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What are the steps to obtain a retirement visa in Thailand, and do I need to open a Thai bank account prior to applying?

Thailand retirement visaNon-O visaVisas for expatsThai bank accountVisa application processVisa agentsImmigration in ThailandExpats in ThailandBanking for foreignersVisa requirements
Apr 3, 2023
2 years ago
Shirley **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm very confused. I'm wanting to get a retirement visa for Thailand but have been given conflicting advice. One source says I need to deposit the required amount of money in a Thai bank account before I can apply for the visa, Bangkok Bank say I have to open that account in person in Thailand. I'm sure it must be more straightforward than that. Any help greatly appreciated
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TLDR : Answer Summary
To obtain a retirement visa (Non-O) for Thailand, you can either apply for the initial 90-day visa from your home country, where you'll show funds in your bank account, or enter Thailand on a tourist visa. If you choose the latter, you will need to open a Thai bank account and transfer the required funds (800,000 baht) into it. This money must be maintained in the account for at least two months before applying for a one-year extension. Advice varies on whether you can open an account on a tourist visa, with some saying it's challenging without an agent or that different banks have different rules. It's often recommended to consult a local agent for assistance and guidance.
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.
John-Paul ******
Just ask the Admins of this site. They are an agency with very good recommendations.
2 years ago
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Richard ***********
If you’re still in the UK apply for the “retirement” visa online with the Thai Embassy in the UK and get your visa approved in a few days. You only need to show them your UK bank account with the funds in and have medical insurance.
2 years ago
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Vincy ***************
097-109-7868
2 years ago
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Vincy ***************
Contact Guddu
2 years ago
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Bill ************
Sent you PM
2 years ago
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Michelle *********
I am going through the process at the moment. I hired an agent who can help me. I am currently on a Tourist visa with the 30 day extension. The first 3 months of retirement visa has to be converted to a Non B visa which means you have to be available to go to immigration and then you will have to go back after 90 days. It's a little complicated if you are entering a Tourist visa.
2 years ago
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John **********
@Michelle ********
 it's a good job you have help as you seem somewhat confused. A non-b is a visa for work not retirement. If you are obtaining a visa based on being over 50 (commonly called a retirement visa) you apply for a Non-O visa which is good for 90 days. You need either 15 or 21 days left on your tourist visa to apply depending on where you are. Before the 90 day Non-O visa expires you need to apply for an extension of stay which will be for a full 12 months.
2 years ago
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Michelle *********
@John *********
 my apologies yes you are right I meant Non o. Thanks for the correction.
2 years ago
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Michelle *********
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VaiAna **********
You have 2 options . Go thru a reputable visa agent or thru Thai Consulate from home and apply . I got mine in 3 weeks but I was already a tourist in Thailand & acquired the assistance of a visa agent . Opening up a thai bank account was easy as 123
2 years ago
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Russell *******
It's easy you just need a bit of patience, and as you are retired you should have plenty of time.

Your most difficult part is opening a bank account . I would get a residence certificate from immigration and it's should be much easier once you have that. It's a great visa and is only 1900 baht per year.
2 years ago
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John-Paul ******
@Russell ******
 BKK Bank and K bank do not always require resistance doc. But couldn't hurt... even if you are long stay at hotel/ guest house
2 years ago
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John-Paul ******
Great!
2 years ago
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Russell *******
@John-Paul *****
 maybe not, but it's the way I achieved it.
2 years ago
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Russell *******
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Chan ******
@Russell ******
 Would you please advise how to get the residence certificate at immigration? Can I get it from only staying in hotel for short term please? Thank you.
2 years ago
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Taz **********
@Chan *****
 yes, as long as where you stay will -

This is what I do myself and for other ppl

I ask the hotel to write a letter to state I am residing at the hotel

They put my name, date of birth, my country of origin, passport number, arrival date at hotel.

They supply a copy of their id card, & copy of house registration papers

I take this letter, my passport, & copies of both, 2 passport photos $500 baht (per certificate of residence)

Inform immigration what you require the certificate of residence for -

Bank accounts

Driving licence

For $500 baht they issue you a certificate of residence (letter)

In Thai writing, it states what it is for (bank account or Thai driver licence) & is valid for 30 days

I did this for my partner, she is from Laos on a tourist visa, best bank to open is Bangkok bank, although they will ask you to buy a bank product, accident insurance for 12 months
2 years ago
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Chan ******
@Taz *********
 Thank you
2 years ago
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Chan ******
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Russell *******
@Chan *****
 yes from what I understand you can get if staying anywhere as long as the landlord, hotel or friend registers you on the system. It's a legal requirement that they do. I also here you can do it yourself if they fail to do it for you.

So I would just ask your hotel if they have done it and explain why you are asking. The certificate should be around 500baht at least that was the cost in Chiang Rai.

Welcome 🙏
2 years ago
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Chan ******
@Russell ******
 Thank you so much. So that use TM30, then go to immigration to get the residence certificate.🙂👍
2 years ago
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Russell *******
@Chan *****
 that's correct . Once you have the residence certificate take that to the bank . I did it in chiang rai , if that's any help. 🙏
2 years ago
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Chan ******
@Russell ******
 Thank you so much.🙂👍
2 years ago
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Russell *******
@Chan *****
 welcome. Good luck 🙏
2 years ago
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Russell *******
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Paul ********
Welcome to a different dimension Shirley 🕶
2 years ago
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Peter *********
Nothing straightforward in Thailand 🇹🇭
2 years ago
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Oriano ******
Puoi dimostrare che prendi piu di 800.000 bhatt di pensione , con una lettera , della tua ambasciata , e con quella arrivando con il visto O , ti danno il visto anuale , se prendi un agente poi , lo ai tutti gli anni !!!
2 years ago
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Andy ********
@Oriano *****
 The UK Government will not supply a letter confirming pension arrangements so unfortunately this lady has to have money in a Thai bank or posdibly prove regular payments but i think she needs a history of 1 years payments.
2 years ago
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Andy ********
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Colin ***************
Come on a tourist visa and convert to retirement visa when you're here 😀
2 years ago
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Shirley **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I only joined this group today and already I feel indebted to all members who have helped me with their comments, can't thank you all enough🙂
2 years ago
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Shirley **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm looking at a retirement visa so according to Bangkok Bank in London I have to open a Thai bank account in Thailand in person. I will let you know but I have a lot of organising to do first. If I have any info I will let you know.
2 years ago
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Wayne **********
@Shirley *********
 you may have trouble opening an account on the tourist visa at some banks. General consensus and personal experience is that Kasikorn is the best bank to do this. I did it at the jomtien branch many years ago.
2 years ago
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Dennis ***********
@Wayne *********
 I open my bank account at Kasikorn Bank PATTAYA KLANG branch(2012 no problem,still with them,alway helpful .
2 years ago
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Dennis ***********
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Andy ********
That sounds about right but come on a tourist visa, set up your bank, transfer in the funds let them mature and then change your tourist visa to a Retirement visa.
2 years ago
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Shirley **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you everyone for your help and constructive comments
2 years ago
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Chan ******
@Shirley *********
 Good luck!
2 years ago
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Chan ******
@Shirley *********
 Have you asked if Bangkok Bank can let you open bank account with non o visa please? Will you open in Bangkok? We came to Bangkok with 45 days visa exemption on October last year, tried but failed. Then, returned to home country. Recently, I sent email to ask them, but no reply yet. Also called Bangkok Bank hotline, they said need work permit, then staff gave me phone numbers for opening accounts section to ask. I called for 2 weeks, but still no one pick the phone. As I want to bring my old mother to open bank account, if you don't mind, would you please let me know the result, or PM me please. Just want to make mother's life easier.

Thank you so much.
2 years ago
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Alistair **********
@Chan *****
 you can open an account with many (if not all) with a non o. Bangkok bank isn't the only bank, it's just widely recommended online as you can open an account on a tourist visa with them. Kasikorn is a good alternative.
2 years ago
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Ally ************
@Alistair *********
 I went into several banks in Chiang Mai last week to make enquiries.. every single one of them told me to go to Bangkok Bank.. stating that it was the only bank able to open an account for a foreigner.. ie. a non-citizen.. so maybe it depends on your province and individual banks/branches interpret the rules differently 🤔
2 years ago
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Alistair **********
@Ally ***********
 what visa did you have? Non o?
2 years ago
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Chan ******
@Alistair *********
 Thank you.
2 years ago
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Chan ******
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Bob **********
It depends on what office you apply at
2 years ago
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John **********
One thing you don't say is the type of "retirement" visa you wish to apply for.

The Non-O visa is only good for 90 days and after that you have to extend it. If you apply for the initial 90 days in your home country you can use funds in your home country, but you will only extend it in Thailand and that requires your money in a Thai bank 2 full months before you apply for an extension so not a lot of time to sort out banks etc. You might be better coming on a tourist visa which gives you up to 90 days to sort out your banking etc. Most immigration offices don't require money to be seasoned for 2 months before applying for the 90 day Non-O inside Thailand.

On the other hand you can also apply for a Non-OA in your home country which doesn't require any funds in Thailand at all and is good for 12 months, although this option does require insurance, the Non-O doesn't.
2 years ago
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Colin ***************
@John *********
 Non O visa is for 12 months. After that you do 90 day reporting. Then renew O visa in 12 months time.
2 years ago
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Colin ***************
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Noel *********
Try
@Mots *********
2 years ago
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Will ************
Apply Non-o in home country. On arrival immediately open a Thai bank account and put 800k baht in after 2 months apply for 1 year extension and leave money in for another 3 months. Cannot go lower than 400 k and MUST be back to 800k 2 months before the day you apply for next extension NOT the day your previous extension finishes
2 years ago
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Steve *******
You can apply in your home country for the initial visa with your home country bank account or in Thailand with a Thai bank account.
2 years ago
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Shirley **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you
2 years ago
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Shirley **********
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Brandon ************
You either get a 90 day non-O visa before you come to Thailand, showing money you have in your home country bank account to get the visa.

This 90 days is to give you time to open your bank account in Thailand and transfer the money in, because you have to show the money has been in this account for 2 months when you apply for the 1 year extension.

OR you come to Thailand as a tourist, open a bank account (can be difficult as a tourist) and deposit the required money. Then you go to immigration and apply for a non-O visa conversion. This is the same 90 day non-O visa you could get from your home country. Then after 2 months you go and apply for the 1 year extension.
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Brandon ***********
 my wife and I ( over 50 Australians) are going to be coming to Thailand for about 80 days each year. We were planning on just doing a TR with an extension. But now I'm thinking it would be better if we get a non-O for our first trip to make it easier to open a bank account? What's your thoughts.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Craig *******
 If you want to open a bank account, it will be much easier with a non-O visa. Then in the future you can do your plan of a tourist visa since you'll already have the bank account.

Lately the only way to get a bank account as a tourist is with an agent (cost is 3-5,000 baht)
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Brandon ***********
 would immigration find it odd if I arrived on a non-O and my wife a TR.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Craig *******
 no, plus you won't be going up to the passport control together.
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Brandon ***********
 or would it be easier to come in visa exempt and then get the non-O in Thailand?
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Craig *******
 you have to transfer 800,000 baht to a Thai bank account to get a non-O visa in Thailand. So obviously not if your plan is to use the non-O to get a bank account to begin with.
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Brandon ***********
 thanks for your great help 😊😊😊
2 years ago
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Craig ********
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Chan ******
@Brandon ***********
 Sorry, the requirement for applying non-o from home country, applicant must have family member of a Thai national (in below). Is it cannot apply if don’t have? Thank you.

Requirement :

Non-Immigrant O

Visiting friends and family

Family of a Thai national (Immediate family includes spouse and children)

Ordinary passport holder wishing to stay with a family who is a Thai national in the following circumstances can apply for the Non-Immigrant type O Visa.

• Spouse of a Thai national

• Children of a Thai national (age must be under 20 years old unless they are unable to support themselves due to mental or physical condition)

• Legally adopted child of a Thai national (age must be under 20 years old unless they are unable to support themselves due to a mental or physical condition)

• Parent of a Thai national

• Applicant has no age restriction in case that the child is under 20 years old.

• Applicant has no age restriction in case that the child is under 20 years old.
2 years ago
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Donna ******
@Chan *****
 no you pick the retirement option
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Chan *****
 that's not the correct non-O. You need to pick a different option for retirement, not family.
2 years ago
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Chan ******
@Brandon ***********
 Do you mean this please? Is this called Non-O visa, not OA visa please? Thank you so much.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Chan *****
 yes
2 years ago
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Chan ******
@Brandon ***********
 Sorry, Brandon,

I tried to apply for mom today, it required to buy insurance with outpatient 40,000, and inpatient 400,000 baht. Is it only need to buy for covering that 90 days or if you once use this sort to apply non o, when change to 1 year retirement visa in Thailand also need to buy. But my mom is too old buy, then not sure will be failed to apply this non o 90 days.....
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Chan *****
 Every embassy can set their own rules and make their own requirements if they want. It looks like the one you are using might have made an insurance requirement.
2 years ago
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Chan ******
@Brandon ***********
 yes, thank you. Then, this path seems not work for mom.
2 years ago
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Chan ******
@Brandon ***********
 Thank you sooooo much. You helped a lot.

By the way, do you know if my husband got his non o retirement visa in Thailand finally, can I get the dependent visa rely on him please (I did not reach 50 yet). Thank you.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Chan *****
 yes you can, but you cannot get it in Thailand. You have to wait until your husband receives his 1 year extension, then you need to go to a Thai embassy in a nearby country and apply for a trailing spouse non-O visa. Most people go to Laos for this.
2 years ago
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Chan ******
@Brandon ***********
 Thank you so much. To doing this, do I need to buy insurance (don't want to buy as already have). Can do it in Malaysia or not?

If do it in my home country Hong Kong, not sure if still need to buy insurance or not.

Thank you so much. You are an expert! 🙂👍
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Chan *****
 you shouldn't need insurance regardless of where you get it. But I don't know if Malaysia offers the visa.

See if the embassy you're applying for your husband's non-O from will also issue you a trailing spouse non-O now. Then you won't have to leave Thailand but will still have to wait until your husband receives his 1 year extension to get onto his.
2 years ago
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Chan ******
@Brandon ***********
 Thank you so much.
2 years ago
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Chan ******
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Tom *********
@Brandon ***********
 "OR you come to Thailand as a tourist, open a bank account (can be difficult as a tourist)" I would call it impossible..., at least you need some kind of confirmation from your embassy ! I was recently denied to make a fixed deposit at BKK bank with some of my money, since you open for that a new account and I am now just on a tourist visa here. That is despite me having an account with BKK bank since over 15 years! Ridiculous !!!
2 years ago
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Shirley **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you so much that makes much more sense!
2 years ago
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Kool *******
@Shirley *********
 just an additional note, after you open your Thai bank account the bt800,000+ must be direct transferred into your Thai account from an overseas source. You can't just bring cash and deposit it. The money must be transferred in from an overseas source.
2 years ago
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Kool *******
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Mich ***********
@Tik ************************
2 years ago
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Mich ***********
Maybe try using a local agent.
2 years ago
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Daniel ************
you apply for non o 3 months - then come - open bank account - deposit money within 4 weeks - then apply for extension of stay -
2 years ago
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Phil ********
Check Mr Prakan online... or messenger to "Sweetway Asia" to ask about insurance
2 years ago
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Chan ******
@Phil *******
 Thank you.
2 years ago
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Chan ******
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Chan ******
@Daniel ***********
 Sorry, I don't understand. Is it to open non o 3 month, the person must have bank account first please？ Thank you
2 years ago
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Daniel ************
@Chan *****
 you apply for a non o visa 3 months - then come

here and apply for a bank account - then deposit the money and do an extension of stay at the immigration for 1 year
2 years ago
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Chan ******
@Daniel ***********
 Do you mean apply non oa visa from our own country or apply non o visa in Thailand please？ Thank you
2 years ago
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Phil ********
@Chan *****
Chan Chan

Get the non O or OA at home.

Get insurance-- good idea to have, innit?

Get to LOS, open a bank account easily having the OA.... talk to immigration nearby where you want to live.

Follow their requirements.

Transfer in 800k.

Extend it again and again.

Have a beer and relax.

Cheers 🍺
2 years ago
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Chan ******
@Phil *******
 Thank you. Will check if can get non-o from home country as my mother already have insurance and she is over the age for buy insurance.
2 years ago
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Daniel ************
@Chan *****
 homecountry non o / 3 months - if you want non oa its for a year a but need insurance
2 years ago
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Chan ******
@Daniel ***********
 Sorry, I am confused as I heard that if apply from our own country, it is called non oa visa, 3 month, need to buy insurance. If apply in Thailand, that is non o visa, 3 month, but need to have bank account first. Which part I heard is wrong please, thank you
2 years ago
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Riny ************
@Chan *****
 When I applied for the Non Immigrant O Retirement visa in Holland the embassy wanted me to take a health insuance. ( I am already fully insured/covered for all medic issues) When you apply in Thailand for the Non Immigrant O Retirement visa a health insuranse is not asked for.
2 years ago
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Chan ******
@Riny ***********
 Apply in Hong Kong use the evisa system as Hong Kong will not deal with in person application, need to submit insurance from the system.
2 years ago
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Chan ******
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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