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What are the requirements and steps to apply for a Non-OA visa in Thailand, and can I do it without an agent?

Mar 5, 2025
4 days ago
Lucia *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am going to apply for a non immigrant OA retirement visa in Thailand. Doing research it say you need to deposit 800k baht or show passive income of 65k baht a month? It that right? Is it one or the other? How difficult is it to apply yourself in person at the immigration without an agent? Would I need to deposit money before applying? Which from what I am reading hard to open a bank account without proof of residency. Any advise what steps to take in chronological order for a smooth process would be greatly appreciated. If you are required to deposit 800k in bank, can that money be used to pay rent or medical? Does the 90 day reporting ask questions in regard to money left in the Thai bank?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
To apply for a Non-Immigrant OA Retirement Visa in Thailand, you typically need to provide proof of funds, either through a bank deposit of 800,000 THB or a monthly passive income of at least 65,000 THB. This visa can only be obtained from your home country; you cannot apply for it within Thailand. Instead, you can apply for a 90-day Non-O visa, which gives you time to gather necessary documents for the OA visa. Banks often require a Non-O visa to open an account, complicating fund management. You should prepare for a 90-day reporting requirement once in Thailand, focusing on maintaining your required funds in the bank. Health insurance requirements differ between the NON-O and NON-OA visas and should be verified for current standards.
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.
Roberto ******
Can I get the current requirement for health insurance between a NON-O and a NON-OA.
Graham ******
@Roberto *****
Non-O has no mandatory insurance but you cannot simply switch in country to a Non-O from a Non--OA
Lucia *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you everyone for your feedback, it’s very helpful. I see that Thailand has an e-visa site to apply online, wondering if anyone has experience with it? I am currently traveling in Asia and will not be back in the US for a while, does anyone know if I could apply from a different country? I will be in Indonesia for the next month or two and wondering if I can apply from there as well as provide a health check up from a country other than my home country to meet one of the requirements online?
Brandon ************
@Lucia ********
you need to check the embassy in the country you'll be in to see if they accept visa applications from non-residents. Some Thai embassies do and some do not.

But you CANNOT get an OA visa while you're traveling. You can ONLY get an OA visa from the Thai embassy of your passport country.
Lucia *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
thank you for your feedback, great info
Jan ******************
@Lucia ********
You can and have to apply for a e-visa through the embassy/consulate where you currently stays. Regular Non O normally don’t require a health check up or a health insurance, but this could be a bit embassy dependent. Check their website and the e-visa portal. You can fulfil the requirements by providing required documentation from country you’re applying.
Lucia *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jan *****************
thank you for your feedback, great info
Charles **********
I recently documented, on my Travel Blog, the process as it applies in the United Arab Emirates. You may find some useful tips there as the process should be similar around the world. Good Luck 🇹🇭🙏🏻
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Steven ***************
To answer your question about 90 day report, it only applies to those on long term extensions and only if you stay in country 90 days or longer without leaving. DTV may be different as its 180 day stays but I don't know.
Graham ******
@Steven **************
A Non-OA Visa also does 90 day reports
Brandon ************
@Steven **************
DTV is not different. Still required to do 90 day report
Jan ******************
You can’t apply for a Non O-A in Thailand. Only a 90 days Non O visa and apply for a one year extension of stay.

As you seem to be from the US your embassy in Bangkok doesn’t offer to give you a affidavit letter regarding income, so you’ll need to prove 800K baht in your account in Thailand as an international transfer to apply. For the second year you can switch to the income method by showing proof of twelve months consecutive transfers of minimum 65K baht a month.

You’ll need 14-21 days left on your stamp to apply but your biggest issue will be to opening a bank account in Thailand on a short stay. If you apply for the 90 days Non O visa at home before you leave with your income or funds, you’re making everything more easy for yourself.

Regarding opening bank accounts most bank requires minimum a Non O visa, some also your first year extension of stay.
Brandon ************
You cannot get a non-OA visa in Thailand. This visa is only available from the Thai embassy in your home country.

You can get a 90-day non-O visa in Thailand, but that's not a good idea. You won't be able to open a bank account as a tourist and having the required funds in a Thai bank account is one of the requirements if you try to apply for the visa in Thailand.

You should do it the way it's meant to be done, by applying for the non-O visa from a Thai embassy, which let's you show the required proof of funds from anywhere. Then when you get to Thailand you can use your non-O visa to open a bank account and transfer the money you'll need to apply for your 1-year extension.

Unless your embassy in Thailand offers income verification (many do not) then you won't be able to use monthly income for your extension. The only thing immigration will accept for the first year is 800,000 in a Thai bank account or embassy verified income.
Graham ******
You can only get a Non-OA from your country of residence, check the Embassy website
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