60 days on arrival to Non O annual extension

[fulhamster]

My neighbour has been visiting Thailand over the last couple of years using tourist visas, and now the 60 days on arrival.

However, last week when he arrived the IO started asking questions, pointing out that he had been in Thailand for about 8 months of the last year on tourist visa.

 

As he intends to visit regularly, he feels it best to obtain a 1 year retirement extension.

He already has a bank account, but is not willing to deposit the 800K

He was hoping to extend the 60 days, but is worried this could invite more questions and potential refusal.

 

I have suggested using an agent, what is the time frame to convert from a 60 days on arrival to Non O and the 1 year extension ?

 

if there is an existing thread please advise, otherwise thanks for any advice.

 

[DrJack54]

33 minutes ago, fulhamster said:

As he intends to visit regularly, he feels it best to obtain a 1 year retirement extension.

Along with reentry permit definitely best option.

33 minutes ago, fulhamster said:

He already has a bank account, but is not willing to deposit the 800K

Then he would need to use agent.

 

34 minutes ago, fulhamster said:

He was hoping to extend the 60 days, but is worried this could invite more questions and potential refusal.

Extension to his visa exempt entry is only 30 days. 

It will be issued at his local immigration office if he applies

 

Regards last part of your question.

Agents needs couple of weeks.

Where is he located

[DaRoadrunner]

If he goes to Immigration with his 60 day on arrival visa and applies for Retirement Non O, they will extend 30 days while under consideration. But need to show 800K in bank or use an agent. I have done it for years without an agent, but this time IO said I should not be able to convert 60 day to Retirement. Took me four visits to immigration to get it. This paper chase is the biggest waste of time and has never improved. What you encounter also depends on the whim of the individual IO.

[DrJack54]

56 minutes ago, DaRoadrunner said:

If he goes to Immigration with his 60 day on arrival visa and applies for Retirement Non O, they will extend 30 days while under consideration. But need to show 800K in bank or use an agent.

You using Jomitien? 

That's only office I'm aware of that is requiring 800k for 2 months for Non O application. 

Not applicable to most folk obtaining Non O + extension from visa exempt entry 

[pub2022]

1 hour ago, DaRoadrunner said:

 but this time IO said I should not be able to convert 60 day to Retirement. Took me four visits to immigration to get it.

 

Can you please elaborate?

Why not able to convert and which Immigration Office?

Thanks

[DrJack54]

53 minutes ago, pub2022 said:

Can you please elaborate?

Why not able to convert and which Immigration Office?

Almost certain he dealing with Jomitien. 

[fulhamster]

19 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Along with reentry permit definitely best option.

Then he would need to use agent.

 

Extension to his visa exempt entry is only 30 days. 

It will be issued at his local immigration office if he applies

 

Regards last part of your question.

Agents needs couple of weeks.

Where is he located

Pattaya

 

I have 3 agents in mind for him

[DrJack54]

8 minutes ago, fulhamster said:

Pattaya

 I have 3 agents in mind for him

Plenty of good agents in Pattaya.

One bonus is that Jomitien seem to require seasoning of 2 months for the Non O. Makes it difficult on visa exempt entry.

 

Since he wants to use an agent be aware that most will want him to have agent open a bank account.

 

He will need to obtain Jomitien immigration on day of application also agent can obtain a multi reentry permit at cost 4k. 

 

[DaRoadrunner]

On 1/7/2025 at 3:13 PM, pub2022 said:

 

Can you please elaborate?

Why not able to convert and which Immigration Office?

Thanks

CW office. I asked and was told those are the rules and if I did not like it she could cancel my visa. Ask three IO's and you will get three different answers. They interpret the rules on their whim and mood that day. Every time I visit Immigration they want something different. Four visits to get one visa..... I suggested to her it could be done in one visit thereby saving them paperwork and wasted time; - this fell on deal ears.... what is wrong with these people?

[DaRoadrunner]

On 1/7/2025 at 2:37 PM, DrJack54 said:

You using Jomitien? 

That's only office I'm aware of that is requiring 800k for 2 months for Non O application. 

Not applicable to most folk obtaining Non O + extension from visa exempt entry 

CW office. Your comment is incorrect (never tell a moderator he is wrong.... Oh Lord). In my experience all offices require 800k or proof a monthly income. Been doing it for 20 years on retirement visas. Your alternative if you don't have the 800k is use an agent.

[Upnotover]

5 minutes ago, DaRoadrunner said:

CW office. Your comment is incorrect (never tell a moderator he is wrong.... Oh Lord). In my experience all offices require 800k or proof a monthly income. Been doing it for 20 years on retirement visas. Your alternative if you don't have the 800k is use an agent.

I think his point was/is that only Jomtien ask for 2 months seasoning of the 800k for the initial single non-O when converting from an exempt entry.

[DrJack54]

19 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

I think his point was/is that only Jomtien ask for 2 months seasoning of the 800k for the initial single non-O when converting from an exempt entry.

That was exactly my point.

@DaRoadrunner

All the threads outlining "from visa exempt to Non O" correctly point out that the 800k is only required on day of application (actually needs to  be deposited day prior)

 

Those using Jomitien were in for a surprise.

Jomitien was requiring 2 months.

This was back in day of visa exempt entry was only 30 days.

Effectively making the transition from visa exempt to Non O impossible.

 

Keep in mind the application for Non O needs to be made with min 15 days remaining on permission of stay. 

[DaRoadrunner]

On 1/9/2025 at 9:19 AM, Upnotover said:

I think his point was/is that only Jomtien ask for 2 months seasoning of the 800k for the initial single non-O when converting from an exempt entry.

CW also require 2 months seasoning

[DrJack54]

22 minutes ago, DaRoadrunner said:

CW also require 2 months seasoning

Not for the Non O.

The two months seasoning if for the 12 month extension 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1311886-visa-exempt-to-retirement-extension-process-and-cost/

[DaRoadrunner]

Just done it. 60 days on arrival to Non O, was first extended to 3 months. Then had to apply and pay again for the 1 year extension. Four visits later, 12 months Non O retirement visa now obtained. According to the IO we are not supposed to do this, she said it should be obtained before leaving your own country.

 

I did suggest that all this could have been done in one visit but this fell on deaf ears.

 

Note:- There are advertisements at CW advising you to do the TM30 online. However, when you get there they also require it on paper.

 

Biggest waste of time and paper ever.

 

 

[DrJack54]

55 minutes ago, DaRoadrunner said:

Four visits later, 12 months Non O retirement visa now obtained. According to the IO we are not supposed to do this, she said it should be obtained before leaving your own country.

No big deal however best to understand exactly what you did.

From your visa exempt entry your first step was to obtain a Non O VISA 

based on retirement.

That visa provided 90 day permission of stay. 

Step 2 is to apply for 12 month extension to your permission of stay.

It's not a Visa and it's not extending your visa.

You would have required seasoning of the 800k for two months.

Also the extension can only be applied for 45/30 days prior to expiry of expiry of your non O 90 day stamp.

Agents can do it in one hit. 

 

Don't know why the io stated that you should have applied for Non O in own country. Crazy really. 

 

Regarding the comment on TM30 of course they require hard copy. That's standard.

They even require hard copy of appointment confirmation if you make one.

[ronnie50]

On 1/15/2025 at 4:35 PM, DrJack54 said:

No big deal however best to understand exactly what you did.

From your visa exempt entry your first step was to obtain a Non O VISA 

based on retirement.

That visa provided 90 day permission of stay. 

Step 2 is to apply for 12 month extension to your permission of stay.

It's not a Visa and it's not extending your visa.

You would have required seasoning of the 800k for two months.

Also the extension can only be applied for 45/30 days prior to expiry of expiry of your non O 90 day stamp.

Agents can do it in one hit. 

 

Don't know why the io stated that you should have applied for Non O in own country. Crazy really. 

 

Regarding the comment on TM30 of course they require hard copy. That's standard.

They even require hard copy of appointment confirmation if you make one.

I just got my O Retirement visa today at CW. Many thanks to @DrJack54 and @Upnotover and some others for the very helpful info. The visa's start date was not today (which suprised me a bit), but rather the day I applied to change from 60 day exempt to Non O Retirement. So effectively it's valid 2.5 months from the date they actually stamp it into your passport. Mine will expire 1 April. If I understand DrJack above, that means my window for going back to CW to apply for the extension would be the last two weeks of February (is that correct)? I agree that making four trips there and back seems redundant - but it is what it is - and I was treated well by the IOs.  But parking there is a real sh!t show. It took me a full hour to circle through all five floors of parking, and I only found a parking spot on the second attempt at entering the huge parking garage. 

[DrJack54]

6 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

Mine will expire 1 April. If I understand DrJack above, that means my window for going back to CW to apply for the extension would be the first two weeks of February (is that correct)?

You can apply for the extension prior to April 1.

Obviously don't leave it to last minute, just in case immigration want some extra document.

The most important thing is the financials. 

Immigration will want to see the 800k seasoned for two months prior to date of application.

Your bank book (+photocopies) should be sufficient.

In addition CW will want the "bank letter". That just confirms you as owner of the account and balance on that day.

They also like to see activity and update.

I attend bank on day of application L1 CW and give lady 100b for deposit + 100b for bank letter.

Also ask the bank person to kindly photocopy this last page of bb to show update and activity on the day.

 

Which bank do you use

[ronnie50]

13 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You can apply for the extension prior to April 1.

Obviously don't leave it to last minute, just in case immigration want some extra document.

The most important thing is the financials. 

Immigration will want to see the 800k seasoned for two months prior to date of application.

Your bank book (+photocopies) should be sufficient.

In addition CW will want the "bank letter". That just confirms you as owner of the account and balance on that day.

They also like to see activity and update.

I attend bank on day of application L1 CW and give lady 100b for deposit + 100b for bank letter.

Also ask the bank person to kindly photocopy this last page of bb to show update and activity on the day.

 

Which bank do you use

I use Siam Commercial Bank - I'm aware they don't have a branch at CW, but there are a few nearby - also one near my place so I would plan to go to SCB in AM and book appoitnment at CW for afternoon. And I believe you said before that I have up to 7 days in advance of IO appointment to get the bank letter and bank statement. I would update the account on the day of the appointment with a small deposit and get a photocopy of the bank book (if bank won't photocopy I can dash home and scan/print). Is there a specific form for the Medical Certificate that the Immigration Dept wants us to use? I guess I can make withdrawals from this account now as long as I keep a balance of more than 800k?

[DrJack54]

14 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

And I believe you said before that I have up to 7 days in advance of IO appointment to get the bank letter and bank statement.

Yes up to seven days prior however best to obtain statement and letter day or two early.

 

14 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

I would update the account on the day of the appointment with a small deposit and get a photocopy of the bank book (if bank won't photocopy I can dash home and scan/print)

The bank will photocopy last page for you, no problem..

 

14 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

Is there a specific form for the Medical Certificate that the Immigration Dept wants us to use?

No medical certificate required for extension. Think some crazy joints may require that. Samui? 

Anyway CW does not. 

14 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

I guess I can make withdrawals from this account now as long as I keep a balance of more than 800k?

Yes you can make withdrawals just don't go below 800k.

 

Added note. You might find this thread a good checklist.

The OP in that thread made clear report.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1322171-extension-of-visa-for-retirement-at-cw/