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What are the best options for retirement visas in Thailand and what should I know before applying?

Jul 26, 2025
5 days ago
Zion ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Any recommendations for retirement visa please
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Several recommendations for obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand include consulting the Thai embassy in your home country, contacting various visa services or agents like Tum Visa, Thai Visa Centre, and Noi's Visa Services, or using online platforms like eThaiVisa. It's often suggested to apply for a NON-O retirement visa from your home country, as it simplifies the process compared to applying inside Thailand. Additionally, having proof of stable income or the required funds in a Thai bank account is crucial for the extension of your stay after arriving in Thailand. The discussion also touches on procedural differences for extending your stay in Thailand versus applying from abroad.
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.
Bryce *******
I used eThaiVisa (ethaivisa.com), an agent in Bangkok. Not cheap, but the entire process was done in a day. He has great connections within the immigration office, when you walk in with him, you get invited to the front of every line.
Craig *********
TMT Visa services are in many places in Thailand. They will do everything including helping you set up bank account. I used them for my initial first year visa. I will do the annual renewals on my own.
Richard ***********
How old are you ?
Colin ***************
Go back to school. Ask your mother. Now do some research. See you soon.
Leatrice *****************
So, once the funds has been in there at least 2 months, willl the last 30 days on the 90 day Visa be enough time, to apply for the 12mo extension
Pierre *********
I would get an agent if you can afford it. I did and made life so much easier. Thai visa center.
Holger **************
If you have plenty of money apply for Thai Elite Visa ....valid 5 to 10 years
Zion ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you, I really appreciate your suggestions.
Roberto *********
Be over 50
Paul *********
OX, thank me later
Porky ******
12 months is the norm
Nongnuch ********
Zion Sher . . .Well, there are several roads leading to the 90-days Non-Imm-O retirement visa and to the subsequent 1-year extended stay permit based on retirement

We are talking about the most common and persisting misunderstandings regarding the rules that come with applying for the “retirement visa” and the subsequent “one-year extension of stay permit based on retirement”. Misunderstandings happen because a “retirement visa” can mean 7 different visas and stay permits

The best way is to show up in Thailand on a 90-days single entry Non-Imm-O Retirement/over 50 visa” as it will get you a 90-days stay permit stamped. Within this period you have plenty of time to arrange for the application to the “1-year extended stay permit”

In order to apply for the “90-days single entry Non-Imm-O retirement visa” through the online E-visa system at the Royal Thai Embassy of your home country, you can use the proof of income of a monthly minimum of 65.000.- THB, by using your original pension or other income documentation.

Or you can use a deposit of a minimum of 800.000.- THB or the equivalent in your home country currency, or on your home bank account, or on a Thai bank, or just anywhere in the World – as long as it is in your sole name

However, for the application inside Thailand, for the “1-year extension of stay permit” out of the 90-days Non-Imm-O retirement visa, if you are a citizen of a country whose embassy in Thailand does not issue the “income affidavit” any more (these are the embassies of USA, UK and Australia) you would need a “12 months bank statement”, showing that for the past 12 months, you have been transferring from abroad to your Thai bank account a minimum of 65,000 THB, consecutively month for month.

If your embassy still issues an affidavit of income, you can use this method for the financial proof, which needs a monthly income or pension of a minimum of 65,000 THB

For British, Australian and U.S. citizens, in the first year there is no other way around, than depositing a minimum of 800,000 THB in your Thai bank account and use this deposit for the financial proof which is required for the application to the “one year extension of stay permit based on being over 50/retired”

The alternative would be, if you don’t have that kind of money or are not willing to deposit in a Thai Bank account is, paying an agent to “arrange” the requirements, which I, however, do not recommend

As soon as you have accumulated the 12 consecutive months of 65,000 THB transfers year all you need to do is apply for the next 1year extension of the stay permit, using the 12- months bank statement to prove 12 months of transfers from abroad.

This application to a 1Year Extension costs a 1900 THB fee and you can theoretically do it all by yourself, or accept the help of an agent for the simplified legal service.

NOTE: It is income OR deposit.

However, there is a third method, called the “combination method”:

A combination mix of income and deposit. Some immigrations don’t allow the combination method in the first year.

And some Immigration want the deposit part to exceed 400,000 THB.

The combination method means that the sum of the deposit AND the monthly income exceeds 800,000 THB in one year.

But let’s continue with the “normal method” (visa issued in your home country, followed by the application to the 1-year Extension inside Thailand):

On the day of application to the 1-year extension, the 800,000 THB need to have “seasoned” in your account for two months, and this has to be proven with the “bank letter of guarantee” (rab roong thanakan).

After been issued the “1-year Extension of the Stay Permit based on Retirement”, the 800K need to remain in the account for 3 more months. After these 3 months, the deposit shall never go under 400,000 THB. And before you’re the application for the next “1-year Extension of Stay”, a minimum of 800,000 THB must have seasoned in the account for two months, again

On the day you get issued the “1-year extension of stay permit”, you should buy a re-entry permit for it.

A re-entry permit will keep your stay permit alive in case you exit Thailand before the expiry of the 1-year stay permit.

A single re-entry permit is 1000 THB on Immigration. A multi re-entry is 3800 THB. With a multi re-entry permit, you could exit and re-enter as many times as you wish during the whole stay permit period.
Todd *********
Apply online, simple process

No chance of getting a bank account in the provinces though.

Best to try Vietnam or Cambodia
Stan **********
Tony ********
Check Your Country's Website For A Visa That Best Suits Your Needs
Ralph *******
If you are over 50 then the non O visa is probably best. But it all depends on your circumstances.
Peter *********
Thai Visa centre!! Excellent.. They will slove your Banking issues!
Roberto *********
@Peter ********
Better be quick! Agents are on borrowed time!
Peter *********
@Roberto ********
i already have my bank account and visa. All done. I had it since March.
Roberto *********
@Peter ********
I've had mine for years, never paid a single baht to an agent. Did everything legitimately
David *******
Mott visa service
Stuart ***********
There's an easy way and a difficult way...

Easy - get a non-O retirement visa online from the Thai Embassy before coming to Thailand.

Difficult - Travel to Thailand without the non-O and hope a visa agent can sort it for you.

It used to be quite easy to come to Thailand without a visa and apply inside Thailand, but the banks will not open a bank account for you now, so it makes it very difficult.
Ross *******
@Stuart **********
so how do you get a bank account if you apply from your own country?
Joe ********
@Ross ******
do as Stuart said regarding the non-o visa, once in Thailand get the TM30 from your hotel/condo (you might have to ask for this) then go to your nearest immigration office and ask to change it to a residents certificate (it'll cost about 60 to 70thb) once you have your certificate go to the bank with your residents certificate, printed copy of your non-o visa and passport bio page, your passport and the 800,000thb to be deposited, I recommend Kasicorn bank (the green one) once it's been in for 2 months then ask the bank for a statement so you can apply for the 12 month extension (aka retirement visa) to your non-o visa, good luck and hope this helps you 🙏😊❤🇹🇭
Stuart ***********
@Joe *******
excellent advice👌
Stuart ***********
@Ross ******
you get the non o visa from the Thai Embassy in your own country using your currentbank statements. Then travel to Thailand, the non o gives you 3 months, so you can open a bank account in Thailand and deposit the 800,000 baht ready for you 12 month extension.
Martin *******
@Stuart **********
if getting the non-o retirement visa in my own country (uk) would i not need a Thai bank account? Or would i be able to get that on arrival in Thailand?
Stuart ***********
@Martin ******
no, you can use your UK bank statements to prove you have sufficient funds to apply for the non O in the UK. Then when you enter Thailand with the non O visa you are able to open a bank account because you have a long term visa already. That's why I said it's the easy way to do it. If you open a bank account as soon as you arrive and deposit the 800,000 baht, it's then easy to apply for the 12 month extension of stay, once the money has been in your Thai account for 2 months.
Martin *******
@Stuart **********
ok cheers 👌👌
Bernard ************
@Martin ******
a votre arrivée en Thaïlande
Stephan ***********
Um... what exactly is the question...? 🤔🙄
Ant ***********
Apply for Visa from the Thai embassy in your home country
Ross *******
@Ant **********
don't you need thai bank account?
Ant ***********
@Ross ******
👍

Once you have a suitable Visa approved , Yes once you get here - if you have a Non-O or one of the retirement visas ( over 50 ) - a Thai bank account is one of the first things you need to turn your - Non-O Visa ( 90 days ) into a 12 month extension.

If you are keen to try on your own go to one of the banks , ask their for requirements and see how you go . After reading many posts everyday , It appears to be not that easy , You may need to use a Visa agent to help .

But Yes 100% you need a Thai bank acc . To fulfill the requirements of a 12 mth extension
Braulio *********
@Ant **********
Perfect response
Roger **********
Just go for it
Martyn ***********
You need to provide loads more I for for anything like a relevant answer. Your location? Your nationality? Age? Financial situation? Etc etc...
Todd *********
If you qualify, LTR is the only way to go. By far the best visa in Thailand
Ann-Louise ********
@Todd ********
agree, that’s what we went for. Did take a lot of paperwork , but we got it in 3 months. Can only be issued in Bangkok.
Todd *********
@Ann-Louise *******
can be issued anywhere by e-visa system and applying on the BOI site. And it often takes less than 20 business days if you can easily prove the funds.
Ann-Louise ********
@Todd ********
we had to go to Bangkok, flew up from Phuket, Bangkok is now the only official place to get the LTR issued into your passport.

We were surprised, also ! But at least it’s done, was nice to be there in Bangkok , thoroughly enjoyed our week up there !
Todd *********
@Ann-Louise *******
yes, you are absolutely right, if you are within Thailand, you must go to the BOI offices in BKK. But if you are outside Thailand, it will be sent to you. And congrats, you have the best visa ever offered here!!! Well done
Ann-Louise ********
@Todd ********
thank you ,🙏 we are very happy in Thailand 🇹🇭 love the culture, people and food! 🥘 🇹🇭🙏
Todd *********
@Ann-Louise *******
us too, here for 5 years now and loving every minute
Todd *********
@Diana *****
purchasing a villa cannot be used in the equation at all. As obviously, the villa doesn’t actually belong to you
Billy *********
Tum Visa 😁
Paul *****
Paul *****
Noi's Visa Services
@Noi *********************
Simon *******
If you haven't got a bank account forget it
Max *************
@Simon ******
He doesn't need a Thai bank account when applying in his home country. Extending the stay in Thailand is another story.
Rhonda ********
@Max ************
, how does extended stay differ from retirement where having to have a bank account is concerned?🤔
Max *************
@Rhonda *******
When you apply back home, you just need the required amount of money in your local bank back home.When extending your stay in Thailand, you need the money in a Thai bank account. That's the difference.
Rhonda ********
Max *************
@Rhonda *******
You're welcome. 👍
Simon *******
@Max ************
I sorry couldn't read that in the op
Art *******
Come here only if you have stable income. $2k/mo is minimum imo
Jack ********
@Art ******
$2k per month to live like a peasant.
Paul ****
Check Thai Nexus in Hua Hin, they’ll help you sort it all
Alan **********
MANEERAT agent Pattaya
Simon *******
@Alan *********
They can't do it if you haven't got a bank account already ,they were telling someone when I was in there a few weeks back
Alan **********
@Simon ******
you can with kasicorn bank now
Steve ******
@Alan *********
yep they can open you an account I was in there Wednesday to pick up my passport 😊
Steve ******
@Alan *********
that's who I've just used to renew mine 👍😊
Alan **********
@Steve *****
I use every year
*****
Steve ******
@Alan *********
*****
this time with one re entry 😊
Nigel **************
Thai Visa Centre
Roberto *********
@Nigel *************
Coming to an end
Nigel **************
@Roberto ********
speak with Grace, I'm sure she can do
Roberto *********
@Nigel *************
I've already got a legitimate visa, I don't use agents, never will 😂😂😂
Brandon ************
Your Thai embassy.
Ross *******
@Brandon ***********
applying in Your own country how do you get thai bank account?
Brandon ************
@Ross ******
you don't need a Thai bank account to apply in your own country. How would that make any sense?
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