Tourist Visa and Non immigrant O visa

[rwing93]

Looking at possibly getting a retirement visa. Instead of getting the O-A visa here in the U.S. I would rather get a 60 tourist visa then if I'm sure I want to stay long term go ahead and apply for the non immigrant in Thailand. I have two questions. If I get the Tourist visa when will my 60 days start? Will it start as soon as it's issued or do I have some time before it begins? The second question is about the O visa application. I know that with the O-A you need either 800,000 THB in a Thai bank OR 65,000 monthly income but everything that I have seen about the O visa has stated only the 800,000 THB in a thai bank. I haven't seen anything about 65,000 monthly income with the O visa. Can I do the 65,000 THB monthly with the O visa?

[BritTim]

A single entry tourist visa is valid for 90 days from the date it is issued. On entry into Thailand at any time during the validity period of the visa, you receive a 60-day permission to stay that can optionally be extended by a further 30 days on payment of 1,900 baht at an immigration office in Thailand. Entering visa exempt (currently 45 days on entry) really only differs from a tourist visa in the 15 days difference in the initial permission to stay.

 

Unless planning trips outside Thailand, I recommend you acquire a Non O visa once in Thailand on a tourist entry. There are many threads that explain the process. As far as financial proof is concerned, an extension of stay is the same regardless of whether you entered with a Non-OA visa, a Non O visa from a consulate outside Thailand, or a Non O visa from immigration in Thailand. The big difference is that an extension of the permission to stay from an entry using a Non O-A visa requires approved general health insurance. This requirement does not exist with a Non O.

[ubonjoe]

You can use the 65k baht income option to apply for a extension of stay based upon retirement. You would have to arrange transfers of at least 65k baht into a Thai bank from abroad. For the first extension the rules state you can apply for the first extension with only a couple of months of income. For the next extension you will need proof of 12 months 65k baht transfers.

Using the  65k baht income option would not be possible to apply for a non-o visa in your case since you cannot get proof of income from the US embassy.

Requirements for the visa is here (see number 6). https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/8-1.pdf

You could apply for a non-o visa at the Thai embassy in the US or one of the 3 official consulates. It would require 3 months of medical insurance to do the application.

See: https://thaiembdc.org/2020/11/17/nonoretirement/

If you got the non-o visa you would get a 90 day permit to stay that would allow you enough time to open a bank account and do 2 months of the 65k baht transfers.

[DrJack54]

OP, you have your answer from @BritTim and that covers it.

I had just finished typing out similar and Tim posted. Ha.

 

I agree currently avoid the non O-A and choose path outlined above.

 

Guess only variation would be to enter visa exempt. 

As for money in the bank method, yes 800k in Thai bank in your name on the day you apply for the non O in Thailand.

You will need to show that money came from overseas. Simple code on bank deposit is enough however check how to show that if using eg Wise (TransferWise) etc.

 

Then the money will need to be in bank for 2 months on day you apply for your extension. 

The other option you mention is 'income method'. Yes that's an option an used by many. In Thailand some immigration offices tend to push the money in bank method. Perhaps easier for them.

Opening a bank account is not as straight forward as years ago and given time frame some people have used agents to assist with that. Folk can suggest agent if required. Not expensive and quick process. 

 

Edit: bold type by accident. Don't know how to change.

 

Edited September 16, 2021 by DrJack54

[EVENKEEL]

44 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

OP, you have your answer from @BritTim and that covers it.

I had just finished typing out similar and Tim posted. Ha.

 

I agree currently avoid the non O-A and choose path outlined above.

 

Guess only variation would be to enter visa exempt. 

As for money in the bank method, yes 800k in Thai bank in your name on the day you apply for the non O in Thailand.

You will need to show that money came from overseas. Simple code on bank deposit is enough however check how to show that if using eg Wise (TransferWise) etc.

 

Then the money will need to be in bank for 2 months on day you apply for your extension. 

The other option you mention is 'income method'. Yes that's an option an used by many. In Thailand some immigration offices tend to push the money in bank method. Perhaps easier for them.

Opening a bank account is not as straight forward as years ago and given time frame some people have used agents to assist with that. Folk can suggest agent if required. Not expensive and quick process. 

 

Edit: bold type by accident. Don't know how to change.

 

I've had one extension on my OA, going back to US for a trip without a reentry permit. I've had a monthly deposit into a Thai bank 65,000 plus since May 2021. If I return Dec 2021 on a visa exempt will I be able to roll right into a NON O here in Thailand. Would my deposit be seasoned enough. 2 mos or 12 mos.?

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

I've had one extension on my OA, going back to US for a trip without a reentry permit. I've had a monthly deposit into a Thai bank 65,000 plus since May 2021. If I return Dec 2021 on a visa exempt will I be able to roll right into a NON O here in Thailand. Would my deposit be seasoned enough. 2 mos or 12 mos.?

An expert (ubonjoe etc)  can correct my advice if needed....

Your obtaining a new non O in Thailand and hence the 65k transfers for couple of months would suffice.

[ubonjoe]

7 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

An expert (ubonjoe etc)  can correct my advice if needed....

Your obtaining a new non O in Thailand and hence the 65k transfers for couple of months would suffice.

I assume you did not read my post.

 

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

Using the  65k baht income option would not be possible to apply for a non-o visa in your case since you cannot get proof of income from the US embassy.

Requirements for the visa is here (see number 6). https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/8-1.pdf

 

[EVENKEEL]

9 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

I assume you did not read my post.

 

 

I went back and reread your post and link. So, if I enter Thailand on a visa exempt I would need a letter from Embassy for the 65,000tbh deposit method, which is not possible.

 

If I get the 90 day single entry Non O in LA I can roll into a 12 month extension using the deposit method Without a letter from US embassy here. Sound right.

[ubonjoe]

14 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

If I get the 90 day single entry Non O in LA I can roll into a 12 month extension using the deposit method Without a letter from US embassy here. Sound right.

No need for the letter to apply for a extension if you have at least 2 or 3 months of transfers. But some offices will not accept the transfers if you have been here for a long time before.

[EVENKEEL]

13 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

No need for the letter to apply for a extension if you have at least 2 or 3 months of transfers. But some offices will not accept the transfers if you have been here for a long time before.

Thanks, sounds like they would prefer either 800,000K in a bank or use an agent. 

[ubonjoe]

22 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Thanks, sounds like they would prefer either 800,000K in a bank or use an agent. 

That is correct. But could ask you local office office about it.

I know a person married to a Thai that was getting multiple entry non-o visas before. The office here would not accept a few months of transfers. He has been getting the 60 day covid 19 extensions to meet the 12 months of transfers requirement.