Answered5 years ago
What is the best visa option for applying for a retirement visa in Thailand?
Hi. Myself and my Husband are entering Thailand hopefully at the end of the month and will be applying for retirement visas when we get in. We will open Bank accounts and transfer the funds needed. What I am wondering is what is the best visa to come in on. Would a60 day TR visa and get the 30 days extension be enough or some other visa. I know the money should be in our accounts for up to 90 days before applying. Thank you
Answer summary
The user plans to enter Thailand soon and apply for retirement visas. They are considering entering on a 60-day Tourist Visa (TR) with a 30-day extension but seek advice on the best type of visa to enter with. Comments suggest that the TR visa might suffice to set up a bank account and transfer funds but clarify that there are no seasoning requirements for in-country Non-O visas based on retirement. Some recommend getting a Non-O visa before arriving, while others highlight the importance of starting the process immediately upon arrival to avoid time constraints. Additional insights include considerations about health insurance for OA visas and options for dependents.
19 repliesnewest first
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Ken ******
most insurance companies also do.not accept applicants over 65
Ken ******
don't forget an OA visa requires you to buy annually mandatory health insurance which gets expensive with advancing age (O visa does not require health insurancr) As health insurance does not cover all pre existing health problems, so it is not very helpful protection but simply used to satisfy OA visa requirement
Ellie *******
Which is better to get appropriate visas for you two inside or outside Thailand depends how you want to do with your visa.
If each of you wants to get your own visa meeting all requirements for each, you can get either in your country or inside Thailand as others said above.
But,
If you two don't want to meet some requirements (ex: 800k thb for each, etc), you may want to get one Non-O based on retirement for one of you and get Non-O dependant on another legal resident (who has long term visa/extension). In this case, you NEED to get the visa for both of you (one Non-O or OA retirement, one Non-O dependant) in your country before you fly to Thailand.
If each of you wants to get your own visa meeting all requirements for each, you can get either in your country or inside Thailand as others said above.
But,
If you two don't want to meet some requirements (ex: 800k thb for each, etc), you may want to get one Non-O based on retirement for one of you and get Non-O dependant on another legal resident (who has long term visa/extension). In this case, you NEED to get the visa for both of you (one Non-O or OA retirement, one Non-O dependant) in your country before you fly to Thailand.
Stephen *****
I would suggest a none O based on retirement .It will allow you to set up your account and have the funds in the Bank for the required 2 months Once immigration is satisfied you can get your 1st , 12 month Retirment .As a matter of interest where are you planning on settling ...I've done my process in Hua Hin /Cha Am and had no difficulty opening my Bank account at Krungsri they where excellent all done in an hour .My card and telephone banking all sorted ...Good luck it work for me hope you have the same experience x👍👍
Phil **********
I applied for my retirement extension of stay (its official title) while i was on a 30 day tourist visa. Just ensure you start the process as soon as you arrive, so you don't run out of time
Benjamin ******
@Phyl **********
To my knowledge, you can not go from a tourist visa directly to a one year extension of stay based on retirement, you MUST go on a Non-O visa first. Gethin *******
@Benjamin *****
Can you not get a 60day tourist Visa, then a 30 day extension then a 12 month extension of stay based on retirement ?Benjamin ******
@Gethin ******
Ask on a local Facebook group if the Immigration Office sells the Non-O visa in Isaan. Gethin *******
@Benjamin *****
Yep will do after get there, quarantine and journey into Isaan.Benjamin ******
@Gethin ******
Yep, talk to the immigration officeGethin *******
@Benjamin *****
Ok thank you as I was planning on coming in on a 60 day Tourist Visa, extending by 30 days then applying for an extension based on retirement but if I have to get a non-O visa as a ‘bridging’ visa first so be it.Benjamin ******
@Gethin ******
Yes you can, if you meet the qualifications, and if the immigration office is willing to sell the Non-O visa. Gethin *******
@Benjamin *****
So you can get a Non-O visa in Thailand at the end of a 60day TR and 30 day extension ? Benjamin ******
@Gethin ******
PROBABLY not. You will need a Non-O visa as a "bridging" visa, so the one year extension of stay based on retirement can be acquired. Phil **********
@Benjamin *****
Yes....Non-o, based on retirement....correct
John ********
Why not get a 3 month non imm o in your own country then do a retirement extension in thailand?
Lee **********
@John *******
at least in my recent experience in the US, applying for a non-O here requires comprehensive medical insurance (in addition to COVID coverage) that is both expensive and requires a medical checkup if you are over 61. John ********
@Lee *********
ahhh ok, not so in uk, is an easy option, its an OA that requires alot of medical, not a 3 month OBenjamin ******
>Would a60 day TR visa and get the 30 days extension be enough or some other visa.
That should give you enough time to set up a bank account, and transfer the money in.
> I know the money should be in our accounts for up to 90 days before applying
Not true. There is NO seasoning requirements to get an in-country Non-O visa based on retirement. There is a two month (NOT 60 days) seasoning requirements for a one year extension of stay based on retirement.
That should give you enough time to set up a bank account, and transfer the money in.
> I know the money should be in our accounts for up to 90 days before applying
Not true. There is NO seasoning requirements to get an in-country Non-O visa based on retirement. There is a two month (NOT 60 days) seasoning requirements for a one year extension of stay based on retirement.
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