What documents do I need to apply for an extension of stay based on retirement (O Visa) in Phuket?

Jul 20, 2022
2 years ago
Mark *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi all, I have read most of the posts relating to extension of stay based on retirement (O Visa).

I am on week 5 of a 60 day visa issued from the UK. Can someone confirm which documents I need to apply for an extension of stay based on retirement at Phuket Immigration?

I believe Immigration states that your application is under consideration & to return after 14 days. If all good Immigration stamp your passport which can then be used to open a Thai bank account to make the international transfer of tb 800k?

TIA
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user seeks clarification on the necessary documents for applying for a retirement-based extension (O Visa) in Phuket, having initially entered on a 60-day tourist visa. The comments provide guidance: 1) Since a 60-day visa does not allow direct conversion to a retirement extension, the user must first apply for an initial Non-O visa under consideration, once their current visa still has over 21 days remaining. 2) The user is advised to open a Thai bank account and transfer funds (800k THB requirement) before applying. 3) Additional documentation like a Certificate of Residence may be required for banking purposes. Users are encouraged to prepare accordingly and check with Phuket Immigration for the latest requirements.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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Ellie *******
Apply for a tourism extension and sort yourself as soon as possible. You had asked the same question less than one month ago. Please prepare yourself this time.

Genera information for tourism extension here.
Ellie *******
Seeing you still don't have a bank account in Thailand, you (as a UK passport holder) cannot apply for a visa/extension based on retirement until you have funds in Thailand. So, your scenario seems to be in the opposite direction.

What you need to do is this order unless you already have one bank account in Thailand

1. open a bank account in Thailand

2. transfer your funds

3. apply initial Non-O

4. apply 1-year extension
Ellie *******
@Mark ******
, unfortunately, the fact you still cannot open a Thai bank account wouldn't give you the privilege to apply for an in-country Non-O retirement visa or extension without funds in Thailand.

You need to keep trying each branch (not the bank) to open an account. You may need a residence certificate from your embassy if Phuket doesn't issue it to tourists (that I don't know)

But opening a bank account is not covered by this group. Please try other expats groups in the Phuket area.
Mark *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellie ******
Could I apply for a 30 day extension to have more time to apply?
Ellie *******
@Mark ******
If not yet, yes, you can
Mark *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellie ******
Understood, all the Thai banks I have visited have refused to open an account on a tourist visa.
Ellie *******
60days visa means you should have entered on a Single Entry Tourist visa. You can NOT apply for a 1-year extension based on retirement directly from the tourist entry stamp.

What you need to do first is: apply for in-country Non-O based on retirement when your current stamp still has MORE than 21 days (If my memory serves me right, Phuket has 21 days under-consideration period).

After 21 days of under consideration period (no stamp on a passport for this), go back to the immigration office to get a Non-O initial visa and admitted-until-stamp.

After that, you can apply for a 1-year extension based on retirement.

You need to get the latest handout for the initial Non-O visa from the Phuket office.

This is general information for in-country Non-O retirement visa application

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*******
/9.FOR-RETIREMENT-PURPOSES-50-YEARS-OLD-NON-O.pdf
Robert *******
You may need a Certificate of Residence from Immigration to open a bank account.

You can only apply for a conversion into a Non Immigrant O visa when you meet all the requirements. Get a Certificate of Residence and the hand out with requirements to apply for a conversion from the Phuket Immigration Office, open a bank account, deposit the money, get the bank letters and tick the list with other requirements before going back to Immigration.
Mark *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
The 800k has to be seasoned for 2 months prior to application, I only have 3 weeks left on my 60 day torist visa
Mark *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
Thanks Robert, is there a 2 day holiday starting tomorrow, if so immigration will be closed
Robert *******
@Mark ******
Holidays this month are mentioned in this post on top of the page
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Stephen ********
@Mark ******
I had to get my passport certified at the Uk embassy in Bangkok to open a bank account, cost £25 you must make online appointment ( Bangkok Bank )
Robert *******
@Mark ******
NO, you first apply for a conversion of your Tourist Visa into a Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age (retirement visa) and for this you need proof of 800.000 Thb being send into a Thai bank account on your name from abroad. No seasoning needed for conversion.

If you have this new visa you also get 90 days permitted to stay, after 60 days you can apply for the 1 year Extension of Stay based on being over 50 years of age (retirement visa, yes same same but different) and then the money is already more than 2 months into your bank account if you did not take it out for other reasons.
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