After six years living in Phuket, I've renewed my Non-OA visa more times than I'd like to admit—and I've picked up a few tips along the way. Visa renewal isn't complicated, but it does require patience, the right documents, and a healthy dose of early mornings. This guide covers the most common visa types expats renew in Phuket and walks you through the exact steps, so you can do it yourself or know when hiring an agent makes sense.
Visa Type Comparison
Different visa types have different renewal requirements. Here's a quick comparison:
| Visa Type | Duration | Fee | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-OA (Retirement) | 1 year | ฿1,900 | Bank letter dated too long ago |
| Non-B (Work/Business) | 1 year | ฿1,900 | Missing employer endorsement |
| Non-ED (Education) | 1 year | ฿1,900 | School letter expiration |
| Tourist Stamp Extension | 30 days | ฿1,000 | Applying after overstay |
| TR (Temporary Residence) | 180 days | ฿1,900 | Failing 90-day report |
Step-by-Step Non-OA Renewal (Most Common)
The Non-OA visa is the most popular for retirees and long-term expats. It's valid for one year and requires renewal in-person at Immigration.
Get Your Bank Letter
Visit your bank (Bangkok Bank or Kasikornbank are the most straightforward) and request a letter confirming your balance. It must show at least ฿800,000 on deposit for the past three consecutive months. The letter must be dated within 7 days of your submission. Cost: free to ฿100.
Prepare Health Insurance Documentation
You'll need proof of health insurance from an approved Thai insurer (Cigna, AXA, BUPA, Thai Health). The policy must cover Thailand and have a minimum coverage of ฿40,000. Print or bring the policy document and your member card.
Print Form TM.7
Download the TM.7 form (Application for Extension of Temporary Residence) from the Thai Immigration website or get it at the Immigration office. Fill it out completely in black ink.
Gather Your Documents
Collect: passport (all pages + latest entry stamp page), two 4x6 cm photos (white background), bank letter, health insurance policy, bank book showing the 800k balance, completed TM.7 form, your departure card (TM.6), and one photocopy of your passport's data page.
Arrive Early at Immigration
The Phuket Immigration Office is on the 3rd floor of Phuket City Hall, near Chalong Circle on the bypass road. Arrive by 7:30 AM; they open at 8:30 AM but queues form fast. Afternoon applicants with online appointments can skip the morning rush.
Submit Your Documents
Go to the application counter and hand in all documents. The officer will check everything and let you know if anything is missing. If all is in order, you'll receive a receipt and a return date (usually 2–3 weeks later).
Attend the Interview (Optional)
Some applicants are called for a brief interview to confirm their residence and financial status. Be honest and have your documents ready. Most interviews last 5 minutes.
Collect Your Renewed Visa
Return on your assigned date and hand in your receipt at the collection counter. The renewal fee is ฿1,900 (payable when you collect). You'll walk out with a year-long Non-OA stamp in your passport.
Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Don't Get Caught Out
Immigration wants the letter within 7 days of submission. Get it the week you're applying, not six weeks before.
Your policy must be active and cover Thailand. If it expires during your visa year, renewal will be rejected. Renew your insurance before it lapses.
Photos must be 4×6 cm with a white background. Do not use colour passport photos or selfies. Get them printed at any pharmacy or photo shop (฿10–20).
The morning queue at Chalong Circle is intense. Either book an online appointment or arrive by 7:00 AM. After 10 AM, expect 2–3 hour waits.
File your 90-day report online or in person within 15 days before or 7 days after your 90-day date. Missing it can delay renewal approval or cause overstay issues.
When to Hire a Visa Agent
Doing it yourself is free and straightforward, but hiring an agent costs ฿3,000–6,000 and saves you a full day of queuing. Here's when it's worth it:
- You're busy: Agents handle document gathering, form prep, and queuing. You only attend the final interview.
- Your documents are complex: Non-standard income sources, recent address changes, or incomplete health insurance? Agents know workarounds.
- You're renewing multiple visas: If you're handling Non-OA + 90-day reporting + family members, an agent keeps it organized.
- You value peace of mind: Agents know exactly what Immigration wants and catch missing docs before you reach the counter.
Need an agent recommendation? We recommend trusted Phuket visa agents who specialize in Non-OA renewals and can often complete the process in 2–3 weeks.
Agent Finder: [AFFILIATE_VISA_AGENT_PHUKET] – Get matched with verified agents in Phuket (affiliate link).
Transferring Your 800k Baht: Use Wise
If you need to move money into Thailand to meet the ฿800,000 requirement, international transfer fees matter. We use and recommend Wise (formerly TransferWise) for expats—they offer mid-market rates with no hidden fees, which saves money compared to banks.
Transfer with Wise – Get the real exchange rate and save on fees. [AFFILIATE_WISE]
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, all visa renewals for Non-OA, Non-B, and ED visas can be done entirely in Thailand at the Phuket Immigration Office. You never need to leave the country. You may want to extend a tourist visa (TM.7) or convert to a longer visa, but both happen at Immigration without exiting Thailand.
You must renew your passport first at your embassy or consulate. Immigration will not issue a new visa stamp in a passport that's expiring within 6 months. Once you have your new passport, you'll need to get a "POR" (transfer visa) to move your remaining visa validity to the new passport, then you can proceed with renewal.
No official appointment is required, but walk-in waits can be 2–3 hours during peak times (8:30–10:30 AM). You can book a free online appointment slot via the Thai Immigration portal (imm.immigration.go.th), which reserves a time and reduces queue time. Arriving before 7:30 AM avoids most of the crowd.
The 90-day report is a routine notification to confirm your residence address with Thai Immigration. You must file within 15 days before or 7 days after your 90-day anniversary. It's free and can be done online at imm.immigration.go.th or in person at Immigration. Missing it doesn't stop you from renewing, but it's a compliance requirement and can be flagged during checks.
Agents can handle nearly everything—document gathering, form prep, queuing, and submission. However, you must attend the final interview and be present when the visa is stamped. Immigration requires the visa holder to show up in person for the interview (usually 5 minutes), so no agent can complete the renewal 100% without you.