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What visa should a U.S. citizen apply for after a visa run to transition to a retirement visa in Thailand?

Retirement VisaNon-O VisaVisa RunVisa ConversionThailand ImmigrationU.S. Citizen Visa RequirementsSTV VisaVisa Exemptions
Sep 9, 2022
2 years ago
Bennett ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi all. Followed advice I got in this group & after 9 months on STV, got the final Covid extension & transferred $$ to apply for retirement visa. Thank you! Now my question: U.S. citizen here. In mid-October I will make a visa run to a nearby country. WHICH visa am I applying for to then convert to retirement within Thailand?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A U.S. citizen planning to make a visa run can enter Thailand visa-exempt for 45 days starting October 1st. It is suggested to apply for a Non-O visa upon arrival, which requires filing TM.87, as opposed to a conversion process from another visa. Alternatively, if the criteria are met for the retirement visa, it may also be applied for directly at a local immigration office in Thailand without needing to leave.
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.
Steve *******
No need to leave, if you got the money transferred already and you got 15 days left on your stay then just apply for the non imm O at your local immigration office in Thailand
2 years ago
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Peter ****************
Yep
@Bennett *******
, it's "quite a forrest" indeed. You got a lot of visa and extensions. The best group for visa and extensions is Thai visa advice. So without "and everything else".

Learned a lot by only reading questions and answers.
2 years ago
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Peter ****************
I think
@Steve ******
 is right
@Bennett *******
. But to be sure indeed go to your imm. office.
2 years ago
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Peter ****************
It sounds nitpicking
@Bennett *******
 but with a border run, you buy a visa in the country you run to but with a border hop or border bounce, you stamp out of Thailand, go in the other country and many times you can turn around and stamp in in Thailand again with e.g. visa exempt 30 days (from 1st of oct. 45 days). By land only 2 times allowed. Good luck ! 🤞
2 years ago
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Bennett ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Peter ***************
 I was not aware of this border run/hop distinction - all this is new to me, learning!
2 years ago
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Bennett ********
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Bennett ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Sounds like it's only tourist visa, but might be worth a visit to immigration to check whether I can apply without the border run.
2 years ago
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Peter ****************
Don't know the rule in this case
@Michelle ***********
. As you can read his STV is void and now he is on Covid extension. Really don't know in this case. But OP wants to do a border hop, so at return (after 1st oct.) he gets 45 days visa exempt entry anyway. Also maybe even not needed as
@Steve ******
 says.
2 years ago
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Zap **********
I thought STV could not be changed to a different visa? Quite sure it's only if you arrive visa exempt or regular 60 day tourist visa.
2 years ago
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Zap **********
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Zap **********
Arrive visa exempt then apply for Non O (not a conversion) it is an application for visa TM.87 not TM.86
2 years ago
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Zap **********
Just onward travel out of country does not have to be return ticket. More often asked by airline.
2 years ago
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Bennett ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michelle ***********
 Do I need to have booked a return flight out of Thailand when arriving visa exempt?
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
@Bennett *******
 technically immigration could ask. Rarely would. However your airline may well insist that you have a ticket out of Thailand within the number of days your entry will allow. Regardless of the fact that you could get an extension or change to a different visa in country.
2 years ago
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Bennett ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
 Thanks!
2 years ago
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Bennett ********
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Bennett ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michelle ***********
 Thank you!
2 years ago
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Bennett ********
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Stuart *********
As a US citizen you don’t need a visa to enter. After October 1st you’ll get 45 days. If you can get all your ducks in a row for the conversion to a non O relatively quickly then you can certainly do so. If not apply for an extension for 30 days.
2 years ago
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Bennett ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
 Oh, great to know! So as a visa-exempt tourist I can apply for retirement visa? Re timing: I have to leave Thailand by Oct. 15, on Oct. 30 my $800k will have been here for 2 months. What are the other ducks required? Health insurance? I believe I do not need the background check if applying within Thailand? Anything else?
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
@Bennett *******
 applying for a non O within Thailand does not need insurance nor police checks. They require 800k in a Thai bank account transferred from overseas, but it doesn’t have to be in the account for any period of time (Jomtiem office excepted).

The hardest part is getting a bank account, but it appears you have that covered. Go to your local immigration office and ask for the handout of what’s required for a in country non O. Some offices interpret the rules differently.
2 years ago
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Bennett ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
 Thank you! Yes, I've been living in Bangkok since December, have a bank account. My husband is working here, I've been on STV - same-sex marriage. But thanks to your advice, I'll now apply for retirement visa. The $800k came from overseas, my Thai bank can verify. Very much appreciate your helpful advice!
2 years ago
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Bennett ********
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