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What is the process for applying for a retirement visa in Thailand as an Australian citizen?

Thai retirement visa NON-O visa visa extension Australian citizen Thailand immigration bank account requirements

Jun 9, 2025

2 days ago

Paul ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I am looking for some information because I am unsure of what the process.

I will be returning to Thailand at the end of this month I am an Australian citizen so I guess I will get the 30 day entry visa however I would like to apply for the retirement visa.

I am not sure but I think I would have to apply for the three month extension and at the same time apply for the retirement visa.

Is this the correct and easy way of doing it I had been living in Thailand previously for six years but that visa as well and truly expired however I still have the required money in the bank.

I would appreciate any help or further information of what the correct procedure is.

Thank you in advance

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TLDR : Answer Summary

An Australian citizen looking to return to Thailand and apply for a retirement visa should first enter Thailand under the visa exempt program, which recently allows for a 60-day stay. It is recommended to apply for a NON-O visa based on retirement from Australia before traveling, ensuring that you meet the requirement of having 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account for at least two months. Upon arrival, you can apply for a 90-day extension of stay at an immigration office and then, before that visa expires, seek a one-year extension based on retirement.

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.
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David *********

Non Immigrant O visa based on retirement online in Aus

But Check your account hasn’t been frozen mate as there has been a massive crackdown down on foreigners bank accounts and many have been frozen

2 days ago

Paul ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

From what I understand the accounts are not frozen you will only be able to do online transaction if the SIM card are using is the SIM card registered with the bank

If you are using a different SIM card you will not be able to do online transaction

15 hours ago

David *********

@Paul *****

I have been told by many that I will need to get a Sim card in my name as I currently have a tourist SIM card

I will be returning soon with my approved non I O visa and trying to open two accounts with two separate banks

Once I find out the individual banks requiring I will repost

13 hours ago

Reply to

David *********

Jules ***********

@David ********

Huh? Do you have any verifiable sources for this assertion of accounts being frozen?

20 hours ago

Jakob *********

@David ********

the bank will close the account if no activities over 12 months, been told that by SCB and KTB, need only one movement every 12 month, you be OK

2 days ago

David *********

@Jakob ********

also something about making sure your current phone number is verified or something

2 days ago

Jakob *********

@David ********

well, just my experience and what I was told by the bank...I was nearly 3 years in Australia because of covid...had my account with SCB and KTB, had the thai phone number canceled and had an Australian number, never ever a problem...

2 days ago

Reply to

Jakob *********

Michael ********

@Jakob ********

That's not what he is saying. Some banks have started freezing bank accounts until people prove they have a long term visa. Mostly in Phuket though, I believe.

2 days ago

Reply to

Michael ********

Anna *********

You really need to read the requirements on the Thai visa website

You can enter on visa exempt for 60 days but if you want to retire in Thailand and are over 50

Apply for non O visa from home, ensure 800 K THB in Thai bank account for minimum 2 months and then apply for 12 month extension based on retirement at immigration office

I have no idea how you do it once in country but again if you read the website it will be outlined for you

2 days ago

Ernesto ********

@Anna ********

can you open a Thai bank account on a 90 day non o?

2 days ago

Jakob *********

@Ernesto *******

I open mine on a tourist visa, but long time back, 2010, SCB bank

a day ago

Ernesto ********

@Jakob ********

might be hard to do today

a day ago

Reply to

Ernesto ********

Anna *********

yes

Bob **********

yes

Ernesto ********

👍🏿

Reply to

Ernesto ********

Jakob *********

@Anna ********

easiest and best way

2 days ago

Reply to

Jakob *********

Michael ********

Get a NON O before you leave Oz. That is the easiest way to do it. Then use your funds, that you already have in your Thai bank, to get a year extension of stay. If not, do as Tod says. ;)

2 days ago

Tod *********

You got your wires crossed a bit

As an Aussie wouldn't get any "entry visa"

People from 90+ countries (Australia included) get stamped in FREE for 60 days on the "visa exempt" entry program (which has been 60 days since July 15th 2024)

Once you're here you'd go to your immigration office, get the hand out listing the documents needed to apply for the in country 90 day Non-O visa based on retirement for 2000baht.

You need a minimum of 15 days left on your entry stamp to apply for that visa at most offices. When you apply you will get a receipt that says to come back to the office in 2 weeks. When that time runs out, you return to the immigration office and they ink in the Non-O visa, and a new 90 day stamp.

Then you wait until you have 30 days or less left on that stamp, go back to the immigration office with all new documentation and apply for a yearly "extension of stay" based on retirement for 1900baht. That gets issued on the spot

2 days ago

Graeme *******

@Tod ********

just general question why is it such.a long wait for a Non O extension thru marriage, they (immigration) already say no visit to resident required, all other paperwork as required supplied, but always a 4-5 week wait. Plus I've also paid the required tax to Revenue, although that maybe a mistake as many not even registered meaning 180 day people.

2 days ago

Tod *********

@Graeme ******

most offices give you a 30 day under consideration stamp (which is ADDED on to the expiration date of your current stamp because it's the first month of your new year extension)

They have to send the paperwork to bangkok to get it signed off on no matter what office they are and even in bangkok (which has only a 21 day under consideration stamp) has to send the paperwork "upstairs" to get them approved.

a day ago

Reply to

Tod *********

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What is the process for applying for a retirement visa in Thailand from Australia?

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