Answered2 months ago

Is Penang a good choice for applying for a Non-O retirement visa?

Non-O Visa Retirement Visa Thailand Immigration Visa Processing Times Malaysia Chiang Mai

Dustin *********

asked Aug 21, 2026

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Hello all. I am planning on flying from Chiang Mai to Penang ML to apply for the Non-O retirement visa. Anyone had any experience going there for this. I chose this because of being able to apply online and I haven't been there and heard its nice (Perhaps better for forced holiday than KL). Any input on them processing in a reasonable time - ideally 5-10 days? Also any issues with proving presence with just a hotel stay? I know there can be vast differences in embassy cooperation when applying for DTVs from different places but does it affect application for the Non-o as well? Thanks!

Answer summary

The user seeks advice on applying for a Non-O retirement visa in Penang, Malaysia, specifically in terms of processing times and proving residency with a hotel stay. Comments suggest that the visa processing might take longer than the desired 5-10 days, with some users recommending Vientiane, Laos, as a faster alternative. A recent comment confirms that a hotel booking is sufficient for proving presence, and overall feedback indicates that while Penang generally processes Non-O visas smoothly, it's advisable to be over-prepared with documentation.

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Roger *******

I thought you can apply in country for retirement visa.. so why leave?

2 months ago

Kulcharee *******

Hi! Penang is a great choice. Here is the quick reality for your plan:

📅 Timeline: 5-10 days is very risky. The official e-Visa process in Penang takes 5 to 15 business days (excluding weekends and holidays). Budget at least 2 full weeks just to be safe.

🏨 Hotel Stay: Yes, a standard hotel booking confirmation showing your name, plus a photo of your Malaysian entry stamp, is 100% enough to prove your presence. No house lease needed.

🪪 Embassy: Penang is very straightforward with Non-O Retirement visas. Unlike the DTV, the rules here are predictable. Just make sure your Thai bank certificate (800,000 THB) and updated passbook are perfectly accurate and recently issued.

Have a safe trip and enjoy George Town! ✈️🇲🇾

2 months ago

Dustin *********

Thanks for the input. I have canceled my ML trip due to negative feedback about embassy response times there and will go to Laos instead. ML must be loosing a lot of tourist money for Thai visa runs! I had planned a whole trip before finding out it could be bad there so I will have to go some other time.

2 months ago

Steve *******

Vientiane, Laos would be a better option, fairly quick turnaround. All Countries use the online application, it's the only way to apply.

2 months ago

Dustin *********

Okay. Thanks for the opinion. I'm looking for some experience with this specific situation. It is goes to logic if they are difficult with the DTV they may slow with the Retirement visa but I've seen a post where a guy got it in 5 days recently. Vientiane is nice and close by I think I may just go there to be safe. F around and find out is not what I want to do here.

2 months ago

Dante **

Whatever their processing times you can minimize them as best you can by being extremely thorough on the first document submission.

2 months ago

David **********

This is from a recent post FYI

2 months ago

Dustin *********

David E Moore That is a question about a DTV which are handled and processed differently. I saw that.

2 months ago

David **********

All reports from Malaysia are they are very slow in processing and will request the same documents multiple times. Not my personal experience but I've read this over and over. A whole month is probably more realistic, 5-10 days is not going to happen.

2 months ago

Dustin *********

David E Moore Are you certain this is for retirement Non-o visa and not the DTV? They are handled differently and the DTV is very laborious for proof. Can you share an example or two of it in regards to the retirement visa? I will likely change plans. Thanks!

2 months ago

David **********

Dustin Johnson I'm not certain. However I've read multiple posts/comments about how slow the Malaysia offices are in general. By all accounts the quickest is typically Laos. Our recent experience in Vietnam took longer than expected and that appears to be the norm there now whether it's Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh.

2 months ago

Dustin *********

David E Moore Thank you for this info. I was leaning towards Hanoi since flights are half the price of going to Vientiane and I love Vietnam. Looks like I will be visiting Lao for the first time to prioritize getting this visa secured.

2 months ago