Kevbo

[Kevbo]

I am currently on 30 day tourist visa, and plan to change to extension based on retirement, 800,000 is already in the bank.

2 questions, is 2 months sufficient seasoning for first application.

Do I need to change my visa to O type first,

if so can I do it at immigration (jomtien)

Thanks in anticipation 

 

[ubonjoe]

You will need to apply for a 90 day non immigrant visa (category O) entry before applying for the one year extension at Jomtien immigration.

General requirements are here. https://www.immigration.go.th/content/service_80.

[elviajero]

You first need to apply for a non 'O' visa at immigration. The money doesn't need to be in the account for 2 months (no seasoning required), but they will probably want proof that the funds came from abroad.

 

Once you are issued with the visa you'll be given a 90 day stay (probably dated from when you applied for the visa). Then within the last 30 days of that 90 you'll be able to apply for the extension of stay as long as the money has been in your bank for 60 days before the date you apply.

Edited January 22, 2019 by elviajero

[JackThompson]

@Kevbo - When you go to get your Non-O, 90-day stamp in Jomtien, be prepared for the person in charge of that service to be looking to take extra money from you by abusing their authority, or find any way possible to deny you service for not paying extra.  Unfortunately, this is a common problem here. 

 

Recently, they are reported to suggest going to the copy-shop next door (an agent who charges extra and splits the loot with the IO), rather than demand ~15K Baht right in the office.  This has happened to many.  Here is a recent case:

 

In this next post, the applicant based their financials on "income" - whereas you are using the "money in the bank" method, which is easier.  So, you can ignore everything about going to Bangkok / income-letter / MFA - but do note the "landlord docs" / proof of where you live part of the list:

 

 

Bottom line, if you season the 800K for 2 months, and keep coming back with every new requirement they tack on to the list (expect several visits, with new add-ons each time), they will eventually give up trying to extort money from you, and allow you to get the stamp.  But keep an eye on your permitted-stay, as one of their tactics is to run that out.  You must apply for this service and have the application accepted 15-days before your permitted-stay runs out.

 

Another option is to go to Savannakhet Laos for a Non-O Visa based on retirement and enter the country with that.  This allows you to skip dealing with that corrupt desk and their run-arounds.  To get the Visa at the Thai Embassy, you will need your bank-book showing the 800K Baht (no seasoning required), plus a letter stamped by your Embassy which states that you are retired.

 

The good news is, Jomtien's retirement-desk is reported as giving good service without extra hassles.  So, once you get past the Non-O Stamp hurdle, you are likely to treated pretty-well after that.

Edited January 22, 2019 by JackThompson