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What are the requirements and options for obtaining a retirement visa (OA) in Thailand from Australia or upon arrival?

Retirement VisaThailand ImmigrationNon-O VisaVisa RequirementsBank Account for VisaMedical Insurance for Visa
Mar 6, 2023
2 years ago
Steve ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you for reading and any replies. I am looking at OA retirement Visa options - 1. getting it in Australia will cost approximately 10000 baht plus the insurance requirement seems to be about 30000 baht..🤔

2. The other option is to come to Thailand on a 45 day Visa on arrival then pay somebody 30000 battery-> you get 15 months of retirement Visa, (tacked on to your 45 day free Visa entry), which includes a bank book and within that you have accident medical insurance ... is this all I need to do..??
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is considering two options for obtaining an OA retirement visa for Thailand: acquiring it in Australia for about 10,000 baht plus insurance, or entering Thailand on a 45-day Visa on Arrival and paying 30,000 baht to obtain a 15-month retirement visa. Various comments provide insight into visa types, bank account requirements, insurance considerations, and the processes involved in obtaining the visa, suggesting that a Thai bank account is necessary for the process. Additionally, alternatives such as changing from a tourist visa to a non-O retirement visa in Thailand are discussed, along with costs associated and the need for documentation.
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.
Steve ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you for your time to write all that information which is excellent and it is perfect except for the last 8 years, I have been doing my OA in Australia Using my Australian bank account with over $
*****
. Don't really want to open a Thai bank account because often I buy and sell Shares sometime in one day some time it takes 6 months to sell. Not sure if I can do this using a Thai bank account..??
2 years ago
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Klaus ***********
You left out where you want to retire? Not all immigration offices ask the same and who quoted you 30.000 baht for the visa conversion to Non O and retirement ? It should be roughly
***
that price.

So having turned 50 I arrived on 30 day visa exempt stamp - was told by my agency (Best Friend Visa in Chiang Mai) to have at least 3 weeks left on my stamp - put the 800k into a fixed savings account went to my agency in Chiang Mai paid 14.900 Baht the first time and they took care of everything - change from visa exempt stamp to non immigrant O - and then finally the retirement extension - done. Only 2 short visits to the agency and immigration to have my picture taken.

You also need a TM30 which you should have anyway from your landlord or hotel where you are staying.

Yearly extension now for 5200 Baht - one short visit to the bank to get bank letter and update bank book - visit to agency hand over everything and meet next day at immigration to take picture and pick up passport with 1 year extension - done for another year .
2 years ago
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Russell *******
Come on a tourist visa and change in Thailand to non O retirement, no insurance needed and 3900baht for 15months 1900 baht for each extension. You just need the 800,000 baht ina bank account 🙏
2 years ago
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Steve ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
2 years ago
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Steve ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Russell ******
 Thank you Russell the most simple and easy option Does the bank account have to be a Thai bank account or can I use my Australian..?~
2 years ago
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Russell *******
@Steve *******
 it must be a Thai bank account,and opening the account is likely to be your biggest headache in the process of getting your visa

Just be patient and you will find a branch that with open an account for you

As soon as I had a certificate of residence from immigration,it was very easy. 🙏
2 years ago
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Steve ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Russell ******
 Thank you but I will never have a certificate of residency so I hope it's not too difficult
2 years ago
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Russell *******
@Steve *******
 really , all hoteliers , landlords or friends are required to inform the immigration of your stay That is enough information for immigration to issue a resident certificate 🙏
2 years ago
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Russell *******
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Richard *********
@Russell ******
 Or Visa exempt 🙂 save the $40
2 years ago
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Russell *******
@Richard ********
 Yes that's the other option depending where the poster is from. From my indeed the extra days, so the cost is worth it 🙏
2 years ago
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Russell *******
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Sean *********
Don't forget you need a thai bank account with
*****
0 baht for 3 months(
*****
0 in your account constantly) before you apply for retirement visa. You need to do some research on options. Not sure on a monthly income (pension etc) for other visas
2 years ago
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Wayne *********
@Sean ********
 you dont from Australia, we can get the OX 5 year retirement visa and leave our money in Australia banks, can even get it on salary if you earn more than 5000k a month via our Sydney Thai Consult, many countries have different requirements
2 years ago
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Sean *********
@Wayne ********
 every day is a school day, didn't know that thanks
2 years ago
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Sean *********
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Bobby ********
Talk to
@Wayne ********
 in the Australians In Thailand group. Get the OX visa from Sydney Consulate. It's a 5+5 year retirement visa. Don't pay anything to an agent and no need to transfer money.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
There's no visa or bank book that includes medical insurance
2 years ago
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Steve ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 ~ So if you do your Visa in the country you are coming from, you have to pay for medical insurance but if you get an agent in Thailand to do the retirement Visa for you, you don't have to pay for medical insurance which means you're also not covered..🤥
2 years ago
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Steve ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you and yes getting an OA Visa in Australia, requires medical insurance but all people I have spoken to who you have got their 1st retirement Visa (and of course renewal renewal) with an agent in Thailand, they have never purchased medical insurance..??😒
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Steve *******
 because it's not required..
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
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Brandon ************
@Steve *******
 no. If you do an OA visa which you can ONLY do in your home country, you have to have medical insurance. One of the requirements for an OA visa is medical insurance.

If you do a non-O visa in your home country, you might not be required to get medical insurance as there is no requirement to have that with a non-O visa.

If you get a non-O visa in Thailand, whether you get it yourself or through an agent, there is no requirement for medical insurance because it's not required for a non-O.

Where you get the visa isn't the issue, it's the type of visa. Non-OA always requires insurance whereas non-O does not.

The reason you have to show 800,000₿ to get a non-O visa is to prove you can take care of yourself if something happens. So there is no requirement for insurance because you have proven you have money.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
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Paul ********
@Brandon ***********
 if you open a Bangkok bank account they charge you 6or 7,000 baht but that’s just accident on a bike insurance. I wonder if they are saying this is the insurance you need to rip you off?
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Paul *******
 that's an "optional" insurance policy they charge to foreigners to open an account. Optional as in you can say no but they won't open the account for you. It's depends on the branch of Bangkok bank though as some will not even offer and some will accept a "no thank you" and still open the account.
2 years ago
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Bonnie *********
@Brandon ***********
 not true, I opened with no insurance fee at BKB.
2 years ago
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Paul ********
@Brandon ***********
 yes I accepted mine just to get the account but maybe the agencies are saying it’s sufficient. I know it’s not
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Paul *******
 an agent opened bank account will not include the insurance though.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
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