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Can I apply for a Thai retirement visa while in Hanoi, or do I need to go back to the USA?
Thai visaretirement visaNON-O visaNON-OA visavisa application processexpat adviceimmigrationtravel to Thailand
Jul 13, 2025
10 months ago
Jonathan **********
ORIGINAL POSTERI’ve enjoyed my first 60 days in Thailand, received my 30 day extension today. I will fly to Hanoi when my time is up. Can I apply for a Thai retirement visa while in Hanoi, or do I have to return to USA to accomplish that. Thanks.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user seeks clarification on whether they can apply for a Thai retirement visa while in Hanoi or if they must return to the USA. Responses indicate that it is possible to apply for the Non-O visa while in Hanoi using the eVisa system, or from within Thailand if certain conditions are met. This mainly applies to the Non-O visa based on age, as opposed to the Non-OA which has specific 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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Bill *********
Return to Thailand, hire a visa agent, and get all the necessary immigration experience completed in under a day.
Max *************
@Bill ********
No one, with everything in order and having more than 2 brain cells, needs an agent.Reply to
Max *************
Reply
Radha ************
After how many days of your 60 day exemption , can you then go to do a 30 day extension to get a total of 90 day stay. And would they require a return ticket .
Graham ******
@Radha ***********
30 days left you can apply (45 days remaining in some areas) and no onward travel requiredReply to
Graham ******
Reply
Rok ********
You can do within Thailand as long as you have at least 2 weeks left on the current tourist visa (exempt / extension) but applying from outside and especially home country is so much easier…. At least as I assesed at the time in my case after enquiring with two IO: Jomtien and Sriracha.
Bob *********
If you do it from the USA you can leave your deposit in a USA bank, but must prove health insurance that's payable in thailand
Graham ******
@Bob ********
That is for the Non-OA but there is also the Non-O which has no such requirementReply to
Graham ******
Reply
Dennis *********
You can apply while you're in Thailand. Then there's no insurance requirements and generally easier to do.
Graham ******
@Dennis ********
But without the correct Visa it's very difficult to get the bank account to get an in-country issued Non-ODennis *********
@Graham *****
Retirement visa you get while is Thailand is a long term visa, and you can get your bank account, so not sure why you think that.Reply to
Dennis *********
Reply
Max *************
@Dennis ********
The mandatory health insurance is just needed for the O-A visa.Dennis *********
@Max ************
yes, you basically repeating what i said, but okReply to
Dennis *********
Reply
John **********
Depends what you are calling a retirement visa. For the Non-O visa based on being over 50 you can actually apply for it inside Thailand from a tourist stamp providing you have sufficient time left on your stamp (15 days most places, 21 in some)
Doug ********
@John *********
when did you do that. I was told have to get non o for retirement 90 days from outside of Thailand.Udon thani immigration told me that in person in may so I went to laos and got it
John **********
@Doug *******
not every immigration office can do it but most can. Also if you don't have enough time left on your stamp no office can do it.Doug ********
@John *********
ok that's frustrating lol. Udon thani immigration is big offtai surprised they can't do it. I had plenty of time left. So typical of Thailand tho....rules are rules except when t they aren't😀😀Reply to
Doug ********
Reply
Graham ******
You can apply for the Non-O but not the Non-OA there
Michael ********
@Graham *****
what’s the difference between a non-o and non-oaMichael ********
@Wannikea ********
thank youWannikea *********
@Michael *******
OA only from your home country, show 800k in your bank, multiple entry 1 year visa, can squeeze 2 years out of it with well timed entry before it expires, in country extension after that, requires mandatory medical insurance and background check. O visa, 90 days, show 800k for extension acquire anywhere, no insurance etc, yearly extensions.
Reply to
Wannikea *********
Reply
Stuart *********
You can apply in Hanoi. Use the evisa system and follow the instructions.
************************
Jonathan **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
Thanks for that.Reply to
Jonathan **********
Reply
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