What are the key differences between the Non-O visa and the Thailand Privilege Visa for retirees in Thailand?

Thailand Privledge Visa is wonderful with lots of perks, but you are purchasing it from the government. You are buying the opportunity to stay in Thailand hassle free for 5, 10, or 15 years.

You keep your 800k for the Non Imm O visa. You buy the Elite visa and don't get your money back. The Non Imm O extensions are 1900bt per year. Five years 9500bt as opposed to the 500k for the Elite visa.

Did anyone answer, what happens to your 650,000 Baht for the Thai Privilege Visa?

Contact Thai Visa Centre

Here's the easiest way I can explain it..

1.) you apply for the Non-O in the US and show 3 months worth of your *actual* FDIC bank accounts showing the equivalent of 800k THB (no brokerage accounts, crypto, wallets, etc.

2.) you get your e-visa (count on at least 15 business days for it go through it's process (provided you submitted everything correctly - double check everything before you submit it), it's good for 90 days from the day you get the email... you book your flight, get your temporary residence and arrive in BKK within that 90 day period

3.) the immigration officer will stamp you in and will handwrite "Non-O" in the stamp. This is when your 90 day clock starts ticking to get things done - don't dilly-dally and wait till the last minute (I'm about to tell you why)....

4.) once you're settled in and you have your hotel, condo, pool villa, you are going to need to get a copy of your TM-30 from either the hotel management, or if you're renting, whomever you renting from - they have to submit a TM-30 application so Immigration knows where you're at.

5.) Go get your phone SIM. Take your passport to a cell provider store or kiosk (your 2 best options are AIS or True... I prefer AIS personally) as you will need this for the bank setup process).

*side note: ( I highly recommend going this route if your phone is dual sim capable).... Before I left the US, I went to my nearest T-Mobile store and ensured my existing number was set to e-sim, I then added a Tello physical SIM to my phone, set it up to use my existing US number, and then cancelled my TMobile account about a month before I moved to Thailand. The day before I flew out, I installed a Daily global esim for global data (so I could have internet access while traveling and immediately in Thailand). Then when I arrived in Thailand, I went to the AIS store and had them configure my Thai number as an esim.

6.) Take the TM-30 and your passport and head to the closest immigration office to where you're staying. The purpose of this visit is to obtain your "Residence Certificate for Bank Account", you'll go through the gauntlet and pay like 500 baht for the RC. Depending on the Immigration office, you'll also need 2 passport sized photos (most offices can take your picture on site - but I went to a photo/copy shop and got several copies to keep on hand). after you run the immigration gauntlet and get your RC, then....

7.) go to your preferred bank (i, and most others prefer Kasikorn Bank for ease of opening an account). Be sure to take your passport, tm30, residence certificate and your US drivers license). It will cost something like 300 baht for processing fees and whatever. Then, you can contact your bank back in the US and facilitate an international transfer, or transfer your 800k through wise, remitly, etc.). Now provided you didn't waste over a month to get this done, you will be well within your 2 month "seasoning" period (this means the 800k has been sitting in your Thai bank account WITHOUT GOING BELOW).

8.) Your initial 90 day visa is about to expire.. on the day you head back to immigration (with all your documents and passport), be sure to stop at your bank branch or any bank branch and get your monthly statements dating back to the day you opened the account. They will print it out for you. Take that along with all your other paperwork to Immigration. They'll look through your papers, ask you a few questions and then you'll get your 1 year extension stamp. This will cost 1900 baht if you chose a single entry stamp, or 3800 baht for multiple entry. Then you're good for a year and go back and re-extend for another year.

* as for me, i have been transferring 75k baht every month on top of my 800k sitting in the bank since month 1. I plan on after my first year is up and showing consistent deposits of over 65k/month, to then convert from keeping 800k in the back to the 65k income mode. I wouldn't play around with going below the 800k at all that first year. and if you're planning on doing the 65k route, be absolutely sure your FOREIGN deposits into the Thai bank account equal at least the 65k or more (be mindful of US and Thai holidays that can delay your transfers). I hope this helps, and good luck!

David, the question is regarding your health. Your health insurance coverage here will be determined by the insurance underwriter. Since you will have to provide your medical history, this will determine how much of your body will be covered. I only had half body coverage, the non-critical parts!

In my case insurance was virtually useless. So, I went the Self insured path by having funds set aside to cover medical needs.

Also, your policy will tell you what “fun” activities void ms coverage. So, don’t do risky activities, like riding a motorcycle.

The Non-O visa, applied for when you arrive, is the one that allows you to be self insured by having 800k bt or more in a Thai bank.

Upon arrival work with a Visa agent to get the Non-O retirement visa.

That way I did not need the mandatory health insurance that the Non-OA visa requires.

Non-O there is a requirement, for the first year extension - yes 800K baht in a Thai bank account , ( 2nd year of extension you can choose a different method which is always yours and can be withdrawn if you decide to move on

The LTR has a large cash component up front & is not refundable

For over 50 years of age 100% easier & cheaper to apply for a Suitable retirement Visa from your home country through the Thai Embassy website ( All done online )

When you are ready to come - Apply for a Non-O 90 day single Visa from the Thai Embassy in your home country about 30-45 days before departure.

When applying online you will need to show the required funds in any bank account , some personal details & Flight details & proof of first weeks accommodation .

Once approved & arrive in Thailand you have 90 days to organise for the 12 month extension

No.1 requirement is

Within 2 weeks of arrival You need to set up a Thai bank account & deposit 800K Baht , per person , for at least 60 days to satisfy the extension

Go to the bank of choice & ask them what they require to open a bank account

You can also come to Thailand on a tourist Visa & get it converted to a Non-O retirement Visa for a much higher cost

The privilege visa you are buying. You do not get the $$$ back. It is the easiest visa for those who can afford it. But remember, it is still a tourist visa.

Non refundable

You’re basically buying the privilege (air fingers) to live here

You are indeed confused. The Non-O visa based on being over 50 is a 90 day visa which you get before travelling to Thailand and can be extended in 12 month intervals indefinitely. These extension cost 1900 baht each time. To get the extension you need to show you can support yourself in Thailand hence either 800k baht in the bank or 65k baht per month income (for the prior 12 months) in a Thai bank. The Thai Privilege visa is quite different, you buy it for 650k baht for 5 years, once you buy it that money is gone, you have spent it and can't get it back