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Should I apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa in Australia or in Thailand as a tourist?

Non Immigrant O Visa Retirement Visa Thailand Visa Application Process Health Insurance Requirements Expat Financial Advice

Sep 14, 2025

3 days ago

Craig *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

My wife and I plan to retire to Thailand next year, am I best applying for our Non Immigrant O visas in Australia or doing them locally when arriving in Thailand 

I recently saw an agent advertising the flexibility and cost saving benefits not requiring health insurance if applying for them locally.

Interested in your feedback especially if you have entered Thailand as a tourist and taken the steps to transition to a retirement visa

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion revolves around whether to apply for a Non Immigrant O visa in Australia or upon arriving in Thailand. Many commenters recommend applying in Australia as it is generally easier and avoids complications associated with attempting to apply locally in Thailand, such as encountering agents and not being able to complete the process without help. They clarify that the Non O visa does not require health insurance, contrary to some ads promoting local applications. Several users share their experiences and warn about potential difficulties, such as obtaining a bank account with a tourist visa.

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.
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SJ *******

Talk about carting coal to Newcastle.

18 hours ago

Brendan ********

I done it myself with girlfriend

2 days ago

Robert ********

No health insurance needed for nonO. Only non OA needs that and I wouldn’t recommend it.

2 days ago

Tony *******

I recently did the non O 90 day bias through Thai consulate Sydney. It's all done online easy to do, you need to show proof of funds of 800k baht in your Australian bank in Aud dollar equivalent of $40k. Visa approved and emailed to me 10 days later. Cost about $120 fee to Consulate paid onIine when applying. Website keeps you posted on status of processing.

3 days ago

Jim *******

@Tony ******

That's extremely cheap. It's US $400 for the same visa in the US.

Jack ********

no it’s $80 USD

Jim *******

You're right. It's the DTV that's $400..

a day ago

Reply to

Jim *******

Tony *******

@Jim ******

wow big cost difference.

2 days ago

Jim *******

@Tony ******

I made a mistake, it's only US $80 for the Non-O 90 day.

a day ago

Reply to

Jim *******

Tony *******

That should say visa not bias

3 days ago

Craig *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tony ******

, thank you, I will be doing similar

2 days ago

Reply to

Craig *********

Fabien *********

Faire attention pour le moment difficile ouvrir un compte bancaire avec le Visa 0 non immigrants pour extension de un an parce que c'est un visa touriste

3 days ago

Kevin ************

Apply for the visa at a Thai embassy or consulate in Australia. They will give you all the information you need to make the application as seamless as possible. My advice would be to shop around and get medical insurance in Thailand. Extremely risky not to have it. If something sudden happens and you can’t get air lifted back to Australia, it can be ridiculously expensive. Something as simple as a mosquito bite or a car accident can have dire consequences. Good luck.

3 days ago

Paul *********

OX visa from Australia 5 yes

AXA insurance is like 300 per year

3 days ago

David **********

If you enter Thailand with a tourist visa, you will have great difficulty getting a bank account and the airline bringing you in might require an outbound flight.

3 days ago

Jim *******

@David *********

Even if you have the Non-O 90 day when you arrive in Thailand, you still need an exit flight from Thailand, if the visa is issued from the Los Angeles Thai Consulate. Weird right? No amount of common sense will persuade them otherwise.

2 days ago

Reply to

Jim *******

Rini *********

Do it in your home country, i try it in Thailand with a agent and not possible!

3 days ago

David *******

@Rini ********

Yes it is.

Non o 90.

Deposit money.

Retirement extension after 60 days.

Must have money in the bank. 800k

400k married.

Depending on your funds situation is the key to the agent method or not.

If you have funds just get the 90 days from Australia and do the rest in Thailand.

Much simpler and less expensive than buying a non 0 in Thailand.

2 days ago

Reply to

David *******

Brandon ************

That ad was pure deception. A non-O visa does not require insurance whether you get it in Thailand or you get it from your embassy.

It's always better to get it from the embassy. It will be impossible for you to get it in Thailand without paying for an agent.

It's a non-OA visa that requires insurance and that's not what 99.9% of retirees want or need.

3 days ago

Craig *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

Thank you Brandon for clarifying

3 days ago

Brandon ************

@Craig ********

have you actually logged into the e-visa system and started an application? The requirements for non-O and non-OA are nothing alike. The only similarity is the required proof of finances. You need to choose this option for a non-O visa.

3 days ago

Craig *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

OK, that wasn't the option I was using, the reference to pensioner and having a state pension are not applicable to me. Thanks for that information

3 days ago

Brandon ************

@Craig ********

ignore the mention of state pension. That's not a requirement for that visa. The only requirement is that you're over 50 and can show proof of funds.

3 days ago

Robert ********

@Brandon ***********

Exactly. I always wonder what people interpret.

Fortunately I got mine long time ago and the embassy explained it quickly “50 year and cash, or 50 years and proof of pension”.

2 days ago

Reply to

Robert ********

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How should I apply for a Non-O retirement visa from Australia, online or through an agent in Thailand?

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