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Should I apply for my long-term visa before traveling to Thailand?

Thailand visa process Long-term visa NON-O visa Thai immigration Expat advice

Nov 13, 2025

a day ago

Dorothy ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Question: Just trying to find out how majority when about the visa process. 🤔 

Did you wait until you got to Thailand to apply for your long-term visa?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The general consensus among expats is that it is advisable to apply for your long-term visa before arriving in Thailand. Most people recommend obtaining the visa from a Thai embassy to avoid complications, such as the inability to open a bank account upon arrival. Some expats reported arriving first and then applying for their visas, such as the retirement visa, but this can lead to logistical challenges. Therefore, preparing and applying in advance is seen as the easier and more straightforward approach.

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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James *********

No. Easiest getting before traveling 🙂

7 hours ago

Mark ***********

Start here

****************************

- if over 50 yo, the immigrant non-o is a good choice.

14 hours ago

Bill *********

I arrived into Thailand first, then got my retirement Visa. I didn't do anything ahead of getting here other than preparing my documents.

a day ago

Mario *********

@Bill ********

ok but where can we find the list of the documents we need for a retirement Visa?

21 hours ago

Bill *********

@Mario ********

See the answer from Dorothy

14 hours ago

Dorothy ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Mario ********

can get it from Thai embassy website, chatgpt or copilot.

21 hours ago

Mario *********

@Dorothy *****

thank you 😊

20 hours ago

Reply to

Mario *********

Dorothy ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Bill ********

so you didn't even do the tourist visa?

a day ago

Bill *********

@Dorothy *****

Yes I did the tourist visa... I was addressing your inquiry about long-term visa.

14 hours ago

Stuart ***********

The easiest route is: 1. Apply for a non-O visa based on retirement for 90 days from the Thai Embassy in your country. 2. Enter Thailand ensuring immigration stamp you in with the visa. 3. Go to immigration and get a list of requirements to extend your stay and a residence permit. 4. Open a Thai bank account. 5. Deposit 800,000 baht in the account within the first three weeks of arrival. 6. Wait two months until your money has been in the account for two months and return to immigration with all the documents on their list. Fill out one a4 form (easy), a map of where you live (copied from Google), some passport photos, lots of photocopies, pay 1,900 baht and you are good for another year.

18 hours ago

Dorothy ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart **********

thank you

18 hours ago

Reply to

Dorothy ******

Stuart ***********

Ignore Bill's advice or you will regret it when you get here. It used to be possible a year or two ago to come without a visa, but now you will have massive problems. Listen to the advice given by the moderators (Brandon) and people like Lynette.

19 hours ago

Bill *********

@Stuart **********

Where did I say that I'm giving advice? The poster asked the question "did you wait until you got to Thailand" and my answer was yes I did. People can choose to do it any way they want specific to their situation.

14 hours ago

Stuart ***********

You do know the page is Thailand Visa 'ADVICE'? At least she has the correct advice now. She can choose what she wants to do.

13 hours ago

Dorothy ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart **********

thank you. I want to do it right way avoid all issues

18 hours ago

Reply to

Dorothy ******

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

Visas are meant for traveling to a country. The way it's meant to be done is by getting the visa you want from a Thai embassy before traveling to Thailand. The system is designed around doing it this way and it's the simplest method.

a day ago

Lynnette *******

Most people need to apply before arriving so they can open bank account. Others turn up without visa then can't open bank account and have to either pay ££$$ to an agent or leave and go get a visa in another country and return to open bank account.

a day ago

Reply to

Lynnette *******

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How far in advance should I apply for a retirement visa in my home country before moving to Thailand?

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