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What is the correct procedure to obtain a retirement visa for Thailand as a UK passport holder?

Thailand VisaRetirement VisaNON-O VisaImmigration ProcessBank Account in Thailand
May 2, 2022
3 years ago
Howard **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi Can i confirm something please, I will be travelling on a UK passport and want to retire in Thailand, when i arrive will i be given a 90 day visa, then open a bank account, then take all the relevant paperwork to the immigration office Thank you
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TLDR : Answer Summary
To retire in Thailand on a UK passport, you should obtain a 90-day Non-O visa based on retirement either before arriving in Thailand or upon arrival using either a visa-exempt entry or a tourist visa. Opening a bank account and transferring funds is necessary for the visa application process, and after 90 days, you can apply for a one-year extension after your funds have been seasoned.
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.
Tod *********
and I think the O/P has most of their questions answers SO rather than let people pull this thread off topic even more I'd say we're done.
@Howard *********
 if you want it opened back up message me
3 years ago
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Howard **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
You would want to have insurance anyway to be safe,so i would probably have that in place,do airlines let you fly on one way tickets
3 years ago
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Adrian *******
@Howard *********
 I have done it many times and never been checked. But maybe the current policy of the airline you choose will differ. When the land borders are open it is possible to buy a cheap bus ticket online to a neighbouring country to use as evidence that you have a ticket to leave the country in case you are asked
3 years ago
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Ellie *******
@Howard *********
 That is what you need to talk about with your airline. Usually, airlines check if you hold a valid visa. But how they treat you with a one-way ticket depends on the airline's policy.
3 years ago
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Ellie *******
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Tod *********
Keep in mind some consulates require you show proof of the mandatory health insurance to buy Non-O visas now (for retirement or marriage) and if you do the Non-O in thailand there is no proof of that required.
3 years ago
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Stephen *********
@Tod ********
 oh that is very good to know.. I think I will buy mine in country then.. does the new Pass require health insurance ?
3 years ago
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Alan ******
@Stephen ********
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3 years ago
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Stephen *********
@Alan *****
 what proof is needed if you are vaccinated?
3 years ago
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Tod *********
@Stephen ********
 this is NOT a what are the entry requirements to get in to thailand group. all you can do is read the news & post your questions about entry requirements on a thai pass group

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3 years ago
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Tod *********
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Tod *********
I can confirm 100% that is NOT how it works. 😮

You either BUY a 90 day Non-O visa based on retirement from the thai consulate in london BEFORE you wing your way here. THEN when you stamp in you'll get 90 days, get your bank account open, transfer in the money and apply for the year extension 2 months later (after your funds seasoned) at the immigration office for 1900baht

OR

you come here on either a free 30 day visa exempt entry or a 60 day tourist visa entry (that you buy before you come here) then open an account get the funds transferred in and go APPLY for the 90 day Non-O visa at the immigration office for 2000 baht. You wait the 2 weeks under review period, go back to get the 90 day stamp and a Non-O inked in..

THEN wait the 2 months until your funds are seasoned and go to the office to apply for the year extension for 1900baht
3 years ago
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Juergen ******
@Tod ********
 can you open a bank account with a 30 day exempt?

Which Thai bank will do this?
3 years ago
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Ellie *******
@Juergen *****
, It's possible, but depends on the branches and the counter staff/manager of the branch (but not the bank). You may need to try several branches. There is no one answer to which exact branch would let you open.

It MIGHT help if you get a residence certificate/letter from your embassy (because you can not get one from most immigration offices on your visa-exempt entry stamp).

But opening a bank account is actually out of the scope of this group.

Please don't go further. This is already off the topic enough.
3 years ago
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Angelo ***********
@Juergen *****
@Ryan *******
 Yes, but you might have to check several branches/brands. Take a Thai speaking friend with you.
3 years ago
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Ryan ********
@Angelo **********
 I have tried more than 2 dozen branches, although I am on a COVID extensions and not a 30 day entry stamp.

They have consistently asked for a work permit, "one year visa," or a letter from a school in the case of a education visa.

So if someone has opened an account in the year 2022 with a 30 day entry stamp I would like to know which bank and branch please.
3 years ago
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Tod *********
you beat this same drum every time we say you can open a bank account on a visa exempt / tourist visa entry
@Ryan *******
 give it a rest. 😕

Hands down you are clearly the most unlucky foreigner in the history of thailand when it comes to attempting to open a bank account. 🙁 For that I am sorry.

It can be done, maybe not off covid extensions from what ever stamp you were on before you started getting them but it can be done.

OR

Google open bank account thailand and start calling the numbers of the services that assist people in doing it
3 years ago
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Tod *********
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Ryan ********
@Juergen *****
 if this question is answered i would like to know which branches as well please
3 years ago
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Ryan ********
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George ********
Forgive me for jumping in here and I hope I'm not muddying the pool, but my understanding is that there is some difference between the two visas. If you get your visa in London (O-A visa), you must have or obtain health insurance to cover you in Thailand. If you get your visa here (O visa), you don't have to have insurance.
3 years ago
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Bobby ********
@George *******
 The other difference is with the OA you do not have to transfer any money into a Thai bank account, you use funds in your home country bank as proof of finance. You can also get two years stay from an OA without having to apply for any extension simply by doing a border bounce before the original visa expires
3 years ago
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Adrian *******
@Bobby *******
 with the OA is it required to keep the health insurance going throughout the 2 year period or can you cancel after obtaining the visa stamp? Similarly are you required to keep a certain amount of money in a UK bank throughout the 2 year period?
3 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Adrian ******
 No checks made on home country bank account. A bit confused, why would you want to cancel a health insurance policy? You are aware it's quite easy to have an illness or mishap in Thailand? I use my credit card insurance which is ongoing.
3 years ago
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Adrian *******
@Bobby *******
 I'm interested in what is required by immigration. There are individual circumstances where this is sensible, for example if you have a long term home in Thailand and intend to be in a third country for an extended period during the 2 years. Bear in mind insurance can be expensive depending on circumstances and saving say 9 months payment is a significant sum
3 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Adrian ******
 Health insurance is required. 800,000 baht in Thai bank account is not required
3 years ago
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Adrian *******
@Bobby *******
 This is a significant difference in times of high inflation
3 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Adrian ******
 There's certainly no way I'd be tying up 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account earning 0.5% pa for the rest of my life, unable to touch it!
3 years ago
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Bobby ********
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George ********
Ah! I thought you could only get the O visa in country.
3 years ago
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Tod *********
@George *******
 you are confusing two TYPES of visas, you can get a Non-O <-(no A after it) at some thai consulates

AND some of them require health insurance to issue it

When you get a year long OA it always requires the mandatory insurance.
3 years ago
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Tod *********
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Howard **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi Tod.In your opinion which of those 2 options are the most commonly used
3 years ago
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Howard **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Tod, so if i did it here would the visa start when it was issued or when i arrived in Thailand
3 years ago
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Tod *********
@Howard *********
 a single entry Non-O visa is valid for ENTRY to thailand for 90 days from the date it's issued <- meaning you have that long to stamp IN to the country and that's when you will get a 90 day stamp to stay.
3 years ago
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Tod *********
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Tod *********
@Howard *********
 they are both used quite often.

the first option you meet the requirements in your country to get the initial 90 day Non-O visa issued, then when you stamp in you only have to get the funds into a thai bank account in your name, wait out the 2 months then go apply for the year extension.

The other way is more steps but quite a lot of people do it too.

I'd say it's what ever one you want to do and how fast you can get done what needs to be done once you get here 🙂
3 years ago
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Tod *********
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Howard **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Tod fully understand now
3 years ago
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Howard **********
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