This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

What are the requirements for applying for a Non-O visa in Thailand based on retirement, particularly regarding bank funds?

Non-O visa Thailand visa retirement visa visa application visa extension financial requirements Thai bank account proof of funds international transfers health insurance

Feb 19, 2025

18 days ago

Nick *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I’ve seen the problems some are having with immigration trying to return. In the last 12 months I’ve had 1 x 60 day visa + 30, 1 x 30 + 30 and 2 x 60 + 30’s in my passport.

Next time I enter I will be applying for the Non-O based on retirement but don’t want to risk entering on a 60 day again, just in case. So I looked up the requirements to apply for the 90 day Non-O. 

Am I missing something because I’ve seen what is needed to apply for the same visa in Thailand and the online application didn’t ask for that much. It asked for normal stuff like passport details, proof of UK address, flight details, Thailand address, current photo and proof of funds, showing I had the equivalent of 800k baht in my UK bank. That’s it! 

So when I arrive and apply for the extension, do I 100% not have to show 800k in my Thai account? If not, what happens the next year when it’s time to renew? I’m guessing I’ll need the 800k 2 months before application or 12 x 65k pm transfers right?

1,248

views

likes

all likes

replies

images

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

The user discusses their experience with visa applications and highlights the confusion surrounding requirements for the Non-O retirement visa in Thailand. They inquire whether the 800,000 baht fund needs to be in a Thai bank for their extension, given it was validated in their UK bank for the initial application. Responses clarify that while applying from the UK, funds can be shown from any bank, but for extensions in Thailand, the funds must be in a Thai bank account. For subsequent extensions, the option of showing monthly transfers is available.

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.

Pelle Eriksson★★★★★

Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...

recently on Facebook

Luca G.★★★★★

I used this agency for my DTV Visa...

recently on Google

Trusted Retirement Visa Agent

OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED

#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND

John ********

Nick the application in the UK does seems almost suspiciously simple and straight forward. However it as they state. I applied in November and was given the visa 4 weeks later (never had to wait longer than 5 days for a tourist visa previously). Good luck with it all. Definitely the most straight forward route even the kind people at my local immigration office said this is the best route to then getting the year extension rather than converting a tourist visa in country

17 days ago

Annette *********

You also might still be required to have health insurance cover for approx 2.5 million bht. But please do check as so much has changed since i converted my OA to a non o retirement (which does not require insurance, but you do have to have your eight hundred thou in a Thai bank account.

17 days ago

Nick *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Annette ********

No insurance requested for this visa.

17 days ago

Reply to

Nick *******

Joe **********

Is it really worth it for a cheap 'Happy ending'?

17 days ago

Nick *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Grow up.

Joe **********

Shut up!

Nick *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Joe *********

idiot.

17 days ago

Reply to

Nick *******

Gary *******

I'm tempted to retire in Thailand but immigration visa rules keep changing too stressful and risky

18 days ago

Kim *********

@Gary ******

actually not

17 days ago

Michael *******

Only changing to prevent people gaming the system, genuine retirees with the correct visa have absolutely no issues with visa process.

18 days ago

Pertti **********

@Gary ******

What is changed is, how they treat people, who try to live in Thailand as a tourist.

18 days ago

Roberto *********

@Gary ******

The rules relating to "retirement" visas, non-O and non-OA have actually changed very little in the last few years.

18 days ago

Reply to

Roberto *********

Will ************

UK is £18k as a final balance on you latest bank statement.

18 days ago

Stuart *********

If you apply for the Non O in the UK you need to provide what they ask for. Funds don’t need to be in a Thai bank, just the equivalent in any bank in your name.

When you get to the extension stage within Thailand then funds will need to be in a Thai bank in your name only.

You can’t get the first year extension (UK based as your embassy won’t issue an income affidavit) other than using banked money. For the 2nd extension and further ones you can switch to the income based international transfers of 12 months of 65k per month method.

18 days ago

David ********

@Stuart ********

For the OA visa that takes care of the first year full year, it is usually a multi-entry visa you get in your home country, the 2nd year is an extension, and it is not multi-entry, you get that from Thai Immigration like most extensions. With a multi-entry visa, you can leave Thailand but this will be the conclusion of your 2-year stay. getting a 2nd extension if you can get would allow you to stay in Thailand on a single extension. I have not heard of this. One multi-AO visa with one extension In my experience you only get one extension the 2nd extension is not available, you can only get one extension on an OA visa from your home country for which you can only stay 2 years total, a 2nd extension would make it a total of 3 years. I stand corrected?

18 days ago

Nick *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stu***

thanks for the reply. So I will still have to transfer 800k for the extension? The proof of funds in my UK account doesn’t go towards that for the first application?

18 days ago

Brandon ************

@Nick ******

The proof of funds in your UK account goes towards your VISA. But the EXTENSION is from inside Thailand, and for that you have to show money in Thailand. You would have to show the same thing if you applied for the non-O visa in Thailand.

18 days ago

Nick *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Cheers

@Bra****

👍

18 days ago

Phil ******

@Nick ******

i might like to add that BoT has directed banks not to open new accounts. Here's some info

Chris Birch here's a post I did tonight

Tin Kwuk Lo very very difficult to open bank accounts now let alone specify a bank. Re dtv visa apply in your home country please as not able to do inside Thailand

************************************************

18 days ago

Nick *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ph**

, luckily I already have one open 👍

17 days ago

Reply to

Nick *******

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

... members · 60% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.