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What is an invitation letter for a Non-O visa application in Thailand and where can I obtain one?

Jul 18, 2025
3 days ago
Roger *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have owned a property in Thailand for 15 years, where I propose staying, and have recently applied for a Non O , single entry 90 day visa, in order to apply for a Retirement Visa.

The Embassy is asking for additional paperwork, a Note Verbale or an Invitation letter, can anyone please explain where an invitation letter comes from?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is trying to clarify requirements for a Non-O visa application in Thailand, specifically regarding the need for an invitation letter from the Embassy. Various responses highlight that the Non-O visa is a type of retirement visa and suggest alternatives like hotel bookings instead of a formal invitation letter. Several community members share their experiences with visa documentation and registration, discussing the significance of the yellow and blue books in relation to property ownership and residency.
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.
Ling *****
When you are applying for the Non O evisa they will have several options. Click other and then click over 50 pensioner. They won't ask for an invitation letter there. They do ask for proof of 800k (or equivalent) in your home country bank though. That's how i did mine and it went through, good luck.
Roger *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ling ****
thank you.
May ******
My understanding is you’ll have to register as a landlord yourself. I haven’t done this yet but will be in the same boat in the near future. I’m told the first time you’ll have to do it in person and that you can then register online to do TM 30s for whoever stays at your residence.
Wannikea *********
What Embassy and did they actually make a request for documents or are you filling out the initial application form?
Greg ***********
Roger Jones you don't need an invitation letter from anyone for the application to the 90-days Non-Imm-O Visa. You need to check the many "or" between the requirements that are listed . . . . . You got the viable option to book a few nights in a hotel and upload the booking confirmation, instead of an "invitation letter"
Roger *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg **********
thanks Greg, I already have a letter from my condo management confirming ownership and intention to stay there, I don’t know what else I can provide.
Graham ******
@Roger ******
but the OP is seeking a retirement visa
Greg ***********
@Graham *****
he is seeking to apply for a 90-days Non-Imm-O Visa in the online E-Visa system. There he gets asked for an invitation. If he had continued reading, he would have found that he also has the easy option to upload a few days of hotel booking (which he can cancel after submitting the application!) instead of the more complicated to-get-by invitation from a juristic person (which needs proof of Thai ID Card, blue housebook, signatures etc and much more)
Tan ************
Use your "yellow book" for retirement visa
Jim *******
I am the owner of the property and in the process (with lots of documentation). Engaged an attorney. That involves Ministry of Foreign Affair to certify the translation of my Australian passport bio page (already cerified by Aus Embassy in Bangkok). Property deed showing my name, marriage certificate (already in Thai, we married in Thailand), our daughter (living now in Australia) Birth certificate (born in Bangkok), wife and my bank passbooks. Even a write up about our relationship.

After the interview at the District Office (Samut Prakan) it may take a month to get my yellow book.

Wife and daughter already have their Blue Book, as Thai nationals (they took it took it last year).

Now it is for me to get the yellow book, as a foreigner. None of us live in Thai, wife and me live in Japan, permanent residents, daughter lives in Australia (a dual Thai and Australia citizen).

Until last year, District Council said - nobody is registered as a resident for the property, in the books it appears to be owned but nobody is listed there. Now, wife and daughter have Blue Book, me to gain the Yellow book.
Brendan ********
@Tan ***********
what is the yellow book
Tan ************
Blue colour for local, foreigners will get yellow colure if you are peoperty owner
Tan ************
@Brendan *******
In Thailand, household registration, known as tabien baan (ทะเบียนบ้าน), is a system for recording residents and their addresses. It's a crucial document for various purposes, including obtaining a Thai ID card and passport, and is typically managed by the local district office (Amphoe). Foreigners can be included in a tabien baan, but it requires specific procedures and often involves demonstrating residency and providing necessary documentation.
Ally ************
@Tan ***********
A foreigner cannot be included in a blue 'tabbian baan' even if married to a Thai and living in the property it relates to with their spouse.. but they can obtain a yellow one in their own right.. so blue for Thai nationals and Thai family residents.. and yellow for foreigners 😉
Brendan ********
@Tan ***********
do i need one for a bank account
Tan ************
@Brendan *******
for what purpose?
Brendan ********
@Tan ***********
open bank account
Bob **********
Just have your condo office send something
Roger *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *********
thanks Bob, that’s what I sent them but they’re asking for more.
Robert *********
How do you own a property in Thailand ?
Stuart ***********
@Robert ********
you can own a house, but not the land.
Carlos *********
@Stuart **********
how.many balloons do you need to hold your house up?
Stuart ***********
@Carlos ********
I love that movie. Do your carers let you watch TV?
Robert *********
@Stuart **********
sorry ,in Canada property means land .

I should have known what he meant
Stuart ***********
@Robert ********
never thought of that. I remember a Canadian friend told me his beautiful house in Vancouver was not really worth anything, it was the land that was valuable. Seems alien to people from the UK like me as the house itself has at least equal value.
Jim *******
@Robert ********
I own a condo in Bangkok since 2008, never been on any visa, only on visa exemption (now 60 days, before June 1. 2024. it was 30 days).
Roger *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jim ******
, I have done the same but was told at immigration last time the I would need a Visa in future. I’ve traveled too often I guess.
Jim *******
@Roger ******
That is OK, max 2 times a year leisure, with work (site visits in Thailand) 3-4 times a year. 2020-2024 zero times.

The question by
@Robert ********
was "How do you own a property in Thailand".
Roger *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jim ******
I own a condo in Phuket but that isn’t really relevant to my question.
Jim *******
@Roger ******
I used 90 day"O" visa this time, will leave Thai 22 days through it.

Applied and got 1 year retirement visa, it will kick in when I come next time.
Roger *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jim ******
thanks Jim, I’m having a problem getting the 90 “O” visa to start the process as they are asking for an invitation letter and I don’t know what this is. Who is inviting me?
Tony **********
@Roger ******
you must be basing it off something other than retirement over 50...
Jim *******
@Roger ******
I was not asked that. You might have picked a wrong visa type from the list.

One that you need has something in description like "...not intending to stay longer than 90 days".

Then you would not be asked for invitation letter as I was not.
Traceys *********
@Robert ********
condos probably
Mario *********
@Traceys ********
yes...the foreigners have 51% in total. This is legal.
Roger *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I understand that.
Graham ******
@Roger ******
what you don't understand is that when in Thailand you will be applying for a 12 month "extension of Stay", not a Visa
Roger *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
yes, I do understand and apologise for my clumsy terminology, but I don’t understand what an Invitation letter is.
Terrence *************
@Roger ******
i think you will find its if you are married to a thai woman ,she does a letter of invitation to you for the thai embassy.thats what i had to do for my visa,my wife did all that for me ,in australia
Greg ***********
@Roger ******
you don't need an invitation letter from anyone for the application to the 90-days Non-Imm-O Visa. You need to check the many "or" between the requirements that are listed . . . . . You got the viable option to book a few nights in a hotel and upload the booking confirmation, instead of an "invitation letter"
Kevin *********
@Roger ******
I just received my Non-O visa for marriage from US and they asked for that. I don't think they would ask for that for the retirement though. Make sure you selected the retirement from dropdown menu.
Graham ******
@Roger ******
I got my retirement Non-O a few months ago and didn't come across that
Ling *****
@Graham *****
same here.
Brandon ************
Just to clarify, the non-O visa IS the retirement visa.
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