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Should I apply for a retirement visa before departing or upon arrival in Thailand?

Retirement Visa Thailand Immigration Dependent Visa Travel Insurance Health Insurance Non-O Visa Long-term Stay Family Visa Options

Oct 12, 2025

a month ago

Nikki *******************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Husband is 51, planning on coming to Thailand next month. Wondering pros and cons of applying for Retirement Visa before we leave or when we arrive? I will be applying as a dependent spouse and we have an 11 year old as a dependent visa to my husband’s retirement visa. Just starting to travel and planning on hitting most of Asia over the next few years with Thailand as “home base”. Thoughts?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The post discusses whether to apply for a Retirement Visa before or after arriving in Thailand. Key considerations raised by community comments include health insurance requirements, financial prerequisites (such as maintaining a minimum balance in a Thai bank), and options for dependent visas and travel arrangements. Some recommend securing the visa before departing home, while others suggest applying upon arrival for convenience regarding local immigration processes and specific requirements.

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.
Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

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Walrus *******

Have to have

*****

0 in the bank

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Walrus *******

Do the retirement visa when here. Otherwise have to get health cover and apply online

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Wannikea *********

You can only get dependant status from the main holder of the OA Visa. Suggest you join Thai Visa Advice - Q&A and ask your question for expert answers.

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Bob **********

Get the non-o before you come you’ll need a bank account and get the 800k in it for him they really don’t issue dependent spouses visa look into an ED visa for you kid and possibly that way

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David **********

If you can find a category under soft power or 'workcation', the DTV may be a good option. It's a 5 year multi entry visa with 180 days each entry, so it's very convenient for setting up Thailand as a home base. Also easy to add dependents after the initial applicant is approved. Last but least, only 500k in any bank as opposed to 800k (or 65k monthly) in a Thai bank.

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Mark *********

@David *********

You cannot legally open a bank account with a DTV. How did you handle this David?

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Andrew **************

just a small point of order; there is no Thai law against opening a bank account with a DTV, it is purely a matter of bank policy and discretion of the bank staff.

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Mark *********

@Andrew *************

hmmm okay. Then why can Bank of Thailand make Bangkok Bank freeze accounts under a tourist level visa, like DTV? Just a question.

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Simon *******

DTV are tourist visa ,no banks in Thailand are now allowing DTV holders to open accounts

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Simon *******

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David **********

I didn't say that you could. But you don't need a Thai bank account with the DTV

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David **********

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Philip *******

Apply for non o retirement visa in your home country is a good start. Then on day one or 2 go to your local immigration office in province you want to live in and ask for their requirements for extension of stay. Do what they ask. Non O visa does not require health insurance however if you get 6 months of travel insurance before you leave home country it gives time to sort out Thai health insurance

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Walrus *******

Living in Thailand for me is as expensive as living in Spain on a nice Mobile home site. So now going back.

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Nikki *******************

ORIGINAL POSTER

we are from the US and trying to escape the craziness here. Spain is for sure a second contender. We were there in December and in Thailand in June. Loved them both!

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Nikki *******************

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Michael *******

Main priority is you need to explore the minefield of health insurance. If you cant afford. I would reconsider!

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Kenneth *******

@Michael ******

they said 51 age not 81 age 1 year full health insurance for me is $734 a year full cover

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Kenneth *******

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Alan ********

Start by coming

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Lynnette *******

best to start by getting non-O before arriving because they'll need to set up a bank account. IF they plan to stay on a retirement basis.

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Lynnette *******

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The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.

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