What is the process for obtaining a Non-OA retirement visa for Thailand and funding requirements?

First thing go to Thai embassy website in your home country for accurate information

You can come over on a tourist visa and get it all done here. Easy

It's an ideal time to get the services of a Visa agent who will lay out the whole framework for you and set a course of action. It's the way to make the process stress free and time efficient, speaking from personal experience.

I just moved here from the US 11 days ago. I applied for the Non-O Retirement Visa through the Thai Embassy in Washington DC and had my approval in about 10 days. While I had the equivalent of 800,000 baht in my account and documents I sent to the Thai Embassy they still requested proof of retirement income from me. The day they sent their request I provided it to them via upload and I had my approval visa the next day.

Once you get to Thailand you will need to get a Thai Cell Phone Number and a Thai Bank Account. The Cell Phone Number is easy and all I needed was my Passport. However, the Bank Account is a bit more difficult and I've gone to immigration in Bangkok to get a Certificate of Residence 1 week ago today and I'm still waiting for them to mail it to me. Once I have this will go back to the bank and open the account.

Funding the account and transferring money depends on your circumstances. Swift transactions may be better for you or not. I looked into this and the fees through NFCU were higher for me than using Remitly, I would suggest you check various options -- Right now you are looking at about $25,000 U.S. to make the equivalent of 800,000 Baht.

If you don't know where in Thailand you wish to live I would recommend looking at renting Airbnb for 2-3 months in various locations to see where you enjoy, but if you start here I would make sure you complete your first 12 month extension of your retirement visa before going somewhere else. Personally I chose Bangkok for the time being because of everything it offers and the ease of travel from here to everywhere else. Good Luck!

Sir you have joined a Visa Advice Forum.

Your choice of visa, based on your idea is not the best path for you, based on your requirements.

The advice given is correct and the best path for most applicants.

The required insurance becomes problematic, especially as we age.

The non-o allows the use of any suitable insurance, tailored to your needs.

If your intention is to stay then the OA multientry 1yr visa, will work but is NOT your best path.

You will still need the money in Thailand in both cases for ectension and 90 day reporting is just a fact of life.

However choose your own path.

If you go to Los Angeles you can get your OA visa there at the Thai consulate. They do a background check and you’ll need a letter from the sheriff or police showing that you don’t have a criminal record. You can get any medical insurance anywhere, as long as it covers you in Thailand. If you leave Thailand and then come back in before the first year, on your OA visa is finished you’ll get another year on the same visa without having to go to immigration. And when you arrive in Thailand you will be able to open a bank account easily because you’ll already have the retirement visa. You might still need to do ninety day reporting, to let them know you’re still alive and kicking.

Stay clear of Bangkok bank, lots of problems in the last year. If you use Wise to transfer money get a Kasikorn bank account, Wise uses them for clearing the overseas funds coming into Thailand. Or you can use your American bank to do an international transfer. It’s a bit more costly than Wise. The least expensive way to send is through Schwab if you have tgat account.

Get a non O visa not OA

Once you have a Thai bank account do a Swift transfer with a reason of long stay from your US account into Thai account

Then apply for 1year extension based on retirement

Make sure your US bank does international wire transfers. Once you get a Thai bank account you get their SWIFT code and you can connect your US bank to your Thai bank account. Do a small test transfer then you are all set.

Get a Non O visa. Forget the OA. You must have health insurance with the OA, and you, being a retired military member have Tricare. Do you have a Thai bank account? If so, easy to transfer the funds here from your US bank. Easy process. Best of luck.

If you are planning to move more permanently to Thailand, it is recommended that you apply online for a standard 90-day Non O visa through the Thai embassy or consulate responsible for your region. This way, you avoid being tied to a Thai health insurance policy indefinitely related to a Non O-A visa.

You apply on the basis of being over 50 years old, with either a monthly income equivalent to at least 65,000 baht or a lump sum of 800,000 baht in your bank account.

Shortly after arriving in Thailand, you must open a local bank account and deposit 800,000 baht, ensuring the funds remain there for at least two months before applying for your first annual extension of stay. You may use your American bank for the transfer.