Answered5 years ago
Should I apply for a retirement visa to Thailand before arriving or in my home country?
I am an Australian and want to apply for retirement visa to Thailand . Is it better to get a 60 day visa in Australia and go to Thailand to apply for retirement visa or do it in all in Sydney..I am over 55 and have the required funds….thanks
Answer summary
The conversation addresses whether an Australian expat should apply for a retirement visa (Non-O) for Thailand from Australia or upon arriving in Thailand. Many commenters recommend applying in Thailand due to the ease of the process, emphasizing that you should ensure you meet the financial requirements and have the necessary documentation. Some advise against applying from Australia due to stricter ongoing insurance requirements. There are discussions about the differences between the Non-O and Non-OA visas, including bank account seasoning requirements and health insurance mandates.
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Ken ******
google search: thailand post on 3 million insurance cover required for OA retirees
Ken ******
i'd say mandatoryhealth insurance required by OA visa not quite useful as pre existing health problem are all excluded, so better opt for O retire visa which does not require this, besides it is not possible to change OA to O while in thailand, insurance premium will be very costly too as one gets older
Ken ******
but once applied OA and arrived thailand, you can not change it to O while in thailand
Ken ******
as far as i know, two kinds of retire.visa: OA (require health insurance to renew.visa, can only apply outside thailand) and O (insurance not required, can only apply after entry into thailand). You can google search for more info or even explore the thai.immigration website
Chris ********
@Ken *****
OA you also need police check and letter stating you don't have x number of diseases from your doctor. O visa CAN be done in home country and extra insurance is only required for initial 90 days (in my case)
Damien ********
OP@Ken *****
what’s the difference between o and oa ?….
Glenn ********
Im from NZ im going to apply for OA visa from here you get multiple entry plus you can get 2 years out of it if you do a border crossing.You can use your Aussie bank account.I wouldn't advise not having insurance like the O visa if something happens even catch covid it will cost you big time.After 2 years if you still enjoying Thailand you can swap to O visa.Only my opinion.
Damien ********
OP@Glenn *******
Boarder crossing were ok years ago but not nowadays… I wouldn’t trust Thais to let me back in
George *************
@Glenn *******
you are perfectly free to have insurance on a Non-O visa/extension. Insurance you want, from a company you want, with coverage you want, that starts when it's convenient for you. In other words, the complete opposite of the insurance you are mandated to have with a Non-OA by the immigration department.
Bobby ********
Do you intend visiting Australia every 18-24 months? If so the OA is by far the best option
Lee *******
Do you have money in Thai bank already?
Andrew ********
Do it here I did. Easy but you need the funds in the bank for long enough to qualify, 3 months.
Damien ********
OP@Andrew *******
how can I have the funds in a Thai bank for 3 months if I’m coming to Thailand on a 30 day visa and applying for a retirement visa there ?? ThanksChris ********
@Damien *******
You can use funds in your home country for the initial visa. I printed and downloaded a statement showing funds in a/c for 12 months. 90 day Non O Visa approved within a weekAndrew ********
@Damien *******
therein lies the problem.You must go to the Thai embassy site near you for detailsif applying from Aus. I did mine in Thailand a year ago and just renewed it in January this year.
The best way is to go through the official website.
It's not easy it's legal and safe.
Agencies tend to operate in a very grey area.
Dave ***********
@Andrew *******
incorrectGeorge *************
@Dave **********
for visa funds must be in account day of application, for extension funds must be in the account for two (2) months, not 3.Andrew ********
@Dave **********
not getting into this. Been here 17 years.Dave ***********
My visa agent begs to differ
Bobby ********
Dave Robertson. The last person I would listen to is visa agent in Thailand. They are famous for being pathological liars. Their only interest is your money.
Rob ***********
@Dave **********
correct for initial application seasoning not required
Peter *********
Yes do visa Thailand 🇹🇭
Lyndon ************
I would advise against getting a Non-oa in Sydney, the ongoing insurance requirements are much higher and carry on year to year
Lyndon ************
Easier in country, if you have the funds etc.
60 day visa to get here
(I was advised not to just arrive on a 30 day stamp, as it's harder to convert to non-o, you have less time to open a bank account, move money and submit the 90 day non-o)
Visit your Embassy, obtain an Embassy Certified Copy of your passport
Open Thai bank account.
Needing the above copy of passport, you address in Thailand (TM30 copy) and a Thai friend to help, vouch for you and your address details.
I recommend Bangkok Bank, head office Bangkok, they have English speaking staff who are familiar with the process.
Move 800k
Apply for no-no retirement 90 days 1900thb (nb you need a minimum of 15 days left on your entry stamp)
After money seasoned for 2 months, apply for 12 month extension, 2000thb
60 day visa to get here
(I was advised not to just arrive on a 30 day stamp, as it's harder to convert to non-o, you have less time to open a bank account, move money and submit the 90 day non-o)
Visit your Embassy, obtain an Embassy Certified Copy of your passport
Open Thai bank account.
Needing the above copy of passport, you address in Thailand (TM30 copy) and a Thai friend to help, vouch for you and your address details.
I recommend Bangkok Bank, head office Bangkok, they have English speaking staff who are familiar with the process.
Move 800k
Apply for no-no retirement 90 days 1900thb (nb you need a minimum of 15 days left on your entry stamp)
After money seasoned for 2 months, apply for 12 month extension, 2000thb
Lyndon ************
You can probably make an appointment with your embassy before you get here, saves wasting time here.
Philip **********
Come in on a 30 day and apply here. It’s easy peasy. 1,900.00 Bhat. Just Google the requirements for entering Thailand as it changes day to day.
Damien ********
OP@Philip *********
do I need the 800,000 bhat in a Thai bank 3 months before I apply in Thailand …if so how can I do that on a 30 day visa. ThanksDamien ********
OPThanks Robert…. I will still need to buy a return ticket to Australia to fly even though I won’t use that ticket…. Is there a way around that ?
Chris ********
@Damien *******
I've bought a cheap flight to Vietnam for day 89 of my 90 day Non O visa. Beware coming and expecting it to be easy to open an account. I tried 12-15 banks in Issan in 2 weeks holiday in November and a further 13 or so before I got one. Apparently Bangkok is easier! . Left me 2 weeks to transfer the 800,000 needed but even this is a pain in the behind. Only 3 banks allow a transfer over 50,000 baht now so I've had to make 19 transfers from my UK bank to my new one here, not cheap!
Robert **********
@Damien *******
come on visa exempt or 60 day tourist visa. Open thai bank account. Put ฿800K in it. Apply for 90 day retirement extension. Many threads about this. You will need insurance to enter Thailand, but not for this extension. Before 90 days apply for 1 year extension. THEN you show its been in account for 90 days.Activity
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