Hi Aseannow members,

A mate of mine has got an extension of stay (based on retirement) done through a Visa agent and has issues with trying to renew it himself (despite the fact that he has now enough money in the bank - 800 K THB) to qualify and do on its' own. Anyway... he's considering to 'kill-off' his current visa, by letting it either expire when he's abroad in his home country and then by re-entering again on a 30 days visa exempt. He will immediately upon re-entering Thailand apply for a non-O (90 days) at CW.
Then after 60 days on his Non-O he will apply for an extension of stay (based on retirement). 

Can anyone let me know if that's possible and correct way to do?

 

OR... Is it required to cancel his current extension of stay / Non-O first at CW, before leaving the country and re-entering. I've heard that a CANCELLATON of a non-Immigrant Visa /extension of stay (based on employment or Education) is required in order to be able to re-apply again later on?

Or is there no need to cancell anything and he can just let his current visa/extension of stay expire while being abroad and re-apply again later upon re-entry at CW?

 

Again a zillion Thanks!

 

FB

19 minutes ago, Fiskebolle said:

Anyway... he's considering to 'kill-off' his current visa, by letting it either expire when he's abroad in his home country and then by re-entering again on a 30 days visa exempt. He will immediately upon re-entering Thailand apply for a non-O (90 days) at CW.

That's correct. 

Be aware that the Non O retirement application inside Thailand he would need to show the 800k has come from abroad... Unless it has been in Thailand for several months already. 

19 minutes ago, Fiskebolle said:

OR... Is it required to cancel his current extension of stay / Non-O first at CW, before leaving the country and re-entering

No. 

Without reentry permit his permission of stay ends along with previous Non O

19 minutes ago, Fiskebolle said:

Or is there no need to cancell anything and he can just let his current visa/extension of stay expire while being abroad and re-apply again later upon re-entry at CW?

As pointed out.... That all vanishes when he leaves Thailand. 

 

NOTE: Why not obtain Non O e-Visa in home country after he exits Thailand. 

Which pp country? 

Entering with a non O the money does  not need to be shown came abroad and no need for onward flight if flying visa exempt

Thanks DrJack for your expert advice and fast reply. As usual, much appreciated. My friend prefers to apply within TH (CW) for the Non-O, as it does not require any health-insurance, nor bank statements etc through the E-visa process online. Too much hassle online and easier to handle in person at CW. 

Money in account came from abroad previously and can be backed up by Thor Thor 3 (credit advise/FET) doc from receipt bank in Thailand or MT103 from sender's bank from abroad.

The only other "potential" issue I could think off is the following... Since he plans to enter on a 30 days visa exempt stamp with intention to convert immediately upon arrival into 90days Non-O, his return flight will be in 90 days. 

But at the check-in counter from the airlines, they will certainly ask for a return flight back home (or out of Thailand) WITHIN 30 days *(Since he has no visa yet). How should he go around this? Any suggesion? Again applying for a non-O in home country online is not his preferred method to circumvent this.

 

Cheers,

 

FB

 

Is there any reason not to pay an agent again, a friend renewed his only a few days ago and there were different rules regarding the 800k and more documents needed than last year.

 

7 minutes ago, frank83628 said:

Is there any reason not to pay an agent again, a friend renewed his only a few days ago and there were different rules regarding the 800k and more documents needed than last year.

 

Mostly it is to avoid the agent fees. Required documents for application /extension are the same either for agent or actual applicant. I assume my friend made use of the agent for the initial seasoning of 800 K THB...  

31 minutes ago, Fiskebolle said:

But at the check-in counter from the airlines, they will certainly ask for a return flight back home (or out of Thailand) WITHIN 30 days

He has couple of options.

1. Buy a throw away ticket to cheapest destination.

2. Buy a rent a ticket from company eg "onwardticket.com" ...$16usd. 

 

Explained fully in this blog:

https://backpackbob.com/thailand-return-ticket/

 

31 minutes ago, Fiskebolle said:

My friend prefers to apply within TH (CW) for the Non-O, as it does not require any health-insurance, nor bank statements etc through the E-visa process online.

Obviously your friend wants to obtain the Non O inside Thailand and that's fine.

Just for others Note: insurance in not required for Non O obtained in or out of Thailand..

Also bank balance is required for both application inside and outside of Thailand. 

The e-Visa process is simple for Non O retirement. 

 

12 minutes ago, Fiskebolle said:

Mostly it is to avoid the agent fees.

Up to the friend however can't be about money as the opportunity cost of having funds locked in Thai bank account at very low interest doesn't stack up vs modest (by comparison) to agent fees. 

5 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

He has couple of options.

1. Buy a throw away ticket to cheapest destination.

2. Buy a rent a ticket from company eg "onwardticket.com" ...$16usd. 

 

Explained fully in this blog:

https://backpackbob.com/thailand-return-ticket/

 

Obviously your friend wants to obtain the Non O inside Thailand and that's fine.

Just for others Note: insurance in not required for Non O obtained in or out of Thailand..

Also bank balance is required for both application inside and outside of Thailand. 

The e-Visa process is simple for Non O retirement. 

 

Dear DrJack,

 

Thank you again for the detailed info. All's clear and will inform the same.

Cheers,

 

FB

25 minutes ago, frank83628 said:

Is there any reason not to pay an agent again, a friend renewed his only a few days ago and there were different rules regarding the 800k and more documents needed than last year.

 

Docs etc for retirement extensions has not changed.

As for your question re not wanting to use agent ....suffice to say "he does not want to use agent" moving forward. 

Slightly off topic however it's often asked about what is "rent a ticket" for onward flight requirement by airlines flying visa exempt.

The blog posted earlier is an easy read and imo well written advice:

https://backpackbob.com/thailand-return-ticket/

I did exactly this last year, returning from extended visit to UK, and UK embassy not easy to get Non O.

All done with no help from any agent, all at Phayao Immigration, where I have previously had Retirement extensions.

As easy to do as it ever has been.  I booked an appointment at Phayao and was given a list of Documents required from my Bank etc.   Got all documentation from my bank on the day and then to Immigration. 

No problems at all I/O seemed to be pleased that I had all the paperwork prepared and did not cause any problems.  So long as you have the money in your bank, there should not be any difficulties.  Wife always comes with me, just to answer any questions about where I live

Only cost was the visa fee and small charges for photocopying my passport.

27 minutes ago, Robin said:

I did exactly this last year, returning from extended visit to UK, and UK embassy not easy to get Non O.

So did you get the Non O in UK or Thailand.

If in UK what in particular was "not easy" 

Off topic post removed

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Docs etc for retirement extensions has not changed.

As for your question re not wanting to use agent ....suffice to say "he does not want to use agent" moving forward. 

Jack, it's true there are extra docs, three pages, in fact. One is a page that one has gone through the document check, as you mentioned, and two more detailing criminal penalties, deportation aso,, bringing the total to five extra pages. Jeez, eh!

6 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Jack, it's true there are extra docs, three pages, in fact. One is a page that one has gone through the document check, as you mentioned, and two more detailing criminal penalties, deportation aso,, bringing the total to five extra pages. Jeez, eh!

True, but I don't count the acknowledgement of penalties pages. 

As you mentioned the doc check chicks hand em to you. Have been part of the game for some time now. 

I just sign 

On 3/26/2025 at 9:48 AM, Fiskebolle said:

A mate of mine has got an extension of stay (based on retirement) done through a Visa agent and has issues with trying to renew it himself (despite the fact that he has now enough money in the bank - 800 K THB) to qualify and do on its' own. Anyway... he's considering to 'kill-off' his current visa, by letting it either expire when he's abroad in his home country and then by re-entering again on a 30 days visa exempt. He will immediately upon re-entering Thailand apply for a non-O (90 days) at CW.
Then after 60 days on his Non-O he will apply for an extension of stay (based on retirement). 

Can anyone let me know if that's possible and correct way to do?

Funds for 800k deposit needs to be transferred from abroad, when applying for non-O domestically. It might be much easier to apply for an non-O E-visa abroad, your friend can use his 800k baht deposit for that; in some provinces it can be a bit of a challenge to apply for non-O domestically.

7 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Explained fully in this blog:

https://backpackbob.com/thailand-return-ticket/

Wow, first time I've seen a travel blogger that actually knows what he's talking about, including the quirks and intricacies. He knows the actual reality, he must be in Facebook groups or on ASN!

6 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

.....first time I've seen a travel blogger that actually knows what he's talking about....

Bit off topic but yep I was impressed.

Here is link to his experiences in Thailand 

https://backpackbob.com/

On 3/27/2025 at 2:59 PM, DrJack54 said:

True, but I don't count the acknowledgement of penalties pages. 

As you mentioned the doc check chicks hand em to you. Have been part of the game for some time now. 

I just sign 

Moi aussi! Just noted three extra pages, no TM30 required.

On 3/29/2025 at 1:57 PM, unblocktheplanet said:

Moi aussi! Just noted three extra pages, no TM30 required.

The OP (friend) was obtaining a  Non O from visa exempt entry. 

At very least he will need a TM30. 

A lease would be handy. 

What with the issue with the renewal? How did the fact an agent did it the previous year affect the renewal?

11 minutes ago, tubber said:

What with the issue with the renewal? How did the fact an agent did it the previous year affect the renewal?

If agent is used you cannot just switch to DIY.

For each extension the financial requirements are checked retrospectively.

Back to date of previous extension and even 2 months prior. 

After using an agent it is best to "start over" ......new Non O and go from there. 

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

If agent is used you cannot just switch to DIY.

For each extension the financial requirements are checked retrospectively.

Back to date of previous extension and even 2 months prior. 

After using an agent it is best to "start over" ......new Non O and go from there. 

But if you met the financial requirements and only used an agent because you were lazy would it still be an issue switching to DIY? I am think of doing that next extension.

On 3/27/2025 at 11:13 AM, DrJack54 said:

Docs etc for retirement extensions has not changed.

As for your question re not wanting to use agent ....suffice to say "he does not want to use agent" moving forward. 

At CW a few days ago for one year extension:

 

New form consenting to Imm doing data searches on you.

 

New version of:

Acknowledgement of Penalties

Acknowledgement of terms and conditions

 

I forgot to ask so if anyone has new versions please post.

5 minutes ago, tubber said:

But if you met the financial requirements and only used an agent because you were lazy would it still be an issue switching to DIY? I am think of doing that next extension

If the agent was just for hand holding and there was/is compliance with the financial requirements then no issue.

Just DIY zero problems. 

7 minutes ago, mokwit said:

I forgot to ask so if anyone has new versions please post.

Fair enough however acknowledgement of this and that who really cares.

Sign them and obtain extension or don't. 

4 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

If the agent was just for hand holding and there was/is compliance with the financial requirements then no issue.

Just DIY zero problems. 

Thanks Drjack54.

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Fair enough however acknowledgement of this and that who really cares.

Sign them and obtain extension or don't. 

Strange answer. Of course that is what I did.

 

I just asked if someone had copies as I prefer to do them in advance rather than at the time.

 

 

Hello team also makes me query my own visa status this one and @DrJack54 is the master at answering these questions.
If on a retirement currently and I got a re-entry permit from my IO I wouldn't need an onward flight would I on the re-entry to Thailand would I? I suspect not but don't know the answer?

2 minutes ago, PomPolo said:

If on a retirement currently and I got a re-entry permit from my IO I wouldn't need an onward flight would I on the re-entry to Thailand would I

With a visa or reentry permit an onward flight is not required. 

Good idea to have the page with the reentry permit ready to show airline and also immigration when arrive Thailand