I recently applied through the e-visa portal for a non-O based on retirement and I provided the required documents (passport, proof of residence and proof of over 800,000 in the bank) and I thought that would be sufficient.

However, today I received an email requesting additional documentation as follows from the Thai embassy in Prague:

• Other request documents: ticket to and out of Thailand, travel itinerary shall start in the Czech Republic

• Other request documents: proof of accommodation showing applicant's name for whole stay in Thailand

• Other request documents: proof of retirement status

I have a ticket to Thailand but my understanding was that I didn't need a ticket out on a non-O retirement visa. I don't have proof of accommodation as I will be staying with my wife at her property and while I am well over 50, I am not yet officially in receipt of a state pension, so I have no way to prove retirement status.

I am rather unsure of what to do now. Any suggestions on how I can fulfil their requirements? Or am I better scrapping the application and applying for one based on marriage?

You have posted this previously.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1400192-applying-for-non-o-on-e-visa-website/

10 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You have posted this previously.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1400192-applying-for-non-o-on-e-visa-website/

In that thread I requested advice on filing in the application form (which I have since filled in and submitted) but this is a completely different issue as they emailed me and requested that I provide additional documentation and I have no idea what to do as they are requesting:

a) Proof of travel in and out of Thailand - I have a ticket to Thailand but not out as I thought that wasn't required on a non-O.

b) Proof of accommodation for duration of stay - I will be staying with my wife at her house and so don't have any accommodation bookings etc to show them.

c) Proof of retirement - I am well over 50 but I am not yet old enough to receive state pension and so have no way of proving I am retired. I was not aware that I have to be retired for this visa, just over the age of 50.

So on this thread I am asking for suggestions on how to fulfil these requirements, not on how to fill in the application form as per the other thread.

Edited July 29Jul 29 by Colonel_Mustard

1 hour ago, Colonel_Mustard said:

ticket to and out of Thailand, travel itinerary shall start in the Czech Republic

My understanding is just a nominated departure within 90 with random flight would be sufficient.

Think Brandon suggested that in first thread.

Plan B you could obtain flight from "onwardticket.com"

1 hour ago, Colonel_Mustard said:

proof of accommodation showing applicant's name for whole stay in Thailand

Did you outline address and explanation of wife's home.

Perhaps an invitation letter (screenshot) with address and her Thai ID.

1 hour ago, Colonel_Mustard said:

proof of retirement status

Thats just straight up ridiculous.

Retirement is not a requirement for Non O. The actual requirement is age 50+

18 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

My understanding is just a nominated departure within 90 with random flight would be sufficient.

Think Brandon suggested that in first thread.

Plan B you could obtain flight from "onwardticket.com"

Did you outline address and explanation of wife's home.

Perhaps an invitation letter (screenshot) with address and her Thai ID.

Thats just straight up ridiculous.

Retirement is not a requirement for Non O. The actual requirement is age 50+

They want to see the proof of onward travel so I will have to try and obtain a ticket. I've asked my wife to do an invitation letter.

The sticking point though is obviously the last one as I can't show any proof of that. I agree that it seems ridiculous but that is what they are asking for. That's why I was wondering whether to scrap this application and go for one based on marriage instead (though I'd prefer the retirement one).

5 minutes ago, Colonel_Mustard said:

The sticking point though is obviously the last one as I can't show any proof of that.

And of course many cannot.

Even into my 70,s I don't qualify for a pension and in any event you don't have to be retired to obtain Non O (retirement)

There is a condition of no work inside Thailand.

I wonder if a simple statement that you do not work in Thailand would be sufficient.

Which country is the eVisa application being made

7 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

And of course many cannot.

Even into my 70,s I don't qualify for a pension and in any event you don't have to be retired to obtain Non O (retirement)

There is a condition of no work inside Thailand.

I wonder if a simple statement that you do not work in Thailand would be sufficient.

Which country is the eVisa application being made

The Czech Republic where I am resident.

4 hours ago, Colonel_Mustard said:

b) Proof of accommodation for duration of stay - I will be staying with my wife at her house and so don't have any accommodation bookings etc to show them.

c) Proof of retirement - I am well over 50 but I am not yet old enough to receive state pension and so have no way of proving I am retired. I was not aware that I have to be retired for this visa, just over the age of 50.

b) Assuming that your wife is Thai, might not copies of her blue tabien baan entry and ID card, together with your marriage cert do the trick (did you get married in Thailand or the Czech Republic)?

c) I seriously wonder whether you might stand a better chance with those clueless idiots at the Prague Embassy if you were to apply for a non-O based on being married to your wife (assuming that she's Thai) instead. The docs I referred to under the b) heading should also prove to those idiots' satisfaction that you are married to her!

Edited July 29Jul 29 by OJAS

4 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Plan B you could obtain flight from "onwardticket.com"

How could use the "onwardticket.com" ticket in your application when it is only good for 48 hours?

5 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Retirement is not a requirement for Non O. The actual requirement is age 50+

The Non O is applied for on the basis and purpose of;

Retirement.
Voluntary work.

Medical treatment.

Witness for Judicial process.

Stay with Non Thai Family.
Stay with Thai Family.

and more

Being 50+ is a just one the requirement for the Non O based on retirement.
Certain Embassies also require proof of retirement in the form of receiving a state pension.

56 minutes ago, hrb68 said:

How could use the "onwardticket.com" ticket in your application when it is only good for 48 hours?

Because the embassy is just looking for a ticket, they're not logging into the airline system to check the itinerary.

3 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

Because the embassy is just looking for a ticket, they're not logging into the airline system to check the itinerary.

But it may take many days before the application is processed. You mean they wouldn't even check for a PNR code?

5 hours ago, Colonel_Mustard said:

The sticking point though is obviously the last one as I can't show any proof of that. I agree that it seems ridiculous but that is what they are asking for.

Did you read the requirement on the Thai Embassy Prague website before applying, which specifically states;

Retirement (pensioner aged 50 or above with state pension who wishes to stay in Thailand for no longer than 90 days), single entry

https://thaiembassy.cz/uploads/download/b2wnxGNMjdUN19YUz99.pdf

It also states in that PDF you can cancel the application.

I'm a firm believer in applying for the visa that fits the purpose.
If you apply based on Thai Family, then provided you supply proof of marriage, your spouse Tabien Baan and ID card, you would have avoided a request for further documentation.

No return ticket, no age restrictions and no proof of being retired.

To stay with Thai family residing in Thailand (more than 60 days), single entry

• Applicant must apply for e-Visa via specific Embassy/Consulate conforming with his/her

current residency. Applicant is required to upload document that can verify his/her current

residency such as longterm or permanent residence in the Czech Republic (both pages);

Czech nationals are required to upload copy of Czech ID card (both pages).

• Financial evidence showing monthly income of no less than 40,000 THB or having the

current balance of 400,000 THB, e.b. bank statements for the last three months, sponsor

letter. It is recommended to provide financial evidence document in English or Thai

language.

• Personal details of a family in Thailand, e.g. ID card, passport.

• Proof of relationship to a family in Thailand, e.g. a copy of marriage certificate / birth

certificate / certificate of adoption.

In case of Czech marriage/birth certificate: original document shall be legalized by the

Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), then officially translated into English or Thai, then

again legalized by the Czech MFA.

5 hours ago, Liquorice said:

The Non O is applied for on the basis and purpose of;

Retirement.
Voluntary work.

Medical treatment.

Witness for Judicial process.

Stay with Non Thai Family.
Stay with Thai Family.

and more

Being 50+ is a just one the requirement for the Non O based on retirement.
Certain Embassies also require proof of retirement in the form of receiving a state pension.

Which country gives a state pension at 50?

33 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Which country gives a state pension at 50?

Exactly.

Being retired and receiving a Pension is NOT a requirement for obtaining a Non O based on age 50+

Find this guys vids helpful:

https://youtu.be/6_WrHGxNLIg?si=7tUa-3x0mdrwixna

3 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Which country gives a state pension at 50?

None to my knowledge, I'm merely pointing out how fickle the requirements of some of these Embassies are.

The e-visa site advises you check the specific requirements of the Embassy that will process your application.

In the case of the Thai Embassy Prague, for the Non O based on retirement they specify 'their' requirements as; (PDF link previously posted)

Retirement (pensioner aged 50 or above with state pension who wishes to stay in Thailand for no longer than 90 days), single entry.

Financial evidence showing monthly income of no less than 65,000 THB or having the current balance of 800,000 THB, e.g. bank statements for the last three months. It is recommended to provide financial evidence document in English or Thai language.

Clearly, although the OP has supplied evidence of 800K, the Embassy are requesting additional documents as proof of retirement, which he cannot supply.
He could contact and argue the fact he's retired but not yet old enough to receive a state pension, but has provided evidence he meets the financial requirement.
The 800K quoted is clearly based on further extension applications within Thailand, yet they also requested a return ticket (Fickle).

In the OP's situation, I would have applied for the Non O based on Thai spouse in the first instance.

He could always change the reason for an extension application to 'retirement' at a later date at his local IO.

The message is that Thailand or at least the Thai government does not want long stay visitors. In the usual passive-aggressive way this is being accomplished by making it painful in the hopes people will go away.

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Being retired and receiving a Pension is NOT a requirement for obtaining a Non O based on age 50+

Clearly, the Thai Embassy Prague think differently.

In contrast, a different Thai Embassy, London.

https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/84508-non-immigrant-visas

• Non-Immigrant Type O (Retirement (pensioner aged 50 or above with a state pension who wants to stay in Thailand for no longer than 90 days) - single entry only) 

• Financial evidence e.g. A copy of pension statement if the applicant is a pensioner, or a copy of 1-month bank statement showing your income from pension, or 3-month bank statement of at least £10,000

In this case it's either, proof of funds, or proof of pension.
Neither of which would be sufficient to meet the requirements for extensions based on retirement.

8 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Clearly, the Thai Embassy Prague think differently.

Don't care what they think.

Not first embassy to have screwed up version of the requirements.

41 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Clearly, the Thai Embassy Prague think differently.

In contrast, a different Thai Embassy, London.

https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/84508-non-immigrant-visas

• Non-Immigrant Type O (Retirement (pensioner aged 50 or above with a state pension who wants to stay in Thailand for no longer than 90 days) - single entry only) 

• Financial evidence e.g. A copy of pension statement if the applicant is a pensioner, or a copy of 1-month bank statement showing your income from pension, or 3-month bank statement of at least £10,000

In this case it's either, proof of funds, or proof of pension.
Neither of which would be sufficient to meet the requirements for extensions based on retirement.

What I find interesting is the wording NO LONGER THAN 89 DAYS lol

18 hours ago, Colonel_Mustard said:

"I recently applied through the e-visa portal for a non-O based on retirement and I provided the required documents (passport, proof of residence and proof of over 800,000 in the bank) and I thought that would be sufficient."

Did you have any issues with your submitted photo? Was it rejected at all or did you have to resubmit it?

Thanks to all for their comments/advice/suggestions.

I have uploaded an onward ticket, invitation letter from my wife, copies of her Thai ID card, tabien baan, marriage certificate and a letter stating that I am retired, my sources of income and that I will not be working in Thailand.

Hopefully that will be enough. If not, I guess I could cancel this application and apply for one based on marriage or just to travel on a tourist visa (or visa exemption) and let an agent deal with it from there.

2 hours ago, hrb68 said:

21 hours ago, Colonel_Mustard said:

"I recently applied through the e-visa portal for a non-O based on retirement and I provided the required documents (passport, proof of residence and proof of over 800,000 in the bank) and I thought that would be sufficient."

They don't seem to have any issues with my photo, at least not yet anyway!

21 minutes ago, Colonel_Mustard said:

I guess I could cancel this application and apply for one based on marriage or just to travel on a tourist visa (or visa exemption) and let an agent deal with it from there.

With the additional stuff you added eg onward flight etc, thinking (hoping) your application should be accepted.

Plan B could be to enter visa exempt or tourist visa and obtain the Non O at local immigration office.

Assume you already have a Thai bank account in your name only.

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

With the additional stuff you added eg onward flight etc, thinking (hoping) your application should be accepted.

Plan B could be to enter visa exempt or tourist visa and obtain the Non O at local immigration office.

Assume you already have a Thai bank account in your name only.

Thanks for the reply.

If they don't accept this application, then I shall cancel it and either apply for a Non O based on marriage or (as you suggested) enter on a tourist visa and then apply for the Non O based on retirement from within Thailand.

Yes, I still have a couple of active bank accounts in Thailand. They are in my name only.

5 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Don't care what they think.

Not first embassy to have screwed up version of the requirements.

Surely the simplest thing to do in this situation is to enter VE and apply in Thailand?

16 minutes ago, BusyB said:

Surely the simplest thing to do in this situation is to enter VE and apply in Thailand?

If I enter VE and apply from within Thailand, do I need to show that the 800,000 has been brought in from overseas?

Also if I enter on a non-O based on marriage, can I extend based on retirement or would I have to keep extending based on marriage? Retirement extensions seem a lot less hassle than marriage extensions, so that would be my preferred option.

14 minutes ago, BusyB said:

Surely the simplest thing to do in this situation is to enter VE and apply in Thailand?

That's an option especially as the OP has an existing Thai bank account.

Note for others if you do not have a Thai bank account you need to obtain a Non O eVisa prior to entering Thailand.

With tourist status you will not be able to open bank account.

1 minute ago, Colonel_Mustard said:

If I enter VE and apply from within Thailand, do I need to show that the 800,000 has been brought in from overseas?

Also if I enter on a non-O based on marriage, can I extend based on retirement or would I have to keep extending based on marriage? Retirement extensions seem a lot less hassle than marriage extensions, so that would be my preferred option.

If you enter visa exempt you would need to show funds are from abroad.

If you enter with Non O marriage (eVisa) the first extension should be based on marriage.

Change to based on retirement in subsequent years should be possible.

24 minutes ago, BusyB said:

Surely the simplest thing to do in this situation is to enter VE and apply in Thailand?

Depends, If no bank account people have been paying 50k for non imm O and retirement extension and bank account