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What is the best way to apply for a retirement visa for Thailand while in Egypt?

Retirement Visa Thailand Visa Application Non-O Visa Dependant Visa LTR Wealthy Pensioner Visa Education Visa Online A-level Student Visa Application Process Expat Visa Guidance

Aug 30, 2025

3 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Have a complex application - husband is eligible for retirement visa with decent UK income. I am 48 and his dependant. We also have an 18 yr old who is an online A-level student for the next 12 or 24 months (exam dependent) then he will be off to uni in the UK. 

We are currently travelling in Egypt on a 6 month tourist visa. 

Should we apply to the embassy here in Cairo ? Or do we come for a visit to Thailand and then apply there using an agent? Not sure what is the easiest and best way to apply. 

Thanks for any advice - appreciated much!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is exploring options for applying for a retirement visa in Thailand for their husband, who qualifies based on his UK income. They are currently traveling in Egypt on a tourist visa and are uncertain whether to apply at the embassy in Cairo or visit Thailand first and use an agent. Comments suggest applying in the country of residence is generally easier, and outline requirements for the Non-O visa and potential options for dependants.

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Bob **********

You’ll need pretty much worthless Thai insurance for every minute your here even for the 3rd year you’ll always need it plus financials in Thailand for the third year

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Rok ********

Always easiest to apply in the country of residence.

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Alia ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

currently travelling and have no plans to return to country of residence …

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Rok ********

OA is a multi entry visa, if done correctly a 2 year visa and no need to keep 800,000 on a Thai bank account unproductively. No need to visit immigration for 2 years. It does seem superior to Non-O but health insurance is tricky. As you need a visa to get the insurance yet you cannot get a visa without insurance- at least when i was dealing with an agent last.

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Max *************

If you don't visit immigration in 2 years it means you haven't done any 90 days reports.

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Rok ********

@Max ************

2 years to extend the visa. 90 days reporting only if you stay continuously in the country for 90 days; each re-entry resets the 90 day clock.

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Max *************

Your not very smart are you? Why would anyone on a O-A which is based on retirement leave every 89 days to avoid doing 90 days reports? Please tell. Don't give stupid advice to people.

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Rok ********

@Max ************

some of us travel around. A lot and use BKK as the base. Intentionally. And unintentionally avoid the 90 day reporting (as well as tax residency in Thailand). Nothing to do with being smart.

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Rok ********

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Rok ********

no residency documents in Egypt? There is a mayhem in Thailand about bank accounts openings at the moment yet you need a thai bank account for the visa. Catch 22. Maybe look into Non-OA or OX.

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Max *************

You don't need a Thai bank account when applying for a visa abroad. But you do for 1 year extensions in Thailand.

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Rok ********

@Max ************

… which is already tricky within a month of arrival to season 800k for 2 months required for 1st extension. Non-OA now seems an easier option but it does require a health insurance. It is however a multi entry visa and can be stretched to 2 years through a visa run at the (almost) end of year 1 and next years insurance in place.

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Alia ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

this is an interesting option also and I’d not heard of it. Thanks for this

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Max *************

The O-A is for clueless people and for people who doesn't have 800k to transfer to a Thai bank. On a 90 days Non-O visa you have time to open an account and transfer the money. 30 days is enough time.

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Alia ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

we are in Egypt on a 6 month tourist visa … can’t really be classed as residency?

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Rok ********

Non-OA and OX are superior visas to Non-O. Not sure where the 6 months come in.

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Rok ********

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Bob **********

You’ll need bank accounts here and you’ll need a non-o to get it , that’ll cover him now your daughter will need an ED visa and not sure what you’ll do as there aren’t many places that issue a trailing spouse visa any more good luck

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Alia ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

are you saying we need to get Thai bank accounts before we come to thailand?

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Bob **********

no but you’ll need them to get a non-o extension and you’ll need 800,000 baht in the bank for two months prior to your extension

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Alia ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

ok - thank you very much. I think I had read this but hadn’t made the link that it applies to retirees.

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Alia ********

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Max *************

That's not possible,and he didn't say that.

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Max *************

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John **********

Get your visas sorted before you come to Thailand but if you don't have a residence visa for Egypt you won't be able to apply there. Your husband can apply for a 90 day Non-O visa based on being over 50. You could possibly apply for a 90 day Non-O visa as his dependant as could his kid up until he's 20, but this depends on the consulate you will all apply at. You can't do this inside Thailand. Depending on his pension income it might also be worth looking at the LTR Wealthy Pensioner visa in which case dependants aren't an issue

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John **********

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