Answered5 years ago

What is the process for obtaining a Non-Immigrant Visa in Thailand for a retired US citizen residing in Argentina?

Thai Visa Non-O Visa Visa Extension Retirement Visa Thai Pass Thailand Immigration Process

Michael ********

asked Mar 12, 2022

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My conversation with Benjamin Hays on acquiring an "out of Thailand visa" at Argentina (US passport/Argentina residency) was paused until today. Visited the Thai Embassy Argentina and   they require a US Passport holder to apply in the US for visa, regardless of having Argentina residency.                                                           So, avoiding a return to US,  have the goal of living Thailand long term and going through the in country hoops to do so.  Starting with entering on  a 'Thai Pass',  would appreciate advice on a scheme of the necessaries to make extensions and conversions  to reach a Non Immigrant Visa, as a retired person.  Am prepared to live with short term stays, extensions,  and If necessary leaving and re-entering the country. From earlier advice it looks possible, just not stitched together yet into a plan. Thanks in advance your advice.

Answer summary

The user is seeking guidance on transitioning to a long-term Non-Immigrant Visa in Thailand as a retired US citizen, currently residing in Argentina. After visiting the Thai Embassy, they learned that a US citizen must apply for a visa in the US. They plan to enter Thailand using a 'Thai Pass' and are open to navigating short-term stays and the necessary extensions. Comments provided advice on obtaining a single-entry tourist visa or using a visa-exempt entry, opening a Thai bank account, and the steps required to apply for the Non-O visa and subsequent extensions.

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Tod *********

I think you're confusing the "Thai Pass" with a way to enter thailand 😮 It is not 😕

EVERYONE no matter what visa or stamp you come into thailand on needs to meet the entry requirements and have an approved Thai Pass.

I think what you are talking about is actually entering the country on what's called a 30 day visa exempt entry <-that means you didn't BUY a visa from a thai consulate before you showed up here but due to the country your passport is from (USA) you get stamped in for free without a visa for 30 days 🙂

As I said in my answer; you can come in on a 30 day visa exempt OR on a single entry tourist visa that gets you stamped in for 60 days. AND each of those entry types can be extended ONCE for 30 more days at the immigration office for 1900baht

What it really comes down to is how fast you think you can get your shit together to get the bank account open, get the funds transferred in and then still have enough time left on your stamp to apply for the in country Non-O visa. Most offices require a MINIMUM of 15 days left on your current stamp to apply (Chiang Mai requires 21) .

5 years ago

Michael ********

@Tod ********

Good clarification of the Thai Pass viz Visa Exempt entry. I just completed a 30 day stay and had no idea. I have a Thai bank account but am loathe to chase the 800K thb route or the 1 year history of proof of 65K monthly deposits (the latter which I cannot even image how you achieve). How can one, or can one, enter on Visa Exempt or Tourist Visa or Tourist Visa with Multiple entries and then through extensions and/or renewals of visa OR leaving and re-entering country manage a long term stay (not necessarily retirement visa)? And Is the 800K thb in bank /proof of same in annual income the only route to a retirement visa?

5 years ago

Michael ********

@Benjamin *****

How can one, or can one, enter on Visa Exempt or Tourist Visa or Tourist Visa with Multiple entries and then through extensions and/or renewals of visa OR leaving and re-entering country manage a long term stay (not necessarily retirement visa)?

5 years ago

Amaël ******

Visa applications at the Thai embassy in DC (and consulates in the US I believe) are fully online now, so you don't need to go there in person.

5 years ago

Tod *********

@Amaël *****

IF you go to use the eVisa online system, selecting your an american but picking some country other than america as your location the system tells you to buy the visa from the thai consulate of the country you're in 😮

5 years ago

Amaël ******

@Tod ********

obviously you would have to bend the rules and say you are in the US, it's for each person to decide whether they want to do it

5 years ago

Michael ********

@Benjamin *****

You're not answering my question. Again, exclusive of the retirement visa, how to keep living TH full-time by visas, extensions, multiple entries, border runs if they still exist, etc.??

5 years ago

Michael ********

@Benjamin *****

No. Just how to keep living TH full-time by visas, extensions, multiple entries, border runs if they still exist, etc..

5 years ago

Michael ********

@Benjamin *****

Thank you! Okay, all very clear on one year extension of stay based on retirement. Can you outline a strategy, through visa extensions or renewals or exiting and re-entering the country (combination of the above) that would achieve an, over time, long stay in Thailand? I have a rented apartment, I have a Thai bank account. How to succeed in continuous living in Thailand, even with bumps of visa runs or whatever?

5 years ago

Michael ********

@Tod ********

Thank you for all replies! Following your suggestion here, as the Embassy of the country I'm in will not sell a single entry Tourist visa, please advise. With a visa exempt entry, what would be the progression of steps for the in-country conversion from a Visa exempt entry to a 90 day non-O and then the year extension (without 800K thb in Thai bank account)?

5 years ago

Tod *********

@Amaël *****

Perhaps not the best way to start out your "new life" in thailand, 🙁 Lying on the application to get a visa 😮

How about we agree to disagree and leave it at that? The O/P can show up visa exempt OR on a single entry tourist visa (which the consulate in the country he's in will sell him) and will have no problem with the in country conversion to a 90 day non-O and then the year extension.

5 years ago

Tod *********

@Amaël *****

actually the 4 thai consulates in the US that issue visas all use the eVisa online system

What isn't known (other than ONE report) is if you can buy the visa by spoofing the eVisa application system (saying you're IN the US when you apply from another country) get the visa PDF sent to you and then enter the country with it flying in from somewhere other than the US

5 years ago

Tod *********

see if you can get a single entry tourist visa from the thai consulate in Argentina before you come here, that will stamp you in for 60 days. If not you can enter on a visa exempt entry and get stamped in for 30 days.

During that time you need to get a thai bank account in your name only opened and get 800K baht transferred into it.

Then you can go to the immigration office and apply for first a 90 day Non-O visa for 2000baht, wait for the review period (usually 2 weeks) go back get the Non-O visa and new 90 day stamp

Then wait until your 800K baht is seasoned in your bank account for 2 months go to the immigration office and apply for a year extension for 1900baht.

That's how it's done in country.

5 years ago