What is the non-immigrant O visa nowadays ?

lolex · March 4

I am planning to retire to Thailand and I'm trying to get my plans together.

First of all, I'm trying to figure out which visa I should get in preparation for retirement visa when I move to Thailand. I believe that immigration look to extend a 90-day non-immigrant O visa, but
Thailand has now switched to E-Visas... and none identify as 90-day non-immigrant O visas. E-Visa l the following visas -

* 60 day visa exemption at Suvarnabhumi or

*Visa To visit family residing in Thailand (less than 60 days)

*Visa To stay with Thai family residing in Thailand (more than 60 days)

*Tourism and Leisure activities visa
(With a Tourist visa, you can stay in Thailand for 60 days. If you wish to stay for more than 60 days, you can extend via the Immigration Bureau.)

The e-visa website does not say which visa is 90-day non-immigrant O visa, which I've been told is necessary.

Please can you help me know which visa to get ? It's very confusing. I just want the simplest appropriate option.

Thanks a lot....

Upnotover · March 4

Non-O (single entry) for retirement/over 50 is still there. Keep looking. It appears under "other visas"

Upnotover · March 4

and when applying.......

DrJack54 · March 4

https://www.thaievisa.go.th/

Go to "other visas" ...there you will find it.

Aside: do you have a Thai bank account in your name only?

Passport country?

Note: you can obtain a Non O retirement from visa exempt entry at your immigration office in Thailand. Outlined in this thread.

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

One advantage in obtaining the Non O outside of Thailand is that having a Non O in passport makes opening bank account more simple.

lolex · March 4

Hi....

Thanks a lot ! ...I saw that Retirement Visa and wrongly assumed it was the extension visa....I figured the non-O was something else.

When it says proof of B800,000...can that be in an Australian Bank or WISE?

Yes I have a Thai bank account set up many years ago. It's used quite a lot to send money to my family.

Thanks again !

DrJack54 · March 4

26 minutes ago, lolex said:

When it says proof of B800,000...can that be in an Australian Bank or WISE?

Yes I have a Thai bank account set up many years ago. It's used quite a lot to send money to my family.

You can obtain the Non O in Oz.

Money in bank can be in Au bank.

Keep in mind that to obtain the extension you would apply in last 30 days of the 90 day stamp that you will receive upon entry to Thailand.

Note the 800k would need to be in your Thai bank for 2 months.

Note: since you have a Thai bank account in place you could even enter Thailand visa exempt and obtain the Non O at local immigration office.

I also use WISE for transfers from Oz.

You mentioned "send money to my family" is that marriage to Thai national?;

lolex · March 4

Yes, Dr Jack....but seems that a retirement visa is easier to get and manage (less paperwork).

We married in Australia but don't want to risk her dieing before me ! Unlikely but it would be a more work.

If you think I got that wrong, please tell me.

I was thinking about using an Agent to apply for my retirement visa ... but 3 out of 3 have been unable or too lazy to answer the simple question that started this post ! Disappointing ...so I guess it'll have to be DIY... any thoughts ?

DrJack54 · March 4

35 minutes ago, lolex said:

Disappointing ...so I guess it'll have to be DIY... any thoughts ?

Where would you be living in Thailand?

Also is the plan to live ongoing in Thailand.

statman78 · March 5

I’m not sure what the requirements are for you to obtain the non-o in your home country but I retired and came to Thailand in 2018 from the US. I found it easier to arrive on a tourist visa, obtain the 90 non-o here in Thailand and then extend it for retirement. Now you can enter visa exempt and stay for 60 days so no need to get the tourist visa.

If I applied for the non-o in the US I needed a number of documents. In Thailand all I needed was to show money in the bank.

DrJack54 · March 5

32 minutes ago, statman78 said:

If I applied for the non-o in the US I needed a number of documents. In Thailand all I needed was to show money in the bank.

Certainly obtaining the non O in Thailand from visa exempt entry is an option.

Especially as the OP already has a Thai bank account.

The Non O retirement obtained in Oz is also very simple 3-4 day e-Visa application.

Avoids extra trip to immigration office.

Outlined here....

https://aseannow.com/topic/1341080-anyone-done-a-retirement-visa-o-or-oa-online-recently/

Deerculler · March 5

I have been in Thailand just over 15 years.

I arrived Thailand from NZ on a OA Retirement Visa..

July last year 2024 I decide to change to a Non O Visa.

Late in August I went to Cambodia at Chong Chom without a re entry permit.

Came back into Thailand with 60 days.

Went to immigration and started the process.

I later extended for another 30 days.

At the end of November immigration stamp the Non O into my passport.

Surin Immigration at Surin and Kap Cheong were fantastic.

I cannot praise them enough.

800,000 baht is required in the bank.

I was able to do it with a letter from the NZ Embassy.

Not all all Embassies do that now.

black tabby12345 · March 6

On 3/4/2025 at 9:39 AM, lolex said:

I am planning to retire to Thailand and I'm trying to get my plans together.

First of all, I'm trying to figure out which visa I should get in preparation for retirement visa when I move to Thailand. I believe that immigration look to extend a 90-day non-immigrant O visa, but
Thailand has now switched to E-Visas... and none identify as 90-day non-immigrant O visas. E-Visa l the following visas -

* 60 day visa exemption at Suvarnabhumi or

*Visa To visit family residing in Thailand (less than 60 days)

*Visa To stay with Thai family residing in Thailand (more than 60 days)

*Tourism and Leisure activities visa
(With a Tourist visa, you can stay in Thailand for 60 days. If you wish to stay for more than 60 days, you can extend via the Immigration Bureau.)

The e-visa website does not say which visa is 90-day non-immigrant O visa, which I've been told is necessary.

Please can you help me know which visa to get ? It's very confusing. I just want the simplest appropriate option.

Thanks a lot....

Dear prospect-retiree to Thailand,

Are you already 100% sure(strongly determined) to settle for the considerable period of your time, in this kingdom?

If not, may be good to come in and stay here for 60 day as the visa waiver first, also for familiarization purpose.

As you already know about, it is extendable for another 30 days.

And see how things go.

If you are already fully determined to retire here...

First, come in as the 60 days visa waiver, and extend it for one month.

This way, it allows your stay for 90days.

After that:

1-Immediately open a saving account with (any) Thai bank. Then, transfer THB800k, from your home country ASAP.

As the fund needs to be there for 2 months before you apply for the status change of your stay permit;

visa waiver->non-immigrant o.

If the bank staff shows any hesitation for your bank account opening(due to the type of your stay permit), tell them, "I intend to transfer 800k, for my retirement visa". And it often works. If you can't do that in your first try, check out around as many as branches, or different banks.

2-Once you opened your account and the fund is readied(and passed initial 2 months after fund transfer),

go to immigration office in your area with the documents needed.

And apply for the Status Change of Visa(contact their Visa Change desk).

3-If you got everything they need to see, initial status change can be done while you wait(in some places, it might take longer though).

In Chiang Mai, it is always done while you wait.

4-After you got your first non-immigrant o(valid for 3 months), you then apply for its extension while it is still valid.

You might need to wait for 2 months to pass, before you go to the final process(extention for 12 months).

Hope this information helps.

All from my personal experience in Chiang Mai, back in 2012.

Good luck...

Rob Browder · March 6

1 hour ago, black tabby12345 said:

1-Immediately open a saving account with (any) Thai bank. Then, transfer THB800k, from your home country ASAP.

As the fund needs to be there for 2 months before you apply for the status change of your stay permit;

visa waiver->non-immigrant o.

It is VERY difficult now to open a bank account with a visa-exempt or any tourist-type entry. MUCH better to start with a Non-O entry, unless one already has a bank-account here. Some agents can still get it done in some areas - other say they cannot any more - per reports here.

Also, if one is applying for the 90-Day Non-O in Thailand, you don't need to "season" the money for 2 months for this - only for the 12-month extension. Same-day 800K in the bank is fine for the initial 90-Day Non-O.

The exception in Jomtien, where the lady who operates that desk will insist on non-rules seasoning OR a 15K Baht cash payoff - that scam being ongoing for many years.

Upnotover · March 6

1 hour ago, black tabby12345 said:

If the bank staff shows any hesitation for your bank account opening(due to the type of your stay permit), tell them, "I intend to transfer 800k, for my retirement visa". And it often works. If you can't do that in your first try, check out around as many as branches, or different banks.

As is widely reported these days, opening an account without a non-O is nigh on impossible. However, getting a non-O in your home country is easy. Doing that you make opening a bank account easy and avoid airline issues with onward tickets.

DrJack54 · March 6

On 3/4/2025 at 12:00 PM, lolex said:

but 3 out of 3 have been unable or too lazy to answer the simple question that started this post !

Your original question was regarding Non O e-Visa based on retirement.

I posted this link earlier. Go to "other visa" and Non O retirement is 5th on the list.

https://www.thaievisa.go.th/

Simple. Should take about 3 days

black tabby12345 · March 6

Just now, Rob Browder said:

It is VERY difficult now to open a bank account with a visa-exempt or any tourist-type entry. MUCH better to start with a Non-O entry, unless one already has a bank-account here. Some agents can still get it done in some areas - other say they cannot any more - per reports here.

Also, if one is applying for the 90-Day Non-O in Thailand, you don't need to "season" the money for 2 months for this - only for the 12-month extension. Same-day 800K in the bank is fine for the initial 90-Day Non-O.

The exception in Jomtien, where the lady who operates that desk will insist on non-rules seasoning OR a 15K Baht cash payoff - that scam being ongoing for many years.

Hello, did you already try to open any bank account here?

And met half dozen NOs, from the teller?

Resultingly, you are now inclined to apply for Non o at Thai embassy in your home country?

If you are determined, there is nothing I have to say about.

So, good luck.

DrJack54 · March 6

Note re Thai Bank Account.

The OP has one so he can obtain the Non O retirement e-Visa in Oz or alternatively obtain Non O at local immigration office in Thailand.

DrJack54 · March 6

2 minutes ago, black tabby12345 said:

Resultingly, you are now inclined to apply for Non o at Thai embassy in your home country?

The fact is that opening a bank account is almost impossible (currently) with a visa exempt entry.

As a result anyone without a Thai bank account would be well advised to obtain e-Visa Non O prior to entering Thailand.

The OP has a Thai bank account.

I asked early for that very reason

Rob Browder · March 6

3 minutes ago, black tabby12345 said:

Hello, did you already try to open any bank account here?

And met half dozen NOs, from the teller?

Resultingly, you are now inclined to apply for Non o at Thai embassy in your home country?

If you are determined, there is nothing I have to say about.

So, good luck.

I opened my account back when it was possible on a tourst-visa entry, years ago - still took multiple attempts, even then. It is much harder now. The rules have changed. Even agents cannot open accounts any more in some areas.

Luckily, the OP doesn't have to face this hurdle, so he could come in visa-exempt and get his Non-O locally. But, anyone w/o a Thai bank account would be wise to not create a problem for themselves.

Upnotover · March 6

15 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Note re Thai Bank Account.

The OP has one so he can obtain the Non O retirement e-Visa in Oz or alternatively obtain Non O at local immigration office in Thailand.

Indeed the case. I would always say getting the non-O in your home country is better, it eliminates the need for a trip to immigration for one thing, and the minor airline issue.

black tabby12345 · March 6

22 minutes ago, Rob Browder said:

I opened my account back when it was possible on a tourst-visa entry, years ago - still took multiple attempts, even then. It is much harder now. The rules have changed. Even agents cannot open accounts any more in some areas.

Luckily, the OP doesn't have to face this hurdle, so he could come in visa-exempt and get his Non-O locally. But, anyone w/o a Thai bank account would be wise to not create a problem for themselves.

Hi, so you are seeking advice from others on the behalf of someone else, other than yourself?

And you are already in Green Zone.

Good on you.

Regarding bank account opening here, I attached a link that might help.

Check out the website run by Siam Legal, English speaking immigration lawyers.

Hope it might help someone else who needs assistance.

Their web info says that:

It is not impossible for people other than non-o holders.

But now they have to go through some sort of Screening.

Upnotover · March 6

2 minutes ago, black tabby12345 said:

Hi, so you are seeking advice from others on the behalf of someone else, other than yourself?

And you are already in Green Zone.

Good on you.

Regarding bank account opening here, I attached a link that might help.

It is the website run by immigration lawyer (in Thailand).

Hope it might help someone else who needs assistance.

It says those on other than non-o, aren't really shut out of new account.

But they need to go through Screening to do it.

Opening a Bank Account in Thailand for Foreigners

Think you may need to re-post that "link"

black tabby12345 · March 6

Just now, Upnotover said:

Think you may need to re-post that "link"

Hi, I tried a couple of times by now.

But it doesn't show up correctly after posting, for unknown reasons.

Instead, just let me name that law firm: Siam Legal,English speaking immigration lawyers.

And you can easily find it out on internet.

Siam Legal International | Law Firm in Thailand

Upnotover · March 6

1 minute ago, black tabby12345 said:

Hi, I tried a couple of times by now.

But it doesn't show up correctly after posting, for unknown reasons.

Instead, just let me name that law firm: Siam Legal,English speaking immigration lawyers.

And you can easily find it out on internet.

Siam Legal International | Law Firm in Thailand

https://www.siam-legal.com/other-services/opening-a-bank-account-in-thailand.php

But I fear this is old and irrelevant information.

DrJack54 · March 6

4 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

But I fear this is old and irrelevant information.

It is.

Siam Legal were previously mentioned in various threads as recommended agent for opening bank account.

Some time ago they stopped offering this service. Not sure of current status.

In any event the OP has his advice.

For others that do not have a Thai bank account then 100% obtain e-Visa (Non O) outside of Thailand and use that to assist in opening bank account in Thailand.

black tabby12345 · March 6

13 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

https://www.siam-legal.com/other-services/opening-a-bank-account-in-thailand.php

But I fear this is old and irrelevant information.

You found their web, didn't you?

You can contact them directly in their website.

They got a email channel.

Look at their HomePage, and their Right Top: Contact Us.

That is where you can send your query.

Also from outside Thailand.

Good luck...

DrJack54 · March 6

Just now, black tabby12345 said:

For the exact info, best to contact them by email.

Don't need to...

https://www.siam-legal.com/other-services/opening-a-bank-account-in-thailand.php

In reading current situation SL are only assisting with bank accounts for few countries citizens and also doing the account in Pattaya.

black tabby12345 · March 6

Just now, DrJack54 said:

Don't need to...

https://www.siam-legal.com/other-services/opening-a-bank-account-in-thailand.php

In reading current situation SL are only assisting with bank accounts for few countries citizens and also doing the account in Pattaya.

Yes, they said so in their website.

Upnotover · March 6

3 minutes ago, black tabby12345 said:

You found their web, didn't you?

You can contact them directly in their website.

They got a email channel.

Look at their HomePage, and their Right Top: Contact Us.

That is where you can send your query.

Also from outside Thailand.

Good luck...

No need. They are well known for publishing out of date stuff. Thanks for the hint though.

Dickp · March 9

I have live here for the past 34 years', Came in with as non O 90 vise, and now retirement extension each year. I read that OP already has a Thai Bank account that he uses' to send money. "Yes I have a Thai bank account set up many years ago. It's used quite a lot to send money to my family"The big Question is the bank account in your Name only other wise it's no good to be use for the 800,000 baht requirement. When IMO first mention that the 800,000 in the Thai bank requirement in 2019. I went looking to open a account in my name only turn down around ten times, I finally convince a bank manager that I meant all the their banks, the clinger was I have the house water bill in my name only. That made it work then, since then they removed that as proof of address.

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