For the Non O retirement visa, would you recommend using a visa agent or not? I'll be in Bangkok.

Also what bank would you recommend for opening an account? From what I've read on this forum Bangkok Bank used to be good but now they're not anymore. People say Kasikorn is good, any others?

Thanks!

Hi everyone, my wife (44 years old) and I (51 years old), both New Zealand citizens / residents are planning to retire to Thailand in a couple of months and wanting to sanity check our approach with this group given my wife is under 50.

Firstly I'll apply for the Non-O Retirement from New Zealand so that I can easily open a bank account in Thailand upon arrival, deposit the THB 800k, and then apply for the 1 year extension.

As for my wife, the two options based on advice from visa agencies and forums appear to be as follows:

Option 1. Travel to Thailand visa exempt, apply for ED granted for a stay of 90 days, extend once for a further 3 months, then apply to change to a Non-O dependent (on my Non-O Retirement).

The issue we're finding with the ED is that schools seem to be catering only for DTV now and not supporting ED. I expect we'd also not be able to leave the country and travel until the conversion to Non-O dependent is complete and immigration appear to be taking a dim view of people on ED visas travelling when they should be studying. But the ED duration is intended for only 6 months so that's not really an issue.

Option 2. Apply for the DTV from New Zealand based on Thai soft power activities. The 5 year duration of the visa will be sufficient to cover the period until my wife is 50 at which point she can apply for the non-O Retirement.

The concern with the DTV is the soft power category seems to have a lot of problems with immigration based on the forum posts, particularly when reentering the country. This creates the risk she will be denied entry.

Greatly appreciate your expert opinion as to the best approach given the current lay of the land in Thailand right now. Thanks!

# Can I do my first-time 90-day reporting at the One Stop Service Center in One Bangkok? I am here on a Non O Retirement visa, but have always traveled before the 90-day report was due. I live near One Bangkok, so it seems a great option, if this is true. Thanks

I am currently in my first one-year extension of a non-immigrant O retirement visa. I kept 800k balance for 3 months after receiving the extension, and it has dropped below that but remained above 400k since then.

I have also been transferring 65k+ every month since the start of the extension.

My question is whether i need to bring the balance back up to 800k for 2 months or 3 months before applying for the next extension, or can it remain 400k+ and rely on the past 12 months of 65k transfers?

I'm having trouble getting a definitive answer for this. I was just at Chaeng Watthana immigration to do a 90 day report and just can't seem to find the right person to give me the information.

For Americans…applying for non-immigrant O retirement visa. How long from the time you apply online to the time of an in person interview? And from the day of interview to the time of acceptance?(or denial). And then one would have 90 days from that day of acceptance to arrive in Thailand? Thanks!

Hi, i am going to apply for the yearly O retirement Visa using the monthly 65.000 transfer system soon. ( Currently doing the 800.000 system.

Q- what do you guys do if you are out of Thailand as far as the 65.000 transfer every month. Do you stop the transfer while you are away, or do you have to transfer 65.000 every month regardless of where you are? Thanks.

Hi. Im trying to make sense of this DTV and Im constantly coming up with more questions the more I read!!!!

1) Is the 10.000 baht fee the full cost of the visa? (Without using an agent)

2) If accepted, do you only need to complete the first 6 months of the activity in the whole 5 years?

3) If accepted, are you required to leave EVERY 180 days and if so, how long do you need to be outside Thailand for and when you return, do you get another 180 day stamp?

4) Is teaching online accepted?

I am over 50 and would qualify for the Non-O retirement visa but I want to continue receiving an income rather than just watch my own bank account reduce as I age! You cannot jump from a retirement visa and then start working or at least that is what I was advised but that was over 5 years ago

Online teaching supplies me with enough to live on easily in Thailand so I would much prefer to take this route if I am eligible.

I have the funds required (500.000)

Hi everyone! 👋

I’ve been reading through some posts here and I have a few visa questions I hope someone can help with:

For the DTV (Digital Nomad) visa — is it allowed to sell products online while living in Thailand? Some people say it’s not allowed to work or sell, others say it’s okay as long as your income comes from outside Thailand. Which is correct?

For the Non-O Retirement visa — if I apply by myself (not using an agent), is the chance of rejection high?

Thanks so much in advance for sharing your experience or advice! 🙏

Can I use 800,000 Baht in cash to open a bank account.

I am thinking that bringing £ over from UK will get me the best exchange rate to Baht

TIA

Hi, I'm on a Non O, Retirement visa, and have been using monthly income for extensions. I am thinking of changing to 800k in the bank. My extension is due on 26 September. When would I need to have the money in the bank, and would I have to have it shown as being from a foreign source?

As a side question, I have noticed in 2020 the extension was to 24th Sept, and in 2021 and since has been stamped 26 Sept. No big deal, I'm just curious on that point.