Answered4 years ago

What is the best way for my fiancé to switch from a tourist visa to a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand?

Visa application process Non-O retirement visa Tourist visa Thai immigration Silom Chaengwattana Immigration Office

Dorothy **********

asked Aug 31, 2022

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Bc the Thai embassy in the US is so behind processing visa apps, my fiancé will be travelling on a tourist visa and then must apply for the in country non O retirement visa upon arrival. This was the embassy’s advice. Can anyone advise the easiest, quickest and least expensive way to do this? He has all the documents and requirements. We’re in Silom and I have mobility issues. Which immigration office should we go? TIA

Answer summary

Due to delays at the Thai embassy in the U.S., the user's fiancé will travel on a tourist visa and needs to apply for a Non-O retirement visa upon arrival in Thailand. They seek advice on the easiest and least expensive way to do this, given they have all necessary documents and mobility issues. Comments suggest applying for the Non-O visa at the Chaengwattana Immigration Office, emphasizing the importance of having at least 15 days left on the tourist visa for the application.

14 repliesnewest first

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Rabiaand *********

We were able to apply for non-o evisa fairly quickly through the DC office (online). Applied on Friday and received approval on Wednesday...and that was with having to provide extra info. We were still told during their email exchange that the expected approval time was 15-30 days...but they always responded quickly.

4 years ago

Dorothy **********

@Rabiaand ********

I’m a little jealous 😉

4 years ago

James ********

4 years ago

พอล *******

Where was the location of the embassy in the United States?

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Paul ******

you can only select from FOUR of the thai consulates in the US when you use the eVisa system and you choose the correct one based on where you live

The choices are Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Washington DC

4 years ago

พอล *******

@Tod ********

none of them anywhere near me I hope I don’t have to go there in person

พอล *******

OK thank you🙏

Tod *********

it is an eVISA <- that means you apply online. You can't GO to the consulates.

you log in, upload the required documentation and they email you the PDF file that has the visa you print out and show to the passport control when you stamp in.

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4 years ago

Tod *********

Strange that you say the thai embassies in the US are behind on visa apps because it's all done online now with the eVisa website (by selecting one of the 4 consulates that issue visas for your state) and most people get approved in 5 to 10 days. 😕

If the person is over 50 and has the 800K baht in a thai bank account in their name only transferred in from abroad, they can show up on a tourist visa or visa exempt entry.

Once here they should go immediately to the main immigration office at the government complex (Building B) on Chaengwattana Road at Counter C-1 and get the hand out listing the requirements. <- I say that because they need a minimum of 15 days left on their entry stamp to apply so time is of the essence

Then get the documents together, go back and apply for the 90 day Non-O visa for 2000baht, wait the 2 week under review period and go back then to get the Non-O visa and a new 90 day stamp inked in

THEN wait until the funds are seasoned for 2 months in the account and there's 45 days or less left on the new 90 day stamp and go back to apply for the year extension for 1900baht

I don't understand the "they will be traveling on a tourist visa" part because to get a tourist visa for thailand you apply using the online eVisa website <- which is the same one you'd use to apply for the 90 day Non-O 😮

Anyway that's the process, and you only have ONE immigration office option in Bangkok for what you're doing; the main one out at the gov't complex on Chaengwattana Road.

4 years ago

Dorothy **********

@Tod ********

hi Tod, what is the building we need to go to for immigration at the government complex? I want to be sure the taxi drops us at the correct bldg and not 5 km away🙄 Rich is finally making it into BKK in the morning and I plan on taking him on up there. Thank for your assistance.

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Dorothy *********

I put that in the first answer to your thread

Main Immigration office government complex (Building B) on Chaengwattana Road at Counter C-1

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4 years ago

Dorothy **********

@Tod ********

I don’t understand either since it’s all on line now. As far as the tourist visa, I’m assuming that’s how he’ll enter Thailand since he doesn’t have the Non-O yet. And yes, I know. It would have been easier to wait and get it done there, but…..🤷🏼‍♀️

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Dorothy *********

Are you sure you're not talking about a visa exempt entry <- where they show up without having bought ANY visa from the thai consulate before they come here and get stamped in for free due to their nationality?

Because if he has time to apply for a tourist visa using the eVisa system he certainly has time to apply for the 90 day Non-O visa using it too. The processing time is the same (IF you get the right documents uploaded the first go round)

4 years ago

Dorothy **********

@Tod ********

no. He applied for the non-O, paid the fee and completed the process, never to hear back. When he called the consulate to inquire, they advised him to enter Thailand (I don’t know under what) and complete the process here. I really wish they had told him to reapply. But now he has it in his head that he’s coming regardless. 😂 I’m exhilarated from everything he has had to do to get this far. This has been a true life changing event!😊 Thank you for your advice. I may have more questions later.

By the way, my FB Women of Bangkok people referred me to your page.🙏🏼

4 years ago