My Non Immigrant Business Visa Type B will expire in about 1 month from now. I want to change to a Retirement Visa afterwards but my funds of THB 800,000 will be by then in my private bank account for just 1 month. So I have to wait for one more month till the funds are in for 2 months and I can apply for the Retirement Visa Type O.

What would be the best way to cover the 1 month gap between Business Visa and Retirement Visa?

I would be very grateful to receive your advice and suggestions. Thank you in advance.

Since the funds won't be the bank long enough your best option is to get a single entry non-o visa from any nearby consulate or embassy. Then apply for extension during the last 30 days of your 90 day entry.

You could also could make a border run for a 15 day entry and quickly go to immigration and apply for a non immigrant visa entry as part of retirement extension process by showing 800K in the bank. Then do extension during the last 30 days of that entry.

You could also do the above by flying out back by air for a 30 day entry.

Dear Ubonjoe,

thank you for your advice. This sums pretty much all options up.

Guess I will fly out and take the 30 days on arrival. Once the 2 months deposit period is fulfilled (which is during the 30 days) I can go to the One-Stop-Service or Chaengwattana Immigration offices and apply straight for the Retirement Visa - am I correct?

Yes, except for 1 thing. you cannot use the One Stop Service center. You must go to Cheang wattana Road.

Dear Ubonjoe,

 

thank you for your advice. This sums pretty much all options up.

 

Guess I will fly out and take the 30 days on arrival. Once the 2 months deposit period is fulfilled (which is during the 30 days) I can go to the One-Stop-Service or Chaengwattana Immigration offices and apply straight for the Retirement Visa - am I correct?

You need go to CW immigration (not one stop) shortly after you enter the country to begin the conversion process to a non immigrant visa. You will need a letter from bank confirming 800k baht balance. Money does not have to be there for 60 days for this 1st step of process.

Then 60 to 90 days latter you return to immigration to apply for extension. Again having new bank letter and bank book to prove money has been in bank for 60 days.

Thank you Mario and Ubonjoe. CW it is.

Ubonjoe, if the money does not have to be in my account for 60 days on the 1st visit to immigration, could I then not go there before my business visa expires and apply right away for the retirement visa without leaving the country at all?

You could try that.

Best case, they will change your status from B to O and give you one or two months to start with.

As soon as this extension is about to expire you go for the full year-extension.

Worst case, they will friendly advise you to obtain a new non-O in a neighboring country or you could opt for UJ's or Mario's solution.

Depending on your attitude, attire, puppydog-eyes and the mood of the immigration officer, a lot can be arranged with the immigration people.

No

You can only change a tourist visa or visa exempt entry to non immigrant.

Is there is anyway you could get a income letter from embassy. It does not have to be for 65k because you can combine income with money in bank to reach 800k baht and money does not need to be in the bank for 60 days. If you can do this then you could change from business extension to retirement extension without a problem.

You could try that.

Best case, they will change your status from B to O and give you one or two months to start with.

As soon as this extension is about to expire you go for the full year-extension. 

Worst case, they will friendly advise you to obtain a new non-O in a neighboring country or you could opt for UJ's or Mario's solution. 

 

Depending on your attitude, attire, puppydog-eyes and the mood of the immigration officer, a lot can be arranged with the immigration people. 

Wrong it cannot be done. See my post just after yours.

Immigration will not change the rules. They might treat you nicer when they say say no.

Thanks guys for the valuable advice, especially to you Ubonjoe. Things are clear now.