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What are the steps to apply for a Non-O retirement visa for Thailand upon arrival?

Non-O visa retirement visa Thailand immigration bank account requirements expat life in Thailand Visa application process Thai embassy procedures

Jul 31, 2025

25 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi all, want to Retire in Thailand in Sept, plan to fly on 31 Aug and apply for Non O retirement visa. I have cash to bank and income on a monthly basis. I have a house

In Roi Et Province with my partner. 

What do I need to do?  Is it arrive and the request local Immigration for 30 day extension? Open account and deposit money for the 60

Days then complete the visa process?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

To retire in Thailand and obtain a Non-O visa, expats should apply for the visa at the Thai embassy in their home country before traveling. This visa is necessary to open a bank account in Thailand, which is required for financial proofs like the 800,000 baht deposit needed for retirement extensions. Upon arrival in Thailand, expats must get a SIM card, a residence certificate, and potentially a 'yellow book' and 'pink ID' for local documentation. A conversion from tourist status to a retirement visa is no longer straightforward and often requires a long-term visa obtained outside of Thailand. Gathering necessary documents such as police clearance, bank statements, and medical insurance is crucial in this process.

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.

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Pete *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Spoke to Thai embassy today. Need police clearance, bank statements, residence permits. Medical Insurance forms signed and med certificate. Seems like a lot

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David *********

Unfortunately you now need a long term visa in order to get a bank account in Thailand You also need a bank account to get long term visa from within Thailand. You need to apply for a visa outside of Thailand

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Todd *********

You may need to get a yellow book to open an account in Roi Et

Birth and marriage certs translated by the correct translator (green and red stamp)

lots of passport photos (5 at least)

Will need a SIM card in your name

TM 30

Thai alien ID card (pink ID card - you get that same time as your yellow book)

1. Evisa for non O (90 days) before you come

2. Fly in and get SIM card

3. Get mrs to do a TM 30 and residence certificate for you at Roi Et immigration

4. Try a few banks with residence certificate , if no luck go for yellow book and ID (translated docs required)

5. With yellow book and ID, and SIM card open bank account

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Pete *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

sounds good thanks Todd. Will Keep in touch for advise if that’s ok

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Pete *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks Todd. Couple of things. Yellow book and Pink ID card, where do I get those We are not married so do I need birth cert etc translated? Can this be done in Thai?

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Todd *********

10k total but that’s included home visits (wheelchair issues) for 2 people (parents) and done in 2 days after I provided the translated docs.

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Todd *********

go to the province govt office and ask if you can without a marriage certificate

I’m in kuchinarai province, KALASIN so I went the the kuchinarai govt office

Can take a few weeks if you don’t give coffee money so I’d get onto it straight away

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Roger **********

How much is coffee money mate I live in the same area thank you just a guide so I don't mess up

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Roger **********

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Graham ******

add to 3. "and get a Residence Certificate"

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Todd *********

yes, forgot that one, just edited it. Thanks

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Todd *********

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Stuart ***********

There are two ways of achieving this; easy/inexpensive and difficult/expensive.

Brandon and Lynette explained the easy route, Bill gave you the difficult option.

It used to be possible to arrive without a visa and either do it yourself or pay an agent, but that has changed now and it seems even agents are having to use workarounds like getting an education visa first, before getting the retirement visa, all of this adds cost. Up to you.

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Bill *********

I arrived into Thailand and hired a visa agent to get everything arranged. Worked out great

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

you still need the 90 day non-O first. Agents can't help you if you don't have that anymore

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Bill *********

@Brandon ***********

Oh okay...new procedures!

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Bill *********

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Pete *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks. Issue is I am currently working in SA and didn’t plan on going to UK first due to flight costs. Is there no way to do without trip To UK. Not lived in UK for last 14 years

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Jan ******************

You just apply online based on where you currently stay and you’ll be directed to the nearest embassy/consulate that serves your area. UK passport holder residency in SA.

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

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Jan ******************

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Lynnette *******

Get your visa in home country before you arrive. Then easier to open bank account. Get 12 month Extension based on retirement.

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Randy *******

@Lynnette ******

yes since I was already in Thailand, I had to go to Laos to get my typo visa. Actually I’m at the airport. Getting ready to fly back to Thailand right now. It took four days once I was in Laos to get my non 0 visa.

On a sidenote, it was crazy how much food and things in Luang Prabang cost. in the tourist area was five times higher cost than the tourist area of Chiang Mai

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Randy *******

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

Don't fly to Thailand then apply for a non-O visa. Apply for the non-O visa now from the Thai embassy, or you won't be able to open a bank account in Thailand.

In order to apply to convert to non-O visa in Thailand, you must already have a Thai bank account but you cannot open a bank account as a tourist. Therefore you need to get the visa before you travel.

Once you arrive you should be able to open a bank account with the non-O you get from the embassy. Then transfer the 800,000 baht to your bank account and you can apply for the 1-year extension after the money has been in your account for 2 full months.

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Liam ***********

@Brandon ***********

do you have to provide proof of address when you open a bank account with your non 0 ?

When I travel over in January to start my retirement process, I will be initially renting a condo for six months. Will that rent agreement be okay as proof of address. ? Thanks

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Sabrina **********

@Liam **********

hi, quick question we are planning to do the same but aren’t sure how or who to trust to find and secure a rental for 6 months. Could you advise on what you did please?

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

@Liam **********

Each bank branch (not just eat bank) sets their own requirements. Some might require a lease, and some might not. How long that lease is, is also up to the bank branch. You'll want to get a certificate of residence from immigration for proof of address.

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

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Pete *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks all.

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Pete *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

Thanks. Issue is I am currently working in SA and didn’t plan on going to UK first due to flight costs. Is there no way to do without trip To UK. Not lived in UK for last 14 years

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Nongnuch ********

get the 90-days Non-Imm- O vise BEFORE you fly to Thailand.

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

why would you need to do it in UK? You should be able to apply through the Thai embassy in SA.

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Reply to

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

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