What steps should I follow to successfully obtain and extend a Non-Immigrant O visa in Thailand?

Hi All,

I’m new here, first post, please be nice.

I have spent roughly 2 days, approximately 10 hours reading previous posts before posting. However, it’s hard to get definitive information when so much of it is contradictory.

I also apologize in advance for the length of this post. Moderators, if this post is too long just delete it. I’ve got a copy and can re-post in smaller chunks. Readers, don’t flame me, just move on if this is too long for you to read. Thanks!

Me:

50+, have 800K for the bank deposit, in good health, no criminal record. I believe I will have no problem qualifying for the Non-immigrant O-A visa. Dual US and Australian citizen. I intend to enter on my Australian passport, assuming either is equally “good” with Thai immigration. I will be living with a friend in Bangkok, so in a private residence rather than a condo with a signed lease.

Visa:

I have no problem paying an agent, and that was my original plan. However, after reading posts in this group, I don’t want to be locked in to using an agent for each year’s renewal.

I emailed a visa agent (not one from this group) for some general advice. Here was their reply:

Questions:

· *If I intend to get a retirement visa, it is ok to first enter Thailand on a 90-day tourist visa and begin the process of the Non-O visa?*

· *Or is it wiser to get the retirement visa outside Thailand i.e. in Australia first? I would prefer the above.*

· Can I get the Non-O visa within the 90-days of the tourist visa? I believe I would have no problems with the eligibility and financial requirements.

The most important requirement to get a retirement visa in Thailand is to deposit 800,000 THB in your Thai bank account. If you already have a Thai bank account (Note: I do not), you can enter Thailand with a tourist visa and then begin the process of a Non-O retirement visa as soon as you arrive in Thailand and deposit 800,000 THB into your bank account.

In case you do not have a Thai bank account, we would recommend you apply for a Non-Immigrant type O from the Thai Embassy in your home country before coming to Thailand. Since the recent changes in Thai bank regulations that have not allowed tourists to open a Thai bank account. If you enter Thailand with a tourist visa, we are unable to assist you in opening a Thai bank account.

However, if you enter Thailand with a Non-O visa (3 months) obtained from the Thai Embassy in your home country, we can help you open a Thai bank account so you can then deposit 800,000 THB into your account after you open an account. For extending a retirement visa in Thailand, a deposit of 800,000 THB must be maintained in the bank for 2 months before starting the visa extension process.

In the past, we offered assistance in opening a Thai bank account and applying for a Non-O visa in Thailand with a tourist visa. However, Thai banks have updated their regulations, and now a tourist visa holder can't open an account. As a result, if we can't help clients get a Thai bank account, we are unable to assist them in applying for a Non-O visa as well.

>>> From other posts in this group, it seems that Siam Legal could help with getting the bank account, even if one entered on a 90 day tourist visa? Is this still correct? <<<

· *What about first getting a DTV for 180 days, then progressing to the Non-O visa?*

The DTV visa application must be submitted in person at your local Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate. Changing from a DTV visa to a Non-O visa is impossible since it is a different visa category.

Further research on getting the Non-Immigrant type O from the Thai Consulate in Sydney:

[[members only]), which has a link to:

[[members only]/), and finally:

~~Long-stay (O-A) for foreigners aged over 50*.~~

Edit: I was confused, this should be Non-O visa for foreigners aged over 50+, NOT O-A visa (thanks Brandon)

Its requirements are:

1. Biodata page of Passport or Travel Document

2. Photograph taken within the last six months

3. Document indicating current location

4. Letter of qualification endorsement issued from Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) (valid for only 60 days since the date of issue)

Finally, summarizing the above as well as other posts in this group, here is my plan/checklist:

1. Get Non-O visa in Australia before travelling to Thailand. This will be for 90 days.

2. Have my friend complete the TM-30 once I arrive at their place. I assume private citizens can complete the TM-30. I think it also wise to have them come with me to any immigration or bank appointments.

3. Question: Given the Non-O visa, the TM-30, plus my friend coming with me to the bank, do I also need to first go to immigration to get a Residency Certificate, as I have seen from other posts?

4. Open a bank account. Have my friend come along: vouch for the TM-30 plus translation help if needed. Dress well for the bank visit. Politely ask for the manager if there is pushback.

a. Is it possible to open two accounts with the same bank? I would prefer the 800K THB not be comingled with my everyday account.

5. Transfer 800K THB into that account from my Wise online bank (cheaper currency conversion from AUD to THB).

6. “Season” the 800K for 2 months.

a. Is this required in the above scenario?

7. After two months, get required documentation (bank book, letter, etc) from the bank verifying the 800K THB.

8. Book an appointment with immigration to extend the 90-day O-A for 1 year.

Lastly, I *would* like to use an agent for any required 90-day visits to immigration. I value my time more than the cost of paying an agent 3 times a year for this service (I assume the annual renewal must be in person). Would an agent help me with this service if I did not use them to get the initial visa?

Again, apologies for the length of this post. Please correct any errors in this planning checklist. Thanks and best regards…