What is the process for converting a tourist visa to a Non-O Retirement extension and how can my wife apply for a dependent visa in Thailand?

Apr 5, 2023
2 years ago
Jack *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Does anyone have a cheat sheet for converting a tourist visa to Non O > Retirement extension? US passports.

And then the process for my wife who is under 50 to come in as a dependent?

I'm almost more confused after coming back from the immigration office in Bangkok. I have the money deposited, They need an official letter from Bangkok Bank stating that the money came from overseas and said I should go to the Silom branch? I went to a different branch previously and they were confused by what I was asking for.

I'm assuming that once I have the retirement extension that's when I need to leave the country with my wife and visit the embassy and apply for her dependent visa, correct?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking guidance on converting a tourist visa to a Non-O Retirement extension while facing challenges related to bank documentation for the process. They also inquire about the procedure for their wife, who is under 50, to come in as a dependent. Community members suggest that the Silom branch of Bangkok Bank should provide the necessary documentation and provide clarity on the visa extension process, indicating that once the retirement extension is obtained, the user can apply for the dependent visa for their wife.
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.
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Prinze ******
Based on my experience, the immigration asks for a specific Bank report/document that the Banks in the Immigration building knows, but outside the immigration office even downtown Bangkok, they will just give you a regular bank statement (which is somehow different from what the Immigration officer is asking you)
Jack *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Prinze ******
@Jack ********
yes, this is the place
Jack *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
This is the one. Are there any other immigration offices I could go to or is this the best one?
Brandon ************
@Jack ********
that's the only one you qualify to use
Jack *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Thank you for confirming!
John ********
@Prinze *****
they just need a letter stating that they have your money in the bank account and how much money you have in the bank account ie
*****
0thb and your bank book is updated to the day you go to immigration office
Prinze ******
@John *******
you can do it at the Bangkok Immigration building same day. There is a Bangkok bank branch there near the coffee shops. Surely they know what to do, just mention (bank statement for Visa or retirement Visa). Is this the only step you're missing?
Jack *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Prinze *****
It's weird that the lady at Bangkok immigration told me to go to the Silom branch instead of the one that's located near the coffee shop though.
John ********
@Prinze *****
yes that's right But I don't know what immigration office he is going to if he's going to Bangkok immigration then he will get the letter from the bank
Jack *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
does it have to be dated the day that I go to immigration because I was going to go to the branch now get the paperwork and then go to immigration after I got back from Kuala Lumpur next week.
John **********
@Jack ********
the letter doesn't take long usually so do it after you get back. I just ask for letter for immigration in my bank and they know what to do. One point to bear in mind for next year is you'll need to order the bank statements a week before you need them, Bangkok Bank branches can only provide 6 months so they need to come from head office.
John ********
@John *********
that's only if he is using the every month ie
*****
thb per month

If he is using the
*****
0 then it is not necessary

He just needs a letter and the bank book is updated showing that the money has been in the account
Prinze ******
Consider this too, you really have to knlw which Bank document they are requesting from you. Of it's the one time deposit (big amount) or the monthly deposit in you Bangkok Bank.

For what I was saying, it is for the on time deposit.
Jack *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Prinze *****
I'm doing 800k
Prinze ******
@Jack ********
based on my experience, youbhave to update you bank book Same day. So try to make a deposit or withdrwal (any amount) before updating your bank book. Then request for the Bank Statement for the Visa. It will take around 30 mins max. Usually the banknknows what you need, so you can try to explain it to them as well.
John **********
@John *******
not these days. They use 12 months statements to ensure that you have adhered to the requirements. Money above 800k for 3 months and not below 400k all year.
John ********
@John *********
yes I understand that you can take the
*****
0 out of the bank account and put it back 3 months before you get the visa

But if he has a saving account he will have a book and that will have to be updated as the proven information that he has the money in the bank and a copy of the book for immigration and I did it for the last 10 years including last year
John **********
@John *******
certainly my immigration office wants statements and an updated bank book. I suspect that's because the book has to be updated on the day of applying for the extension but the statements can be a few days old. Personally I only update my bank book once a year so many of the entries included in statements are omitted from the bank book update,
John ********
@John *********
I did the book last year just the once in Bangkok immigration and they insisted that the book had to show that the money was not taken out

So I had to go to the bank and get them to print the statement for the hole year and I had to pay and wait for 5 days for the statement and get it signed by the bank

And that was the bank in immigration building
John ********
@Jack ********
if its Bangkok immigration office they will not be happy with that

You can go to the bank the day before and they will be happy to provide you with the letter that will keep the immigration happy
Brandon ************
@Jack ********
make sure the bank knows you need the letter to show it's an international transfer. The 1 year extension doesn't need to show that but the conversion does.
Brandon ************
@Jack ********
every office has a different policy. Generally bank letter can be within a week but the bank book will need to be updated the day you go.
Brandon ************
I'm assuming your account is with Bangkok Bank since you mentioned the Silom branch. That's the headquarters of Bangkok Bank and they'll know what you need.

Once you've received the full one year extension is when your wife can apply for the trailing spouse non-O 90 day visa. Then once her visa is down to 30 days or so you can return to immigration and apply for her 1 year extension as well, but she'll only receive the extra days to match your extension.
Jack *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Yes, correct Bangkok Bank. Thanks so much for the detailed reply. I appreciate it. 👏
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