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What documents do I need to apply for a Non-O visa from the UK for retirement purposes, considering my situation?

Feb 22, 2025
2 months ago
Tom *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Will be returning to uk end March, hope to return to Thailand mid October, what documents should I take back to apply for a non o visa from London, I'm based in my partners home not married we have a daughter together who is 25 now and self sufficient I'm over 50, will be trying to get retirement visa. I'm based in nongkhai, tia
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TLDR : Answer Summary
To apply for a Non-O visa from the UK, you need to ensure you have documents including a recent bank statement showing at least 800,000 THB in your name, copies of your passport, and details of your living arrangements in Thailand. As you are over 50, you qualify for this type of visa; however, note that you cannot apply based on your marriage or your daughter being Thai as she is over 25. It's recommended to check the UK Embassy website for specific requirements, but be cautious as information may not always be current.
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.
Kool *******
It's not that hard to do. Get your bank statement in the UK showing you have the equivalent of, or more, than bt800,000 in the account in your name only. Copies of your passport, living details in Thailand if not initially using a hotel. There might be a few other UK embassy specific, but your current bank account in the UK is the main thing. This will get you a type O 90 day visa once you enter Thailand, giving you the correct visa to get a Thai bank account in your name, transfer bt800,000+ into it from your UK bank, then after it's been in your account for at least two months you can apply for your one year extension. It is the easiest long term visa extension to get. Just make sure you do the first part in the UK, as without that 90 day type O visa it is almost impossible to get the Thai bank account you need by yourself on any tourist entry, even the DTV.
Graham ******
@Kool ******
It can be any bank account not just the UK ;)
Keith *****************
I was going to go the non O route which I've been using a few years. It's changed though and the multi entry has more requirements. I went DTV instead as I have my own business and it was dead easy, 5 years, 180 days at a time and £300...great if you qualify
Tom *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Keith ****************
how do you qualify for a DTV visa, sounds like a good deal
Keith *****************
@Tom ******
for me I showed my business, I have a website and a company presentation. I actually showed an investment account as meeting the financial requirements (which includes a SIPP), they also asked for some other proof, in my case a tax return (nothing exciting or onerous there). That was roughly it. No insurance requirement, medical requirement etc. I guess that if you established an online presence and showed that you were genuinely freelancing (I explained that I freelance for my own firm) then that would satisfy the requirements. What have you always wished to do? Or maybe you already have a legitimate business. There are other routes under soft power: cookery, language, Muay Thai...
Andi ***********
@Tom ******
You qualify via showing you work online for a non Thai company/clients aka Workcation option. The other option is Soft power apply via medical treatment or cultural activity such as cooking course, Muay Thai.
Paul ********
@Keith ****************
How has the non-O route changed? Thanks.
Keith *****************
@Paul *******
someone will undoubtedly explain the exact terminology (OA or OAX or whatever). There used to be a multi entry one year, that in effect was 15 months that required insurance and financial criteria. That also (or instead) now requires a bizarre medical stating that you don't have elephantitus and some other diseases that would actually require months of tests I believe...but in Thailand you'd probably get a 1000 baht chit from a GP. It also requires a police check (which I did do before going the DTV route instead. I asked my GP about the health check and the NHS won't cover that but the clinic would issue one. DTV was easier , 5 years, 180 days at time and good value....ultimately easier and actually what I do
Marcus **********
As SC said but be aware the UK embassy website is not necessarily up to date. 😞
Stuart *********
You don’t need any documents from Thailand to apply in the UK. You can’t apply based on marriage and you can’t apply based on Thai family as your daughter is too old, but as you are over 50 you can apply based on that.

Check the London embassy website for specific requirements.
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