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What is the process for applying for a retirement visa in Thailand and how long does it take?

Retirement Visa NON-O Visa Thai Immigration Visa Application Process Financial Requirements Thai Embassy Visa Centre Document Requirements DTV O-A Visa

Oct 17, 2024

2 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

How to apply for retirement visa? And how fast can I do it ?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

To apply for a retirement visa in Thailand (NON-O), you need to first obtain a Non-Immigrant "O" visa from a Thai embassy in your home country. Once in Thailand, you can apply for the actual retirement visa extension at an immigration office during the last month of your initial visa's validity. This process typically requires proof of age, financial evidence such as bank statements (with at least 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account), and might take about 2-4 weeks for processing. It is recommended to consult the Thai Embassy website for specific procedures and options, and some users suggest utilizing visa assistance services for an expedited process.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

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Annie ***************

Non-O Retirement

Approximately 4 week

We services in Pattaya

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Henrik *****

Start by reading the visa section of the Thai Embassy website.

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Kemal ******

If you are in Thailand with the correct paper work and 800K in a Thai bank you can get it the same day of your application. At least that is my experience. My on line visa application in the UK took 2 days 3 years ago.

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David *********

i had to leave Thailand in hurry and let my retirement visa lapse because of medical reasons how can i re apply?

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Norbert **********

@David ********

you dont had a multiple retirement?

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Norbert **********

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Bill *********

Absolutely get a visa agent working for you. There are ways to go alone, but just because you can doesn't mean you should.

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Jim ********

Don't waste your time with a retirement visa, just get the DTV

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Nick *******

in your opinion, what’s the advantage of the DTV over the NON-O extension for someone over 50?

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Jim ********

Five years no need to visit immigration is the big plus! DTV better suits those retirees who frequently travel. With regular travel there's no need for planned border bounces as these will just take place "organically". DTV works out so much cheaper over the five year period. No need to keep 800k perennially in a Thai bank account earning pittance interest, and no need for the 65k monthly transfers from overseas. It's really a no brainer

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Alan *********

how do you get a ret visa ? With dtv.if you don't fit criteria

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Jim ********

Use the soft option. Medical, dental etc

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Nick *******

Ok, but if I’m not planning to leave the Kingdom that often and 65k transfers is how I fund my lifestyle anyway, then no real advantage in the DTV for me?

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Jim ********

If you're happy with your current situation stick with it

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Nick *******

I’m coming to the end of Non-B visa so I have to change my visa status. Hence why I’m interested in your comment on DTV being a better option as I have to choose soon.

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Nick *******

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Johnny ********

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Vince *********

Do not use knight visa in Bangkok or in pattaya crooks

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Darin ********

What country are you from, do you have 800.000 baht to put in a Thai bank account. Doing your application in your country is the best way but allow three months approval time. In country you can get a bank account and retirement visa with no problems for between 15- 30 thousand baht

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Darin ********

I’m the only Australian in this area and live in a small village with my beautiful family and wife

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Darin ********

I have a retirement visa and understand the Thai immigration system

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Graham ******

3 months? What country is that?

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Darin ********

l live in Thailand

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Darin ********

l did say up to 3 months however usually around 2-4 weeks is from Australia

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Graham ******

the only Embassy I've heard that takes anything like that is Paris. The problem with saying allow 3 months for approval means if it is approved within days (possible with London) it could expire before the person leaves for Thailand so the Embassy should always be mentioned not make such generalisations.

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Darin ********

I’m Australian and my visa application was approved in Australia whilst l was still in Australia and took three weeks. Then l moved to Thailand.

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Darin ********

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Darin ********

I’m Australian living in Thailand under a full retirement visa, you need to report your location every 90 days with a TM30 form if renting private residence. All holiday accommodation are required to do this on your behalf regardless of were you stay. Just never overstay your visa

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Darin ********

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Eddie **********

Make from your country

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Eddie **********

Online

Take abt 10 day If you have correct

Paper and insurrance

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Eddie **********

Lived here for 10 year so have little

Experience

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Graham ******

@Eddie *********

Insurance is only needed for a Non-OA, not a Non-O except in a very small number of exceptions

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Eddie **********

Hi

I have many friend that get thai e visa 1 year.

O-a that is what they have option to apply for.

Non-o i have

And i did my applikation in Thailand with mony in bank

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Eddie **********

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Slim ***

Make a Bad Bet with a Bookie???

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Frankie *******

Firstly hve $800,000 deposited in a thai bank account under your name n secondly contact thai visa center or union space visa to get them to process your application.they can get it done quickly with less hassle.they can open your bangkok bank account as well

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Laurie *****

@Frankie ******

*****

0 $ or baht?

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Eric ******

if it were 800k USD, there wouldn't be very many retirees from overseas in Thailand.😄 Thank goodness it is in Baht.

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Frankie *******

in $800,000 thai baht about $23,000 in us dollars for 1 year n u can use it but don't go below $400 000 thai baht 2 months before your 1 year renewal of the retirement visa

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Frankie *******

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Michael *******

Google is your friend

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Craig ********

@Michael ******

it's really not though

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Peter ********

why isn't it? Google should find information from the immigration website. If that isn't up to date, then what is?

The problem with Thai immigration is that the officer dealing with the application can make their own demands as many people here know.

I suggest reading the immigration site and others for tips. It's always good to take extra documents.

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Michael *******

I beg to differ, I embarked on this journey over 6 years ago, from South Africa and after initial on line research, I headed to the Thai Embassy in Pretoria, and after one false start secured O-A retirement visa‘s for my wife and I - despite being advised to engage a lawyer on arrival in Phuket by friends already here. Only when I draw a blank on line do I reach out to the wider community for advice. Our parents relied on word of mouth and encyclopedias 🤔.

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Michael *******

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Peter ********

It took me 10 seconds to search my trusted friend "Google "

To apply for a retirement visa in Thailand, you must first obtain a Non-Immigrant "O" visa at a Thai embassy in your home country, which allows you to enter Thailand, then once inside the country, apply for the actual retirement visa extension at an immigration office within the last month of your initial visa validity; this requires meeting age and financial requirements, providing a medical certificate, and proof of funds like bank statements.

How fast can you fill in the documents?

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Craig ********

this is why googling it yourself is not wise, your answer is wrong in almost everything it said

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Eric ******

so you're saying there is misinformation on the internet? 🤔

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Eric ******

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Todd *********

lucky it was so quick so you could waste your time writing this. And the info there is wrong....

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Peter ********

I honestly didn't read the results. My point was that, Googling is better than asking here, as typically you would also get lots of different answers. I obviously didn't print out all the results but by reading through them he could certainly find the right answer.

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Eric ******

'Google' has never actually done it, people on here have.

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Eric ******

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Jeffrey ************

Your local RTE website...

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Marc *********

Thai Visa Centre in BKK can give you advice & help in obtaining

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Charles **********

I recently documented, on my Travel Blog, the process as it applies in the United Arab Emirates. You may find some useful tips there as the process should be similar around the world. Good Luck 🇹🇭🙏🏻

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Andi ***********

There are a few retirement visas. Check your Thai Embassy website for the options and application process.

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Andi ***********

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