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What is the best way for an American citizen to enter Thailand to apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa for retirement and marriage?

Non-Immigrant O VisaRetirement VisaMarriage VisaVisa Waiver EntryVisa Requirements for ThailandThai ImmigrationExpat Advice
Mar 15, 2021
5 years ago
Patrick ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
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?
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TLDR : 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.
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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.
5 years ago
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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
@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.
5 years ago
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Jose **********
@Alf **********
 thank you so mucho

You ir someone know requeriments for the First 90 days? 2000 THB and......
5 years ago
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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.
5 years ago
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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
5 years ago
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Alf ***********
@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.
5 years ago
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Jose **********
@Alf **********
 ahhhhhh I understand now, thank you Alf have a good day
5 years ago
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Jose **********
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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?
5 years ago
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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.
5 years ago
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Alf ***********
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James ********
You still will need to meet all requirements to enter....but suggest you do as
@Tod ********
 suggested ...enter visa exempt.
5 years ago
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Patrick ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Great! Thank you both. I already have a Bangkok Bank account set up in Pattaya? Is there seasoning required? If so, how long?
5 years ago
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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.
5 years ago
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John **********
@James *******
 he'll need to apply for a non-o first which doesn't require seasoning
5 years ago
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Ellie *******
800K THB for retirement....
5 years ago
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Ellie *******
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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.
5 years ago
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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)
5 years ago
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Tod *********
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