Hi all... A quick check-in on the Thailand Retirement Visa process (Non-Immigrant Visa Category “O” – Retirement Extension).

I entered Thailand in late November on a 90-day Non-Immigrant Visa Category “O”, with the intention of applying in-country for the one-year extension of stay based on retirement.

Completed so far:

* Opened a Thai bank account in my name

* Deposited 800,000 Thai Baht (treating the funds as frozen)

* In the process of completing residence registration (TM30 / address confirmation), including a notarized passport copy from my embassy and an official Thai translation (should be completed next week)

* My understanding is that Thai medical insurance is not required for an in-country retirement extension (please correct me if wrong)

* The two-month seasoning period for the 800,000 Thai Baht deposit will be reached in early February.

Questions:

* Is early February the correct time to go to the Immigration Office with the full set of required documents?

* Is this typically walk-in or appointment-based?

* I have read that the funds must remain untouched for three months after the retirement extension is granted — does this restriction affect my ability to leave Thailand during that period? I need to return to the United States in March for pre-existing obligations and requirements.

Thanks very much — appreciate any firsthand experience or recent confirmations 🙏 ~mb