Answered3 months ago
What is the correct process to change from visa-exempt entry to a Non-O visa for retirement in Thailand?
I am hoping to retire to Thailand in the next few weeks.I just wanted to get confirmation of the correct order....my thoughts are. Visa exempt..enter country...go to wife's house..next day go to immigration to get TM30...go to Ampher to request my name on yellow book.. request pink card..go immigration to request change of visa type to non-o for family...show them 400k ..expect a visit.to home.. request extension for a year.
Answer summary
The user is planning to retire in Thailand and seeks clarification on the steps to transition from a visa-exempt entry to a Non-O visa based on marriage. The conversation highlights the importance of having a Thai bank account with at least 400,000 THB before making the change, the recommended approach of obtaining the Non-O visa before traveling to Thailand, and the sequence of tasks including applying for the TM30, obtaining a yellow book and pink card, and requesting an extension for the visa. Several comments emphasize the challenges and requirements of changing visa status within Thailand compared to securing the Non-O visa beforehand in the home country.
21 repliesnewest first
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Jeff *************
Get a phone in your name, open bank account in your name only
Rok ********
So much easier to get non-o from home country. Not sure they would issue the yellow book on a tourist exempt visa.
Tomas *******
Get the O visa in your home country first
Kenneth ************
I Would get the 90 day Non-Immigrant Visa based on marriage , In Home Country First
Paul *******
Get the visa before you travel. it's so much easier.
Mick *****
Were you married in Thailand or abroad?
Michael *****
Mick, does it make a difference? Sorry to ask!
Thank you in anticipation
Mike
Thank you in anticipation
Mike
Mick *****
Michael Bee yep if your married overseas there is a complicated process you will need to go through to validate your marriage before you get any visa or your yellow book. It was a long process happy to share if relevant
Jesper *******
Your plan is workable if you already have a thai bank acct ....and the actual sequence is get a tm30 bankin your 400k and go to immigration and get your 90days nonO marriage visa....only after you get your 90days and extensions then u work on the yellow book and pink ID
Glennstev ***********
OPJesper Ngiam thanks Jasper
Ant ***********
Apply for a single entry
Non-O Visa for your home country about 4 weeks before you come .
If you want to go from Visa Exempt to Non-O , within Thailand , you would be looking at 50K baht +
Non-O Visa for your home country about 4 weeks before you come .
If you want to go from Visa Exempt to Non-O , within Thailand , you would be looking at 50K baht +
Jim *******
My Yellow Book at Amphur took 6 weeks, through an attorney. I own the condo but my legal wife (Thai national) has the Blue Book on it. Bangkok, Samut Prakhan.
Heather ***************
Jim Davis yup I just got called in to get mine, took about 3 weeks in Lamphun
Greg ***********
Glennstev Repairman . . your planned "change of visa type" from a visa-exempt entry to the initial 90-days Non-Imm-O Family Visa will not work, unless you already have a Thai bank account with a minimum of 400,000 THB already sitting in it.
Glennstev ***********
OPGreg Alexander yes I have that thank you
Lynnette *******
Visa exempt is an entry with no visa. You can't open bank account with that. Get the non-O visa before you arrive.
John **********
That's not going to work unless you already have a Thai bank account, you won't be able to open one on a visa exempt entry. Even if you have the bank account already it's going to be much less hassle to enter on a 90 day Non-O visa
Johnny *******
@John *********
I don’t agree. At some offices the 90 day Non O has basically the same requirements as the one year extension. As you mentioned an existing bank account is requiredGreg ***********
Johnny Jones . . I must add to John Stanner's listing: for the "change of visa type" to the 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa on Immigration, you need a rental contract of a minimum of 3-6 months. And you need a minimum of 15-21 days left on your entry stamp. And you need 800,000 THB already sitting in your Thai bank account, and you need a proof that this money came from abroad
Johnny *******
Greg Alexander wrong on many counts. Rental contract depends on the office and 800K isn’t required for a non 0 based on marriage it’s 400K son. Also some offices don’t care where the money came from
John **********
@Johnny ******
yes the requirements are similar but the hassle level is higher doing it inside the country. First you need to have a certain number of days left on your visa exempt stamp when you go to the immigration office to apply for the Non-O visa where it goes under consideration and then you have to return to the immigration office to get the 90 day Non-O visa stamped in your passport. The number of days varies between 15 and 21 depending on location and you can't leave Thailand during that period.Activity
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