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What are the requirements for a retirement visa in Thailand for expats from New Zealand?

Retirement Visa Non-O Visa Non-OA Visa Thai Bank Account Medical Insurance Visa Process Expat Life in Thailand

Sep 6, 2025

4 days ago

Shelly ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello 👋 

I have a couple of questions if you could answer please.

My husband and I will be looking to retire to Thailand early next year and have a few questions regarding a retirement visa, we currently reside in New Zealand.

1: With the requirement of THB 800,000 in a Thai bank account, is this amount for each person or is this amount for both of us?

Question 2: Do we have to purchase medical insurance for our Retirement Visa?  Is this compulsory?

Question 3: With the changes in Thai banking, will it be difficult to open a Thai bank account for our Retirement visa, and when will this need to be done? (and how will it be done) because we will need to transfer the THB 800,000 into a Thai bank account as required for the visa.

Question 4: When we arrive we will be on a tourist visa (currently 30 day stay?) which we would need to extend for a further 60 days (total of 90 days) which will allow time needed to organise the bank account, visa etc.... is this the best option for us to do, or is there an easier or better way?

Thanks in advance

Michelle 🙏

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Michelle and her husband, planning to retire in Thailand, have several questions about the retirement visa process. They need clarity on whether the THB 800,000 requirement is per person, if medical insurance is compulsory for the retirement visa, difficulties in opening a Thai bank account, and the best strategy for entering Thailand with a tourist visa while managing their retirement visa needs. Community responses suggest that the 800k is required per person, with options for applying for Non-O or Non-OA visas before arrival to simplify bank account opening. It is recommended to obtain a long-term visa beforehand, as opening a bank account on a tourist visa has become challenging.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
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John **********

It's very difficult to open a bank account on a tourist visa now. Get the 90 day Non-O visa before you leave home, open a bank account when you arrive and put 800k baht into it for the 12 month extension. You don't say where you are from, some consulates might allow one of you to get the Non-O visa based on being over 50 and the other to get a Non-O visa based on being a dependant of the other in which case only one lot of 800k is required. Some consulates require that the person getting the visa based on being over 50 gets a Non-OA visa before they will issue a Non-O dependant visa. Other consulates won't issue a Non-O dependant visa based on the other person being over 50 at all. Talk to the Thai consulate where you live and find out what your options are.

4 days ago

Graeme ******

The 800k baht is for each of you and in accounts in your own name

If you apply for the non o over 50 retirement visa in your home country then this will make it easier to open a bank account and it doesn't require compulsory health insurance. You get 60days visa exempt if you are from one of the named countries. I would suggest you have non o each before you enter thailand

4 days ago

Jesper *******

1)800k for each person

2)nonO doesn't require insurance

3)can open bank acct with proper long term visa(nonO)

4)apply for a nonO in your home country tru thai embassy before visiting thailand.....it's almost impossible to open bank acct with tourist visa

4 days ago

Paul *******

It is best to arrive in Thailand with a Retirement cisa from your own country. To get a Retirement visa/extension of stay based on retirement in Thailand, you need to be able to show the money on your Thai bank account. Catch 22: You cannot open a bank account if you are on a tourist visa or visa exempt stamp.

4 days ago

Stuart *********

You fail to mention nationality but assuming you are from one of the 93 countries that would get a visa exempt entry. Currently that’s 60 days on entry and can extend once for 30 days if so. There is no 60 day extension.

If you enter visa exempt you’ll find it virtually impossible to open a bank account these days. An agent might be able to help you but DIY is almost impossible.

A better option is to apply for a Non O or Non OA visa prior to coming and then you’ll find opening the bank account way easier.

If you opt for the Non O then you’ll each need one and each would need their own funds in a bank account for the ongoing extensions. The advantage is you don’t need medical insurance.

If one of you gets the Non OA then the other can “piggyback” off that visa as a dependent so only one account of 800k needed. The disadvantage is the compulsory medical insurance which can be expensive depending on age.

4 days ago

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Stuart *********

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What is the process for obtaining a retirement visa and a bank account in Thailand?

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