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What do I need to bring for my retirement visa application in Bangkok as an American expat?
retirement visaThailandexpat adviceNon-O visavisa applicationinsurance requirementsbank account800,000 baht deposit
Jul 27, 2022
4 years ago
Weldon ********
ORIGINAL POSTERAm arriving in a few weeks, all booked, am American male 76, and plan to do my retirement visa in Bangkok when i arrive... what do i need to bring with me? Also do i need to show an insurance plan. Have been to Thailand many times but now ready to retire..
TLDR : Answer Summary
An American male, age 76, is preparing to arrive in Bangkok to apply for a retirement visa. He seeks guidance on what documents and funds to bring. The community suggests acquiring a tourist visa initially for easier processing. Important steps include opening a bank account upon arrival and transferring 800,000 baht for the visa application. It's also noted that proof of insurance is typically not required for the Non-O visa, but this may vary by consulate.
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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Philip ***********
for Phuket immigration but suppose it will be +/- same for BKK
Shayne **********
Golf clubs!
Braulio *********
Read the Thai Embassy/Consulate website for accurate information
Weldon ********
ORIGINAL POSTERits not up to date on info
Reply to
Weldon ********
Reply
Barry **********
From outside of Thailand apply for a Non - Imm O visa. This will give you 90 days in Thailand to sort yourself out before going for your Extension based on retirement. Number 1 job on the list when you arrive is to open a bank account and deposit your 800k baht. Do not delay opening the bank account as you need to start seasoning your deposit.
Brandon ************
@Barry *********
The US consulates require insurance to apply for a Non-O, so it's better to go to Thailand first.William *******
@Brandon ***********
That apparently depends on what type of non-O. Mine does not require insurance.Brandon ************
@William ******
when did you get it and from which consulate?William *******
@Brandon ***********
Both Chicago and NYC over the last fifteen years with the last one last week.Reply to
William *******
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Weldon ********
ORIGINAL POSTERReply to
Weldon ********
Reply
Bobby ********
@Barry *********
First time you need the 800k. The pension/65k takes a year to seasonBarry **********
@Bobby *******
correct. Thanks for the correction. I will amend if that's OK 👍Bobby ********
@Barry *********
All good with me! 👍Reply to
Bobby ********
Reply
Phillip ********
Just do O visa, no insurance rqd...
Steve **********
@Phillip *******
easy and 1,900 baht , no insur require dReply to
Steve **********
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Neil *********
Hi. Drop me a dm I will take you through it all and all options
Then you can decide what’s best for you
Then you can decide what’s best for you
David *********
Do yourself a favour and get a Visa Agency to do the first time. It will cost you more up to
*****
THB but money well spent. The following years do it yourself. You will have one year to get all your ducks in a row.Mike *****
@Steve *******
Yes because we all know how easy it is to get clear instructions and get answers to simple questions when you don't speak Thai.Steve ********
@Mike ****
Google translator? Hey look, it's all good. I've just other things to spend my money on!! 🤣Reply to
Steve ********
Reply
Mike *****
It's a matter of paying to go the simple route and having everything done for you. Besides all the work for the visa, they can also open the bank account and bypass the 800k requirement as part of the service.
Depends if it's worth it for you.
Depends if it's worth it for you.
Steve ********
@Mike ****
It's more for people who can't carry out a few simple transactions. I've better things to do with my money than paying people to fill in a couple of forms! Like visiting national parks and not crying about dual pricing! 🤣Reply to
Steve ********
Reply
Steve ********
@David ********
Total waste of money, but hey! it's freedom of choice. Do it yourself for 2000 bahtDavid *********
@Steve *******
I already know the cost to do yourselfSteve ********
@David ********
Yep. But obviously don't have the necessary brain to do it! 😆😆😆David *********
@Steve *******
It is quite obvious that you do not have the intelligence to realize all the benefits having an agent do it for you the first time around. Maybe in your next life you will come back as a horse instead of a jack assReply to
David *********
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Todd *********
@Steve *******
not everybody is a cheap prick ol boy. You stick to saving nickels waiting for 2 for 1Happy hour for cheap Charlie’s
Steve ********
@Todd ********
. Get over it . You love throwing money at agents, but complain no end about paying 400 baht to get into a national park. I guess it's fortunate I was born with a brain and can work things out for myself. You, on the other hand..........Reply to
Steve ********
Reply
Brandon ************
I would recommend, though it's not completely necessary, to get a tourist visa to come rather than just showing up on visa exempt.
This will give you 60 days, and 90 if you need it, to get everything sorted, before you apply for you Non-O visa.
When you arrive, what you'll need to do is open a bank account (this can be difficult on a Tourist visa or visa exempt, but it's definitely possible) and then transfer the 800,000 baht from overseas.
Once you have the bank account and the money sorted, you can go to immigration and apply for the 90 day Non-O visa. After 60ish days, and after you've had the money in the bank for 2 months, you can then apply for the 1 year extension.
None of these require proof of insurance.
This will give you 60 days, and 90 if you need it, to get everything sorted, before you apply for you Non-O visa.
When you arrive, what you'll need to do is open a bank account (this can be difficult on a Tourist visa or visa exempt, but it's definitely possible) and then transfer the 800,000 baht from overseas.
Once you have the bank account and the money sorted, you can go to immigration and apply for the 90 day Non-O visa. After 60ish days, and after you've had the money in the bank for 2 months, you can then apply for the 1 year extension.
None of these require proof of insurance.
Bobby ********
@Mark *****
Go to Bangkok Bank head office branch in Silom. Take the escalator to the first floor to the international section, where they speak English. Present your lease and your passport and save yourself the 3900 baht. I say 3900, because I've deducted the 100 baht you'll need to buy me a beer. I'm cheaper than an agentMark ******
@Bobby *******
Thanks for the tip Howard. I will try that and if that works then you get a couple of beers.Reply to
Mark ******
Reply
Steve *******
@Brandon ***********
Just apply for the Non Imm O rather than the tourist visa before arriving. Much easier!Ian *********
@Steve ******
exactley what I did,with help from a friendBrandon ************
@Steve ******
the US requires insurance for the non-O so if you want that added expense, you can do it that way. But the cheapest way is to wait until you're in Thailand.William *******
@Brandon ***********
Not for my non- O. Married to a Thai citizen with family in Thailand. Insurance not required.Steve *******
@Brandon ***********
Strange, no other countries require insurance for a Non Imm O visa.Brandon ************
@Steve ******
there are. Each consulate makes up their own rules, and requiring insurance for the non-O is far from the most unusual.Steve *******
@Brandon ***********
Again, strange, I dont know any other countries that require insurance for a Non Imm O visa.Reply to
Steve *******
Reply
Mark ******
@Brandon ***********
Or, I believe that if you do not have that lump sum of 800,000 bhats in a Thai Bank (or do not wish to leave that in a Thai Bank) then you can show proof that you are receiving a pension of at least 65,000 bhats in a Thai bank each month!On opening a bank account....some here have suggested using a Thai Visa agent to do that alone as they can do it quite quickly and stress-free....someone here had also mentioned that this will cost about 3-4000 bhats.
Stuart *********
@Mark *****
You can’t do a 65k a month option for your first extension (unless you’ve transferred 65k per month into a Thai bank account for 12 months).Mark ******
@Stuart ********
Thanks! That is good to know....and that is where a little bit of knowledge will get me. So you will have to use the 800,000 option instead only? And then later use the 65,000 option. Now, I was thinking more of getting the embassy (Canadian) to provide me with a notarized letter (they will do that and it is accepted by the Thai Immigration) advising the Thai Immigration that I do have at least a 65,000 bhats income coming in each month in pension. Will that work?Brandon ************
@Mark *****
for you that may work, but the op is American and cannot use that method.Stuart *********
@Mark *****
yes. The Canadian embassy does issue the affidavit of income (if you you show them as such). Use that and no need to have funds in Thailand for your extensionMark ******
@Stuart ********
Thanks Stuart.Reply to
Mark ******
Reply
Bobby ********
@Mark *****
Best method is the 65k per month, because you can spend it as soon as you get it. The 800k essentially you can't touch. Only problem is you need 12 months of transfers before you can use this method. Whoever told you an agent will cost you ******
baht is dreaming. Try 30,000 to 40,000. Remember it's illegal and a bribe has to be paid! Be carefulMark ******
@Bobby *******
That 3-4000 bhats was just to help you open a bank account alone....and not to get the visa itself! Cannot be too much illegality in getting help in opening a bank account!Bobby ********
@Mark *****
If you spend ******
baht to open a bank account I'd suggest you have more money than sense, but each to their own! I opened two accounts and didn't pay one baht, but I always emphasise each to their own! 😆Mark ******
@Bobby *******
Bobby, it is only because of the difficulty that I have heard some others here express about opening a bank account in Thailand on a tourist visa, that I am considering that as an option. Now, for someone who may know Thailand well like yourself and who may have the time to do so....then maybe walking from bank to bank to open an account may be fine. Oh! I understand that some will be lucky to get it in one shot.....or some who will have very little difficulty....as we all have our own luck: or not! But for someone who has never been to Thailand and who does not speak any Thai....not so fine! My idea of a good time is not potentially having to walk all over Bangkok looking for a bank to open an account....not when I may have very little time to do so. That $110 American or so will be money well spent on an agent! I am by no means wealthy or have money to waste....but I spent more than that this weekend just getting my daughter some of her favourite dishes.Reply to
Mark ******
Reply
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