Application for NON-O retirement (Chiang Mai)

[pub2022]

Dear all,

I'm going to apply for a visa change from exempt entry to NON O retirement at Chiang Mai Immigration Office, with money in the bank.

They're asking for Bank Saving Certificate  - seven day validity - see attachment:

What is this? What does it mean? Letter from the bank stating that...?

Thanks.

[Upnotover]

Banks have a standard letter that confirms you as the account holder and the balance on the day of the letter.  I am guessing this is what they want, issued not more than 7 days prior.

[DrJack54]

OP, that's referring to "bank letter" confirms you are owner of account and balance on day of issue of letter.

I note CM saying they want that on day of application (typical CM)

 

Here is thread to check your package of docs.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1321855-visa-exempt-to-non-o-in-chiang-mai/

 

In that thread I posted link to another thread that has good post from Red Phoenix and also from OP.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1297092-non-o-visa-retirement-purpose/

 

 

Don't forget the TM87 form.

 

[CMBob]

5 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

 I note CM saying they want that on day of application (typical CM) 

Unless this is a new requirement, it wasn't the case when I converted from exempt to Non-O three years ago.  I obtained the bank letter the day before application.  I also had the funds in the bank for a long time (as in years) so there was no need to show the funds came from abroad. 

Edit: My experience was with Chiangmai Immigration.

[DrJack54]

27 minutes ago, CMBob said:

Unless this is a new requirement, it wasn't the case when I converted from exempt to Non-O three years ago

The bank letter should be acceptable up to 7 days prior. 

Some offices want a bank book update on day of application.

I also do a deposit to show "activity" 

29 minutes ago, CMBob said:

I also had the funds in the bank for a long time (as in years) so there was no need to show the funds came from abroad

If funds have been in bank "for some time" then correct the funds do not need to be shown as international transfers.

No definition of "some time" however seen reports of eg 4 months being sufficient. 

4 weeks = Nup.

[TaoNow]

Just a side note:

 

It is a problem for me to do a same-day transaction that appears in my fixed savings account book, since that has to be done over-the-counter -- can't be done through an ATM.

 

Thus, on the day of my appointment with IMMO/CW for an annual extension of retirement (money in the bank) I need to go to the SCB bank in the morning and update my bank book, even thiough the letter authorizing the bank account can be done several days before hand (as Dr. Jack noted).

 

Ever since SCB closed their branch at the Government Complex, I have to go to the next-nearest branch to do the pass book update on the day of my extension appointment.

 

Thus, I (and many others I suspect) would greatly appreciate it if IMMO would allow bank account statements and passbook up-dates to be dated one or two days before submitting the application to extend.

 

I think that is a reasonable proposition.   But, a la Bernard the Trink, TIT.

[DrJack54]

25 minutes ago, TaoNow said:

I think that is a reasonable proposition. 

On one hand agree with you, especially given fact that SCB previously had branch at CW.

On the other hand if someone intends to deal ongoing with CW the best solution would be to change banks. 

Certainly bank letter and bank statements can be obtained up to 7 days prior (CW). 

Previously I attend Bank (Kasikorn) on day of application.

These days the banks can become more bust for the letter.

As for deposit into the account to update and show activity there is generally no que. 

I obtain the 12 month bank statement and bank letter day or two prior and 100b deposit on the day and ask teller to photocopy last page. 

[ronnie50]

I had more than enough THB in my Thai bank account, for at least a year or more, by the time I applied to change to O Visa for purposes of retirement. But I transfered more than 800k in foreign funds anyway into that account just so I could show a foreign transfer and not chance being turned away by IMM. You can try without it. Be good to know how you fare. My understanding was the first application needed to include a foreign wire transfer - then for subsequent renewals you just needed to show you had the minimum 800k in the account (for more than 3 months at renewal). Please let me know if that's not correct, but they (IMM1 at CW) certainly wanted to see the transfer (both from my home country bank and then the Thai bank incoming wire) for conformation, etc. 

[DrJack54]

51 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

My understanding was the first application needed to include a foreign wire transfer - then for subsequent renewals you just needed to show you had the minimum 800k in the account (for more than 3 months at renewal).

Need clarify that.

Generally speaking..to apply for Non O retirement from visa exempt or tourist visa you would require 800k in Thai bank account in your name only on day of application.

The funds would need to be shown to have come from abroad. 

For some immigration offices if the funds have been in the account for "some time" then proof of international transfer not required. This sometimes comes up when eg folk with a Non O-A exit to kill off the Non O-A and start over.

 

Folk should check with their immigration office.

 

As for subsequent extensions..

You require to have maintained 800k for 3 months after application then not below 400k and back up to 800k prior to next extension.

 

Those ongoing extensions using money in bank method do NOT need to show funds from abroad

[judokrab]

17 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Need clarify that.

As for subsequent extensions..

You require to have maintained 800k for 3 months after application then not below 400k and back up to 800k prior to next extension.

 

Need to correct that.
(1) It's not "3 months after application" ... it's TWO months after APPROVAL.
(2) It's not "back up to 800k prior to next extension" ... its "back up to 800k THREE MONTHS prior to next APPLICATION.

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, judokrab said:

Need to correct that.
(1) It's not "3 months after application" ... it's TWO months after APPROVAL.
(2) It's not "back up to 800k prior to next extension" ... its "back up to 800k THREE MONTHS prior to next APPLICATION.

Incorrect.

2 months prior to application for extension and maintained for 3 months after application. 

Not below 400k in other months

 

Edit: from AI ..

"To extend a retirement visa in Thailand, you need to maintain a bank balance of at least 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account for two months before applying, and then for three months after the extension is granted, and ensure the balance doesn't drop below 400,000 baht"

[pub2022]

UPDATE

 

I've done my visa change from exempt entry to NON O retirement (it's actually a visa application, model TM87) with money in the bank option, in Chiang Mai.

The experience was quite smooth, no crazy long wait or requests.

There is a new model to fill in for "fact checking information" STM 11. Easy one.

Because of all the Immigration holidays in April I happened not to have enough days left for my application (even though I applied almost one month in advance), so I had to pay 1900 baht for a visa exempt 30 day exstension I could have avoided if going there 2 days earlier. So mind on that!

I paid the 2000 baht fee for the visa application and I was given a receipt saying that application is under consideration, and I have to come back on 24-4-25 to get the 90 day stamp.

I applied on 28-3-25.

My actual permission to stay expires on 22-5-25.

Question: do you maybe know what date my 90 day stamp will start from?

Cheers

[howerde]

9 minutes ago, pub2022 said:

UPDATE

 

I've done my visa change from exempt entry to NON O retirement (it's actually a visa application, model TM87) with money in the bank option, in Chiang Mai.

The experience was quite smooth, no crazy long wait or requests.

There is a new model to fill in for "fact checking information" STM 11. Easy one.

Because of all the Immigration holidays in April I happened not to have enough days left for my application (even though I applied almost one month in advance), so I had to pay 1900 baht for a visa exempt 30 day exstension I could have avoided if going there 2 days earlier. So mind on that!

I paid the 2000 baht fee for the visa application and I was given a receipt saying that application is under consideration, and I have to come back on 24-4-25 to get the 90 day stamp.

I applied on 28-3-25.

My actual permission to stay expires on 22-5-25.

Question: do you maybe know what date my 90 day stamp will start from?

Cheers

Just did mine last month in Bangkok the 90 days starts when i applied not the date you go back for the stamp

[BrandonJT]

18 hours ago, pub2022 said:

Question: do you maybe know what date my 90 day stamp will start from?

It doesn't start yet.  You won't be required to do 90-day report until you're on the 1-year extension of stay.  As your visa will give you permission for 90 days so not long enough to require 90 day report.

 

When you go in and apply for and receive your extension, they will put a slip of paper in your passport telling you the date of your first 90-day report.

[jeffandgop]

On 3/25/2025 at 2:33 PM, CMBob said:

Unless this is a new requirement, it wasn't the case when I converted from exempt to Non-O three years ago.  I obtained the bank letter the day before application.  I also had the funds in the bank for a long time (as in years) so there was no need to show the funds came from abroad. 

Edit: My experience was with Chiangmai Immigration.

For the last 10 years I've maintained a fixed account to park the necessary funds for my annual EOS at the CM Imm.  I've gotten the bank letter and passbook update up to 7 days before applying for my extension.  This year (last month) I got my bank letter and passbook update the day before applying and CM on the day of applying still required another update to the fixed account passbook!  

[DrJack54]

37 minutes ago, jeffandgop said:

I got my bank letter and passbook update the day before applying and CM on the day of applying still required another update to the fixed account passbook!  

That's actually the norm.

CW would also require update on day of application for extension.

Some io even what to see "activity" 

You can achieve both by small deposit and have teller print out last page of bankbook. 

[CMBob]

1 hour ago, jeffandgop said:

This year (last month) I got my bank letter and passbook update the day before applying and CM on the day of applying still required another update to the fixed account passbook!  

That's the first report I've ever seen or heard of the "same-day-as-application" bank paperwork involving annual extensions here in Chiangmai.

I do presume you're talking about an extension based on retirement and keeping 800k baht in the bank.  And you only mention the bank letter.....weren't you also required to produce an annual statement showing you've maintained the 800/400k baht figures as required?

[DrJack54]

20 minutes ago, CMBob said:

And you only mention the bank letter.....weren't you also required to produce an annual statement showing you've maintained the 800/400k baht figures as required?

The guy quoted mentioned that he has an FD account and "maintains the funds"

With a FD account immigration may/should just accept his bank book + photocopies of pages.

When I used an FD account (800k+) I did not provide 12 month bank statement.

To be on safe side I did a deposit on day of application to show update and activity. (for FD a/c min deposit is 1000b) 

[jeffandgop]

21 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

That's actually the norm.

CW would also require update on day of application for extension.

Some io even what to see "activity" 

You can achieve both by small deposit and have teller print out last page of bankbook. 

Beg to differ. Never required by CM IMM to update my fixed deposit account passbook on the day of application for the annual EOS- for either previous based on retirement and now presently based marriage.  Regular savings yes, never fixed deposit.

[jeffandgop]

20 hours ago, CMBob said:

That's the first report I've ever seen or heard of the "same-day-as-application" bank paperwork involving annual extensions here in Chiangmai.

I do presume you're talking about an extension based on retirement and keeping 800k baht in the bank.  And you only mention the bank letter.....weren't you also required to produce an annual statement showing you've maintained the 800/400k baht figures as required?

Actually based on marriage (400K required but I kept 500K +throughout the many years now of having this fixed deposit account)

[DrJack54]

59 minutes ago, jeffandgop said:

 Regular savings yes, never fixed deposit

You posted.....

"This year (last month) I got my bank letter and passbook update the day before applying and CM on the day of applying still required another update to the fixed account passbook!" 

 

So you did have to update your bank book on day of application.

Also you now mention extension is based on marriage and not retirement. 

The best way to show update for savings a/c is to make small deposit.

Last year I had to transfer stamps to new pp.

The io made me go down to bank and make a deposit (FD a/c at CW)

Also copies of bankbook pages back to previous extension. 

 

[CMBob]

3 hours ago, jeffandgop said:

...........I kept 500K +throughout the many years now of having this fixed deposit account)

By "fixed deposit account", do you mean you simply keep the funds in a separate savings account that's simply a one-year term account, an account which you can get access to (withdraw) anytime you want although you would lose accrued interest if you did so?  I'm guessing that is what you are calling a "fixed deposit" account.....as any other type of regular savings account that has a fixed term (one year, two year, etc.) that you cannot get access to in the interim would not qualify as a bank account to support an annual extension based on either marriage or retirement.  (I'm not asking about a foreign currency account here)

[jeffandgop]

23 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

You posted.....

"This year (last month) I got my bank letter and passbook update the day before applying and CM on the day of applying still required another update to the fixed account passbook!" 

 

So you did have to update your bank book on day of application.  

Yes, I did write that so what's your point? My point was I have never in 10 years been required to do that at CM IMM for a fixed deposit account.

 

Also you now mention extension is based on marriage and not retirement.  

You are picking only some of what I wrote.  To refresh:

(I've) never (been) required by CM IMM to update my fixed deposit account passbook on the day of application for the annual EOS- for either previous based on retirement and now presently based (on) marriage

 

 

 

[jeffandgop]

20 hours ago, CMBob said:

By "fixed deposit account", do you mean you simply keep the funds in a separate savings account that's simply a one-year term account, an account which you can get access to (withdraw) anytime you want although you would lose accrued interest if you did so? 

Yes.

[Equatorial]

On 4/3/2025 at 7:37 AM, DrJack54 said:

CW would also require update on day of application for extension.

 

I apologize for my ignorance, but what does the acronym "CW" stand for? (I read the entire thread and I can't figure it out from the context...) Thanks!

[DrJack54]

41 minutes ago, Equatorial said:

but what does the acronym "CW" stand for?

Chaeng Watthana Government Complex

Immigration Office. 

[Equatorial]

On 3/25/2025 at 9:10 PM, DrJack54 said:

As for subsequent extensions..

You require to have maintained 800k for 3 months after application then not below 400k and back up to 800k prior to next extension.

 

I understand that this is the requirement. I am curious, what are the option in case the balance drops below either the 800k during the 5 months or below 400k during the remaining 7 months. Let's say someone has had several extensions but for the current extension there was a brief (or even not so brief) period of time when the balance dropped. Are there options other than leaving Thailand and starting all over? 

[DrJack54]

10 minutes ago, Equatorial said:

Let's say someone has had several extensions but for the current extension there was a brief (or even not so brief) period of time when the balance dropped. Are there options other than leaving Thailand and starting all over? 

One thing immigration is Red hot on is any dip below the 800/400k.

Keep in mind that you are permitted to use two bank accounts.

 

I obtained my most recent extension in Nov last year.

My Thai partner does all the money stuff.

I stated throw away line ..."that's another extension all done" 

She caused the balance to dip below 800k (by 1500b) 

Thought I would need start over.

Then realized I had an account never used with approx 10k.

Still means that I will require 2 bank statements and letters. PAIN.

 

Some posters will say that immigration over looked a dip below.

Can occur however rare. 

[BrandonJT]

7 hours ago, Equatorial said:

 

I understand that this is the requirement. I am curious, what are the option in case the balance drops below either the 800k during the 5 months or below 400k during the remaining 7 months. Let's say someone has had several extensions but for the current extension there was a brief (or even not so brief) period of time when the balance dropped. Are there options other than leaving Thailand and starting all over? 

You can also use an agent to facilitate immigration overlooking the slip-up if you're not able to resolve it another way.  As long as you have the money in your account during the extension, even with the assistant of an agent, you should be able to resume doing it yourself again the following year since you'll be able to provide the evidence of the 800,000 and 400,000 during the period following the extension.

[Goethe]

This discussion demonstrates an eternal truth: different offices have different requirements, so before you apply for an extension of stay, it is wise to enquire about what they currently are.

Current requirements at Jomtien with 800 000 baht in a Fixed Deposit account are as follows:

1. Deposit 100 baht in the account and update bank book.

2. Request from the bank a letter stating that you are the owner of the account and how much is in it.

3. Request a 12-month bank statement.

 

Different banks levy different fees. At my SCB branch I paid 200 baht for items 1 & 2, and another 200 baht for item 3.