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What are the steps to apply for a retirement visa in Koh Samui, and can I get it on the same day?
Retirement VisaNon-O VisaVisa Application ProcessThai ImmigrationBank RequirementsAccommodation RegistrationLong Stay VisaVisa Change Procedures
May 10, 2025
a year ago
Andrew *******
ORIGINAL POSTERHi , I’m
About to apply for my retiremt visa on my own without an agent in Koh Samui. Any tips? Do I get the visa on the same day?
Your help and advice is greatly appreciated.
About to apply for my retiremt visa on my own without an agent in Koh Samui. Any tips? Do I get the visa on the same day?
Your help and advice is greatly appreciated.
TLDR : Answer Summary
To apply for a Non-O Retirement Visa on your own in Koh Samui, ensure you have at least 15 days left on your current visa. You will need a Thai bank account with 800,000 THB deposited for at least 2 months, proof of those funds coming from overseas, a rental agreement, and your TM30 accommodation registration. The application fee is 2000 THB for the initial 90-day visa. After 14 days under consideration, you can return to collect the stamp. Once the funds have been in your account for the required period, you can apply for a 1-year extension at an additional cost of 1900 THB. It’s unlikely you will receive the visa on the same day due to processing times.
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Greg ***********
First of all, you need a Thai bank account in order to be able to apply for the 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa inside Thailand
You must apply for the "change of visa type" from the 60-days tourist visa or the visa-exempt entry, to the "90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa", as soon as possible after having opened the Thai bank account.
You need a bank letter confirming that the 800,000 THB are sitting in the account and a proof that they came from overseas.
You need a rental contract and you will need a minimum of 15 days stay permit left on your entry stamp in order to apply.
This application costs a 2000 THB fee, the 90-days visa will be issued for 14 days "under consideration". After 14 days you visit Immigration again and pick up the stamp
And as soon as the money has seasoned in your bank account for two months, you can apply for the "1-year extended stay permit based on retirement"
(which some people call "retirement visa" but which is NOT a "visa" but a stay permit).
This application costs another 1900 THB fee
Keep in mind, in order to get any service from Immigration, you need to be properly registered in your accommodation by the TM30 registration system
You must apply for the "change of visa type" from the 60-days tourist visa or the visa-exempt entry, to the "90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa", as soon as possible after having opened the Thai bank account.
You need a bank letter confirming that the 800,000 THB are sitting in the account and a proof that they came from overseas.
You need a rental contract and you will need a minimum of 15 days stay permit left on your entry stamp in order to apply.
This application costs a 2000 THB fee, the 90-days visa will be issued for 14 days "under consideration". After 14 days you visit Immigration again and pick up the stamp
And as soon as the money has seasoned in your bank account for two months, you can apply for the "1-year extended stay permit based on retirement"
(which some people call "retirement visa" but which is NOT a "visa" but a stay permit).
This application costs another 1900 THB fee
Keep in mind, in order to get any service from Immigration, you need to be properly registered in your accommodation by the TM30 registration system
Andrew *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg **********
one last question for now.Once I get the 90 day Non-O stamp, how many days before the 90 day expiry can I go get the 1 year extension. Is that a minimum of 15 days before expiry as well?
Greg ***********
@Andrew ******
the 90-days stay permit of the Non-Imm-O Visa starts on the day you received the "under consideration" notification. On most Immigrations, you can apply for the 1-year Extension as soon as 30 days are left on this 90-days stay permit. However you must be aware that on the day you apply for the Extension, the deposit of 800,000 THB needs to have seasoned in your Thai bank account for two monthsAndrew *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg **********
Thank you. 🙏🏻Reply to
Andrew *******
Reply
Andrew *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg **********
Thanks for the information. I came in on a 60 day visa exemption. I have an open account. I have sent the funds from overseas. I’m over 50. So I should be alright to go apply for the Non-O 90 day visa. I guess they will advise me once I apply about coming back in 14 days to get the 90 day stamp.
Reply to
Andrew *******
Reply
Greg ***********
the official requirements for the "change of visa type" on Immigration inside Thailand, for your case are listed under number 9 . . . . . (change from touristic entry to a 90-days Non-Imm-O visa in case of retirement)
*******************************************
Andrew *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg **********
thanks so much. I really appreciate the information. And the link. It’s all spelt out very clearly what needs to be done. 🙏🏻Jan **********
@Greg **********
Thanks! This was a site I wanted to find. Is it ok if I dm you if I have questions?Greg ***********
@Jan *********
yes you can PM me if there are any questions. However I prefer if you can you keep the conversation in this group, so it might help other readersReply to
Greg ***********
Reply
John **********
When you apply for a Non-O visa based on being over 50 at a Thai immigration office you need at least 15 days left on your current stamp (21 days at some offices). There's also a couple of offices that require you have the 800k baht in your bank account for 2 months before you can apply, some require it has been transferred from overseas. Your application usually gets sent to head office hence the 15 days and you usually have to return the day your current stamp runs out to get the 90 day Non-O visa stamped in your passport. I don't know the specifics of the office you plan to use so best to visit them and ask them
Michelle ****************
@John *********
followingAndrew *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
thanks, I will do that. I know that Samui office can issue the 90 day Non-O , but as a precaution I will go there before and check.Andrew *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
thanks. So not all
Offices require you to have 800k for two months? I thought that was one of the main requirements.
Michelle ****************
@Andrew ******
could you share which bank in Samui? ThanksKhun ******
Thanks, may I ask which bank? I’ll be coming in August.
Graham ******
@Andrew ******
Only Jomtien and maybe a couple of othersAndrew *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Graham *****
okay great. I have just transferred the funds from overseas a few weeks ago and was going to wait two months. Perhaps I don’t need to waitGreg ***********
@Andrew ******
for the application to the initial 90-days Non-Imm-O Visa, most Immigrations only want to see that the 800,000 THB are SITTING in your Thai bank account and that the money came from abroad. Once the visa is issued, then for the application to the "1-year Extension of Stay Permit Based on Retirement", the money must have seasoned for 2 months . . . . . . some rogue offices want the 2 months seasoning already for the application to the initial visa, thus creating a Catch22 situation and forcing you to use an agent and pay tea moneyAndrew *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg **********
thank for the information. I have a rental contract. I’m over 50 and the funds transferred from overseas. Fingers crossed that I don’t get one of those rogue officers. I will give it a try next week. I would rather get it done sooner than later.
Khun ******
Did you open the bank account on Samui?
Andrew *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Khun *****
yes I did. I did it a year ago when it was a lot easier. I hear it’s not that easy now without the Non-OJohn **********
@Andrew ******
you really should call by the immigration office in advance and see what their requirements are. Some offices can't issue a 90 day Non-O visa at allReply to
John **********
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