents would I need to bring with me to convert a VOA to an NON-O? US citizen 59 retired with a pension that meets minimum requirements. (65k baht)

FBI police clearance, Passport, Pension proof? 

The instructions say an 800k baht deposit or a pension. Am I reading that right?

Is it one or the other?

Someone said don't get the O-A 

just get the O. What's the difference. 

Thanks for your help.

Answer summary

To convert a visa exempt entry to a Non-O visa in Thailand, a retired US citizen must prepare specific documents. The main requirement includes proof of income such as a pension of at least 65,000 baht (or maintaining 800,000 baht in a Thai bank). It is important to note that the U.S. embassy no longer issues income affidavits, and FBI police clearance is not needed for the in-country conversion process. Additionally, there are distinct differences between the Non-O and Non-OA visas; the Non-O visa does not require health insurance and is granted for 90 days, after which a one-year extension can be applied for, whereas the Non-OA requires health insurance and is available only from the applicant's home country.

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Garrett ***********

- Visa on Arrivals cannot be converted in country. I assume based on your profile you'll eligible to enter Visa exempt (they're 2 different things).

- The Non-OA can only be obtained in your home country. It is a 1 year multiple entry visa that requires health insurance.

-The Non-O does not require health insurance but requires 800k baht in a Thai bank account. The Non-O is also only 90 days, then you apply for a 1 year extension. If you want to leave, you need to buy a reentry permit. My personal opinion, the Non-OA is the easier visa if you're still in your home country.

4 years ago

Ed **********

Also is just proof

Of

Pension ok or do I need a Fixed deposit with non o-a?

4 years ago

Ed **********

I can show that, just didn't know if I needed to withdraw to put into a bank in Thailand. I'd hate to sell anything right now it's all in stocks. And the market sucks and will suck for a long time.

4 years ago

Garrett ***********

@Ed *********

Non-OA you need 800k (or the equivalent curreny) in a US Bank account. It can be in investment accounts. Not sure how they do the income method honestly.

4 years ago

Alex *******

@Garrett **********

And for the Non-O obtained in Thailand, can you also use an investment account to show you have at least 800,000 THB, as long as this investment account is with a Thai bank, or this needs to be cash, please?

4 years ago

Ed **********

Thanks great info. That sounds to me like the easiest and best.

4 years ago

Stuart *********

OK a few things to clarify. From the US you don’t get a visa on arrival (VOA). You can enter without a visa, called a visa exempt entry or a tourist visa and convert to a Non O in country.

Your pension amount is irrelevant as the US embassy here won’t issue the income affidavit anymore.

For an in country conversion you’d need either 800k in a Thai bank that has been transferred from overseas or 12x monthly deposits of at least 65k transferred from overseas. There is no requirement for insurance or police clearance for an in country Non O.

A Non OA is only available in your home country and does require insurance, medical cert and police checks, but you don’t need funds in Thailand. (Until you want to extend in country)

4 years ago