Can I obtain a 90-day Visa in Thailand and later extend it to a Retirement Visa "O"?

Thailand Visa Retirement Visa NON-O Visa Health Insurance in Thailand Bank Account in Thailand Expats in Thailand

September 24, 2024

a day ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I visited Thailand month of August , I plan to move there within a year. 

If I'm understanding correctly: once I'm there I can get the 90 day visa, that will give me time to transfer money, find an apartment, etc. and then go extend that visa to one year as a retirement visa "O" 

Am I understanding it correctly?

Now for the biggie, what health insurance company's do you recommend (I did one of those online quotes and I'm quoted anywhere from $130 a month to $600 a month). 🙈

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user seeks clarification on whether they can initially obtain a 90-day visa upon arriving in Thailand, which could then be extended to a one-year Retirement Visa "O". Community members advise applying for the retirement visa before traveling to Thailand, as a Thai bank account is necessary for visa application, which becomes complicated without a long-term visa. Recommendations for health insurance providers like AXA Thailand and advice on using an agent for bank account setup are also provided.

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.

Mark ********

Take a look at AXA Thailand for insurance.

a day ago

Tr *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Mark *******

thx

a day ago

Mark ********

and don't waste your money using an agent to open a bank account. It is very easy to do yourself once you have your ducks in a row.

a day ago

Carsten ************

@Mark *******

It's absolutly not easy (anymore) as long you don't hold a long-term visa yet.

19 hours ago

Mark ********

@Carsten ***********

So long as you can tick all the boxes for the questions and have some money it is easy. I say again. You dont need an agent. The other issue, if you do use an agent you have to use that agent all of the time going forward. Its not just a one time thing. You and your passport are connected to the agent.

19 hours ago

Carsten ************

@Mark *******

It's about opening a bank account, not the Visa extension. As long you don't hold the longstay visa, you won't get an account, even with "ticking all boxes". After the job is done, there's no connection to the agent anymore.

19 hours ago

Mark ********

@Carsten ***********

once you have your O visa you can easily open your bank account.

19 hours ago

Carsten ************

@Mark *******

OP wants to come without. Read and understand. You need an agent, if you don't have it yet and that's why your advice is bullshit.

13 hours ago

Reply to

Carsten ************

Michael ********

Get an agent to organise opening your bank account. It cost me 5300 Bahts.

a day ago

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

@Michael *******

why? When you can spend 10 minutes online applying for the proper visa before you travel to Thailand and then open your own bank account. Also saves 2 trips to immigration.

a day ago

Michael ********

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

It was just easier for us when buying our Condo last week to use an agent. Also 1250 Bahts from that amount is deposited in your account so no big deal.

We will apply for our Non O Retirement Visas when we arrive in December, cheaper than doing it here.

a day ago

Reply to

Michael ********

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

Why do you want to wait until you go to Thailand to try and get the retirement visa? You cannot apply for the visa unless you have money your Thai bank account, and it's not possible to open a bank account without a long-term visa anymore. Therefore the only way for you to get a bank account in order to apply for the visa will be to pay an agent to help you open the account. Or you could just apply for the visa online through the e-visa system before you go to Thailand, which is how it's supposed to be done. And then you'll already be on a long-term visa and should be able to open a bank account on your own to deposit your money you'll need to apply for your 1-year retirement extension.

a day ago

Graham ******

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

I assumed his 90 day Visa was the Non-O ;)

a day ago

Tr *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Graham *****

that's what I'm trying to find out but when I came over there in August, there was all kind of signs up at the airport to say come in here and apply for your visa and I'm presuming that was something through the government not third parties

a day ago

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

@Tr ****

The only visa you can apply for at the airport is "Visa on arrival" which is for only a few countries and only gives you 15 days permission to stay in Thailand. There is no immigration office at the airport to apply for any non-immigration visa.

a day ago

Reply to

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

@Graham *****

"once I'm there I can get the 90 day visa"

That reads like he's planning on converting to the non-O after arrival.

a day ago

Tr *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

correct, convert after I'm situated (apt, bank, ins etc)

Would that not be the way to go

a day ago

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

@Tr ****

How do you plan to open the bank account without already having a long-term visa? You cannot open a bank account as a tourist anymore. No other country that I know of allows you to change your visa type while you are already in the country. Visas are meant to be applied for before you travel to a country.

a day ago

Reply to

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

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What health insurance options should I consider to extend my visa in Thailand?

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