Answered5 years ago

What long stay visa options are available for Indian parents visiting Thailand?

Long Stay Visa Retirement Visa NON-O Visa Visa Requirements Thailand Immigration Financial Proof for Visa

asked May 12, 2021

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Hello members , 

I’m looking for some information for a long stay visa for my parents. Both are Indians and in their 60s. I’m aware that no new visas are granted for Indians at the moment. The plan is to visit us in Thailand once the restrictions are eased or lifted. 

We are considering retirement visa for both with 800 k THB in financial proof.  My questions are

1. Initially can they use Indian bank to show the proof of funding. Also is there a specific bank or banks that immigration recommends?

2. Is there another option than retirement for a long stay?

My wife is Thai and we have 2 kids. I’m on non  O visa. My parents  haven’t met the little one  (1 year 2 months) yet and that’s heartbreaking for them.   Thank you for the advice and ur time. Good day all :)

Answer summary

The post seeks guidance on obtaining long stay visas for the author's Indian parents, who are considering a retirement visa given the current restrictions for Indian nationals. Key questions include whether an Indian bank account can serve as proof of funds and if there are alternative long stay visa options. The responses clarify that both parents can apply for a NON-O Visa for retirement, requiring a 800k THB financial proof, and that they can initially use an Indian bank for this purpose, with additional steps to be taken once in Thailand.

12 repliesnewest first

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Baron *********

Indians are banned at the moment I believe due to the double dangeours covid

5 years ago

Anu *****************

@Baron ********

each day there are more than 400k known cases. God knows what’s the actual figure. They will only remove the ban once India can control and reduce the numbers dramatically. Gonna be a long and hard road 😞

5 years ago

Baron *********

@Anu ****************

it's going to take a while. I speak to my customer there regular on chat and he's been stressing the last few weeks even though he's double vaxed already

5 years ago

Anu *****************

@Baron ********

I’m well aware of that and already mentioned in the post above. Thanks for reassuring:)

5 years ago

George *************

Both of your parents would need to obtain a Non-O Visa for purpose of retirement. Each will need to show the 800k baht equivalent in a bank account in his or her sole name only. It can be an Indian bank. I don't think Royal Thai Embassy has a preference for which one. Any one would do.

Upon arrival in Thailand your father needs to open a Thai bank account in his name only and transfer the 800k baht into that account. I say father for convenience, but it can be either of your parents, the point being that only one has to do this. 30 days before their 90-day permission to stay ends she needs to go to immigration and apply for a Non-O Visa Dependent (follow) based on her husband's visa. 30 days before his permission to stay ends and after having the 800k baht in the account for at least 2 months, he needs to go to immigration to get a retirement extension. Your mother should be able to apply for the same retirement extension on the basis of being a dependent on your father's extension.

The value of doing it this way is that both of your parents get a year's permission to stay but they only have to meet the financial requirements for one of them.

An example, of how this could be done in Phuket:

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5 years ago

George *************

Yes, Non-OA would be ideal, then. During its validity (basically the first year) it is multiple-entry. Each entry gets them stamped in for a year.

A Non-O on the other hand needs a re-entry permit to keep alive their current permission to stay when they re-enter. 1,900 for a single re-entry permit, 3,800 for a multiple.

Given what you've written about their usual coming and going the Non-OA is the way to go. During the first year (during the validity of the Non-OA) they can come and go as they wish (not considering whatever covid restrictions might be in place). Then if they time it right they could re-enter Thailand just as their Non-OA is about to expire and get a permission to stay of one year. If during this "second" year they wish to leave and re-enter they could simply purchase a re-entry permit and then they could re-enter Thailand and resume their current permission to stay. Under this scheme, they would basically be able to come and go to Thailand as they wish without ever having to bring 800,000 baht into Thailand.

5 years ago

Anu *****************

@George ************

do you think this means they can apply under this option ??

5 years ago

George *************

@Anu ****************

I suspect not (too good to be true ;-) ), but you could certainly ask at the email address given above. I think if you explain the situation as outlined in your original post and ask what the best way to accomplish it you may get an answer. I wouldn't know what immigration would need to see in order to judge that your parents are dependent on you. In the case of a spouse, it's certainly possible, but I don't really have any idea if the same is possible for a parent. Also, would it be a single parent allowed or both? I just don't know. Out of my depth on this question.

By the way, if you don't get an answer by email, you might consider dropping by at Phuket Immigration and if they are not too busy discussing with the volunteers who are there. Sometimes it can be pretty quiet mid-morning or mid-afternoon.

5 years ago

Anu *****************

@George ************

that’s the plan. You r so kind. Really appreciate ur help. Cheers 🙂

5 years ago

Anu *****************

@George ************

thanks a lot for detailed explanation. This will work better than what I thought. Only have to wait for the situation to get better so that they can travel safely. Have a great day

5 years ago

George *************

@Anu ****************

You're welcome. It may be possible that one of your parents could even come on a Tourist Visa (and apply for a Non-O in Thailand). The benefit to that would be that only one parent would have to show financial requirements in India as well as in Thailand. It gets a bit complicated in that it's not clear to me that one can apply for a Non-O Visa in Thailand for the purpose of being a dependent. It may be possible, but since I didn't know I suggest both parents get Non-O in India. You can contact the Phuket Immigration Volunteers,

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and ask that specific question, although at the moment I'm sure they'll explain that it's not possible due to the restrictions imposed on Indian nationals.

5 years ago