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Convert Visa free to Non O Retirement

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How can the 60 day, extended to 90day, visa free, converted to Non O on retirement. In case nationality makes a difference, this is for an Aussie male.

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  • For people already in Thailand, going to a hotel elsewhere in Thailand for a few nights to be eligible to apply for the certificate of residence at a more accommodating immigration office would be a l

  • Not possible in Australia, they will only issue "OA" through the Thai Embassy in Canberra. Easiest way is to come in visa exempt and optain an "O" Visa whilst in Thailand. As stated an agent will be v

  • Yeah, it is possible to get a Non O retirement prior to entering Thailand from Canberra embassy. I did online and entered Thailand in mid February 2025.  

Which immigration office 

How many days remaining on permission of stay? 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1311886-visa-exempt-to-retirement-extension-process-and-cost/#elControls_18494711_menu 

 

This thread has several links to other threads. 

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1331945-documents-for-changing-visa-exempt-to-non-immig-o-at-cw/

 

  • Author
1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Which immigration office 

How many days remaining on permission of stay? 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1311886-visa-exempt-to-retirement-extension-process-and-cost/#elControls_18494711_menu 

 

This thread has several links to other threads. 

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1331945-documents-for-changing-visa-exempt-to-non-immig-o-at-cw/

 

Hua Hin, still have 30, then get 30 extension 

14 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

Hua Hin, still have 30, then get 30 extension 

If you still have 30 days why do you need 30 day extension. 

For the application for Non Of retirement you require 800k in Thai Bank account in your name only on day of application. 

Do you have Thai Bank account. 

 

  • Author
14 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

If you still have 30 days why do you need 30 day extension. 

For the application for Non Of retirement you require 800k in Thai Bank account in your name only on day of application. 

Do you have Thai Bank account. 

 

As for bank account, both Kasikorn, and Bank of Bangkok, in Hua Hin, will not open an account when on visa free.

23 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

As for bank account, both Kasikorn, and Bank of Bangkok, in Hua Hin, will not open an account when on visa free.

Catch 22.

To apply for the Non O at Immigration, the financial proof is 800K THB deposited in a Thai bank account on the day of application.

 

Options are to find an agent that can assist, or obtain a COR from Immigration and an existing influential customer of the bank as a referral.

31 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

As for bank account, both Kasikorn, and Bank of Bangkok, in Hua Hin, will not open an account when on visa free.

In hindsight you should have obtained the Non O retirement prior to entering Thailand.

The funds for that do not need to be in Thai bank. Any bank is fine. 

The process time for that is few days via e-Visa platform.

With the Non O you would be able to open a bank account. 

 

Would also require a certificate of residence from immigration but not a big deal.

 

Where are you located in Thailand? 

An agent may help with opening a bank account however more than likely not unless you use their services for Non O + extension. 

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

In hindsight you should have obtained the Non O retirement prior to entering Thailand.

Not possible in Australia, they will only issue "OA" through the Thai Embassy in Canberra. Easiest way is to come in visa exempt and optain an "O" Visa whilst in Thailand. As stated an agent will be very helpful for this initial "O" Visa.

5 minutes ago, kuzie57 said:

Not possible in Australia, they will only issue "OA" through the Thai Embassy in Canberra. Easiest way is to come in visa exempt and optain an "O" Visa whilst in Thailand. As stated an agent will be very helpful for this initial "O" Visa.

Yeah, it is possible to get a Non O retirement prior to entering Thailand from Canberra embassy. I did online and entered Thailand in mid February 2025.

 

22 minutes ago, ozfarang said:

Yeah, it is possible to get a Non O retirement prior to entering Thailand from Canberra embassy. I did online and entered Thailand in mid February 2025.

 

Agree. I got a non o evisa based on marriage from Canberra. Had to show 400,000 baht equivalent in an Aussie bank.

Evisa for 60 days but stamped in at Swampy for 90 days.

Go figure.

  • Author
4 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

In hindsight you should have obtained the Non O retirement prior to entering Thailand.

The funds for that do not need to be in Thai bank. Any bank is fine. 

The process time for that is few days via e-Visa platform.

With the Non O you would be able to open a bank account. 

 

Would also require a certificate of residence from immigration but not a big deal.

 

Where are you located in Thailand? 

An agent may help with opening a bank account however more than likely not unless you use their services for Non O + extension. 

True, in hindsight things could have been done differently if these problems were known.

Am in Hua Hin 

9 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

Agree. I got a non o evisa based on marriage from Canberra. Had to show 400,000 baht equivalent in an Aussie bank.

Evisa for 60 days but stamped in at Swampy for 90 days.

Go figure.

I should add that I only got a visa to be able to get a certificate of residence to renew my Thai driving licences. Since the visa was for less than a year I only got another 2 year temporary licence. Bugger!

13 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

True, in hindsight things could have been done differently if these problems were known

Out of interest....if the bank account is a dead end what's plan B.

Not ideal however you could consider a break to nearby country and obtain the Non O retirement e-Visa there 

Try Siam Legal for bank account in Bangkok, however thinking they stopped with assisting with bank accounts. 

Try suggesting to Bank that you would be happy to buy insurance..

Depending on age insurance varies however ~4k would cover it.

Good luck. 

  • Author
1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

Out of interest....if the bank account is a dead end what's plan B.

Not ideal however you could consider a break to nearby country and obtain the Non O retirement e-Visa there 

Try Siam Legal for bank account in Bangkok, however thinking they stopped with assisting with bank accounts. 

Try suggesting to Bank that you would be happy to buy insurance..

Depending on age insurance varies however ~4k would cover it.

Good luck. 

Thanks the advise, was considering a quick border run and getting a non O, that is if all else fails.

4 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

Thanks the advise, was considering a quick border run and getting a non O, that is if all else fails.

Look into best place to apply.

I haven't read any reports re Laos however expect that to take some time.

Saigon would be nice option (I'm biased). Still would take 5 business days + 

 

If you call an agent (even ones in Pattaya) make it clear you only require their services for the bank account and not the Non O + 12 month extension.

Many will say No as no money in assisting with bank account.

Most of the charge is Insurance policy. 

Try Maneerat or Thai Visa Centre in Bangkok. 

39 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

Thanks the advise, was considering a quick border run and getting a non O, that is if all else fails.

There have been reports of successfully opening an account at Bangkok Bank head office with a visa exempt entry.

If you explain you intend to apply to stay long term at Thai Immigration but a condition is that you must transfer and deposit 800K in a Thai Savings account, they may oblige. Call them on 02-230-1022, 02-230-1016, 02-230-2519, 02-230-1940, 02-230-2085.

 

You will need a Certificate of residence issued by Hua Hin Immigration as proof of your registered address.

I assume you've filed a TM30 and registered your residential address at HH Immigration?

A bank statement from your Aus bank showing the availability to transfer the said funds also wouldn't go amiss.

wont any bank issue an account if u agree to buy insurance?
I know Bangkok bank and scb in Phuket will

On 4/22/2025 at 4:22 PM, Aussie999 said:

How can the 60 day, extended to 90day, visa free, converted to Non O on retirement. In case nationality makes a difference, this is for an Aussie male.

I have done just that this time. Was asked to show up 4-5 weeks before  visa free stay ended. I then got 3 months and extended this after 2 months to 1 year!  No problems at all.

27 minutes ago, harryviking said:

I have done just that this time. Was asked to show up 4-5 weeks before  visa free stay ended. I then got 3 months and extended this after 2 months to 1 year!  No problems at all.

You require 15 days remaining on permission of stay (21 at CM) 

The 2 months later for extension is to season the funds (min 2 months).

 

Thing is the OP does not have a Thai bank account. 

That's the ISSUE. 

4 hours ago, Liquorice said:

There have been reports of successfully opening an account at Bangkok Bank head office with a visa exempt entry.

If you explain you intend to apply to stay long term at Thai Immigration but a condition is that you must transfer and deposit 800K in a Thai Savings account, they may oblige. Call them on 02-230-1022, 02-230-1016, 02-230-2519, 02-230-1940, 02-230-2085.

 

You will need a Certificate of residence issued by Hua Hin Immigration as proof of your registered address.

I assume you've filed a TM30 and registered your residential address at HH Immigration?

A bank statement from your Aus bank showing the availability to transfer the said funds also wouldn't go amiss.

There's the the catch 22. I couldn't get a COR on a visa waiver entry so couldn't open a bank account.

First time around I got a multi non o marriage from savanahket to overcome the issue. Then a COR then a bank account.

1 hour ago, zzzzz said:

wont any bank issue an account if u agree to buy insurance?
I know Bangkok bank and scb in Phuket will

Not where I am in Isaan. They wanted " letter from embassy" which turned out to be  a certificate of residence, which can't be obtained on a visa waiver entry. Needed a " proper" visa to be able to get one. 

Other places may of course be different.

2 hours ago, zzzzz said:

wont any bank issue an account if u agree to buy insurance?
I know Bangkok bank and scb in Phuket will

The OP is located in Hua Hin.

I suggested he offer buying insurance at BBL however that's hit and miss. 

How recent is this information in Phuket.

8 hours ago, emptypockets said:

Surin

 

It's worth noting that many immigration offices do issue a certificate of residence to someone who entered Thailand visa exempt. Even Bangkok nowadays, where that used to be impossible in the past.

 

Which means that, being a tourist on visa exempt, you can "shop around". If you're in Surin and they refuse to issue you one, book a hotel in another province where they do issue them to tourists. Sorted.

2 hours ago, Caldera said:

 

It's worth noting that many immigration offices do issue a certificate of residence to someone who entered Thailand visa exempt. Even Bangkok nowadays, where that used to be impossible in the past.

 

Which means that, being a tourist on visa exempt, you can "shop around". If you're in Surin and they refuse to issue you one, book a hotel in another province where they do issue them to tourists. Sorted.

I don't stay in a hotel but in my wife's house.

It was no hassle getting an E visa from Canberra.

23 hours ago, ozfarang said:

Yeah, it is possible to get a Non O retirement prior to entering Thailand from Canberra embassy. I did online and entered Thailand in mid February 2025.

 

That is how I did mine 14 years ago, but now in Aus to do the pension, I am still on my original "O" currently, I rang the embassy and the lady told me that I could only get an "OA" in Australia and would have to get the "O" in Thailand if I let the current extension lapse, and that was last week. Good to hear that it can still be optained in Aus.

 

1 hour ago, kuzie57 said:

That is how I did mine 14 years ago, but now in Aus to do the pension, I am still on my original "O" currently, I rang the embassy and the lady told me that I could only get an "OA" in Australia and would have to get the "O" in Thailand if I let the current extension lapse, and that was last week. Good to hear that it can still be optained in Aus.

 

I got my Non O retirement based on the monthly remittance and only provided bank deposits of 3 months to prove my income was above the minimum required

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