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What is the best visa option for retiring in Thailand and how to proceed with the application?
ThailandVisasRetirement VisaNON-O VisaLong Term VisaVisa ExtensionExpat AdviceBank AccountHealth InsuranceImmigration Issues
Mar 5, 2026
2 months ago
Paul ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI am proposing to retire to Thailand this year and would like advice regarding visas.
I am in the process of arranging medical/ health insurance.
I have rented a house in Bangkok presently in my girlfriend's name but I am providing the rent. The rental agreement can be amended to include my name if necessary for my initial 90 day visa. This will be my address for my 90 day visa. ( see below)
I am planning to apply for a 90 day O visa to travel to Thailand around end of April 2026. Once there I will finalise long term health insurance and find an agent to assist me in obtaining a Long Term Multi Entry visa, including opening an appropriate aThai Bank account
I will not be working in Thailand as I am retiring although I may still take on the odd uk client legal matter remotely.
.
Can members please advise
1. whether the O visa is the correct visa to apply for in the first instance.
2. What is the best type of long term multi entry visa for a retiree with UK income from savings and pension.
Please only respond in relation to your successful personal journeys to retire to Thailand or from actual practical knowledge of current best steps.
Thanks in advance
I am in the process of arranging medical/ health insurance.
I have rented a house in Bangkok presently in my girlfriend's name but I am providing the rent. The rental agreement can be amended to include my name if necessary for my initial 90 day visa. This will be my address for my 90 day visa. ( see below)
I am planning to apply for a 90 day O visa to travel to Thailand around end of April 2026. Once there I will finalise long term health insurance and find an agent to assist me in obtaining a Long Term Multi Entry visa, including opening an appropriate aThai Bank account
I will not be working in Thailand as I am retiring although I may still take on the odd uk client legal matter remotely.
.
Can members please advise
1. whether the O visa is the correct visa to apply for in the first instance.
2. What is the best type of long term multi entry visa for a retiree with UK income from savings and pension.
Please only respond in relation to your successful personal journeys to retire to Thailand or from actual practical knowledge of current best steps.
Thanks in advance
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user seeks advice on moving to Thailand for retirement, particularly regarding the appropriate visa types: applying for a NON-O visa initially and transitioning to a Long Term Multi Entry visa. Community members confirmed that the NON-O visa is suitable for retirees over 50, describing the process that involves applying from the UK, obtaining residency, and meeting financial requirements. Some users also warn against working while on a retirement visa and emphasize using the correct channels to avoid issues. Suggestions include considering using a visa agent for smoother navigation through the immigration process.
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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Martin *************
Lot of comments saying it is simple. It possibly is, but one mistake and you are in a mess. Find an agent. It is 100% less stressful.
Fred **********
there are so many different opinions you get with a question like this.
I just have my retirement visa and I know what I need. But still people commented me....
So my advice to you...you very easily get your wright information at the immigration site or use a visa office.
I just have my retirement visa and I know what I need. But still people commented me....
So my advice to you...you very easily get your wright information at the immigration site or use a visa office.
Gene *********
The first thing to realise everyone commenting here has a degree in doing everything wrong 😅🤣😂
Gene *********
Just come and figure it out. No worry
Ian ********
Find a good Thai Lawyer
Dan ********
LTR-WP
Go here.
Go here.
***********************
Steve *******
Non Imm O visa from the UK. Arrive in Thailand, open a bank account, transfer 800k Thai Baht, season for 2 months, apply for 1 year extension of stay 👍
Bill *********
You ask for practical knowledge of best steps, I got a Visa agent involved from the very first moment I contemplated moving. She laid out a course of action that proved to get everything completed properly. I highly recommend going this route to save time and make it stress free.
Paul ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bill ********
can you provide the agents details please ?Bill *********
I'd recommend the moderator of this forum. They have a good reputation.
Reply to
Bill *********
Reply
Harry ********
It's called a non O visa and it is the most popular and right one for retirees
Steve ***********
If it was me, I would not put anything in a female party's name
Everything else is OK.
Non O
Everything else is OK.
Non O
Inem *******
Steve Fortefyve agree, many foreigners went broke and homeless but lucky Thailand stay in the temple is free. Careful of your Thailand partner. Stay vigilant and low profile
Reply to
Inem *******
Reply
John **********
One thing to bear in mind is that working on a retirement visa is not exactly legal, so if you will do that occasionally keep it to yourself
Stuart ***********
There is no mandatory insurance for the non-O visa (only non-OA requires insurance).
The steps are as follows:
1. Apply for a non-O 90 day visa in the uk before coming to Thailand at theThai embassy in London.
2 Enter Thailand using the visa.
3. Go to immigration and get a list of requirements to extend your stay for 12 months and a certificate of residency. Also get a Thai sim card.
4. Open a bank account within first two weeks of arriving.
5. Deposit 800,000 baht into your Thai account.
6. Wait 2 months for your money to season in the bank then return to immigration with all the documents on their list and apply to extend your stay for a year.
7. Apply for a multiple re-entry permit.
Good luck.
The steps are as follows:
1. Apply for a non-O 90 day visa in the uk before coming to Thailand at theThai embassy in London.
2 Enter Thailand using the visa.
3. Go to immigration and get a list of requirements to extend your stay for 12 months and a certificate of residency. Also get a Thai sim card.
4. Open a bank account within first two weeks of arriving.
5. Deposit 800,000 baht into your Thai account.
6. Wait 2 months for your money to season in the bank then return to immigration with all the documents on their list and apply to extend your stay for a year.
7. Apply for a multiple re-entry permit.
Good luck.
Fred **********
Also very easy and possible..... just enter with a exemption (60 or 30 days free, depends on your country). Then go to a visa office in Thailand and they will take care of it very easily.
It is NOT possible to apply this way if you want a Non OA.
It is NOT possible to apply this way if you want a Non OA.
Stuart ***********
Easy, but a stupid and expensive way to go about it. Why put yourself at the mercy of agents by not getting the correct visa before travelling?
Reply to
Stuart ***********
Reply
Fred **********
Stuart Chiverton Why you only talk about 800k. Not everybody has that money. Not forget that also for a Non O you can use the rule..
*****
baht per month. Only this must be proven.Stuart ***********
He's from the UK so his only option for the first year is 800k. If someone doesn't have 800,000 baht, they need to save up before moving to Thailand. They have the option to apply for a non-OA instead as that means they are insured. The 800,000 baht rule was introduced because people were coming to Thailand without insurance or enough money to pay for hospital treatment and then expecting the Thai Government to pay for their hospital treatment.
Reply to
Stuart ***********
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Paul ********
ORIGINAL POSTERStuart Chiverton thanks
Reply to
Paul ********
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Brandon ************
1) Non-O based on being over 50 and then subsequent annual extensions is the most common one used for long-term stay in Thailand.
2) You won't be getting any multiple entry visa. You would get a 90-day non-O visa, and then after that you would get an extension (not a visa) each year, and can get a re-entry permit which keeps it alive if you leave Thailand.
2) You won't be getting any multiple entry visa. You would get a 90-day non-O visa, and then after that you would get an extension (not a visa) each year, and can get a re-entry permit which keeps it alive if you leave Thailand.
Paul ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
thanksReply to
Paul ********
Reply
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