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What is the process and timeline for applying for a retirement visa in Thailand, and can I travel on a holiday visa if my application isn't processed before my arrival?
I will be travelling to Thailand on the 6 July this year and I’m looking at applying for an retirement visa, how long does it take and if it is not processed by then, can I still go on a holiday visa?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is planning to travel to Thailand on July 6th and is interested in applying for a retirement visa. Commenters advise that it's best to apply for the Non-O retirement visa in the user's home country as it allows for easier processes in Thailand, including opening a bank account necessary for the visa application. If the retirement visa isn't processed in time, it's noted that entering Thailand on a visa-exempt basis can complicate matters, particularly regarding the inability to open a bank account and apply for the in-country Non-O retirement visa.
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.
Much easier to apply for non-o in home country allowing you to open the bank account on arrival to Thailand, season 800k for 2 months and then apply for 1 year extension. Applying in Thailand is a catch 22: to apply for non-o you need 800 k balalnce but without non-o you cannot open a bank account. In home country application you use local currency bank account already in place.
I suggest you to apply for non-o from the Thai embassy in your country. It will be easier and come to extend for 1 year in Thailand. Or if you need help from a representative, I can recommend one.
Agree about bank account opening. Have 90 day non immigrant o visa. In Pattaya refused by 12 banks. Had 7 agents working on it and they couldn't help either. I do have the
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0 baht but could not open bank account. Apparently one agent in Bangkok can help.
if you enter visa-exempt, you can't apply for an in-country Non-Imm-O retirement visa, because you cannot open the Thai bank account which is needed for this process. You need to apply for the 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa in your home country before you wing your way here. On this visa, you can open a Thai bank account
Got 90 day Non immigrant o visa.Arrived May 14th. Have
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0 baht. Refused by 12 banks to open bank account. Had 7 agents working on it. Up until last week no one could help. UK passport holder. All banks said my non immigrant o visa was a tourist visa.
unbelievable. Mot's or F.S. Consulting could have helped you to open a bank account in Pattaya. Service fee would be 5000 THB. It is absolutely possible on an entry using a 90-days Non-Imm-O visa. You however need to be TM30 registered, have a Thai mobile phone number and need the "certificate of residency" from Immigration
the Immigration in Pattaya is known for pulling out of their noses random extra requests. Never heard you need a one year rental contract in order to receive a certificate of residency. Some people actually get one - but obviously not in Pattaya - when they accomodate in a hotel
Where are you located? I have just applied for non o through UK embassy, they typically take no longer than a week? You can get into thailand on visa exempt if you qualify although will find it very difficult to open a bank account without a long term visa
I am a dual citizen US/UK. I am planning on moving to UK because I am retired and I want to spend several months with my family. When you applied for the Non-Imm O what information do they need? Is it 3 months of UK bank statements or just show you have money in your bank account. I have yet to get a UK bank account (we will see how difficult that'll be).
i was applying for a non O retirement visa for thailand, I already live in the uk. The requirements are usually in your own currency and I submitted 3 months statements to show income have the funds. I am sure if you are applying to thailand from the uk you can show USA banked funds
when you apply outside of thailand you should simply need to show a bank statement with the money in it. The statement does not need to be from a bank in the country you are applying at so you can use a US bank statement to apply in the UK. I say should because each embassy may have special requirements.
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