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What are the best options for obtaining a retirement Non-O visa in Thailand if I plan to return after several months abroad?

Retirement Non O visa Visa options Thailand immigration Expat visa advice Banking requirements Visa agents Financial strategies in Thailand

Apr 26, 2025

7 hours ago

Sam ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi All,

Sorry if this has been covered before, did a search but couldn't find a definitive answer.

After 5 months in Chiang Mai (60 day exemption x2 + one 30 day extension) I'll be returning to the UK early May 2025, coming back to CM early December. While here I got my bike license & Thai bank account (Bangkok Bank). My intention on my return is to apply for a retirement Non O visa (I'm over 50) but not sure which route to take.

1/ Put 800K Bht into the bank account 60 days before I return and apply for the retirement visa on my return, or perhaps apply for the Non O visa in advance at the London Thai consulate.

2/ Use the services of an agent who for around 29-35K give or take (for the first year, 16K approx there after) will supply the visa using their money so I do not have such a large amount earning almost nothing in a Thai bank account (0.6% interest rate).

The second option allows me to keep my money in a safe high interest UK bank account (at present earning 4.45%) which more than pays for the agents fees & is easily recoverable should anything happen to me while abroad. Also should there be a regime change or policy changes about foreigners & what we can or cannot do with money etc the money would be safe.

Do I play safe (option 2) or just bite the bullet & put 800K into the Thai bank?

Your opinions & suggestions will be much appreciated

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The post discusses options for an expat planning to apply for a retirement Non O visa in Thailand. The user considers two options: either depositing 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank account prior to returning or using an agent to facilitate the visa process with their funds in the UK. The comments highlight legal and practical considerations, with many advising against using an agent due to potential compliance issues, while others advocate for the convenience of keeping funds in a UK bank account, reinforcing the importance of adhering to visa regulations.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

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Andrew ********

Use an agent my friend. Simple and hassle free. Keep your wedge in your high interest account at home. No probs with good reputable agents. Make sure you have a trusted UK address for obvious financial reasons. Good luck.

2 hours ago

Robert ********

Get the visa when you’re home. You don’t need an agent. It’s is simple and straight forward.

Only if you have too much money and don’t want to wait in line

3 hours ago

Sam ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Correct me if I'm wrong, the monthly payment option must be from a certified pension fund such as HMRC (UK state pension) or a UK certified pension scheme, the payment cannot be made from some individual's bank account. The problem is that if the state pension pays monthly into a non UK bank account this pension looses it's triple lock status, which means in the UK it will not increase with inflation (there are some countries that are exempt, but not Thailand)

5 hours ago

Pete *******

@Sam *****

your residency determines entitlement to State pension increases not the payment method.

5 hours ago

Steve *******

@Sam *****

Nope, can be from any source as long as it's transferred from abroad

5 hours ago

Sam ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Steve ******

I take it a monthly transfer from a wise account is sufficient

4 hours ago

Steve *******

@Sam *****

As long as you can prove to Immigration that the transfer arrived from abroad

2 hours ago

Reply to

Steve *******

Todd *********

Given that choice, the agent seems the easy move. Leaving 800k doing nothing here doesn’t make financial sense and given the decades it has been done, and the plethora of agencies out there, it doesn’t seem to carry much ‘risk’. If the rules change, then just adapt as it occurs.

The 65k monthly method does make sense if you can swing that.

And you can get precise pricing from

@THAI *****************************

. Just reach out via Line or Messenger

5 hours ago

เดแคลน ***********

Option 2 but don't use an agent get a non-oa instead that way your money is still in the UK and you're completely legal and then meet the 65k a month every month transfer requirements for extensions.

6 hours ago

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

Seems like you know the answer already, but the legal option is obviously the answer.

You could do it legally and transfer 65,000 baht each month in addition, so that the second year you can withdraw your money and put it back into your savings account in the UK.

7 hours ago

Sam ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

So are you saying paying in 65k every month for a year will give the same entitlement as 800k paid two months before applying for the visa.

And money paid in using the 12 month method can be spent or moved to other accounts?

4 hours ago

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

@Sam *****

for the first year you must deposit 800,000.

If you have 12 times 65k monthly deposits the second time you extend, you can show evidence of the 65k per month to extend the second time.

3 hours ago

Reply to

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

Tony **********

Just apply abroad and deposit once you return

7 hours ago

John **********

The problem with using an agent to provide the funds is that you will never meet the terms of the Non-O visa requirements which can have knock on effects, best to put the money in the bank. If you really want to avoid that then get the Non-OA visa but that does require insurance, police check etc

7 hours ago

Pete *******

Option 1 is legal

Option 2 is fraudulent

Up to you.

7 hours ago

Todd *********

@Pete ******

wrong

5 hours ago

Sam ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Todd ********

'wrong' could you explain?