Why can't I get a Non-O visa in Thailand despite meeting the requirements?

Nov 26, 2019
5 years ago
Lynda ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
HELP!!!

My husband and I are South African. We have lived in Thailand for almost 4 years. We have been trying to apply for a Non O visa. Both of us are above 50 years of age, we have the 800k in our bank account. Have a police clearance etc, etc. We have all relevant paperwork.

Now I'm told, when applying in Vientiane that my husband can get his Non O and I can't, because I don't have my own 800k. We were told previously that I could be a dependent on his visa. Now they say I can only be his dependent if I'm under 50.

WTF???

We are at the stage of giving up, which we don't want to do because we love it in Chiang Rai but honestly I don't know what else to do 😭
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user, a South African expat living in Thailand with her husband, is facing difficulties in applying for a Non-O visa. Despite being over 50 and having the required funds in their bank account, she is told she cannot apply unless she has 800k in her name, contrary to previous information. The situation is causing frustration as they are told she can only be a dependent on her husband's visa if she is under 50. Comments suggest exploring other consulates for visa options and consider independent financial accounts.
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Tod *********
@Lynda **********
messaged me and said that her husband was denied the 90 day Non-O visa based on being over 50 and she was not even issued a tourist visa.

They have used their two 30 day visa exempt entries by land this year so they can't enter by land at Nong Khai either. They're gonna hafta fly in. :/
Jill ******
I got the retirement extension based on the $
*****
0 and my husband got his non O based on mine he went to KL and on Thursday he is eligible to get his extension we are both over 65
Tod *********
The only problem would be that S/A passport holders can't use the thai consulate in KL (well they can, but it takes up to 4 weeks to get the approval for the visa)
James ********
We wish the OP and her husband success with their retirement visas.

Thanks All for your helpful suggestions.

Commenting closed.
Jennifer ******
We haven’t yet as our visas are valid until next year, but as my husbands on a Non-OA and I’m trailing that visa he will be looking to change it next year to a Non-O
Jennifer ******
I’m also over 50 which is why we were told that we would need to go to Savannakhet to get a visa to follow my husband’s
Tod *********
did you GET the 90 day Non-O visa based on being a trailing spouse to someone on a retirement visa yet?
Jennifer ******
As Todd has said we were told my husband would get his Non-O in Chiang Mai and I would then need to go Savannakhet to get my dependant Non-O as Vientiane doesn’tissue them anymore.
Lynda ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jennifer *****
do you live in Chiang Mai and how old are you, if you don't mind me asking.
Tod *********
it seems the only issue that
@Lynda **********
had was the fact that she is over 50 NOT that Vientiane wouldn't issue a Non-O based on the trailing spouse reason.

The consulate took the stance that seeing as she's over 50 she can apply for her OWN Non-O by meeting the financial requirements on her own
Na ****
Can't you do one of you first, then the other one?
Tod *********
that's what we were recommending they do IF they can't find a consulate that will issue the Non-O based on her being married to a foreigner on a 'retirement visa"..
Tod *********
Actually
@Mic****
that could be a good suggestion (if slightly troublesome logistic-wise).

They could get her husband a 90 day Non-O now on the funds in the bank. She could come in on a 30 day visa exempt entry (IF she didn't burn her two 30 day visa exempt entries by land so far this year). Once they're back and her husband was stamped in on his 90 day Non-O she could put the money in her account and go back to get HER 90 day Non-O, then come back, dump the money back into her husbands account (let it season the two months required before he applies for the extension) then he can apply for his extension and she can apply for the "piggy back" (trailing spouse) extension too.
Michael ********
@Tod ********
Yes that is an option and would work, although a bit painful. Or IF she will NOT be permitted to piggyback (I can't imagine why as it is very legal??) they could get a 2nd lot of 800k for her. Expensive, but just leave it there and don't touch....can spend some of it for 7 months of the year.
Tod *********
Or she could see if they can get the 90 day Non-O in Kota Bharu, Yangon, Hanoi or HCMC..
Michael ********
Or if all else fails put 800k in a bank account for yourself. It is not as if you have to spend it ;)
Tod *********
I would say have your husband get the 90 day non-O visa from Vientiane. because at least then HE can start on the process to get a year extension.

There HAS to be a consulate that will issue you a 90 day Non-O visa based on being married to a foreigner on a 'retirmeent' visa even though you're over 50. Now you might have to go to Kota Bharu OR Yangon, or someplace to get it, BUT I am relatively confident you CAN indeed get the 90 day Non-O visa based on marriage to a foreigner.
James ********
what your age?
Troy *********
@James *******
it's in the OP
Allan *******
My wife same situation we ended up going for a Thai elite for 5 years at a cost of 500,K
Michael ********
@Allan ******
So you paid 1 mill..? Why not just send 800k into an account and not touch it?? Save the money...?
Tod *********
and you are now currently IN Vientiane trying to apply for a 90 day Non-O visa OR are you being told this by someone?
Lynda ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
currently in Vientiane
Tod *********
Why didn't your husband get the O visa issued in country at the Immgiration office? There wasn't a need to go buy the Non-O from Vientiane. unless I'm mistaken he could have gotten it issued from the Chiang Rai immigration office off a visa exempt entry OR a 60 day tourist visa entry
Lynda ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Tod Daniels we were told by immigration in Chiang Rai to come here. We are currently on a tourist visa.
Mark *****
I'm guessing you will need 800k EACH in a Thai bank account in your own name's
Hettie *******
Mark Day wow...south Africans too ...over 50 .....living in the US and are planning on retire in Thailand too....hope we don’t have to show both 800k each in an account
Lynda ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Michael ********
@Mark ****
Not usually.
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