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How long does it take to get a retirement visa after arriving in Thailand with a Non O visa?
Non-O VisaRetirement VisaThailand Visa ProcessVisa ExtensionThai Bank Account RequirementsResidency Proof
Jan 11, 2026
4 months ago
Alan *****
ORIGINAL POSTERIf you already have a bank account with the funds in, and you get a Non O visa from back home, how long would it take to get a retirement visa when you arrive in Thailand
TLDR : Answer Summary
When arriving in Thailand with a Non-O visa, which is actually a retirement visa, you must understand that this visa allows entry for 90 days. After arrival, you will need to extend your stay based on retirement by applying for an extension at an immigration office. The funds (800,000 Baht) must be held in a Thai bank account in your name for at least two months prior to applying for this extension. The extension process typically takes about 2-3 weeks, and it is advisable to initiate it well before the Non-O visa period expires. It's also essential to ensure that the funds are transferred correctly, as there is ambiguity regarding domestic versus international transfers.
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Anita **************
It looks like no one really know the Retirement Visa requirements. Reading all that’s posted shows nothing but confusion. I suggest do your own research. IJS.
Jeffrey **********
I have a question if anyone has any good advice I’m 64 years old and getting ready to retire me and my wife wanted to move to Thailand, however I’m trying to see if I would be denied when I was 18 years old. I got a bad conduct discharge from the military since then I have not even received a parking ticket. Do you think that will stop me from getting the retirement either.
Mark *********
🙈
Ian **********
The Non-o visa gives you 90 days in Thailand, and the funds (800k baht) have to be in a Thai bank account (in your name only) for two months before you can apply for a 12-month extension based on retirement.
Kevin *********
Adding on to this discussion, if a person is unable to go down personally due to sickness or mobility issues, can the person get someone else to do the extension by proxy?
Dennis *********
Unclear what you are asking. If you already have a bank account in your home country??? Wow can't imagine anyone that wouldn't have that, assuming that they have the necessary funds... it's a lot of cash.to keep in you desk at home.
If you're asking if you already have a thai bank account. Close to impossible, because you're required to have some form of long-term visa.to get a thai bank account. So please clarify the question and if it's a real life situation or just something to speculate about.
If you're asking if you already have a thai bank account. Close to impossible, because you're required to have some form of long-term visa.to get a thai bank account. So please clarify the question and if it's a real life situation or just something to speculate about.
John *******
Make it direct and you get extra months
Gerry ********
You have to have the necessary funds in a Thai bank account for at least two months. So you have just 30 days to get a residence and open the Thai bank account then transfer the 800k Baht in the correct way to prove the money comes from outside Thailand.
For this reason, I've decided to get a non O - A Visa. Less stress in the first month of arrival. Plenty of time, 9 months, to find a good appointment to rent and sort out the Thai bank account when you get the annual extension 12 months later.
For this reason, I've decided to get a non O - A Visa. Less stress in the first month of arrival. Plenty of time, 9 months, to find a good appointment to rent and sort out the Thai bank account when you get the annual extension 12 months later.
Alan *****
ORIGINAL POSTERI’m not sure that the money has to show as an international transfer. I spoke to the bank & they said just as long as you have the correct amount in for at least two months
Fed ******
@Alan ****
this part is confusing. International transfert or not ? Some claim is international only and other did with domestic transfert. Question can it be done with domestic transfer?Alan *****
ORIGINAL POSTERI think it can.
Reply to
Alan *****
Reply
Gerry ********
@Alan ****
I got that from one of the numerous YouTube videos on the subject. But it seems, as with many things in Thailand, apparently it's often down to individual people / places. Would be good if you're right about this 👍Reply to
Gerry ********
Reply
John ********
Been depo
Jonny *********
I always go 2 or 3 days before extention runs out, just in case they need some additional papers..Some years back I actually lost my extention as immigration lady wanted more papers. Was the same day, and I didn't make the round same day. Had to pay agent 25.000 Baht to fix it, so I learned my lesson
Gary ***********
We are doing the same and it seems everything has to go perfectly, you get there and then have to sort bank out and transfer the funds, then wait 2 months so could well only have about 2 weeks left on the original 90 day visa even if all goes well
Simon *********
Extension of stay, based on retirement, 2-3 weeks
David *********
It’s amazing how the process to get visas in Thailand always seems like you get info in small pieces , is there a place where the whole process is defined fully???
Hanne *******
@David ********
this is Thailand so Defined fully doesn’t really apply but if you want to know as precisely as possible, contact a Visa Service, they’ll know as precisely as the governmental changes allow.Reply to
Hanne *******
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Hanne *******
Whenever you enter/re-enter Thailand you get a stamp on your passport. This new stamp is for a two month visa (tourist) and this same new stamp cancels any visas you had before UNLESS you got a re-entry certificate from the Thai immigration before leaving Thailand.
Darren *******
@Hanne ******
not if you get a multi entry NON-O it doesn'tDragan **********
This question is waste of time .
Even if you have or get a non o visa .
You have to prove your residency.
You have to prove you live on the beach 😂
Even if you have or get a non o visa .
You have to prove your residency.
You have to prove you live on the beach 😂
John ********
Use a agent, so much easier. I am a disabled veteran and am willing to pay the
*****
bt for no lines. I get my retirement visa renewed in two daysPaul ********
@John *******
stupid as it only costs 1,800 baht and most Thai women would do it for 2-3kJohn *******
@Paul *******
Whole different level of stupid trusting a Thai woman  when it comes to immigration or money. I have friends that have lost much more than 18k baht….😅.  If you don’t already know this then you’ll learn this lesson soon.John ********
@Paul *******
please give me the name of the agency and I will use them next year.Greg ***********
@Paul *******
" it only costs 1,800 baht and most Thai women would do it for 2-3k" . . . . . . . . .I do not understand the last line. While the fee is 1900 THB and not 1800 THB, I do not understand how 2000 to 3000 Baht paid to a any Thai woman will get him a 1-year extension of stay based on retirement 😆Greg ***********
@Paul *******
maybe John Kiefel does not have to show own funds but is using the agent to put the money into his Thai bank account for 5 minutes. Then it is worth every Satang of those 18,000 THBJohn ********
@Greg **********
Have the funds but didn’t need money in bank I have proof of income from VA.Greg ***********
@John *******
as an American citizen you cannot use any income for the first year Extension of the Stay Permit. You would have to use the minimum 800,000 THB deposit until you have accumulated 12 monthly transfers of a minimum of 65,000 THB, only then you can apply for the 1-year extension using the 1-year bank statements for these transfers coming in from abroad. Or you use the agent, they put 800,000 THB into your Thai bank account for 5 minutes and pay the Immigration officers to ignore that you violate the rulesJohn ********
@Greg **********
I have both. I have a direct deposit of my VA to a Thai bank since October 2024. Also *****
0 since October 2024. Still want the name of the agent that can renew my retirement visa for 1800btGreg ***********
@John *******
you can do it on yourself for 1900 THB (not 1800 THB).John ********
@Greg **********
thank you sir.Reply to
John ********
Reply
Paul ********
@John *******
18,000 baht just for them to do paperwork that’s a rip offJohn ********
@Paul *******
for me it is worth every penny. No sitting at immigration for hours. Maybe you are just a Cheap Charlie.John *******
@John *******
If they use an agent, they couldn’t come on here and complain about the immigration process…lol.  I learned a long time ago to leave immigration, banking, and DLT to my Agent. I’d rather be at the beach.John ********
@John ******
You are right, time is important to me. You wait for hours in line to see a immigration officer and then told you don't have the proper paperwork or something else .My friend went and said there was over fifty people waiting.Reply to
John ********
Reply
Oliver *******************
I have a non-O I'm not retired, mines through marriage/children
Laura ********
Maybe do Non OA and you arrive with 12 months, stamped at airport. Then apply for certificate of residence and you can open bank account and have more time to transfer money in for the extension later in the year? We have gone down this route. Not done the extension yet as not long arrived, so see what comes
Laura ********
And yes.. take the point on health insurance but we are covered for the year.. and will look at what we do next when we extend.. thank you 🙏
Laura ********
Done all of that, thanks.. saved us the running around on arrival. We can move the money over 3 or 4 months before we extend later in the year, so for a bit if paper work in UK we are able to settle a little here. We have health insurance and police clearance from UK. Still doing 90 day reporting.. first one in March 🙏
Steve ********
@Laura *******
Then you need to prove you have medical insurance. With a non-immi ‘O’ visa that is not a requirement, which is why people use that visa originally, then extend it.Greg ***********
@Laura *******
as soon as you apply for a 1-year extension out of a Non-Imm-O/A visa, please be aware that you will need to do the financial proof inside Thailand (which means showing 800,000 THB in your Thai bank account or proof of income of a monthly minimum of 65,000 THB) and will be forced to take up a contract with a Thai tgia-listed private health insurance. It is easier to start out on a 90-days Non-Imm-O Visa, it will let you keep the freedom of choice regarding a health insuranceReply to
Greg ***********
Reply
Frank **********
Dude, you need your own group. 😂😂
Jeff ********
2 weeks to change the O to retirement.
Jeff ********
See nobody really knows. I guess I should preface my input as: "this was my experience:..." because it seems to be different for everyone.
Graham ******
@Jeff *******
You cannot change anything in country as the first 12 month Extension of Stay must be for the same reason that the Non-O was issued, in this case retirement/over 50John **********
@Jeff *******
usually it's done the same day you apply for an extension based on retirementStuart ***********
As Brandon said, the Non-O he is entering with is the retirement visa (O stands for Other and retirement fits into this category). When he arrives in Thailand and he is within the period to apply (30 to 45 days remaining on his entry stamp), he needs to apply to extend his stay in Thailand for 12 months (this is not a visa). This takes anywhere between and hour and a day, depending on the immigration office you use (Pattaya and Bangkok are busy).
Reply to
Stuart ***********
Reply
Dany ********
strange question. the non-o is the retirement visa.
Alan **********
@Dany *******
Non-O is a long-term visa (90 days). Upon further (retirement) documentation you get a 1-year "permission to stay", reporting in every 90 days, that needs to be renewed every year.Dany ********
@Alan *********
yes and he gets the non-o from within his home country as he stated.Alan **********
@Dany *******
I get that but you said the Non-O is the retirement visa. It is NOT a retirement visa, it is a long-stay visa. i.e. one can get the Non-O, go to Thailand for 90 days without an extension and go home. Retirement permission to stay is one of the things that can come from a Non-O.Graham ******
@Alan *********
The Non-O based on retirement/over 50 is the long-stay retirement visa which gives you a 90 permission to stay on entry.Alan **********
@Graham *****
As I mentioned, the Non-O is a LONG STAY visa. It is NOT necessarily (only) for retirement).Graham ******
@Alan *********
"I get that but you said the Non-O is the retirement visa. It is NOT a retirement visa" - it is both when the reason for the application is over 50.Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
Matthew *********
@Dany *******
as if any one retired for only 90 days. Makes no sense to call it a retirement visaDany ********
@Matthew ********
thats not how it works. you get the VISA which is for 90 days… and the. you get the EOS - Extension of Stay. that gives you 1 year, every year. the EOS is not a visa. its an extension that is granted by immigration. the visa comes from the mfa…Reply to
Dany ********
Reply
Inspirin*********
Following
David ********
Is your account a Thai bank? If not it doesn’t count, which I doubt it is, because as far as I know you can’t open a Thai bank account unless you’re getting a long term visa.
Raymond *******
@David *******
I have a bank KASITHBK I have no visas had it 10yrsDarren *******
@Raymond ******
all the requirements have changed in the last 12-18 months not easy anymoreReply to
Darren *******
Reply
Penny ******
@David *******
agreed I just did this …. We transferred money to my Thai wife’s account … I had to go thru a bunch of hoops, non -o visa stamped in my passport, Thai marriage certificate, pink ID card and yellow book all required to open my own account, I have an account at Krungsri in Chumphon and now Sami Commercial in Sadao …. Krungsri was easy, Siam took a 8 day approval 🤷♂️Fed ******
@Penny *****
hi . can I MP you ?Wayne *********
@Penny *****
I walked in Kbank last week at Seacon Square 1 hour had my account. Yellow book, Passport with OX visa nothing else required. Had pink id and drivers license and my apartment ownership certificate but they were not wanted.Penny ******
@Wayne ********
Krungsri bank was the same way … I had everything and in a hour I had my account …. Siam was a different story …Wayne *********
@Penny *****
yes weird hey. I already had a Krungthai but want one that I can put money in and leave it there when I change from OX to Non O. Thinking of getting a Krungsri account also to have 2 daily available spending accounts suggested by the other half :)Penny ******
@Wayne ********
Wayne, my wife has a Krungthai account too… they turned me down, said I need an A or X stamp now …. The goal post is always moving in Thailand in my opinion… but it is okay I love it here 👍Wayne *********
@Penny *****
I have had my Krungthai prior to covid, Even got it at the time on visa exempt. App stopped working due to lost my phone last year. I then updated with new phone and visa and all good. Also love being in ThailandOssie *********
@Wayne ********
k bank is the best if you use Wise to transfer funds from abroad it hits the K bank within minutes as they have some partnership agreementWayne *********
@Ossie ********
Krungthai is also within minutesOssie *********
@Wayne ********
I have accounts with three different thai banks but my best experience over 20 years has been with K bank I maintain little money with the other two bank because you never know what happens in Thailand constantly changing rules for we foreignersReply to
Ossie *********
Reply
Penny ******
Cell phone in my name also required
Reply to
Penny ******
Reply
Alan *****
ORIGINAL POSTERIt’s a Thai bank
Andy **********
@David *******
can be a UK bank providing you have the fundsSteve ********
@Andy *********
If you want to get an extension to your original non-immi ‘O’ visa you need 800K in a THAI bank account, for a minimum of 2 months before you apply.Andy **********
@Steve *******
depends on what you wanted the visa for in the first place ? In some cases you don't need money..for a marriage visa for example you need 400.000 ..for a retirement visa you need 800.000
Steve ********
@Andy *********
Yes, of course, but the point I was trying to make is that the money has to be in a THAI bank account.Reply to
Steve ********
Reply
Wayne *********
@Andy *********
Thats for the actual non o from home but the 1 year extension application in Thailand requires money in thai accountReply to
Wayne *********
Reply
Brandon ************
The non-O is the retirement visa. You'll be arriving with it. And then once you enter Thailand you won't have any visa at all anymore since you'll have used the visa to enter.
After that you'll only be getting extensions and you'll never have a visa again.
You can apply for an extension when you have 30 days or less left at any immigration office, and when you have 45 days or less left at some offices.
After that you'll only be getting extensions and you'll never have a visa again.
You can apply for an extension when you have 30 days or less left at any immigration office, and when you have 45 days or less left at some offices.
Penny ******
@Brandon ***********
Brandon having just done an extension I would add you need to go to your province. Example we are bouncing back and forth from Sadao to Chumphon… the immigration office in Chumphon sent us back to HatYai to do our extension. So it didn’t make since to me, immigration is immigration… but they said that is what is required.Graham ******
@Penny *****
Did you get your Non-O in country from Chumphon or did you enter with it?Penny ******
@Graham *****
I got mine in my home country prior to travelReply to
Penny ******
Reply
Greg ***********
@Penny *****
for the application to a 1-year extension based on retirement, you must use the Immigration office that services the region where you are most recently TM30 registered. It seems that you are not TM30 registered at your Chumpon addressPenny ******
@Greg **********
yes Greg that is correct…. I mentioned it because of the topic, and a saw replies saying it is easier here and there … I just want to point out that you can’t just go anywhere 👍Reply to
Penny ******
Reply
Kye *****
@Brandon ***********
you have to wait until the last 30 days of your 90 Day visa to apply for extension?Greg ***********
@Kye ****
you do not have any visa after you entered. You got a 90-days stay permit stamped when you entered. You need to wait until the last 30 days before the expiry of the 90-days stay permit, to visit Immigration and apply for the 1-year extension of the stay permit based on the same reason the initial Non-Imm O Visa was issued forAndy **********
@Kye ****
correctBrandon ************
@Kye ****
at every immigration you can apply at that time. A few allow 45 days early like Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and a few others.Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
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