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What is the correct order of steps to obtain a retirement visa in Thailand?
retirement visaNON-O visaTM30residence certificateThai bank accountThai mobile numberdriver's licensehealthcare
Apr 29, 2026
2 days ago
John ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI've had great advice particularly from John Stanners.
Is this the correct order towards retirement visa.
Apply for non O visa
TM30 receipt from hotel
Open accounts Kasikorn
Deposit money
Get residents certificate
Thai sim cards.
Drivers licence
Healthcare
Is this the correct order towards retirement visa.
Apply for non O visa
TM30 receipt from hotel
Open accounts Kasikorn
Deposit money
Get residents certificate
Thai sim cards.
Drivers licence
Healthcare
TLDR : Answer Summary
The community discusses the steps necessary for applying for a retirement visa (NON-O) in Thailand, suggesting an initial order of operations that includes applying for a NON-O visa, obtaining a TM30 receipt from a hotel, and opening a bank account. However, advice varies on the importance of having a rental agreement or a residence certificate to open the bank account and obtain a Thai mobile number. There are also discussions about the need for long-term accommodation documentation, with some users suggesting alternatives for those without formal leases.
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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John ********
ORIGINAL POSTERRe the SIM cards, do you have a preferred one. AISZ etc. Or are they all the same deals
Kyle ********
You want to ask about your first non O extension while your at it
John **********
@John *******
not really. You don't need a lease or a return flight and departure cards were done away with a few years back. Depending on the immigration office you will use you may need to show some sort of "long term" accommodation but this can be as simple as a letter from a hotel confirming you are a long term resident. Define long term between yourself and the hotel.John ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
great. I have a good relationship with the Lamai hotelReply to
John ********
Reply
John ********
ORIGINAL POSTERA little more complicated than I thought. I wont have a lease agreement or return ticket/departure card.
Ant ***********
“ Apply for Non-O “
Outside Thailand !!
Outside Thailand !!
Andrew ******************
The list is VERY helpful but just a bit more info would be helpful
Johnson *****
For rental contracts.. if u have Thai frens.. just ask them let u used their address and pay some cash.. that usually settle the problem and once u get ur visa.. then look
For a place to move and then change all to the new place
For a place to move and then change all to the new place
Kim *********
Johnson Lau use their address? It has to be entered into the system - can't just "use their address"
Reply to
Kim *********
Reply
Johnson *****
Most importantly is get a resident cert vie a rental contract.. preferably a 3 years lease.. only with this.. then the application of bank account and Thai phone is possible as usually both these 2 companies want to see that cert.. and banks also want a Thai mobile for their apps as well as a contactable number..
Brandon ************
@Johnson ****
That completely depends on the immigration office. In Chiang Mai and Bangkok you can get a residence certificate with just a TM30 from a hotel.Johnson *****
@Brandon ***********
but u can’t get a mobile number with a hotel address..so a rental agreement is a mustBrandon ************
@Johnson ****
No one asked about anything when I got my cell phone planJohnson *****
@Brandon ***********
when u got your mobile plan?Brandon ************
@Johnson ****
2021Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Stephen *******
I had to be in a hotel for at least 2 weeks before immigration would accept that, in the end my girlfriend did me a rental lease and that was ok
Brandon ************
You need the residence certificate to open the bank account, so you would do that after the TM30 and before opening the bank account. You likely also need a Thai phone number as part of opening the bank account so might want to move that up too
Timothy *******
@Brandon ***********
Do you still need a residence certificate if your wife has a blue book to open a bank accountBrandon ************
@Timothy ******
Every Thai person has a blue book. That has nothing to do with you.CoolBun*******
@Timothy ******
yesGreg ***********
@Timothy ******
it depends on the bank- It depends if the bank accepts your wife as a guarantor that you really live in her placeReply to
Greg ***********
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