Answered7 days ago

Can I apply for a Non-O Retirement Visa from Laos or Malaysia after exploring Thailand for rental options?

Non-O Retirement Visa Thailand immigration Visa application process Expat living in Thailand Rental properties in Thailand Visa requirements for expats

Dianne ********

asked Nov 2, 2026

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Non-O Retirement Visa – Applying from Laos or Malaysia

I'm retiring to Thailand in Jan/Feb 2027. I'm selling up in Australia and would prefer not to be sitting in an empty rental waiting for Visa approval, particularly with processing times potentially affecting my flight dates, therefore my plan now is to enter Thailand visa-exempt, explore HH, secure a 12-month rental, then travel to Laos or Malaysia to apply for my 90-day Non-O.

My Bangkok-based visa agent hasn't worked out – I realised I was working to his ‘company requirements’ rather than anything legislated.

Do most over 50’s secure their Thai rental before obtaining their Non-O?

It’s November and I’m mid way in my ‘selling everything’ journey.

My biggest concerns are 1. having to have secured a rental in that first 3 weeks that I’m in Thailand if I apply and get the Visa whilst still in Australia and waiting in Australia for the Visa in an empty Australian rental costing me a small fortune every week – my funds will have seasoned in my Aust bank for 3 months mid December. Great time to apply for a Visa, right – the high season! The timing is screaming to me – leave Australia on my own timeline and apply for a Non O in Laos or Malaysia.  I'll return to Thailand on my Non-O.

Answer summary

The user is planning to retire in Thailand in early 2027 and is considering applying for a 90-day Non-O Retirement Visa from Laos or Malaysia after exploring housing options in Thailand. Concerns about securing a rental before visa approval and the timing of application during high season are discussed. Comments from other users suggest various options, including securing a short-term rental, applying online, and emphasizing not needing a long-term lease prior to opening a Thai bank account.

15 repliesnewest first

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Noel ********

Just come here, you don’t have to leave you can get everything you need in one day for your

@THAI *****************************

6 days ago

Brook ********

Noel Holman this

6 days ago

Bob **********

Your coming at what supposed to be high season the wrong time to look for a really rental but that’s life,you won’t get a non-o in country without a Thai bank account with seasoned funds 800k which you’ll need for your extension anyway so if you can’t wait it out I’d go to Laos and get the non-o

7 days ago

Brook ********

You’re making this so complicated when it doesn’t need to be.

Why can’t you apply for a 90 day Non-O online, before you arrive?

Rent a serviced apartment for 1-3 months while you explore neighborhoods and then shop for a more permanent living arrangement during burning season. Everything is empty and it’s a renters market.

7 days ago

Dianne ********

Brook Powers For the reasons Ive stated in my post

6 days ago

Stuart ***********

Dianne, I think you might have over thought this. People can correct me if I'm wrong, but you do not need a 12 month rental to open a bank account in Thailand. Based on your non-O and a short term rental (Air bnb etc) you can get a residence certificate from immigration that the bank will accept to open your account (that's what I did, but it's 5 years ago). You then have a couple of months to find your 12 month lease. I agree arriving at peak time is not ideal for your long term lease, so giving yourself that extra 2 months will definitely help. Hope that makes sense, good luck.

7 days ago

Dianne ********

Stuart Chiverton It appears I've been given the wrong information initially by my Immigration Lawyer which has not helped and only served to confuse me. He insists on 12 month lease, having 8 months remaining on a lease at Yr 2 renewal and getting a lease within the Bangkok province (not Nonthaburi etc). I really think he operates to serve a certain market segment, maybe the LTR or Privelege Visa - I'. m guessing. Its been stressful.

6 days ago

Stuart ***********

Dianne Jewell That would explain it Dianne. You are in the right place to ask questions about visas here, as the moderators are incredibly knowledgeable. The process is simple enough to not need an agent.

I would recommend getting the 90 day non-O online from the Thai Embassy in your home country before coming to Thailand as that will make your life much simpler and the rest of the process cheaper if you choose to use an agent.

6 days ago

Dianne ********

Stuart Chiverton Thanks Stuart - simpler how? Yes I'm not going the agent route. I am emptying my rental and I need to be out of here lock stock - I can apply for the Visa before mid December and expect that process to take 4-6 weeks. Trying to time everything to work to an airline booking is very difficult and the posts I've seen here only reinforce that uncertainty. I can wait for the Visa once I'm out of here so kicking back in Laos is not an issue for me. Waiting here is.

6 days ago

John **********

You don't need to secure a rental before traveling to Laos for the 90 day Non-O visa, just have a hotel booking. I'd give Malaysia a miss, they're slow and awkward.

7 days ago

Dianne ********

Thanks, no not securing for the NonO Visa, for the 1 year renewal or more specifically for the Bank Account, given the time squeeze of arriving - the 90 day clock starts, the 60 day Bank clock starts

7 days ago

Dianne ********

@John *********

Thanks John. One further question: Vientiane's published Non-O retirement requirements specify a Thai bank letter confirming 800,000 baht, or embassy-certified income.

As I won't have a Thai bank account until I return on my Non-O, will Vientiane accept three months of Australian bank statements showing the equivalent of 800,000 baht instead?

Have you seen this accepted recently?

6 days ago

John **********

@Dianne *******

yes you can use any bank

6 days ago

John **********

@Dianne *******

it's a 2 month bank clock, not 60 days

7 days ago

Dianne ********

@John *********

7 days ago