Answered6 years ago
What is the best way for an American citizen to enter Thailand to apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa for retirement and marriage?
I am a 53 year old American citizen and wish to obtain a non immigrant-O visa for purposes of retirement after entering Thailand in the next couple of months. I also have intentions to marry my fiancé shortly after arriving so consider that as well. What is the best visa and or way to enter Thailand in order to apply for the non-O, or potentially marriage visa? Is there currently any visa waiver entry or must I get a tourist visa in order to apply for the non-O within Thailand?
Answer summary
An American citizen looking to retire in Thailand at 53 can enter the country using a 45-day visa-exempt entry. After arrival, they may apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa for 90 days, based on age requirements and alongside plans for marriage. It's crucial to have the necessary funds in a Thai bank account, but there are no seasoning requirements for the initial application—only for extensions after the marriage or retirement based on the 800K baht requirement.
16 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Tod *********
I am going to say this ONCE. If you have a question that is NOT exactly the same question asked by an original poster in a thread MAKE YOUR OWN TOPIC.
I'm just going to start muting people who hi-jack threads no matter how closely related you think your question might be.
I'm just going to start muting people who hi-jack threads no matter how closely related you think your question might be.
Tod *********
Okay, seeing as you're NOT married yet we're not even gonna go in to the "get an extension based on marriage scenario".
If you're comin' in to apply for a 90 day Non-O visa from either a visa exempt or a tourist visa entry as
It's the year extension of stays (either marriage or retirement) that require the funds to be seasoned in the account for 2 months before you apply for them.
If you're comin' in to apply for a 90 day Non-O visa from either a visa exempt or a tourist visa entry as
@Jo**
pointed out there is no seasoning of your funds required. You only need to prove the 800K baht came into a thai bank account in your name only from abroad. It's the year extension of stays (either marriage or retirement) that require the funds to be seasoned in the account for 2 months before you apply for them.
Jose **********
@Alf **********
thank you so muchoYou ir someone know requeriments for the First 90 days? 2000 THB and......
Alf ***********
@Jose *********
, 2000 baht is the fee for the visa.The requirements are being over 50 years of age, meeting the financial requirements and having at least 15 days left of your admitted stay in Thailand.
The rest is a filled out application form and a bunch of copies.
If you arrive on visa exemption, the form is TM87.
If you arrive on a tourist visa, the form is TM86.
The form for extension of stay is TM7.
Jose **********
@Alf **********
ahhhhhh I understand now, thank you Alf have a good dayAlf ***********
@Jose *********
, you have to show the money for both the visa and the extension.But only the 1 year extension requires the money to be seasoned.
Jose **********
@Alf **********
financial requeriments *****
0 THB 2 months before inglés my Thai account I have to show for first 90 days or only for 1 Year extensión? Am sorry I have dudes
Jose **********
@Tod ********
excuse me, I understand that When I go for the First Time to immigration office for Non O retirement , they give me 90 days for free? And when I want to extend for 1 year I have to show my thai bank account with *****
0 thb with 2 month. It's ok?
Alf ***********
@Jose *********
, the initial 90 days (from the non-immigrant O visa) will set you back 2000 baht.The extension of stay costs 1900 baht.
The 800 000 for the visa does not require seasoning of the funds.
For the extension, the funds must be seasoned for 2 months before the application is made.
Then for 3 months after the extension is granted.
The balance can not go below 400 000 for the rest of the year.
James ********
You still will need to meet all requirements to enter....but suggest you do as
@Tod ********
suggested ...enter visa exempt.
Patrick ******
OPGreat! Thank you both. I already have a Bangkok Bank account set up in Pattaya? Is there seasoning required? If so, how long?
James ********
@Patrick *****
400,000 Thai baht for two full months seasoning before your application for the one year extension of stay as married to Thai. 
John **********
@James *******
he'll need to apply for a non-o first which doesn't require seasoning
Ellie *******
800K THB for retirement....
Tod *********
You could come in on a 45 day visa exempt entry, get your funds transferred into a thai bank account in your name only and then apply for an in country 90 day Non-Immigrant Type O visa based on being over 50.
Tod *********
Most immigration offices that issue that visa require you have at least 15 days or more left on your current stamp to apply. (Chiang Mai requires 21 days or more)
Activity
7 joined7
people
Related
25Can I apply for a Non-Immigrant O Visa inside Thailand for retirement?
1.3k402mo
What are the requirements for obtaining a Non-O Retirement Visa in Thailand, and can I withdraw funds after meeting those requirements?
4.2k38412mo
What should I know about applying for a Non-Immigrant 'O' Retirement Visa in Thailand?
1.8k545mo
What are the next steps after being approved for a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand?
6.9k251596mo
What are the requirements and process for applying for a Non-Immigrant O marriage visa from the UK?
5.2k45546mo
What are the current requirements for a non-immigrant O marriage visa and the eVisa system for Thailand?
940469mo
What are the requirements and best practices for applying for a Non-Immigrant O visa in Thailand as a US citizen married to a Thai national?
3.6k28351y
Can I extend my 90-Day Non-O Visa in Thailand or must I exit and re-enter on a 30-day exemption?
5.7k38811y
What is the best way to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand while currently on a tourist visa?
2.9k22292y
What is the best and easiest visa option for retiring in Thailand as a UK resident married to a Thai citizen?
1.2k6112y
What are my options for extending a Non-Immigrant O Visa in Thailand that expires soon?
1.6k1392y
How can I convert my marriage visa to a retirement visa in Thailand after my divorce?
3.9k29413y
What is the best type of visa for living in Thailand: Marriage, Student, or Retirement?
14k952113y
Can I apply for a Non-O multi-entry retirement visa while in Thailand on a tourist visa?
1.5k10103y
Can I renew my non-immigrant 'O' retirement visa in Myanmar and what do I need to enter Thailand after it expires?
752284y
What is the process for multiple entries on a non-immigrant O visa and retirement visa in Thailand?
1.2k5144y
Do I need to wait for the 800,000 Baht to be in my Bangkok Bank account for 3 months before applying for a Non-Immigrant O retirement Visa in Jomtien?
2.8k21275y
What are the steps for applying for a 1-Year Non-Immigrant O Retirement Visa in Thailand for a family of three?
2.4k21125y
What are the steps to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand for a UK expat married to a Thai citizen?
4.3k42205y
Can I apply for a retirement visa in Thailand with a non-immigrant O visa and what are the requirements?
3.5k27325y
Can I enter Thailand on a 30-day stamp and apply for a retirement or marriage visa later?
4.1k42145y
What are the benefits and requirements of switching from a retirement visa to a marriage visa in Thailand?
52757y
What could be the reason for my retirement visa extension denial despite meeting financial requirements, and should I consider switching to a marriage visa instead?
9.3k781027y
How long can a Greek citizen stay in Thailand on a marriage visa without leaving the country?
1.1k918y
What visa option is best for an Australian citizen married to a Thai national: Marriage or Retirement visa?
1.9k1798y
Resources
Need help with 90-day reporting?
Trusted service that gets people to a real agent fast