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Can I apply for a retirement Non-O visa directly in Thailand without first getting a 90-day visa?

RETIREMENT VISA NON-O VISA VISA APPLICATION THAILAND IMMIGRATION VISA EXTENSION BANK ACCOUNT REQUIREMENTS

Jun 26, 2025

5 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I will be coming to Thailand with either a TR 60 day visa or just a 60 day exemption if the TR expires. 

My question is since I already have a Thai bank account￼ and will season it for two months, can I just do the the retirement non-o  1 year visa at immigration or do I need to do two steps? 

Get the 90 day non-o visa here or there, then have to get the 1 year extension. Seems that I can just skip the 90 day visa. Thanks 

My brain hurts!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The conversation discusses the process of applying for a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand. The original poster is unsure whether they can directly apply for a 1-year visa after entering Thailand on a TR 60-day visa or exemption. Several community members suggest that it is necessary to first obtain a 90-day Non-O visa, which can be done in-country, before applying for the 1-year extension. They clarify that the 1-year visa cannot be obtained directly upon entry and emphasize the importance of planning the visa application timing and requirements, particularly regarding having a Thai bank account.

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John *********

If you apply for the 90 day non o retirement visa in your own country do you only have to show the equivalent of 800k baht in your home country bank account?

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Simon *********

If you are going to an embassy to get a tourist visa, why not get a non-o single entry retirement visa instead? Then you just need to do an extension here.

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Brandon ************

Get the visa from your embassy before going to Thailand. That will save you 2 trips to immigration and you'll be able to apply directly for the 1-year extension from that.

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Wannikea *********

Put a little thought into what date your yearly extension will occur, because you'll need to be in Thailand every year around that time to renew.

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Jesper *******

Since u already have thai bank acct .....simple steps come to thailand on a 60days exempt apply for 90days nonO inside thailand with more than 15days left on the stamp ....run down to less den 30days and apply for 1yr extensions

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Klaus ********

As I understand it: come with 60 day visa excempt and go further from that one does not need health insurance for the in country NON O and it´s extension. Whereas arriving on an NON O single and getting 1 year extension requires approved health insurance?

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Stuart *********

Not correct. The Non O whether applied for prior to coming or in country does not require health insurance.

A Non OA visa (only available in your home country or legal residence) requires health insurance and so would extensions from it.

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Klaus ********

thank you for clearing that one, this aspect was of big relevance to me.

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Klaus ********

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Pete *******

Get the 90 day Non O based on retirement from your home country embassy instead of the 60 day tourist visa. Then, once in country, you only have to worry about applying for the 12 month extension of stay.

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Graham ******

Why not get your Non-O before you travel to get 90 days on arrival then start planning for the 12 month extension?

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Hieb *******

Maybe he is looking to maximize his time in Thailand. It would make sense to enter visa exempt for 60 days, apply for 30 day extension and then change to Non-O once on the 30 day extension.

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Graham ******

As Brandon says below - Get the visa from your embassy before going to Thailand. That will save you 2 trips to immigration and you'll be able to apply directly for the 1-year extension from that.

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Hieb *******

I guess it would depend on which Immigration office he needs to use. Many of the Immigration offices located in rural provinces are very efficient, so additional trips are not necessarily a problem. If applying for Non-O in a country other than that of citizenship, for instance bordering countries to Thailand, it may be easier and less expensive to enter visa exempt and then change to Non-O within two to three weeks of exempt stamp expiration. It's completely up to the individual which is easier for them. They offer the visa change service inside Thailand, so it is an option. People should not be made to believe they must apply outside of Thailand.

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Hieb *******

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Stuart *********

As you already have the bank account come over and enter visa exempt. Put 800k in your bank account. When you have 30 days or less on your stamp (but more than 21) apply for an in country Non O for 2,000 baht. That’ll give you a 90 day visa.

When that’s running down apply for the 1 year extension.

You can’t get a 1 year visa off the bat. You have to convert to a Non O first.

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Roberto ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

thanks. Knew wouldn’t be simple one step.

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Roberto ******

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