What are the steps and requirements for applying for a retirement visa in Thailand?

It is easier, less hassle and more secure to apply from your home country. Do it at least 6 weeks before you intend to fly. Good luck

1. Yes, I suggest that you apply before arrival. 2. Once you are here and have your Retirement visa, then you can go to Immgration and purchase a single or a multi re entry. 3. There is no m inimum stay requirement. 4. It is straight forward and simple to do yourself - why pay an agent extra money.

There are a number of different visas all referred to as retirement visas. The Non-O is by far the most common but if you want a Multiple Entry retirement visa out of the box it may also be worth looking at the Non-OA option. The drawback is it requires insurance and a police check

Straightforward to get your Extension of Stay in your case

I would like to know how you opened a bank acct ? I understood that you had to have a visa to do so? I plan on moving in May , but don't have insurance nor bank acct. I do have the money for bank deposit. But need to open an acct. thought I would just do that when I got there? I am 77 with a few ailments that won't be covered by insurance, so I probably won't be able to get it. Nothing life threating. Just high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, COPD..

1) If you apply before you go to Thailand, you'll save 2 trips to immigration, many hours of waiting, and you will be able to apply for the 1-year extension sooner.

2) You cannot get a multiple entry retirement visa. But you can purchase a re-entry permit for your extension so that it is not cancelled when you leave Thailand.

3) You'll need to be in Thailand long enough to apply for the 1-year extension. That means if you purchase the 90 day non-O visa before you travel, you would need to stay at least 45 days if you will be staying in an area where you can apply for the extension 45 days before your stamp expires (Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, a couple others) or at least 60 days for the rest of the immigration offices. But once you get the 1-year extension you can purchase a re-entry permit and leave. You just need to be back before the extension expires to apply for the next one.

4) No need for an agent. You already meet all the requirements, the largest one being the money in the bank.