Answered4 days ago
Can someone over 50 apply for a retirement visa and handle banking requirements while in Thailand?
Hello, for someone over 50 years, is it still possible to arrive in Thailand under a visa exemption, obtain a 90-day retirement visa (non-immigrant visa) while in Thailand, open a bank account, deposit 800,000 baht, and then process the first one-year extension—all while in Thailand? Thank you.
Answer summary
Yes, a person over 50 can enter Thailand under a visa exemption and apply for a retirement visa (non-immigrant visa). However, it is necessary to have a bank account to deposit the required 800,000 baht for the visa extension. Assistance from an agent is often recommended due to banking and immigration requirements, including potential necessity for a visa run.
48 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Michelle ************
Thanks
David ******
We can do it within 7 Days without 800,000 Thai baht with full support to open a bank account
Marcos ********
No before can make retirement visa but immigration want account bank It's a problem...that can be solved in the agency if you come with no 0 90 day have discount
Ian **********
You can only do this if you already have a Thai bank account. Although you can do this through an agent, but be aware that it is illegal.
Michael **********
Definitely with an Agent
Stephen *******
And you'd need to do a visa run because you can't stay long enough to get the extension.
โธมัส ************
Yes
Tom ******
Sure
Steve ********
Only through an agent, as you need a bank account and to open a bank account you need the visa, so have to use an agent
Somsap ********
Until the current crackdown on foreigners shifts their gaze to agents doing shady business ie: opening accounts for someone who doesn’t have the money, getting visas like the examples above, then you may be jailed and blacklisted from the country. The people who had semi legit businesses to own land are finding out the hard way.
Phil ******
No
Simon *******
Yes it is possible but if you don't have a bank account its only possible if you use an agent.
Markus ********
Thai visa service will have your non o done in a week..no mess no fuss
Stuart ***********
Is this a serious question? If you want to waste lots of money on agents and risk having to leave Thailand, yes in theory it's possible. If you want to make your life easier, get the non-O visa before coming to Thailand.
Jeff *************
No you cannot turn a visa exemption into a retirement visa from within Thailand
Jesper *******
Jeff Hoffmeister yes u can if u already have a thai bank acct
Bob **********
Bottom line if you have a Thai bank account then it is possible
Peter ********
Much easier to apply for the non-o visa before you go to Thailand. That is a 90 day visa. And then in Thailand get your Thai back account and put the funds in your account. Then get the extension.
****************************
Jeffrey *****
I did exactly what you mentioned in 2025 chiangmai through a local agent.
Rod *********
Jeffrey Tan expensive?
Elena ***************
It is easier to do the retirement visa in your country through the Thai Embassy and then come. You will be able to open the bank account. You need at least 20k€ in cash account the last 3 months in your home country account to proof funds enough to come.
Gerry ********
Elena Civit Andreu but you need to buy an approved health insurane policy, right?
Steve *******
Gerry Whelan No
Jeff *************
Gerry Whelan not for a Non O just a Non OA
Dave ******
Gerry Whelan no
Steve *******
Gerry Whelan You were mistaken, you can apply for a Non Imm O visa in just about any Country
Jakob *********
Dave Owen well, I was required health insurance when I applied for Non-O visa
Gerry ********
Dave Owen wow! I always thought Non O was only available in-country and I'd need to apply for Non O-A (which needs insurance).
It seems I can actually apply for it at home. :-)
It seems I can actually apply for it at home. :-)
BluePassio**********
I did this 5 years ago but now almost impossible to open a bank account ..with agent you likely can but will probably cost 40,000 baht or more to get bank account plus 90 day non o plus extension just get Non O ahead from your home country
Dave ******
BluePassionfruit5536 I'm going to start doing the lottery, seeing as opening a bank account is almost impossible according to you. Took me ½ an hour in Kasikorn.
Jeff *************
Dave Owen with a non O not a Visa exempt, like he stated
BluePassio**********
Dave Owen ahh good for you to get bank account on visa exempt but not typically so easy
Gary ***********
Yea but it's not a clever way to do it and will cost you loads more than arriving on a 90 day Non O in the first instance, you will.need an agent to so how you say and that will cost a lot
Lynnette *******
Why would you arrive without a Non-O? If you say you want one, then get it before you arrive so you can open a bank account.
John **********
No it's not. To get the 90 day Non-O visa inside Thailand you need to have the funds in a Thai bank before you can apply for it. Get the visa before you travel then you can open a bank account and deposit the funds for an extension of stay, they need to be in the account for 2 months before applying for the extension. To open the bank account you'll need a residence certificate from immigration and a Thai SIM registered against your passport
Michael ********
That’s what I did but I used an agent.
Dianne ********
Michael Parker things change as we all know - when is the q I have got you
Kathy ************
Michael Parker me too
Doug ********
Michael Parker ..wow that must have been expensive
Michael ********
Doug Powell it was 29,500 baht but that was 3 years ago. That included opening a bank account.
Well worth it for the first time. The last 2 extensions I’ve done myself with no issues whatsoever.
Well worth it for the first time. The last 2 extensions I’ve done myself with no issues whatsoever.
Doug ********
Michael Parker ..will never get oy for
*****
now on a tourist visa with no bank account...and the price will keep rising if ghe banks and immigration get tougher
Octo *******
Michael Parker agreed. Each to their own.
Alan *****
Doug Powell well worth it tho
Octo *******
Doug Powell going rate is anywhere from 40k-60k baht. If that’s considered “expensive” to get 15 months’ worth of easily renewable visa, then I don’t know what to tell you. It’s a time versus money tradeoff. Which do you have more of? That should help guide your decisions.
Don *******
Octo Adven I don't know about you but I'm retired and so have nothing but spare time. So I really don't mind spending half a day of it once a year to do my visa. But I suppose others may have to keep their schedule clear just in case Donald Trump calls for some advice.
Thailand is one of the easiest places in the world to do your own retirement visa and extension. I have always done mine myself and always will, as long as I can still stand up.
For the OP, I would get my initial non-O before leaving my home country though, as it's much easier.
Thailand is one of the easiest places in the world to do your own retirement visa and extension. I have always done mine myself and always will, as long as I can still stand up.
For the OP, I would get my initial non-O before leaving my home country though, as it's much easier.
Jakob *********
Tc Claridt I have done it all by myself every time...had to start three times new...first time, second time because embassy stuffed me up and third time because of covid ..very easy and simple to do...saves yourself lots of money...
Tc *********
Octo Adven agree with you - first year will always be stressful , an agent overcomes that headache . For my first year i paid 44k but that included a border run and multi entry . Have done every application myself ever since .
Doug ********
Octo Adven ..well 40k your minimum against 1900 to get the 90 day non o and 1900 to extend 12 months...3800 total for me is more than 10 times less...but hey, if spending 36k more ...lol...is worth it ..go for it....its easily extendable , ok so do it for 10 years...like 360,000 more 🤣🤣🤣..but its a retirement visa..so you should have a bit of time to spare...oh and via an agent is not fully legite...I know i know..its all fine..no problem, blah blah..tell that to the people who did nominee structure land purchases that are now getting found out.
Goodnight
Goodnight
Activity
38 joined38
people
Related
25What is the best approach for obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand as an expat?
6.2k58543mo
Can I use my existing bank account in Thailand to meet the retirement extension financial requirements?
1.3k11107mo
Can you switch from a visa-exempt entry to a retirement visa while in Thailand?
5.9k55518mo
Will I still require proof of 800k Thai Baht in a US bank account when retiring in Thailand?
5.4k40498mo
Should I apply for a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand or Laos?
3.9k19701y
How challenging is it to obtain a Non-O visa in Thailand for retirement?
1.7k14101y
What visa options should I consider for retirement in Thailand if I can only apply for a DTV in April?
4.1k36351y
How can I open a Thai bank account to apply for a Retirement visa without a long-stay visa?
2.1k12291y
Can I apply for a retirement visa (Non-O) in Thailand after arriving on the 30-day visa exemption?
2.8k16382y
What are the best retirement visa options for a 60-year-old Australian moving to Thailand?
2.5k8473y
What are the benefits of applying for an OA retirement visa versus an O retirement visa in Thailand?
2k9304y
How can my husband and I stay in Thailand for 6 months as tourists before applying for a retirement visa?
6k56444y
Can I apply for an A/O non-immigrant retirement visa in Thailand after entering on a 45-day stamp?
1.8k13134y
How can I start the process for a retirement visa in Thailand while currently on a visa-exempt entry?
6.9k67464y
Can a 30-day visa exemption extension be transferred to a 90-day Non-O retirement visa in Thailand?
1.6k7224y
Do funds for the over 50 visa in Thailand must come from abroad, and can a relative transfer money for this purpose?
3.2k21414y
Can my French wife apply for a retirement visa in Thailand if she enters on a visa exemption?
3.1k28234y
What are the steps and requirements to apply for a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand?
2.1k1994y
Can I enter Thailand on a Visa Exemption and apply for a retirement visa, or do I need a Non-Immigrant visa first?
2.1k2034y
What is the best visa option for applying for a retirement visa in Thailand?
2.3k19145y
Is it advisable to enter Thailand on a visa exemption when planning to apply for a retirement visa (OA) while over 50?
1.7k12135y
How can a USA passport holding couple convert their visa-free entry into a valid visa in Thailand?
2.8k2886y
What are the requirements for obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand if I am already in the country?
3.4k35108y
Can my friend on a Non-O visa extend his stay in Thailand if his funds haven't been in the bank for 60 days?
1.8k15109y
When is the earliest I can return to Thailand after using a 90-day Non-O visa?
838479y
Resources
Need help with your retirement visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served