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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 visa retirement visa NON-O visa NON-OA visa visa application process expat advice immigration travel to Thailand

Jul 13, 2025

a day ago

Jonathan **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I’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.

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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.

12 hours ago

Max *************

@Bill ********

No one, with everything in order and having more than 2 brain cells, needs an agent.

8 hours ago

Reply to

Max *************

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 .

18 hours ago

Graham ******

@Radha ***********

30 days left you can apply (45 days remaining in some areas) and no onward travel required

8 hours ago

Reply to

Graham ******

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.

a day ago

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

a day ago

Graham ******

@Bob ********

That is for the Non-OA but there is also the Non-O which has no such requirement

a day ago

Reply to

Graham ******

Dennis *********

You can apply while you're in Thailand. Then there's no insurance requirements and generally easier to do.

a day ago

Graham ******

@Dennis ********

But without the correct Visa it's very difficult to get the bank account to get an in-country issued Non-O

8 hours ago

Dennis *********

@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.

4 hours ago

Reply to

Dennis *********

Max *************

@Dennis ********

The mandatory health insurance is just needed for the O-A visa.

8 hours ago

Dennis *********

@Max ************

yes, you basically repeating what i said, but ok

4 hours ago

Reply to

Dennis *********

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)

a day ago

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

a day ago

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.

18 hours ago

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😀😀

16 hours ago

Reply to

Doug ********

Graham ******

You can apply for the Non-O but not the Non-OA there

a day ago

Michael ********

@Graham *****

what’s the difference between a non-o and non-oa

Michael ********

thank you

Wannikea *********

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.

a day ago

Reply to

Wannikea *********

Stuart *********

You can apply in Hanoi. Use the evisa system and follow the instructions.

************************

a day ago

Jonathan **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

Thanks for that.

a day ago