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Why was my certificate of residence denied despite having a NON-O visa?

Certificate of ResidenceNON-O VisaRetirement VisaImmigration ProcessesTM30 FormDriving LicenseExpat AdviceThai Visa RegulationsPurchasing a Vehicle in Thailand
Feb 11, 2025
11 days ago
Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I was just turned away from immigration for a certificate of residence because my o retirement visa will not be in place till April 15 .

I have a current lease for 6 months and all I need to do is purchase a car and get a license...
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the author's experience of being turned away from immigration while trying to obtain a certificate of residence due to their ongoing NON-O visa, which will transition to a retirement visa only in April. The comments reveal various perspectives and advice, including the importance of the TM30 form, the option of using an agent for quicker processing, and the requirements for purchasing a car and obtaining a Thai driver's license.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Terary **********
Agent can get the certificate or residence, or better yet, an agent can help with a license.
7 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
yes im going with an agent, went to the main office yesterday and there were lines as big as a professional basketball court it was hot as heck nd we hadnt eaten .. left now all i need to do is get a tm 30 from the landlord and two passport pix.
7 days ago
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Terary **********
@Fred *************
 get 10 passport pix, you'll use them.
7 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terary *********
 yes i know I will!!!!
7 days ago
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Fred **************
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Max **********
I only had lease and obtained COR able to obtain licence and purchase car before retirement visa. I used Laurie Chiang Mai visa shop never had any problems.
10 days ago
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Joe **********
Do you ever get the feeling we're not wanted here?

,.......
10 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
yes
10 days ago
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Fred **************
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Denise **********
I went for one end of last year. I had to wait till it was sent out. I had already'bought ' a car and couldn't get the sale completed till my residency cert arrived.
10 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Denise *********
 they are goin to deliver the car on friday thank goodness and will wait for my papers ive gotten everything for them and the $$ should be here by thu.
10 days ago
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Fred **************
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Stephen *********
Have you tried using an agent, generally they can take care of everything the same day for you depending on your needs, but i bet if you spoke to one they would have a solution
10 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
not yet im goin to the main office tomorrow and im sure they will be happy to please the officer at the one i went to was misinformed and or they had old information...
10 days ago
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Thomas *********
@Fred *************
 hey guy when you're in Rome wear a toga
10 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Thomas ********
 I'm sure i shall...
10 days ago
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Thomas *********
@Fred *************
 good luck man
10 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Thomas ********
 all i can do is try... I tried 6 banks and different offices before I found one who opened my account
10 days ago
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Fred **************
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Bill ********
I was just turned away from immigration for a certificate of residence because my o retirement visa wnt be in place till April 15
10 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
but oh see ive got a NON O visa till then! Awwww jeeez
10 days ago
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Fred **************
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David **********
For retirement visa 1 year you need a rental agreement that is long term im lucky I live with my wife s parents but still need to supply photos of the house house number in photos with us and a pic from the street
10 days ago
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David **********
I've blocked a few that wanted to tell me everything I do is wrong
10 days ago
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David **********
Agents are a waste of money
10 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I agree unless you are making much more than they or have little time to waste!
10 days ago
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David **********
@Fred *************
 yes but you have the same time as me the only thing needs doing is money in bank the other stuff can be done later retirement visa is easiest
10 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I know that is what we are waiting for the 2 mos of it in the bank...
10 days ago
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Fred **************
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I didnt come here to argue, so you shall be blocked if I determine you are starting one... thats next door....to the ministry of silly walks
10 days ago
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Xjwhudkwhry ********
the officer's wife wasn't nice to him last night...
10 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
understood but he was a she and so on these days...
10 days ago
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Fred **************
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Graham *******
if your visa is turned down you will not be classified as a resident, what is the problem?
10 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
where does it say my visa was turned down? I will correct immediatly...
10 days ago
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Graham *******
@Fred *************
 until you have one, you don't have one! "IF"
10 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
right, thank you...
10 days ago
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Fred **************
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Nigel **********
If you go to immigration main office you can get it same day. I did one two weeks ago, I was out within hour and half
10 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
that is exactly what im doing tomorrow!! can you tell me what you brought and what did they use?
10 days ago
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David **********
@Fred *************
 I had a thai id and rental statement from the man where I reside all I needed they will advise you what you require the immigration at khon kaen are excellent
10 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David *********
 khon kean way far away!
10 days ago
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Fred **************
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Nigel **********
@Fred *************
 a letter confirming where I was staying from the property owner, passport, file the form out that they give you and 500 Bhat
10 days ago
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Steffi ******
@Nigel *********
 2x Passphotos for 1 certificate required too, I went there 2 weeks ago.
10 days ago
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Nigel **********
@Steffi *****
 Oh yes - I forgot those...
10 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
thank you!!!
10 days ago
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Fred **************
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Will *********
What were you wearing when you applied?
10 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Will ********
 oooh wouldnt you like to know... ill give you a hint only my best, girly boy wear complete with fishnets and some hot 9inch spiked stilhettos...
10 days ago
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Will *********
I don't think you are "well aware" - I've seen farang "inexplicably" turned down because they've rubbed an official up the wrong way and they are compleely unaware of it - so - what WERE you wearing? - cargo shorts and an Hawiian shirt?????
10 days ago
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Ric ******
@Fred *************
 That question wasn't a joke. It's cultural sensitivity. If you want things to go smoothly in thai banks or the immigration office, dress like a business person. Especially, if your case is in a gray area.
10 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
this was a question not an analysis...you are overthinking!
10 days ago
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Will *********
@Fred *************
 - I don't think you are "well aware" - I've seen farang "inexplicably" turned down because they've rubbed an official up the wrong way and they are completely unaware of it - so - what WERE you wearing? - cargo shorts and an Hawaiian shirt????? - Just look at your avatar!
10 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Will ********
 I've got a Thai spouse who picks my clothes you guess
10 days ago
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Will *********
@Fred *************
 If you see a farang who's got it wrong, nine times out of ten they have a Thai spouse - I can never work out why they think they would be a good source of information.
10 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
you guys enjoy yerselves my questions been answered thanks
10 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Iam well aware of thai tradition and do respect it...so
10 days ago
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Fred **************
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James ******
....like I can help you?? I'm in Chicago.
10 days ago
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Scott *********
Cert of residence can be given by a hotel for a 1 night stay
11 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Scott ********
 ive got 2 beagles no can do...
10 days ago
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Kool *******
@Scott ********
 you've got the right idea, just the wrong terminology. You get a copy of the TM30 from your hotel in order to show, and get your residency certificate mailed from immigration.
10 days ago
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Tim ********
@Kool ******
 why mailed??? I walked in and got mine within 40 minutes.
10 days ago
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Ric ******
@Tim *******
 current official process seems to be that they mail it to your home address. Apparently, this can be circumvented with an agent.
10 days ago
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Graham ******
@Ric *****
 that depends on the province, I got mine in 25 minutes, no fee ;)
8 days ago
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Graham ******
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Alex *******
Just heads up ,

You need 1 for buying a car,

and other one for the driver license, 2 separate documents

( no copy except)
11 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you!
11 days ago
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Fred **************
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Vinson *******
If I understand correctly, your visa isn’t in force until april, yet you wonder why you can’t just do what you want in spite of conforming to the rules?

Am I missing something?
11 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Vinson ******
 i currently have a non O visa it will be converted in April i need an auto and it would be sweet to have a DL with it ( that would be conforming to the rules would it not?)
11 days ago
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Vinson *******
@Fred *************
 apparently not or they wouldn’t have turned you away, unless there is more that you aren’t telling us, otherwise you wouldn’t be here , but rather you would be straightening things out with official

Channels
10 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Vinson ******
 right, thank you!
10 days ago
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Fred **************
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Ruth *******
@Fred *************
 I think your post is unclear. Do you currently have a non-O? What do you mean by “convert”? Extend? Switch from marriage to retirement or visa versa or something else entirely?
11 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
current a non o convert to a retirement
11 days ago
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Graham ******
@Fred *************
 you are already on a Non-O retirement visa and in April you will be applying for an extension of stay, not a visa ;)
8 days ago
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Graham ******
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Alan ******
Use a agency
11 days ago
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Nick *******
I got one in a TV to open a bank account, cost 500 bht.
11 days ago
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Donna ******
@Nick ******
 How did you get it?
10 days ago
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Nick *******
@Donna *****
 I went to IO and asked for it, said I needed it to open a bank account.
10 days ago
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Donna ******
@Nick ******
 May I ask which documents you provided? Just passport and TM30?
9 days ago
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Nick *******
@Donna *****
 Yep, that’s all I had at the time.
9 days ago
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Nick *******
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nick ******
 i already have a bank account with Bankok Bank I need one for purchase of a car and a drivers license
11 days ago
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Graham ******
@Fred *************
 you need two then not one ;)
8 days ago
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Nick *******
@Fred *************
 Understand, was just pointing out I got a residence certificate on a tourist visa.
11 days ago
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Nick *******
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Ryan ************
Just use an agent, 3500thb.

I waited 3 weeks for my certificate to be sent to me and it only lasts 30 days. The agent will get you the certificate on the same day giving you 30 days to use it
11 days ago
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David **********
Get a letter from immigration to get a thai licence
11 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David *********
 yes they turned me away said i need to have an O retirement visa .....
11 days ago
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David **********
@Fred *************
 ah yes I have an non o visa
11 days ago
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David **********
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Kool *******
There is no visa type requirements anymore for a residency certificate, just that the correct TM30 has been filed for where you live, and it is in the same district you are applying in. Take a copy of your current TM30 to the local immigration office, and they will mail the residency certificate to you after you apply.
11 days ago
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Carsten ************
There was for sure another (additional) reason for the denial.
11 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Carsten ***********
 im sure there was Carsten but till you can predict the outcome, why not sell your trade?
10 days ago
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Fred **************
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Stuart *********
That’s strange what office was this at?
11 days ago
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Peter ****************
@Stuart ********
 I read somwhere, e.g. BKK only gives it to you after first 90 days reporf.
11 days ago
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Stuart *********
@Peter ***************
 used to that way. Changed a few months ago.
11 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
chamchuri tower office
11 days ago
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Ellie *******
@Fred *************
, then that was the mistake. You have to go chaengwattana office to get COR.

Chamchuri issues COR for ONLY those who use Chamchuri for visa/extensions. Even if you are on Non-O retirement extension, you cannot get COR at chamchuri office.
11 days ago
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Nitesh ******
@Ellie ******
 thats correct
10 days ago
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Fred **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellie ******
 ok thank you!
11 days ago
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Fred **************
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John **********
@Peter ***************
 no longer the case
11 days ago
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John **********
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