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Should I apply for a non O retirement visa or use visa exempt entries for my stay in Thailand?

Visa Types Non-O Retirement Visa Visa Extension Visa Exempt Travel to Thailand Banking in Thailand Expat Advice

Nov 17, 2025

5 months ago

Doug *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

My plan for a non O retirement visa has been delayed because my house will not sell until next June. I want to return to Thailand from the US sometime in the next six weeks and back to the US in May. I have $25,000 USD in a US bank but cannot shift it into a Thai bank until after my house sells in seven months. Should I apply for a non O retirement visa to stay for 90 days but then lose it and have to re-apply next summer while in the US? Or should I enter Thailand for 60 days, do a 30 day extension, then fly out and back in for 60 more days, and forget the non O until next summer? If I take the visa exempt approach in six weeks will I be allowed back into the Kingdom next summer if I arrive with a non O visa? Thanks to all for advice.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is contemplating two options for their travel and visa situation in Thailand due to a delayed house sale in the US. They are considering applying for a non-O retirement visa or opting for a visa-exempt entry. Commenters recommend that the user apply for a non-O visa to establish a Thai bank account for future needs and caution about the recent limit on visa-exempt entries. They also emphasize the necessity of having a Thai phone number and lease agreement to support their visa applications.

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Terary **********

Come on a tourist visa, pay an agent to do the paperwork for you. Your visa extension will be valid for a year, I think you will need to get the extension (after 3 months) before it becomes valid for a year.

5 months ago

Daniel *********

You need a Thai phone number and a lease agreement. The Non-0 may not be enough alone. Thailand is a very weird place.

5 months ago

Doug *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Daniel ********

I have both. Thanks.

5 months ago

Reply to

Doug *******

David *******

I signed a presale document with an agent whilst in Australia.

I came to Thailand and when it had a buyer I signed documents on line.

Money was put in my Bank in Aust.

Too easy.

5 months ago

Doug *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@David ******

I considered doing that a few months ago but unfortunately my house requires more preparation to be sold for top dollar. Glad it worked out for ya though

5 months ago

David *******

@Doug ******

I did worry about top dollar. Just enough! Time is worth more than money when retired. I sold it 3 years ago, but still haven't spent any of the cash as my pension covers most things.

5 months ago

Reply to

David *******

Sean **********

Be aware, Thailand is just announced limiting visa exempt entries to two times a year

5 months ago

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

Get the non-O with your bank balance in the US. Come to Thailand and use that non-O to open a bank account and get yourself setup for the future.

Then before you come next time, get another non-O visa, and once you arrive you can transfer the money into the Thai bank account you already opened and you'll be well positioned to apply for your 1-year extension.

5 months ago

Doug *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

So the key advantage to getting a non O now is opening a Thai bank account to make things easier next summer? Or does having a non O also drastically lower the chance of being scrutinized by IO in general?

5 months ago

Bob **********

@Doug ******

it’s the only way to open a bank account legally

5 months ago

Chris *******

@Doug ******

yes a non-o visa will in most cases not be questioned at all. And able to open the needed account for the future.

5 months ago

Reply to

Chris *******

Doug *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

I like this idea. After my 90 days expire the visa becomes invalid but can I fly to a neighboring country for a few days then return to Thailand for another 60 days visa exempt? Not trying to abuse the system I just can’t return to the US until May and then I will commit to another non O for long term.

5 months ago

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

@Doug ******

yes, you can do that

5 months ago

Reply to

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

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