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Can I enter Thailand on a visitor visa while waiting for my retirement visa approval?

Sep 15, 2025

3 months ago

Good day

An enquiry please as i am not sure and cant find the answer anywhere.

My husband and i will be coming on a retirement Visa and understand the 800000 must be in a bank account for 2 months. What i want to know is this.... How is the money reflected in bank account if we cannot open an account whilst being in our home country and also whilst waiting for the retirememt Visa, can we come on a visitors visa whilst waiting for it to be approved?

TIA

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The inquiry is about the process of obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand, specifically regarding the requirement of 800,000 baht in a bank account. The common approach is to first apply for a 90-day Non-O visa from your home country, where you must demonstrate having the necessary funds. Once in Thailand, you can open a local bank account, deposit the required amount, and then apply for a one-year extension. It's important to note that both partners need their own visas and bank accounts.

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Steve *********

As with most things in TL, dont expect everything on day 1....It takes time and patient little steps.

3 months ago

Jesper *******

You apply for the visa at home with home funds and wait for approval.....after approval travel to thailand and open bank acct with that visa .....bank in 800k and apply for extension

3 months ago

Alan *******

Jesper i believe you can travel to Thailand with your documents of proof of earnings ect, go to the nearest embassy ( for me over the border in Lao )get your visa and extension if approved then to a bank as you said. I believe the difference is in your home country you will have to show health insurance to get the visa but in Thailand it is not required ,I am hoping thats correct as i plan to go to Thailand soon and do it all there with my thai gf .

3 months ago

Debra ********************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jesper ******

thank you

3 months ago

Reply to

Debra ********************

Nigel **************

Thai Visa Centre,ask for Grace

3 months ago

Nigel **************

Your opinion, you can not be a little bit Right

3 months ago

Mark ********

@Nigel *************

And hand over 60,000 baht for a 2,000 baht visa! 😂

3 months ago

Nigel **************

@Mark *******

your ignorance and price are absurd,why would you say such a thing?

3 months ago

Thomas *******

@Nigel *************

what he said wasn't ignorant, the price might be a bit different but there was no ignorance involved

3 months ago

Reply to

Thomas *******

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

I'm not sure I understand what you are asking.

First, you apply for the 90-day non-O visa from the Thai embassy in your home country. You show the amount of money that your embassy requires in your home bank account to meet the requirements.

Then, you travel to Thailand. Use your non-O visa to open a bank ASAP and transfer the money into the account. The money must bein your account for 2 full months when you apply for the 1-year extension.

You will both need your own visa, and you will both need your own bank account with 800,000 baht.

3 months ago

Dominic ************

@Brandon ***********

do you need the required health insurance in place to get the non O visa before applying

3 months ago

Kim *********

@Dominic ***********

no health insurance required for the non o

3 months ago

Reply to

Kim *********

Debra ********************