@Jim *******

unfortunately not available in Canada.

@Gail ******

have flown Air Canada, Westjet, EVA, ANA, United out of Canada. All wanted proof of onward travel with our visa exempt and the tourist visa. When we came in August, with re-entry permit on a long stay extension Air Canada asked for proof on onward travel. Took us 3 attempts and 15 minutes to explain it wasn't required. We were ready to ask for a supervisor when the attendant finally understood.

@Gail ******

the Non O is easier then the OA. You can apply before you leave Canada, the requirements are fairly easy to meet. You'll get stamped in for 90 days and can then apply for the yearly extension. When we did it we only needed the insurance requirement for the 90 days so we used a CAD company for that.

Bring a proof of income statement with you, you get the copy from CRA based on your last tax return. Once here, you go to the Canadian Consulate in Chiang Mai or Embassy in BKK and get an affidavit of income. If married, you can also get them to certify your marriage license so that one of you can be a "trailing spouse" so only one person has to show they meet the minimum financials. Then go to immigration with the letter and all other documents, pay 1900THB and get a year extension based on retirement. It was really easy to do. Currently there is no insurance requirement for the extension so you can get whatever insurance locally whenever you are ready for it.

We were able to use our Non O to open a bank account within the first month of arrival. While we didn't need it for immigration, it does make day to day transactions easier.

@John *********

@Gail ******

As Canadians you do not need to put the $$ in a Thai bank account, you can get an affidavit from the Canadian Embassy in BKK or Consulate in Chiang Mai.

@Bill *******

be prepared that you may not be able to get the extension from the office on Lipe and might have to head to Satun or Hat Yai. The office on Lipe is not a normal immigration office.

@Natalie *******

is your income earned and taxed in Canada? If yes, you don't need to transfer $$ into a Thai bank for a Non O, the Canadian Embassy in BKK or consulate in Chiang Mai will issue you a income verification affidavit.

Since it doesn't start until tomorrow, the chances of anyone being able to respond with a yes to "has been given a 45-day exemption stamp yet" are extremely unlikely... unless the IO is in a great mood and feeling very generous.

@Jacob ********

depends who your flight is with. I've been asked at check in departing on EVA, ANA and United.

@Terry *******

you've probably never been hit by a bus either, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen 🙂. I've been in and out for the past 20 years and have been asked numerous times... even during transit. It's 100% random. I was asked on Swiss, EVA, Air Canada, ANA, Lufthansa and United.

@Brandon ****

as a Canadian you don't have to transfer the funds to a Thai bank account as the Canadian Embassy in BKK or Consulate in Chiang Mai will issue you an affidavit of income which you bring to Immigration. All you need is your proof of income from CRA which is easy to access.

We did this last year, got Non O's before we came to Thailand, then did the extension with the affidavit... easy!