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What type of visa should I apply for to transition from a Retirement OA to a Retirement O visa in Thailand?

Retirement O Visa Visa Application Process Thailand Immigration Visa Types Visa Exemption Tourist Visa Retirement Visas

Aug 6, 2022

2 years ago

Christine *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi.. I’m now holding Retirement OA visa which will expire end of this year. 

I intend to apply for Retirement O visa ( no insurance needed) … I will be flying back to HOng Kong and these are the visas available from Thai embassy in hk for application 

I hold a Singapore passport.. and a PR of HOng Kong. I obtained my OA visa from HOng Kong.

I have to return to HK in Nov and I’m just simply asking which visa I should get in order to apply for Retirement O visa in thailand… That’s all ! 

Tourist , Visa Exemption or Special Tourist visa. 

can I enter with visa exemption… which visa should I apply so I can apply for retirement O visa in Chiang Mai immigration? Thank you

Why do you decline my post ?! I do not know which visa to apply so that I can apply for Retirement O in thailand .. Visa exemption, Tourist, Special Tourist Visa ?!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is currently holding a Retirement OA visa and wishes to apply for a Retirement O visa after returning to Hong Kong. They are seeking advice on what type of visa (Tourist Visa, Visa Exemption, or Special Tourist Visa) they should use to enter Thailand to facilitate this process. Comments indicate that entering Thailand on a Visa Exemption is acceptable, especially for Singapore passports, provided the user can organize the necessary documents quickly. However, a single-entry Tourist Visa may provide a safer time frame for application at immigration.

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.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

Tod *********

Just to add some clarity to this post,

The O/P does NOT have ANY Non-Immigrant Type OA VISA 😮

They had one that expired end of 2020 and they have been on yearly extensions of stays from the Chiang Mai immigration office since then.

Their current extension of stay is valid until Nov 2 and they did not buy a re-entry permit when they got the extension, SO when they stamp out of the country they will effectively cancel the extension they're on.

This means they will have no issue entering the country on a 30 day visa exempt and immediately going to the Chiang Mai immigration office to apply first for the 90 day Non-O visa and then the year extension afterwards.

Good luck to the O/P (y)

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Ellie *******

OP seems to have get the answers he needs. If you still have something to ask regarding to the original question, please contact one of the moderators to re-open this post. Thank you for your help, everyone.

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Kevin ***********

CM requires a MINIMUM of 21 days. Visa exempt (even with 30 day extension) may not be enough time. Highly recommend the Tourist visa (60 days plus 30 day extension if needed).

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Tod *********

Seeing as they don't list the 90 day non-O visa as a available for people over 50 (retirement) and only have the OA, the ONLY visa you could get that would let you then apply for an in country Non-O visa at the immigration office would be a single entry tourist visa.

That's the only choice you have.

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Christine *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

can I apply for the Special Tourist visa ?

If time is not permitted, enter thailand without visa so will be visa exemption ( Singapore passport)

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Dennis **********

Christine - I have been in and out of the Thai for the last 3 years often. I am now in on a Non-O based on being over 50.

All the Admins on this site have been GREAT, very knowledgeable. I have to say the 2 that are (in my opinion)the best are Tod and Rodger.

From what I read you are currently IN Thai? If so get your "Ducks in a Row" now!

Go to the Immigration Office that you will be working with and get their hand-out Now!

Get your Bank Account Now!

Put the Require money in the Account NOW!

Get your Residence paperwork Now!

I had a difficult Time-Consuming experience getting a Bank Account established. Listen to these Brilliant Admins, follow what they say and Get Everything you can done Now!

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Christine *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Dennis *********

yes… I totally agree that Tod is the best 🙂 He has been a tremendous help. A blessing to everyone

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Christine *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Dennis *********

I have been in thailand for the last 2 coming 3 years now. I’m on OA retirement visa and I have everything in place - 800,000 in bangkok bank ( have been showing immigration bank account statement for the last 2 renewals)

I’ve to return to hk in nov 2022 and that’s also the time my OA retirement visa will expire. I’m going to exit thailand and come in so I can apply for O retirement so I don’t need to apply for insurance each time I renew my visa.

I have yellow book so no need of residence certificate

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Dennis **********

@Christine ****

You are ahead of the game. That information would have been very helpful to the admins when you 1st posted, I don't think they would have been so pessimistic about your timeline.

But do go to Immigration now, get their hand-out and see what they are willing to tell you in advance.

And again Listen to the guys, they are very smart!

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Christine *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Dennis *********

I wanted to know what sort of visa ( single tourist , tourist exemption) I should have when entering thailand in order to apply for the O retirement visa.

Because I will be in hk for only 2-3 days, I’m afraid I won’t have time to apply for single tourist visa so it’s good to know that with my passport( Singapore), I can enter thailand without a visa and it will be visa exemption

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Ellie *******

@Christine ****

You have the answer to that question already from Tod.

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Dennis **********

@Christine ****

- LOL Again if you would have said that up-front it would have probably changed the answers you got.

I'm not trying to be a jerk, I'm just saying give these wonderful people every chance to give you the BEST advice possible, that way YOU have the best chance of being successful.

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Dennis **********

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Tod *********

@Christine ****

a Special Tourist Visa cannot be changed to any visa inside the country

Whether you can or can't get the conversion done on a 30 day visa exempt entry depends entirely on you and how fast you get your ducks in a row so you can apply for the 90 day Non-O visa at the immigration office where you live.

Most offices require a minimum of 15 days left on your current stamp to apply (SOME Chiang Mai and Phuket require a minimum of 21 days).

So what that means is; if you think you can come in on a 30 day visa exempt, get your sh*t together document wise fast enough and go apply, do it.

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Christine *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

can I enter thailand without applying for tourist visa? Can I apply for non o retirement using visa exemption?

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Tod *********

@Christine ****

yes, you can

What part of IF you can get your act together fast enough once you're here on a 30 day visa exempt entry to apply for the in country Non-O from a 30 day visa exempt entry are you NOT glomming onto?

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Christine *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

thank you Tod.. will get all my documents done upon arrival in thailand and apply with visa exemption ( Singapore passport enter without visa)

Thank you Tod and everyone.. have a great weekend

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Tod *********

@Christine ****

you certainly CAN do it, there is nothing in the rules that prohibits a person on a 30 day visa exempt from applying for the in country a Non-O, Good luck with it (y)

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Christine *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

thank you Tod.. Appreciate your time as always.. just want to make sure I have the correct visa entering thailand for the non o retirement application.

Good to know that I can enter without applying for any visa base on my Spore passport.

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Reply to

Christine *****

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