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

Visa Rules Non-O Visa Retirement Visa Health Insurance Bank Account Requirements

Sep 24, 2024

2 months 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 wants to know if they can apply for a 90-day visa upon arrival in Thailand and later extend it to a one-year retirement visa "O". Comments suggest that applying for the retirement visa before moving may be more efficient, as opening a Thai bank account (necessary for the retirement visa) typically requires a long-term visa. Recommendations for health insurance providers like AXA Thailand are also mentioned.

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.

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Tr *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

thx

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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.

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

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

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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.

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

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.

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Mark ********

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

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

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

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.

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

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Michael ********

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

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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.

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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.

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Michael ********

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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.

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Graham ******

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

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

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Tr *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

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

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.

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

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

"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.

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Tr *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

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

Would that not be the way to go

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

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.

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

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