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Do I need a 90-day visa before applying for a retirement visa in Thailand?

Non-O visaRetirement visaThailand immigrationBank account openingVisa applicationHealth insurance requirements
Mar 21, 2023
2 years ago
Bill **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Good morning,

I'm a 65 year old Englishman looking to retire to Thailand at the end of September. Do I need to get a 90 day visa here then apply for my retirement visa in Thailand ? Would it be worth using an agent in Thailand to apply for this ?

I will be in Nonthaburi. Also I'm looking to open a bank account with Bangkok Bank ...has anyone done this from the UK ?....is it possible ? Any help/suggestions welcome. Thank you.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A 65-year-old Englishman is seeking advice about retiring in Thailand, specifically whether he should apply for a 90-day Non-O visa from the UK before applying for a retirement visa in Thailand. Community comments suggest that obtaining the Non-O visa beforehand can simplify opening a bank account and provide the necessary time to season the required funds for a 1-year extension. There is also a discussion about medical insurance requirements, with indications that these are less stringent if the visa is obtained within Thailand.
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.
Ian *****************
Does anyone know if you can have a one way flight into Thailand on the 90 day visa?
2 years ago
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Lyndon ************
Take note. A non-o bought IN Thailand has far fewer mandatory insurance requirements, I.e. NONE compared to a Non-o bought outside Thailand, which often has similar or same onerous insurance requirements as a non-oa.

My advice, just get here visa exempt, open bank account, transfer cash, submit 90 day application, with more than 15 days on your stamp, after money seasoned for 2 months apply for 12 month extension. Total cost 3900THB for 15 months.

You choose what insurance you want
2 years ago
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Lyndon ************
Make an online appointment with the Embassy to coincide with your arrival dates. For a certified copy of your passport
2 years ago
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Bill **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lyndon ***********
 Yes I intend to get a non o visa once I'm back in Thailand. I will live with my partner in Nonthaburi.
2 years ago
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Bill **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lyndon ***********
 Insurance is not possible for me so I will be self funding
2 years ago
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Lyndon ************
@Bill *************
 in which case, get your non-o here in Thailand
2 years ago
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Lyndon ************
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Bill **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Steve
2 years ago
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Steve *******
Get the Non Imm O Visa from RTE London. That gives you 90 days to open a Bank account and season your 800k for 2 months prior to applying for your 1 year extension of stay. I dont think you can open a BB account from the UK, however there is a London branch so maybe check with them.
2 years ago
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Toby *********
Contact
@Mots *********
2 years ago
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Noel *********
@Mots *********
. Great to deal with
2 years ago
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Noel *********
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Bill **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi Mike, I thought medical insurance is only compulsory if you apply for retirement visa without the 800,000 ?....I'm sure I have to get the 90 day visa from the UK first then apply for the retirement visa in Thailand?

Thanks for your reply.
2 years ago
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Bill **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
👍
2 years ago
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John **********
@Bill *************
 just on terminology as it will help you as you go along. The 90 day Non-O visa is a visa based on being over 50 (commonly called a retirement visa. What you apply for after that is an extension of stay based on the original 90 day Non-O visa. It is not a visa, but it does allow you to remain in Thailand.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Bill *************
 The evisa application has a required question for uploading insurance, but for most embassies you can just upload an image that says "not applicable" and they will accept it as it has not been a requirement since Covid restrictions ended.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
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Mike *******
Not sure if this helps but I was under the impression if you apply in your own country for a visa before you travel you need medical insurance first where as if you apply in thailand you don't.
2 years ago
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Robert **********
@Mike ******
 true. From Thailand non O, change from tourist visa or visa free entry, no insurance required; from home country, Non OA, needs insurance.
2 years ago
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Mike *******
Cheers for the corrections. It all helps
2 years ago
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Keith ************
@Mike ******
 the non OA visa you might get in your home country requires medical insurance. It's not related to COVID insurance.

The non O you might get in Thailand does not have an insurance requirement, but you need money in a Thai bank.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Mike ******
 The evisa application has a required question for uploading insurance, but for most embassies you can just upload an image that says "not applicable" and they will accept it as it has not been a requirement since Covid restrictions ended.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
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Bill **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for your helpful reply.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
Just to get it out of the way, no you cannot open an account online. You can barely open an account in person. It's not easy and Thailand wants you in person for everything with lots of signatures in blue ink as they are petrified a signature in black ink is a photocopy.

You can get the 90 day Non-O before coming to Thailand, which will make it easier to open a bank account. You will need to do this quickly, because your 800,000 baht needs to be in the account for 2 full months when you go apply for the 1 year extension. Once the money has seasoned for the 2 months you can then go apply for the 1 year extension along with the rest of the paperwork.

OR you can just arrive as a tourist with a tourist visa or visa exempt. You will likely have a difficult time opening a bank account, but it will give you a little more time to get everything sorted. Once you have the 800,000 baht in your bank account with proof it was transferred from overseas, you can apply to convert to a 90 day non-O visa. Then once you have 30 days or less left on this new visa, you go and apply for the 1 year extension.
2 years ago
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Lyndon ************
@Brandon ***********
 regarding him opening a bank account quickly. It ISN'T because he needs to have it in there for two months. The reason for opening the bank account quickly is, he needs to submit his 90 day non-o application while he has more than 15 days on his arrival stamp, or he will need to get a 30 day extension first. Once he has his 90 day, he has more than enough time, 3 months... To allow his money to season for two months before then applying for an extension
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Lyndon ***********
 I didn't mention the quickly at all if he comes as a Tourist. The quickly is if coming on the non-O because you only have ~30 days to open the account and transfer i to be able to meet the 2 month seasoning requirement. There's no other extension available. My answer was split into 2 sections and you're taking information from one and attributing it to the other.

The tourist option is more flexible and I even say it gives more time to get things together.
2 years ago
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Lyndon ************
@Brandon ***********
 my bad, apologies... Yes I see that you were referring to a arrival on a non-o....

Re a tourist visa or visa exemption arrival, it's worth pointing out the 15 day remaining on stamp, requirement for submitting the 90 day application and the availability of a 30 day extension etc..
2 years ago
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Lyndon ************
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Cory ******
@Brandon ***********
 Hog wash. Ucan come with a tourist Visa. First get a reference letter from your bank in your home country saying you have banked at that bank for X many years and your bank accounts in good standing. 2nd when you come here on your tourist Visa and look for a place where you want to live. Get a lease signed and then go to immigration office to get your new lease registered with immigration office in the town you are in. They give you a document from Immigration office with proof of your residence is registered. 3rd go to Bangkok Bank with you Immigration Residense letter, your passport and also your reference letter from your ba k in your home town. Also make sure you have traveller Insurance from your country. Then deposit money into you Bangkok Bank account. 4th after finished you can see an agent that can help you with your 800,000 baht deposit for your retirement Visa. It is important to show you can deposit 65,000 baht or more into your new Bangkok Bank. after your first entry you can renew your Visa for 30 days more at immigration office 1900 Baht. I do not recall where you want to live but if you move to Hua Hin I can recommend good agency with no stress
2 years ago
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Danny *******
@Cory *****
 Why would you need to deposit 800,000 baht AND 65,000 baht monthly?
2 years ago
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Cory ******
I asked him where he wants to retire. If he does not know then just come andook where to retire.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Cory *****
 there are 77 provinces in Thailand. What might work for one person may not work for another. For example in Bangkok you CANNOT get a residence certificate until you file a 90 day report which is impossible as a tourist. Meaning a tourist can never get a residence certificate in Bangkok.
2 years ago
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Lyndon ************
@Brandon ***********
 yes but, Bangkok Bank, head office, accepted my TM30 details and a signed affidavit from my partner, on a copy of her id, stating I lived with her. I also needed an Embassy certified copy of my passport. I was on a tourist visa, didn't need insurance. 500THB for the bank card, was the only charge. 2021, and helped others in 2022 and 2023...
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Lyndon ***********
 2021 was before the Russians started arriving and things got much more difficult to open a bank account.
2 years ago
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Lyndon ************
@Brandon ***********
 no change here, I've helped many people since 2021, 2022 and earlier this month
2 years ago
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Alistair **********
@Lyndon ***********
 Bangkok bank hasn't changed, but other banks have tightened a lot around opening accounts for tourists visa holders
2 years ago
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Alistair **********
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Bill **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Cory *****
 👍
2 years ago
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Bill **************
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