What Are the Requirements for Applying for a Non-O Retirement Visa in Thailand?

Question

Hi all. I am getting ready to apply for a Non-O retirement visa. I have read lots of information, but some of it is confusing so I would appreciate it if anyone here can clarify some questions for me.

--My Situation--

I am a UK citizen, with UK passport valid until 2028.

I have been in and out on tourist visas for the past 3 years. I do not work in Thailand. Now that I have turned 50 I can finally apply for a retirement visa.

I am currently here on visa exempt (3 weeks remaining, but should be extendable for another 30 days if necessary)

I will be doing the visa application within Thailand. If I understand correctly this will be a Non-O retirement visa (as opposed to a Non-OA if I applied outside of Thailand?), initially valid for 3 months then extendable on a yearly basis.

Question 1: Is the above understanding correct? Can I apply within Thailand for the Non-O visa based on retirement, and extend it yearly?

--Question about Savings requirements--

I have transferred 800,000 THB from my UK bank to a saving account with Bangkok bank. The transfer completed 2 weeks ago. I hear some people say the money must have been deposited for 2 months, others saying that it does not matter for initial application, and some saying that technically it should be there for 2 months but immigration officers don't insist on it.

Question 2: Which of the above opinions is correct? Will i be able to start my application now, even though the 800K has only been deposited for 2 weeks?

--Question about Health insurance--

Question 3: Is it true that I do not require health insurance when applying for the non-o visa within Thailand? Furthermore, under the current rules, can I also get the yearly extensions without having health insurance?

(I live on a modest budget of about 40-50K per month. The new health insurance requirements for the non-oa visa would be quite a significant hit for me, so i would prefer to avoid that. This is one of my primary reasons for going the non-o route.)

-- Questions about Other requirements--

What about Medical certificate and/or a Police check? Some people tell me these are required, others say they are not required if applying within Thailand. So:

Question 4: Do I need medical certificate and/or a police clearance certificate?

Question 5: Are there any other requirements or anything else I should do before applying?  Or can I apply with just the application form, my passport, and the passbook/letter from bank showing that I have 800K in savings?

Thanks in advance for answers and advice,

Robert

Ask Thailand · Answer

This post outlines the process and requirements for a UK citizen applying for a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand. The author, Robert, seeks clarification on various aspects, including the validity of the visa applied for within Thailand, savings requirements, health insurance necessities, and additional documentation needed like medical and police certificates. The community provides insightful answers, confirming that Robert can apply for the visa without a required waiting period for the deposited funds, and health insurance is not mandatory for the Non-O visa.

John ******** · Answer

Is it possible to get the non O visa based on monthly income of  65000 coming from overseas?

James ******** · Answer

👏 Bravo to OP Robert Poston for your well thought out and detailed post re obtaining the retirement visa inside Thailand.

And to[mention redacted]s and[mention redacted]s for your fine replies. Well done ALL. !

Tod ********* · Answer

You need 15 days or more left on your current entry stamp (either a 30 day visa exempt or a 60 day tourist visa OR a 30 day extension from one of those). You need to have transferred the money in from abroad in to a thia bank account in your name only. Get the bank letter, update the bank book the date you apply, there is no requirement that the money be in the account any length of time for getting a 90 day Non-O, only that it came in from abroad.

You will need your lease, proof of having filed a TM30, copies of the relevant passport pages, there is no medical certificate or police check or insurnace (those are all things you need to get an O-A visa in your country before you come here not to get an in country Non-O)

You go to section C-1, apply, pay the 2000baht and you will get a receipt that states to come back in 14 days to get the 'results' (that's why you need at least 15 days on your current stamp. On that date you go back, show your passport and the receipt and the officer will stamp a non-O visa and a new 90 day entry stamp into your passport.

Then you wait until you have 45 days or less left on that and go back and apply for a yearly extension in section L..

Robert ******* · Answer

The visa will be valid for 90 days, after 60 days you can visit the Immigration Office with almost the same copies to apply for the 1 year Extension of Stay, Immigration Officers will explain you if you apply for this visa.

Robert ******** · Answer

Incidentally, I am based in Bangkok, so I guess I would use the Chang Watthana office?

Robert ******** · Answer

[mention redacted] thank you so much for precise answers to my questions. You are brilliant!

Robert ******* · Answer

5) As you have to visit the Immigration Office to ask if conversion can be done there, take directly the latest updated list with requirements and you can tick the list while preparing one by one.

Robert ******* · Answer

4) If you apply at your local Immigration Office you do not need a Police record or depending on Office a medical statement.

Robert ******* · Answer

3) Health insurance is not a requirement for the Non Immigrant O visa, if it is wise to stay inside Thailand without an Insurance is another discussion.

Robert ******* · Answer

2) For the application of the Visa you need 800.000 Thb on a Thai bank account on your name. You need a letter from the bank that this is indeed your account and that this money is coming in from abroad. No seasoned period needed for the application of the visa.

Robert ******* · Answer

I try question by question: Not every Immigration Office is allowed to do conversions from Tourist Visa or Visa Exempt Entry into the Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age. You have to check this with your local Immigration Office and also the amount of needed days left on your current stay, some need 15 days others 21 days.

What Are the Requirements for Applying for a Non-O Retirement Visa in Thailand?

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