Double-entry Tourist Visa Or Non O (retirement) A Better Choice

[mikeh]

I think that it's possible to apply for long-term permit to stay in Thailand for retirement purposes from either a tourist visa or non-O, but I'm not sure which one would give me more time in country before having to transfer funds.

A double-entry tourist visa should give me 8 mos, and I think that would mean 6 mos before having to transfer money here. The 3 mo non-O can be extended, but is the extension linked to having the funds here already?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Jingthing]

If you are applying for an extension based on retirement using only the 800K in a Thai bank account, you are correct, the money needs to be seasoned for two months. If you are using an income letter or a combination of income letter and bank account, no money seasoning period is needed. Also note that you do need an O visa to start the process, so if you are starting it in Thailand with a tourist visa or 30 day stamp, you need at least 21 days left on the current permission of stay to be able to apply for both the change of visa status (first step) and then the extension based on retirement. With an existing O obtained outside Thailand, you can skip the first step. Also note, not all Thai immigrations will grant you the change of visa status, so in those cases there is no choice but to have an O visa from outside Thailand. Thus, you should state the immigration office location you intend to use.

[mikeh]

Thanks Jingthing - I'd prefer to use Samut Prakarn if that works.

[Jingthing]

Thanks Jingthing - I'd prefer to use Samut Prakarn if that works.

You are required to use the immigration office that covers the actual location of your home in Thailand. There is no other choice. The smaller offices are the ones that tend NOT to do the change of visa statuses. You should seek specific info about that office and/or plan on arriving with an existing O. Another alternative is that you can always go to Penang and get a single entry O just based on being over 50. So there are many ways to skin this chicken. Good luck.

[lopburi3]

The change of status can be done in Bangkok for those locations that do not perform that function. But it is best to just enter using a non immigrant O visa if you have the choice.

[Jingthing]

The change of status can be done in Bangkok for those locations that do not perform that function. But it is best to just enter using a non immigrant O visa if you have the choice.

Thanks for that. So I assume the applicant must first go to Bangkok for the change of status, and then do the extension at their local office? I agree it would be best to enter with an O. However, if the OP has money seasoning issues, there are options. Bangkok like you mentioned or Malaysia/Laos if that is more convenient to get the O visa.

Caveat -- the two month money seasoning is for first time retirement extensions using 800K in the bank. For subsequent extensions the rule is three months.

[Mario2008]

Either the local office does the conversion or they send you to Bangkok and you do the conversion there. It will require you to come back after a week, to see if the conversion is aproved. Another reason to get the proper visa before you go to Thailand, if you can.

After you get the non-immigrant visa in Bangkok you will have to extend at your local office.

[mikeh]

The change of status can be done in Bangkok for those locations that do not perform that function. But it is best to just enter using a non immigrant O visa if you have the choice.

So if I understand this correctly, if I come in with a 90 day non-imm O I would have to transfer the funds in the first couple of weeks of arrival, so they could be verified as being in a Thai bank 2 mos before the application date, which is 21 days before the 90 visa expires?

Thanks again.

[Jingthing]

The change of status can be done in Bangkok for those locations that do not perform that function. But it is best to just enter using a non immigrant O visa if you have the choice.

So if I understand this correctly, if I come in with a 90 day non-imm O I would have to transfer the funds in the first couple of weeks of arrival, so they could be verified as being in a Thai bank 2 mos before the application date, which is 21 days before the 90 visa expires?

Thanks again.

The money seasoning period is the two months BEFORE the date of the application for extension, rather than the end of your current permission to stay. The new permission to stay (retirement extension) begins right after your current permission to stay ends (so going early doesn't lose anything). The 21 days left rule is for change of visa status only; nothing to with retirement extensions. For the extension applications, people generally go in about 30 days before expiry of their current permission to stay. However, technically you can go in the very last day. Yes, you will need to get the money in quickly but you probably have time with a 90 day stay on an O.

[mikeh]

The change of status can be done in Bangkok for those locations that do not perform that function. But it is best to just enter using a non immigrant O visa if you have the choice.

So if I understand this correctly, if I come in with a 90 day non-imm O I would have to transfer the funds in the first couple of weeks of arrival, so they could be verified as being in a Thai bank 2 mos before the application date, which is 21 days before the 90 visa expires?

Thanks again.

The money seasoning period is the two months BEFORE the date of the application for extension, rather than the end of your current permission to stay. The new permission to stay (retirement extension) begins right after your current permission to stay ends (so going early doesn't lose anything). The 21 days left rule is for change of visa status only; nothing to with retirement extensions. For the extension applications, people generally go in about 30 days before expiry of their current permission to stay. However, technically you can go in the very last day. Yes, you will need to get the money in quickly but you probably have time with a 90 day stay on an O.

Appreciate all the help and glad to have this forum to turn to.

[lopburi3]

That is the reason for it being 60 days for first application rather than the normal 3 months for others - to allow time to set up the account and transfer funds.

[Jingthing]

That is the reason for it being 60 days for first application rather than the normal 3 months for others - to allow time to set up the account and transfer funds.

You are correct. It is a case of immigration fixing a problem because at the time of my first extension the rule was still 90 days for the first extension and it caused a problem for me (had to take an extra trip).