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Should I start the O-A visa process in the US or apply for a Non-O visa to get my retirement visa in Thailand?
retirement visaO-A visaNon-O visaThailand immigrationexpat advicefinancial requirementsThai bank account
Jul 14, 2025
10 months ago
Tom ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI am confused. I am seeking a retirement visa. I'm a US citizen and I qualify financially, both monthly pension and 800k.
Do I:
Begin O-A visa process in my country?
OR
Seek 90 day Non-immigrant 50+ visa and Begin O-Retirement visa once I land in Thailand.
Thanks for any advice
Do I:
Begin O-A visa process in my country?
OR
Seek 90 day Non-immigrant 50+ visa and Begin O-Retirement visa once I land in Thailand.
Thanks for any advice
TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster is seeking advice on whether to start the O-A visa process in the U.S. or to apply for a Non-O visa (Non-immigrant) upon arriving in Thailand for retirement purposes. Comments from community members suggest that applying for the Non-O visa before entering Thailand may be more advantageous, as it facilitates the opening of a Thai bank account, which is necessary for the subsequent retirement visa application. Users note that the O-A visa requires health insurance and a police check, whereas the Non-O visa requirements are less stringent in this regard.
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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Natalya *******
Following
Francois ********
Easier just
Use an agency
Thai Visa Centre
For Retirement Extension
OR
5 yr DTV-visa-soft power
Learn Thai cooking
Use an agency
Thai Visa Centre
For Retirement Extension
OR
5 yr DTV-visa-soft power
Learn Thai cooking
Max *************
An O-A is a big no-no. Go for the 90 days Non-immigrant O. It's a walk in the park as long as you can open a bank account.
Dana ****************
I applied for the o visa 2 months ago and have a bank account after 6 days in the country, super easy.
Apply before you leave
Apply before you leave
Stephen ********
I got a non- o 90 day visa single entry before I left Australia, got to Hua Hin, went to Anna’s visa, they do everything for, they got me my retirement visa and opened my bank account, no complaints here.
Robert ********
OA requires purchase of health insurance. O does not.
Suzanne *********
Following
Bill *********
On my reconnaissance trip to Bangkok I met up with a Visa agent and we discussed all the required paperwork and the process to expect. Then when I actually made the move a few months later I had the police check document and the health information prepared, met up with my agent again, and got everything taking care of at immigration in under a day. I did everything upon arrival into BKK. Highly recommend this approach.
Tom ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bill ********
Thanks Bill, what type of visa did you did you choose You brought your FBI report, Doctor's stamped clearance and your banking records to Thailand? Handled all there? What visa did you enter on?Bill *********
@Tom *******
I got a retirement Visa, but entered Thailand on the 60 day tourist Visa with 30 day extension. Everything was handled once I arrived into the country. Other than preparing those documents, I had no interaction with any Thai embassy located in the USReply to
Bill *********
Reply
Philip ********
@Bill ********
bill, how did you get the police check document?Bill *********
@Philip *******
I'll send you a link as to how I got mine.Tom ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Philip *******
May I ask what visa type did you get at the airport?Reply to
Tom ********
Reply
Bob **********
Non-o is the way to go 😎😎😎
Stuart ***********
The easiest way based on what you said is to get a non O visa (not OA) from the Thai Embassy in the USA before travelling to Thailand. You should then be able to open a bank account to deposit the 800,000 baht for the first 12 month extension. The option of using monthly funds is only available for the second extension, when you can show 12 monthly deposits of at least 65,000 baht. Good luck.
Ant ***********
If you plan on coming to Thailand very soon & not intending to leave for a while
Yes
Apply for a Non-O Visa from home , that will give you 3 months .
First task on arrival is open Thai bank acc , add the 800K funds needed , then once the money has been in the acc for min. 60 days you can then apply for the 12 months extension
Yes
Apply for a Non-O Visa from home , that will give you 3 months .
First task on arrival is open Thai bank acc , add the 800K funds needed , then once the money has been in the acc for min. 60 days you can then apply for the 12 months extension
Steve **********
Following
Paul *******
Unless you have a long term visa when you arrive in Thailand, it is almost impossible to open a bank account here and a money in a Thai bank account is required to obtain a retirement visa herw. So best to arrive here with a long term visa. Then you can open a Thai bank account, season the required money and apply for an extension of stay based on being over 50.
Rhonda ********
I'm with that! 90 to 365 days should be enough time for me to figure out if I want to stay indefinitely. Ty both!🙌🏿🙌🏿
Rhonda ********
@Paul ******
, if it's a long term visa why wud you need to apply for an extension? Further, does a retirement visa bind you to the Country? Can you leave/take ur funds w/u if u decide to leave?Wayne ********
@Rhonda *******
long-term retirement visa is a 90 day visa before the 90 days runs out,if you want to stay in Thailand, you must extend that visa 0they will allow you to extend the visa for one year. prior to applying for the extension You must have the money in the bank so on and so forth, but you always have the Visa. It’s the Ext that you have to do every year. Nick ************
@Rhonda *******
the Initial stamp is for 90 days. That gives you time to open account and season the required funds. You then apply for a 12 month extension befire the 90 days runs out.. You can send money out of Thailand anywhere you like at any time using direct bank transfer or by using Dee Money who appear to be in business again.Mark ********
@Nick ***********
the problem now is that the banks aren’t opening accounts for people on the 90 day visa. They want to see a one year stamped OA or O retirement visa.Nick ************
@Mark *******
my advice to people who hold a non o 90 day is to request to see the bank manager. Often all you get to see are junior staff who realise that things have changed and are scared of making a mistake. Before the problems started I had to visit the same branch 3 times to get an account. They wanted to see a work permit which us impossible to have on retirement extension. They confused my re entry stamp with my visa. They didn't know I could hold a Thai driving license as a foreigner. On the third attempt I asked to see the manager had to wait a while but when he came out he knew exactly what to do and I had my account in around 20 minutes. Often success or failure depends on the bank, the branch and who you get to see on the day.Mark ********
@Nick ***********
The bank manager at Krunsri at Westgate mall in Nonthaburi opened my account years ago when Bangkok bank was making my life difficult. Also Kasikorn is good.Graham ******
@Mark *******
a Non-O retirement visa is a 90 day stamp, a 12 month stamp that follows is an Extension of Stay but you can't get that without a bank account unless your Embassy still does the income affidavitReply to
Graham ******
Reply
Paul *******
@Rhonda *******
The proceedure is: 1. Get a Retirement Visa prior to arriving in Thailand. 2. When ther Retirement Visa is close to expiring, you then apply for an Extension of Staay based on being over 50 from the Immigration Office inside of Thailand.Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Stuart *********
Some like the OA visa as it is a year long visa (that can be stretched out to 2 years) and doesn’t need funds in Thailand. However it does need a police check and health insurance, which can be difficult for some.
A Non O visa obtained either before entering or after in country doesn’t require the health insurance but does need funds in a Thai bank. Which is harder to do now if you don’t have a long term visa prior to coming.
A Non O visa obtained either before entering or after in country doesn’t require the health insurance but does need funds in a Thai bank. Which is harder to do now if you don’t have a long term visa prior to coming.
Tom ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
Thanks. What is the best way to qualify on pension alone as with the OA in USA but convert to an O with reduced insurance requirements? My insurance is a bit pricey.Stuart *********
@Tom *******
You can’t convert from a OA to an O in Thailand. You would have to let the OA lapse and leave to re-enter visa exempt or buy a tourist visa to convert to O or buy a O prior to arrival.Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Kool *******
Start the type O visa application in the US before you enter Thailand, not the OA.
Reply to
Kool *******
Reply
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