What is the best visa option for retiring to Thailand, Non-O or OA, for someone coming from the UK?

Looks like there is conflicting instructions in multiple official sources. I did it the way I described in sometime around February, maybe things have changed. I did not get asked to provide any proof of medical insurance or police certificate as described below. I got the tourist visa from Malaysia evisa service whilst in Malaysia, then converted it in Thailand at my local immigration. I am looking at the TM87 form now that I used to convert from a tourist visa to a 90 day non O visa at Trang immigration. I can see the stamps in my passport relating to both.

People I know here who have already got the OA visa got it before coming here in their own country.

From Thai Embassy...

To obtain a Thai retirement visa from within Thailand, you must first hold a different, valid visa (like a 90-day Non-Immigrant Visa), then apply to convert it at an immigration office after meeting age (50+) and financial (e.g., 800,000 THB bank deposit or 65,000 THB monthly income) requirements. You'll need to provide financial proof, a health insurance policy, proof of accommodation, and apply for the yearly visa within your existing visa's validity period.

1. Obtain a 90-Day Non-Immigrant Visa

You cannot directly convert a tourist visa or visa exemption into a retirement visa.

First, you'll need to enter Thailand on a different visa that allows for conversion, such as a 90-day Non-Immigrant O visa.

2. Meet Eligibility Requirements

You must be 50 years of age or older.

You must meet the financial requirements, which include:

A security deposit of at least 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank account held for at least two months.

Or a monthly income (e.g., pension) of at least 65,000 Baht, verified by an income letter from your embassy or bank statements.

Or a combination of income and bank deposits totaling 800,000 Baht.

3. Gather Supporting Documents

Proof of your chosen financial option (bank statements, income verification letter).

A medical certificate showing you have no prohibitive diseases.

Proof of health insurance that meets Thai government criteria for inpatient and outpatient coverage.

A valid Thai Police Clearance Certificate.

Proof of accommodation, such as a rental agreement and a TM30 form.

4. Apply for the Retirement Visa Conversion

Apply at a Thai immigration office within Thailand.

This application must be made before your current 90-day visa expires.

5. Maintain Your Visa

You must make a 90-day address report to the immigration office every 90 days.

To renew the visa, you will need to present similar financial and health documents.

And this from siam legal

Retirement Visa Thailand (Updated 2025) | Siam Legal International

@Richard ******************

You get the Non Imm O in your home Country before arriving in Thailand. Job done 👍

As I thought , not possible without bank account in thailand . To get bank account you need a non o 90 day visa not a tourist visa !

@Richard ******************

cannot convert tourist visa to a non o inside Thailand .

@Andy ****

Non O is the one you want. So you're finally making the move! Good on ya, lad!\

@Paul *******

I don’t think there’s more to say than this if you have a hint of insight or understanding;

Both the 90-day Non O visa and the one year Non O-A visa are subject to the following eligibility criteria: the applicant must have attained the age of 50 years and must demonstrate either (1) a monthly income of not less than 65,000 baht, or (2) financial assets in the amount of not less than 800,000 baht.

In addition to the foregoing, the Non O-A visa shall require the applicant to obtain and maintain valid health insurance issued by an insurer authorized in Thailand, to present a medical certificate attesting to the applicant’s health status, and to provide a police clearance certificate issued by the competent authority of the applicant’s country of residence.

The Non O visa shall entitle the holder to an initial period of stay not over 90 days. An application for an extension of stay may thereafter be submitted on an annual basis, subject to the same financial and age related conditions as set forth above.

The Non O-A visa shall entitle the holder to a period of stay not exceeding 1 year, extendable for a further period of 1 year contingent upon the renewal of valid health insurance for the second year.

Upon the expiry of the said two-year period, the holder of a Non O-A visa shall be required to apply for extensions of stay on an annual basis under the same conditions as applicable to the Non O visa, provided, however, that the obligation to maintain valid Thai health insurance shall remain in force for the duration of the holder’s lawful stay in the Kingdom of Thailand.

And Andy, both the NonO and Non O-A visas are exempt from the onward ticket requirement — you only need to provide a travel itinerary, but you don’t need to upload any flight tickets.

@Steve ****

is for am OA not needed for O

@John ********

you can do it yourself I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer I did mine no problem

@John ********

do you think it’s worth it ?

@John ********

Why do you need an agent?

@Jan *****************

plus meet the financial requirements so a double whammy