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Can I apply for a Non-OA retirement visa upon entering Thailand on a tourist visa?
Thai VisaNon-Immigrant O-A VisaTourist VisaRetirement VisaBank Statement RequirementsVisa Application Process
Mar 7, 2026
2 months ago
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTERVisa Advice
Hi all and thanks for reading my post. I’m planning to come to Thailand around May and will initially be coming in on 60-90 day tourist Visa. I’m hoping then to apply for the Non Immigrant O-A which lets you stay for one year. I’m going off the Australian Thai embassy website for my information. My question is about the 800000 baht required for this visa. The funds I need won’t hit my account until end of April. According to website they are asking for 3 months of bank statements. Do they need to see that those funds have been in my account for three months before they will approve this visa ? Also is my logic correct to go in in a tourist visa and then apply for the retirement visa Non immigrant O-A. Thoughts or experiences greatly appreciated.
Thankyou.
Hi all and thanks for reading my post. I’m planning to come to Thailand around May and will initially be coming in on 60-90 day tourist Visa. I’m hoping then to apply for the Non Immigrant O-A which lets you stay for one year. I’m going off the Australian Thai embassy website for my information. My question is about the 800000 baht required for this visa. The funds I need won’t hit my account until end of April. According to website they are asking for 3 months of bank statements. Do they need to see that those funds have been in my account for three months before they will approve this visa ? Also is my logic correct to go in in a tourist visa and then apply for the retirement visa Non immigrant O-A. Thoughts or experiences greatly appreciated.
Thankyou.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the process of applying for a Non-Immigrant O-A visa while initially entering Thailand on a tourist visa. The user questions whether the required 800,000 THB must remain in their account for three months before applying. Comments from the community clarify that the Non-O-A visa can only be applied for in the home country and not while in Thailand. It's suggested that the user first apply for a Non-O visa and potentially establish a Thai bank account during their stay. Additionally, it's important to inquire directly with the embassy about specific financial documentation requirements.
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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Graham ******
Although you may not have the 800k across all 3 months do you qualify with 65k minimum income each and every month?
Kevin ***********
Graham Seal that method can only be used in second year
Graham ******
Kevin O'donnell This post is for an Embassy issued Non-O ;)
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Graham ******
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Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTERGraham Seal I’ll have 800k in spades by end of April. Currently employed but will be resigning in three weeks.
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Greg *********
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Ian ********
See an immergration lawyer
Tricia *****
Get a non-O visa before you come. You can't get it if you are here on a tourist visa. You can't open a bank account with a tourist visa. Get a Thai SIM when arrive. We rented a place for three months, as the bank and Visa office need to see your rental contact and your landlord needs to give you a TM 30 form.
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTERTricia Ste Good advice
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Greg *********
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Jim *******
Non O-A requires health insurance and police check. Does not require 800K THB in Thai bank.
Go for Non- O 90 days visa, during that time you can open Thai bank account and deposit 800K THB and extend your stay for a year from then.
Or, use an agent (34,000 THB) or so.
Go for Non- O 90 days visa, during that time you can open Thai bank account and deposit 800K THB and extend your stay for a year from then.
Or, use an agent (34,000 THB) or so.
Phil ******
Greg. Apply for the Non O in your home country and y I use will have a 90 day NON O visa when you are stamped in. Apply for your Thai bank account. Recommend K bank.
Then transfer the ฿800,000 into your thai bank account and let it season first 2 months.
Apply for your 12-month extension and your sorted
Then transfer the ฿800,000 into your thai bank account and let it season first 2 months.
Apply for your 12-month extension and your sorted
Carl ***********
Phil Beer this is the correct answer
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTERCarl Gomersall Thanks Fellas. Good advice
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Greg *********
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Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTERPhil Beer Cheers. Phil. That would probably work.
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Greg *********
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Gene *********
Yep
Nongnuch ********
and YES for the online e-visa application to the 90-days single entry Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa in Australia, the processing Thai embassy and consulate are asking for the upload of three months account .pdf statements with a proof of a minimum of 800,000 THB equivalent in your home currency. You can try and ask them by email, if they are satisfied with an "end balance" of the 800,000 THB equivalent, or if this amount must have been in your account for the full three months
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTERNongnuch Kamdee Yes that’s my issue. Thankyou.
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Greg *********
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John **********
To apply for the Non-OA visa you will need to return to Australia as it is only available in your home country. You might want to look into applying for the visa before you travel.
David *******
You can only get a Non O-A in your home country.
You can get a Non O in Thailand.
You can get a Non O in Thailand.
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTERDavid Cymru Hi David. I can apply for Non O-A here on their website but I won’t be organised totally before I leave.
Karl *********
Greg Simpson If you wish you can message me direct and I will be happy to share my personal experiences. I think my situation was very much like yours.
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTERKarl Diekman Pm
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Greg *********
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Nongnuch ********
Greg Simpson you cannot get a Non-O/A in Thailand. And you cannot get a 90-days Non-Imm-O Visa and the subsequent 12-months extension of the stay permit inside Thailand unless you already have a Thai bank account with 800,000 THB already sitting in it. . . . . You could use the service of an agent, but only a handful of agents are willing to help you if you enter on a tourist visa or visa-exempt. However then you have to expect an agent price up from 60,000 THB to 90,000 THB for such a "full package" to get around the existing laws and rules
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTERNongnuch Kamdee Ouch didn’t know that inside Thailand. Looks like I should organise visa here in Aussie or alternatively do you reckon I could come to Thailand as tourist then leave a go to another country and organise the visa while outside Thailand until it’s approved. Once in Thailand I can open bank account.
Atrustwor*********
Greg Simpson apply for the OA via online Canberra. Consider the OX for extra $300aud.
Show funds in Australia bank.
Show funds in Australia bank.
Andreas *********
Greg Simpson unfortunately, many Thai embassies websites in the region do not publish any clear info on their websites about what would be required for the application to a 90-days Non-O visa. You should check before you make any decision for a travel abroad
Andreas *********
Greg Simpson you can theoretically apply for the 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa in any country, through the e-visa online system of the Thai embassy and consulate in that country, as long as you fulfill the requirements for this application. They will ask you to upload proof that you are physically inside that country, like a hotel bill or entry stamp. You would need to stay until the visa gets issued, before you can return to Thailand. On a Non-O visa you can get a bank account opened
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Andreas *********
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Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTERCheers. Thankyou David.
David *******
Greg Simpson In that case you will have to leave Thailand after getting the visa and re-enter to activate it. You don’t have to worry about money in the bank for a while as you get 12 months on entry. Just make sure you have the required Health Insurance for the entire period. You could also leave and re-enter just before visa expires and get another 12 months, again subject to insurance.
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David *******
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Brandon ************
Many embassies require multiple months of bank statements, but only care about the most recent balance. I'm not familiar with what that specific embassy requires, but maybe someone more familiar with it will reply.
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Brandon ************
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