Is it easier to apply for a retirement visa in the UK or Thailand?

Travel on tourist visa. Apply for Non-O when you are here. Then you are free to do as you please regarding insurance.

Get the 90 day Non Imm O visa in the UK, much easier!

Obviously the 1 year extention of stay can only be applied for in Thailand.

There are three types of “retirement” visas. None have a requirement that you’re actually retired, but none allow you to work in Thailand. A “retirement” visa basically means you are over 50 years old.

Skipping the OX as it’s very rare (but can be obtained). You have the Non OA visa or the Non O based on being over 50.

The OA requires no funds in Thailand but does require funds at home and health insurance at the time of applying for the visa and for entry into Thailand. It also requires a police background check. It’s a multiple entry visa valid for a year. On each and every entry you’re stamped in for a full year (providing you have insurance for that long). If you time things right you can eek out almost two years from that visa, providing you have the required insurance. Bounce out and in just before it expires and you get a second year - albeit the second year will need re-entry permits if you leave.

The Non O visa can be obtained abroad or in Thailand. Many embassies now using the evisa system require insurance for the issuing of the visa, although none is required for entry, nor subsequent extensions off of it.

You get 90 days off that visa. To obtain the visa abroad you’ll need funds in a local bank. To obtain a year extension off of it you’ll need funds in a Thai bank account in your name only - or if your embassy issues an affidavit of income you can use that instead. UK, US or Australia embassies won’t issue those.

To obtain the visa in country you’ll need 800k transferred from abroad. You need 21 days left on a current stamp to apply (some offices allow 15).

To get a year extension off of a Non O using funds in a Thai bank there are two options. The first is 800k deposited for 2 months prior to application. That has to stay in for three months after and the balance may not go down below 400k for the remainder of the year. It would need to be back up to 800k prior to your next years application.

The second option is to have 12 x monthly international transfers of 65,000 baht or more in to your bank. Once in the bank you can spend the funds at will and there is no minimum balance required.

Some offices may allow a combination of the two methods, but you’d need to check with your office whether they will allow and under what conditions.

For many the OA is an ideal visa for not requiring funds in Thailand. For others the Non O is a better option for not requiring medical insurance - which can be difficult and expensive to obtain if you’re approaching or over 70.

If you get a non-OA in the UK you will be stuck on insurance forever. If you get a 90 day O in the UK I believe you need insurance initially to apply but not to extend. If you come to Thailand on a tourist visa and apply in country for a Non-O based on retirement you need funds in a Thai bank but don't need insurance at all.

A lot easier in Thailand 🇹🇭 apply for a Non o retirement visa no insurance required although you need 0 baht In you thai bank account 2 months prior to applying for it

Where are you planning on staying in thailand mate?

The UK usually then doesn't have to do the same banking 800k lol

Hello...are you intending retiring here on O or OA visa?

Don’t make the same mistake I did.

Preserve your insurance options. Apply for a non-O within Thailand.

Easier to do an o-a retirement in England and stay here 90 days and apply for retirement when here. 800k in bank for 3 months before and for 2 month after

Everything easier in Thailand rules supposed to be the same but isn't

It depends on if your country requires health insurance for the initial 90 day non-O.

Some consulates require it and some don't.

If yours doesn't, get it and come to Thailand and get your bank account setup and everything in order to apply for the 1 year extension.

If they do require it, come to Thailand on a tourist visa or visa exempt, and transfer the 800,000₿, then go apply to convert to a 90 day non-O which you can then extend for a year after 60 days.

Reminder if you choose the 2nd option that you must have proof the 800,000 was transferred from overseas, so don't try bringing a bunch of cash or something like that.

Have to be in Thailand to apply for" retirement visa"