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What are the current requirements for obtaining an O-A visa for retirees in Thailand?

O-A Visa Visa Requirements Proof of Income Thai Bank Account Visa Renewal Expats in Thailand Immigration Thailand Visa Rules

Feb 3, 2026

3 months ago

Wayne ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello,

My wife and I want to apply for one year  O-A visas and then renew them annually to spend between 3 and 5 months in Thailand each year after our retirement. When I looked in the past there was a requirement to have a Thai bank account with 800,000 Baht. As we live in France and have to pass through the Thai Embassy in Paris, I just looked on their website for the requirements and it no-longer mentions the need for a Thai bank account, but instead proof of income of 24,000 euro annually. Can anyone confirm if the requirements have really changed as this would make it much easier for us and we wouldn't need a two stage process, first to get a 3-month visa to be able to open an account and the following year an O-A visa.

Thanks to anyone who can confirm or otherwise this change.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The original post inquires about the current requirements for a one-year O-A visa for retirees wanting to spend time in Thailand, specifically whether a Thai bank account is still necessary or if proof of income is sufficient. Community responses clarify that while an O-A visa has provisions for proof of income from abroad (not requiring a Thai bank account), there remains a nuanced approach for renewals in Thailand. To renew annually, proof of income may be accepted, but if this is not provided, showing a minimum of 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account or monthly transfers into a Thai account may be necessary. It's essential to stay informed on specific embassy guidelines and health insurance requirements as these can vary.

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George ******************

For those that use a Letter of Income, I suggest you set up a bank account in Thailand and transfer ฿65,000 every month. For 16 years I used a letter of income from the Canadian Embassy in Bangkok. Then last April with about 1 month notice the Canadian Embassy stoped issuing the letter. Fortunately after the US, UK, and Australia stopped issuing them I opened an account in Thailand and made sure I deposited ฿65,000 every month, so when Canada stopped issuing the letter I was prepared.

3 months ago

Mary ********

Get your Visas in FRANCE NOT THAILAND. Its all electronic and infinitely cheaper and easier in Europe.

There is a huge catch 22 here. You must have a Thai bank account. You cant get visa without 1. Then the bank says sorry no account without a visa.

3 months ago

Mauro *********

Use embassy and consultate

3 months ago

Tod *********

There is no change in requirements for the OA visa. That visa type has always allowed proof of funds in your home country (which is the only place you can get the year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type OA 'Long Stay' visa issued)

You apply for the OA visa thru the eVisa website of the thai consulate in your country, you meet the proof of funds, get the medical certificate, mandatory 100K USD health insurance, back ground check etc.

The visa is valid for a year from the date of issue, it is multiple entry, each entry you will get stamped in for a year (or as long as your insurance is valid for up to a year)

You are confusing a 90 day Non-O visa with a year long Non-OA..

On an OA visa you wouldn't need to get a thai bank account to bank the funds for almost 2 years <- you can get close to 2 years of stay out of an OA visa that is valid for a year by exiting/re-entering with a new year of health insurancejust before the visa expires..

You need to decide if you want to get the year Non-OA (where you can keep the funds in your country)

OR

a 90 day Non-O where you will have to bank the funds in thailand to get the year extension once you're here

3 months ago

Tod *********

@Wayne *******

if your Embassy here does not issue an affidavit of income from a broad notary document, you would have to either transfer 65k per month, each month, every month into a tie bank account in your name only for the previous 12 months before you apply for an extension or you would have to bank the 800k

3 months ago

Wayne ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

Sorry, but I have a follow up question. When we want to renew the visa each year afterwards at the immigration office in Thailand, is proof of income still sufficient or will they require proof of a Thai bank account with the appropriate amount of money in it? What else is required for renewing the visa annually?

3 months ago

Greg ***********

@Wayne *******

please keep in mind, as soon as the "second year" out of the Non-O/A visa is nearing expiry, you must apply for the one year extension of stay, for this the financial proof needs to be made on Immigration inside Thailand. This means on the day you apply, you (UK citizen) either need a minimum of 800,000 THB in your Thai bank account, seasoned for 2 months, or do the proof with a 12-months bank statement, showing you transferred every month, month for month, a minimum of 65,000 THB into your Thai bank account in the recent 12 months, along with the proof it came from abroad. . . . . And regarding the mandatory health insurance, from the 1-yesr extensions onward, Immigration will only accept a tgia-listed Thai private health insurance

3 months ago

Michael ********

@Greg **********

He is French. He doesn't need money in a Thai bank. He can get an income letter.

3 months ago

Greg ***********

@Michael *******

he lives in France but is born in Gloucester. I highly doubt that he has a French passport, although we can't rule it out

3 months ago

Wayne ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Greg **********

I do have a French passport!

3 months ago

Tod *********

@Wayne *******

then in you can indeed get the affidavit of income from abroad notary letter from your embassy here when you do finally go to the immigration office to get the year extension.

WHICH if you get an OA visa before you wing your way here won't be for 2 years if you use the visa correctly 🙂

3 months ago

Reply to

Tod *********

Michael ********

You would not be renewing a visa for future years. You must be referring a year long extension of stay. If the French embassy still issues the income letters, then yes, you can use it for proof of income for a yearly extension of stay in Thailand. Be aware that if you started with an OA visa, and then get an extension of stay in Thailand, you will need to renew your insurance every year as well.

3 months ago

Reply to

Michael ********

Wayne ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

Thanks very much for the clarification.

3 months ago

Reply to

Wayne ********

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