For eight years I had a renewable one year retirement permit to stay here but had to change to tourist visas for the last couple of years due to personal reasons. However I am now ready to go back on a retirement permit and am wondering what is the best option? 

 

I renewed my TV in Vientiane in early February so still have until 1st April when the 2 month permit expires. I guess I can go back to Vientiane then and obtain a Non-Imm O for retirement.  I can transfer the required 800K into my Thai bank account before that date.  However if possible I would like to convert the TV to a Non Imm O at immigration here but I'm not sure I can do that at Mae Sot Immigration.

 

Maybe another option is to transfer the 800k in now, renew the permit for 1 month until 1 May so that money is seasoned for 2 months then obtain the 1 year retirement permit, but again that's dependent on Mae Sot Immigration being able to do the conversion. 

 

Any advice on this or any other possible options would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

All offices can do the change of visa status now but some may say they can't. Immigration did a directive they could do them.

The 800k baht only has to be in the bank on the date your apply for the non immigrant visa. Then for 60 days on the date you apply for the extension.

Requirements for the change is here. https://www.immigration.go.th/content/service_80

The application has to be sent to the division headquarters for approval which takes about two weeks. But the 90 days will start on the date of application.

Vientiane is not a good place to apply for the non-o visa. They want a medical and police certificate. Penang or Savannakhet Laos are the best choices

43 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

All offices can do the change of visa status now but some may say they can't. Immigration did a directive they could do them.

The 800k baht only has to be in the bank on the date your apply for the non immigrant visa. Then for 60 days on the date you apply for the extension.

Requirements for the change is here. https://www.immigration.go.th/content/service_80

The application has to be sent to the division headquarters for approval which takes about two weeks. But the 90 days will start on the date of application.

Vientiane is not a good place to apply for the non-o visa. They want a medical and police certificate. Penang or Savannakhet Laos are the best choices

Thanks ubonjoe.

 

So when I submit the TM86 to Mae Sot Immigration with the required documents presumably they give me a permit to stay for 90 days and after 60 days when the money is seasoned I can go back for the 1 year extension. 

 

Also if I give them all the documentation including the bank letter when I apply for the Non O I don't have to repeat the process again, they'll just stamp the passport with the 1 year permit. Am I seeing this right?

You will need another bank letter when applying for the 12 month extension.

10 minutes ago, Baht Simpson said:

So when I submit the TM86 to Mae Sot Immigration with the required documents presumably they give me a permit to stay for 90 days and after 60 days when the money is seasoned I can go back for the 1 year extension. 

That is how it will be done.

12 minutes ago, Phuket Man said:

You will need another bank letter when applying for the 12 month extension.

Thank you.

 

5 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

That is how it will be done.

o.k. Think I've got it. Many thanks for your help.