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What options do I have for renewing my visa in Thailand given the current circumstances?

Visa RenewalAmerican ExpatNon-O VisaBorder RunsThai Bank AccountTransferWisePension Requirements
Mar 20, 2020
5 years ago
Louis ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Some advice please, my situation is - I’m an American married to a Thai 4 years, I had a 1yr visa issued in the USA. Expired in January, now extended to April 15 because I just took my wife’s family to Burma as a border run. Was applying in Aranyaprathet for another 1 year, they said I needed my pension endorsed by the US Embassy. So I made appointment that is now canceled until further notice because of virus.

Other option take 400,000 bhat from US and deposit it in Thai bank. Putting a lot of money in a Thai bank makes me uneasy but it is what it is. I have to take 20,000 bhat at a time from an ATM, will not let me take out more. Fee’s are crazy to do this, close to 1 grand. Can’t transfer to my account in Thai as US bank will not let me without being present. I have a home here, car and HD motorcycle, I owe no one nothing. My pension is is 50x + what they require. I have monthly pension statement but not notarized.

Travel seems risky unless I just go home until the virus issue passes or try to cross into Cambodia but risk is they won’t let me back in.

I think the answer is I’m screwed so Fly home?

Thanks for any advice you may have.

Louie P.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster, an American expat married to a Thai citizen, is seeking advice on renewing his expired visa under the current COVID-19 restrictions. His options include applying for a Non-O visa that does not require extensive financial proof, and he has been advised to consider using TransferWise for cheaper money transfers instead of withdrawing cash from ATMs. There are also suggestions to potentially seek a special exemption or extension for his visa due to family considerations and to liaise with trusted friends or use collateral for securing the 400,000 baht requirement to deposit in a Thai bank.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
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  • 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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Noel *****************
You can take 150.000 from an ATM per day
5 years ago
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Bob **********
Look at Transferwise
5 years ago
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Rohan ***
Please search for letter from us Embassy to Thai immigration - can't confirm its authenticity, but the guidelines seem to support your case. It was issued recently, probably the last 2-3 days.
5 years ago
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Louis ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rohan ************
 thank you.
5 years ago
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Louis ************
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Ben *********
Louie, just a thought to suggest. You've been here for about 4 years, I'm sure you already have some close trusted friends who maybe could advance 400k in good faith, if not, you got collateral on your fixed assets. I had to put 800k no choice been here since 2013. I'm sure you'll figure it out. Cheers.
5 years ago
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Louis ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ben ********
 thanks, just tried TransferWise and send a small amount to see how it works.
5 years ago
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Louis ************
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Rob ******
Borders will close at midnight Saturday.
5 years ago
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Rob ******
I just had my Tuesday flights canceled by air Asia to Laos. I called they said I must do today or tomorrow as flights not assured after that.
5 years ago
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Rob ******
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Charles ****************
PayPal in your wives name will work
5 years ago
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Roy ***********
Open Thai bank account and use Transferwise. Apply for Non-O visa in Thailand, and no need to leave the country again.
5 years ago
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Louis ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Roy **********
 thank you.
5 years ago
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Louis ************
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Ivan ************
Anutin has announced all land borders are closing Sunday. Who knows if that will actually happen. There is definitely a de-facto ban on air entries.

If you need to exit and re-enter for a bit longer you probably need to do it today or tomorrow, not next week. But I don't think there are any borders you can do this any more. Maybe Cambodia if their ban applies not on an American passport but recent travel there. Laos needs a visa in advance now.

You may also be able to get a 60 day special extension on your current I presume visa exempt stamp to visit Thai family (your wife). There are no financial requirements for this.

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15/health-certificates-required-of-all-visitors
5 years ago
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Louis ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ivan ***********
 thank you, I will try the special exemption until the smoke clears.
5 years ago
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Louis ************
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Zabel ******************
As mentioned above use transferwise
5 years ago
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Garrett ***********
1st, the US embassy will not endorse your income, they stopped doing that last year.

2nd, look at transferwise. Transferwise.com is how most people transfer money between the US and Thailand, much much cheaper than wire transfers and taking money out of the atm 20k baht at a time.
5 years ago
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Louis ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrette ***********
 Thank you for the advice, I thought I would have the embassy notarize my signature on it? Just an idea.
5 years ago
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Louis ************
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Oliver *******************
You can go to suvanaket for non o visa you don't need to prove anything mo ney wise, they will give you either multiple entry for 1 year or just a 3 month visa, this is 1 option
5 years ago
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Louis ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oliver ******************
 thank you.
5 years ago
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Ivan ************
You need a health cert now in Savannakhet. And possibly insurance- if you do need the insurance it's covid-19 specific and may easier/cheaper to get than the full insurance needed for a non OA.
5 years ago
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Louis ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oliver ******************
 thank you for your reoly, where us suvanaket?
5 years ago
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Louis ************
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