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What are the steps and potential challenges for a US citizen planning to retire in Thailand with a Non-Immigrant OA Visa?

Thailand Retirement VisaNon-Immigrant OA VisaVisa Application ProcessExpats in ThailandBanking in ThailandHealth Insurance for ExpatsThai Visa Regulations
May 8, 2022
3 years ago
Fernando ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone, need your much appreciated input. I’m a 55 yr old US citizen and my goal is to retire in Thailand (way stressed out in the US). I plan on eventually getting a Non-Immigrant OA Visa (Retirement Visa).

My plan:

- all paperwork & documentation required will have in 2 sets of copies for xtra safety.

- Months in advance prior to trip, open Thai bank acct min $800k BHT while in the US. Also obtain: updated bank book along with bank letter stating money had been deposited to the acct from an overseas source.

- obtain Health Insurance thru SafetyWing.com prior to trip (insured 50-59yrs: ~ $107 dollars for 28 days - recurring 28 day cost).

- Enter Thailand with a 60-day Visa.

- While in Thailand, secure a rental agreement + acquire 1 or 2 recurring monthly bills under my name (required documentation for Non OA Visa)

- Apply for 30-day Visa extension while in Thailand.

- Apply for Non OA Visa.

- 🙏 all goes well.

I understand I can apply for Non OA Visa from the US, before heading to Thailand, however I rather apply for this process after living in Thailand for a while. The paperwork “DIY process” for Non OA Visa will cost me ~ $1,900 BHT. Am I missing something?

Thx Everybody!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A 55-year-old US citizen seeks advice on retiring in Thailand with a Non-Immigrant OA Visa. They plan to prepare necessary documentation, open a Thai bank account, obtain health insurance while in the US, and apply for a 30-day visa extension upon arrival in Thailand. Community responses stress the importance of applying for the Non-OA Visa in the US, as it's not available in Thailand, and highlight challenges with opening a Thai bank account as a tourist. Alternative suggestions include applying for a Non-O Visa to later transition to a retirement visa and the potential need for ongoing health insurance.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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  • 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.
Terary **********
Jezz man you are thorough and ask intelligent questions. I think I will contact you for my next visa needs.
3 years ago
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Bernd *********
Fernando, I have a similar Plan for Spring 2023, however, I will have proof of my SS (if you can proof of more than THB 65K per month.. no THB 800k required) as for long-term Health Insurance.. I will go with Pacific Cross or Cigna as Option B. Have you settled already on an area where You plan to put down roots ?
3 years ago
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Edna *******
If you have regular income in the US , investments etc. many will not direct deposit . When you open a Thai account use Bangkok bank. Reason being they are the only bank that will allow this service because they have a branch in New York. I’ve researched it recently, I suggest you do the same. Just another detail you may not have considered. This bank is the largest in Thailand. By researching you will find all the details.
3 years ago
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THAI ******************************
The SafetyWing policy does not meet the requirements for OA

Another option is to just arrive on 30 day exempt, and then apply for non-o immediately, and avoid the additional insurance requirements entirely.

Our team offers full support for retirement visa services, and we have successfully assisted with thousands of cases.
3 years ago
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Lyndon ************
If you're happy to put the 800k in a Thai bank, I would advise arriving on a 60 day tourist visa. Open bank account, move money, then apply for a change of visa to 90 day non-o retirement 2000THB. Once the money has seasoned for two months, apply for a 12 months extension 1900THB. No additional insurance required for the Non-o, where as the OA requires ongoing insurance for each extension etc...

Before coming over, make an online appointment with your Embassy to request a 'Embassy Certified Copy of your passport' it will help when opening a bank account and some embassies have a long wait for appointments.
3 years ago
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Fernando ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lyndon ***********
 god bless you Lyndon. Thx you for this detailed explanation. 🙏
3 years ago
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Fernando ************
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Sharon *******
OA only available outside Thailand, you can show the funds in an account from your home country. Alternatively as mentioned you can come on an O or Tourist visa & try to open a Thai bank account very quickly to season your funds.

I think you may be confusing the initial visa & they yearly extension of stay that you will apply for in Thailand at 1900bt a year.

The benefit of the OA is that it can all be done before you leave, the downside is the ongoing Insurance requirement which can get expensive as you age.

There is currently no Insurance requirement with the O visa leaving you free to choose your own level of cover, you will just need to fulfill the Thaipass requirement if it's still going.
3 years ago
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Robert **********
Its address verification
3 years ago
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Wai *****
Re open bank ac, I was told by Bangkok bank people that to get a sort of guarantee letter from yr country consulate.
3 years ago
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Colleen *********
@Wai ****
 what exactly is meant by that??
3 years ago
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Wai *****
@Colleen ********
 ie u go to bank and they will let u see a template, e.g. u from Canada u go to canadian consulate in Bangkok to get that letter for opening ac purposes
3 years ago
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Colleen *********
@Wai ****
 I'm from oz. I've been advised on these sites Oz consulate don't do this anymore. Thanks for your reply.
3 years ago
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Colleen *********
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Garrett ***********
Non-OA requires health insurance for a year, the Non-O doesn't require any.
3 years ago
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Fernando ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Peter…thx you. SafetyWing…will switch to real healthcare insurance once in Thai - thx you!
3 years ago
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Julian *******
F
3 years ago
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Steve *******
You can only apply for the Non Imm OA in your home country. It seems you've done some research but not quite enough. Just get the OA before you get here and you're good to go!
3 years ago
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Brook ********
@Steve ******
 Don’t get the OA in your home country. Get the NonO within Thailand. No insurance required. Trust me this will save you a lot of potential headaches now and in the future.
3 years ago
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Steve *******
@Brook *******
 Swings and roundabouts! Most people have insurance anyway. OA gives you nearly 2 years, no money in a Thai bank. Get the O in your home country, only 90 days, money sleeping in a Thai bank for a year(extention of stay). Both visas have pros and cons.
3 years ago
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Brook ********
@Steve ******
 until you get denied insurance coverage by one of the 14 thai companies.
3 years ago
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Brook ********
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Fernando ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
 got it. Thx you so much!
3 years ago
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Fernando ************
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Bim *******
You can only apply for an OA in your home country
3 years ago
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Fernando ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bim ******
 thx you Bim.
3 years ago
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Fernando ************
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Brandon ************
You cannot get a non-OA visa in Thailand. This visa is only available in your home country.

You can get a non-O in Thailand, but that's very different from the no-OA. Most of the things you've said line up correctly with getting a non-O and should work.

One thing you won't be able to do is open a Thai bank account before you travel to Thailand. It's not like the US where you can just register for a bank account online. You must do everything in person, and even once you're here you can't really do anything over the phone or online when it comes to managing your account. You have to go in person with your passport and bank book.

It is sometimes difficult to open a bank account on a tourist visa. You could possibly get the non-O visa while you're still in the US, but it's not always available and you'd have to check with your local consulate. The only real difference if you did it that way is that it would be easier to open the account in Thailand if you're on the non-O visa already, but you'd need to open your bank account quickly once you arrive to get your money to start seasoning for your one year extension.
3 years ago
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Fernando ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 thank you so much Brandon.
3 years ago
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Fernando ************
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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