What is the easiest visa option for a 52-year-old expat moving to Thailand?

@Jim *******

Love that idea. But more difficult and confusing than getting the O in Thailand. Still worth pursuing though if I can figure out the places to get the "official" criminal history, the "official" medical certificate and if I need a Thailand insurance policy if I already have a better Blue Cross retirement plan with in network in Thailand.

@Eric *****

after paying for worthless insurance you’ll switch to the non-o although there talking about lightning up the insurance rules but after your two years you will need funds in Thailand good luck

@Eric *****

Criminal history you get from police, medical certificate from your doctor. Yes, I agree the insurance is a pain but you can get a high-deductible policy for around $1000. How much interest will you lose by putting 800k baht into a Thai bank account?

@Jim *******

The wording on the evisa site makes it more difficult than just going to the police and just a Dr. Read the requirements. I wish it was as easy as you said it was! I called the State Highway Patrol today because others had said they got one from the Illinois and Washington HP, but mine said I I had to call the FL Dept of Law Enforcement, and the number she gave me was disconnected.🤦🏻‍♂️ Not sure what you meant about the interest unless you were referring to the interest you would be losing by taking from my high yield account and put into a 0% Thai account, buy the answer is $91.67 per month. I'm about to just give up and get the O in Thailand or the METV. It wasn't the interest I was worried about losing, it was more that I'm not sure I will want to stay in Thailand for good, and with the OA, I could give it a try for a year or two and then transfer the money. What would happen if you get the retirement visa and transfer the money then leave after let's say 10 months and I go back home and pull the money back? Would I get red flagged or just have to repeat the process next time I want to come back, or would they even let me apply for the retirement Visa again?

@Eric *****

I never had a problem but I think things are easier in Australia. Australian Federal Police check was about $50, the health certificate from my doctor was free.

@Jim *******

So it isn't as specific as they make it sound on the site? I thinking an FBI check or State Police certified only, not my city or county, and it said something more official sounding than just my Dr. He would do that easily. That the prob, don't want to chance doing the easy thing and get denied and back to square 1. I envy all of you that have done it.

@Jim *******

you cannot use the 65k a month method for a new non-o visa it needs to be 800k

@Bob *********

Actually you can. If switching from OA to O with no break in the 65k monthly transfers you don't need the 800k lump sum

@Jim *******

well they wouldn’t accept mine and had monthly for years had to come up with the 800k in Jomtien all offices are different

@Bob *********

Aha! Jomtien are well known for making up their own rules! Bad luck! Bangkok no problem!

@Jim *******

yes I’m all good again

@Bob *********

Yeah I've been on legitimate (ie, not agency obtained) "retirement" visa for ten years. Never needed the 800k lump sum. You just got to know how to work the hack!

@Frances *******

most embassies don't have an insurance requirement for the 90 day non-O visa. And even those that do, is a trivial amount that can be covered by even a basic travel insurance policy.

@Brandon ***********

That too, med insurance. I have a very good retirement insurance plan. But I still need Thailand insurance? I found a policy with AXA, on 399 baht a year...but a minimum 100,000 baht deductible?? 🤷🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

Do I need it if I already have a much better plan? This is why it's so confusing!

@Eric *****

why do you need a visa agent in the US? It takes 15 minutes to fill out the evisa application and they are generally issued in about 15 days. Why do you need anything expedited? It's all done online now, there's no expediting

@Brandon ***********

It does seem straightforward, and mostly doesnt seem that diificult, but I'm a little confused on the criminal history and medical exam wordings. If I can go to my State FHP office and get it, easy. But if I have to go to the FBI and get it, it could be 4 months. If I can go to my Dr and get the certificate, easy. If I have to go to the Ministry of something or some other federal agency, that's more difficult. I wish there specifics on what to do. I don't want to jump through all the hoops and still get it denied and have to start all over again, and lose the application fee. I like the idea of getting the OA visa in my country because you only need bank statements and letters. If you have any shortcuts or clearer info, I would really appreciate it!

@Kevin *********

if the Thai embassy in your country has adopted evisa the link is here

@Kevin *********

Through the official Thai consulate in your country. Beware of many shady agents using websites designed to look authoratarive (which Google sel-selfservingly returns as results before showing the official Thai government site.)

@Joseph ***

I still don't understand how you get the money in the Thai bank from the US when filling out the retirement visa application on the evisa site. I'm using that site now to do the Non O visa...am I missing something? I'd rather get one visa than a Non O AND a Retirement Visa. Someone else mentioned a 9 month Visa. That would work too. I could spend the rest of the year traveling g around Asia or coming back home.

@Eric *****

See Brandon's answer below, though he was a bit gruff today in his reply.

@Eric *****

you show money in your home country to apply for a visa. Why would they ask for money in a Thai bank account? That makes absolutely no sense. You get the visa from the embassy then you go to Thailand and open a bank account within 30 days of arriving and transfer your money. After it's been in the account for 2 full months you can apply for the 1 year extension at the immigration office.

If you go without the non-O it will basically be impossible to open a bank account without an agent because you won't be on a long term visa, you'll just be a tourist, and you need the 800,000 in the account to apply to convert to the 90 day non-O visa.

The non-O IS the retirement visa.

@Brandon ***********

Your answers always are very informative, though maybe you had a bad day because you were a tad short with Eric Allen just because he's a newbie and doesn't know the ropes. The vast majority of these threads usually talk about the 800k sitting in Thai bank accounts and it's easy for a newbie to not realize that discussion is for those already in Thailand trying to convert their status.

@Joseph ***

I didn't take it personally, just appreciate the responses. It's definitely not as easy as it may seem in a website listing. WHERE do you get the "official" criminal history? Exactly WHERE do you have to get the medical certificate. If there specific departments or agencies on the evisa site, that would make it much easier. One thing wrong, and you're application is denied. 🤷🏻‍♂️

@Eric *****

you're looking at the non-OA. That one has very high requirements. You should look at the 90 day non-O visa. This is the same one that you can get in Thailand and the only real requirement is the proof of funds. No criminal history, no medical check, no 3 million insurance. It's called pensioner visa in the evisa system.

@Brandon ***********

yes, that was the one I was going to get, but the other had the advantage of justbahiwing the money in a US account and u get a possible 2 years out of it. The non O does seem much easier and will probably be the one I go for, unless opting for the 90 days METV. 90 days and a run to Manila, the back to Thailand for 90 and a run to Japan...so next issue is hopefully finding some short term condo rentals, as most owners seem to prefer a year lease. Any thoughts on that? Thanks for the replies.

@Eric *****

that one is difficult. If you're going soon, it's going to be low season so you might have better luck. Airbnb is always an option, there are Facebook groups for rentals, serviced apartments

@Brandon ***********

I think I'll look into the FB groups too. I've seen some nice Air BBs online but lots of people warn against then also, saying the pics aren't exactly what you'll get. May try one for a few days, and if it's legit, book it for a month a 2. When is low season? And could you recommend a good Thai medical insurance company. Thanks.

@Eric *****

low season is when it's hot in Thailand and warm in other countries. High season is when it's warm in Thailand and snowing everywhere else

@Brandon ***********

Ah. I went last Sept/ Oct and it rained darn near everyday. I guess that was low season. I actually liked it. Have you seen the just announced changes in the visas? Looks promising, especially the DTV. Gotta find out what constitutes a 'digital nomad', but that might more beneficial than a Non O...no 12 month lease required, you're ok to travel around Thailand. Looking forward to seeing more details.

@Eric *****

there's been dozens of times in the past where headlines like this have been made and then the reality is very different or is different altogether. Don't make any plans based on headlines.

@Brandon ***********

yep, seems like it's already getting sketchy. Gonna just go with the O. Maybe look into the DTV depending on what they consider a 'digital nomad' and 'freelancer'. Hopefully it's pretty broad.

And for clarification...if I'm on an exemption and I fly in and out instead of doing a land border run, is there still a limit on reentries in a year or if you fly it's not limited. Saw that in another forum so wondering if you can confirm that.

@Eric *****

I've read that Visa Exemption can be used 2 times per calendar year. This is stated in the Royal Thai Embassy in Canberra.

@Pip ****

is that flying in or land? Or both? Lots of people saying no limit to fly ins.

@Eric *****

How you exit doesn't matter ever. There is no limit on entries by air using visa exempt, but it's up to the discretion of the immigration officer on how many times they will let you do that.

@Brandon ***********

OK. Thank you. I think I'd prefer to fly to other countries in Asia to visit for a few weeks at a time rather than doing doing Border runs anyway.

@Joseph ***

Thank you...

@Brandon ***********

I have read that most stopped doing that too, as well as no longer allowing walk in appointments. I wonder if there are any that still do it. I'm in Florida and the Miami location is closed. I'm not sure what jurisdiction I'm in either, and it says you can be denied if you apply at the wrong location. 🤷🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

@Eric *****

Washington DC Thai Embassy. Did my 60 day visa thru them.

@Eric *****

I'm not sure what office you are asking about. You can only use proof of income if the US embassy in Thailand offered income verification. That is your embassy. But the US embassy has not offered this for many years.

You cannot go to a Thai embassy in the US. There are only 4 left as all the honorary consulates were shut down during covid. Washington DC covers Florida. But they no longer allow foreigners on the property as all visa matters are handled through the evisa system. Anything else is handled by email. Only Thai citizens are allowed on the property of the remaining 4 Thai embassies/consulates.