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What is the process for obtaining a retirement visa to Thailand, and can I open a bank account for my pets?

O-A Visa Non-Immigrant O Visa Thailand Retirement Visa Pet Transfer Services Thai Bank Account Visa Process for Expats Financial Requirements for Retirement Visa Health Insurance for O-A Visa Pensioner Long-Term Resident Visa Moving to Thailand with Pets

Feb 12, 2024

10 months ago

Kelleen *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

HI. I am planning to retire to Thailand hopefully by August. I have gotten various answers from visa agents. I am confused as to the process. Do I start i the USA with the O-A visa and then go to IMM once I get a residence? So far I meet the financial requirement for that visa.And can I open  the bank account once I get there? Also, anyone here who has moved with pets, I could really use some advice on a reliable pet transfer services. I am bringing my cats..Thanks so much for your help.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The poster is looking to retire in Thailand by August and has received mixed information from visa agents regarding the process. They want to know if they should start the visa application in the USA with the O-A visa and what to do once they obtain residency. They meet the financial requirements for the visa and are also inquiring about opening a bank account upon arrival. Additionally, they seek recommendations for pet transfer services as they plan to move with their cats.

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.
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Tom *********

Everything you need to know is here.

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Tom *********

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Christopher *************

Why don't you apply to the Embassy/Consulate for a retirement visa yourself and do away with the agents. If you meet the criteria there is no problem normally..

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Gadi *****

אתה בן 50?

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Steve *******

Get the Non Imm O visa in the US

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Neal *******

Non-O from US for retirement requires insurance; so will subsequent extensions, as does O-A.

Perhaps start with tourist visa from US, then obtain 90 day non-O from Thailand immigration and then a one year extension of stay. This method will not require insurance.

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Steve *******

Neal HymanOnly 90 days insurance and most people have insurance anyways, subsequent extentions dont require insurance. Much easier to arrive with a Non Imm O than convert in Thailand.

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Steve *******

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Marty *********

I had an OA visa, obtained from the LA consulate, for 6 years. I now have a 10 year pensioner LTR visa.

One other option is the 10 pensioner LTR visa. This requires health insurance (with some lenient options) and a passive income of $80,000/yr. If you think this might be of interest to you then look for it on the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) website.

These days I would recommend you come to Thailand and obtain a non-immigrant O visa. That is a 90 day visa and then you get 1 year extensions of that visa indefinitely. It does not require insurance. I, of course, recommend having insurance but if it isn't tied to your visa then you have more options. You will have to maintain 800,000 in a Thai bank to get the 1 year extensions of an O visa.

You could go ahead and get an OA visa. An OA visa will require you to maintain Thai health insurance for the visa and subsequent extensions. You can qualify for this visa with funds in your US bank accounts but extensions of this visa will require 800,000 baht in a Thai bank. It is a one year visa that, like the O visa, can be extended 1 year at a time indefinitely.

The OA does have a weird benefit that if you leave and return within the first year of the visa you will be stamped in for a full year (or until the end of your insurance policy). This means if you time it right and you have the insurance you can get almost 2 years on an OA visa before you have to start extending it in Thailand or return to the US to apply for a new OA visa.

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Tom *********

pensions both private and governmental are highly favored, as is substantial investment income, or trust funds, any documented income will do fine. They are concerned that the income is stable and on going through out the visas validity. Digital nomads that can generate income anywhere have their own visa category.

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Fatih ********

thank you Tom

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Fatih ********

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Tom *********

@Marty ********

the ฿800,000 can be ฿400,000 if you show the other ฿400,000 in income. If for any reason one wishes to repatriate their money only ฿50,000 can be taken out of Thailand per transaction.

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Fatih ********

what type of incomes they accept against that 400,000 baht? Thanks

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Fatih ********

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Wayne *********

@Marty ********

Maybe the OX can be considered its 5 plus 5 years

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Marty *********

@Wayne ********

I know you can get the OX in Australia, not sure about the US. In any case the LTR and OX have pretty high $$ requirements.

The LTR is only 18 months old which is partly why I mention it. Not many people know about it.

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Wayne *********

@Marty ********

yes I not sure if available in the US. OX for me was easy no high $$$ proof asked for just my salary was enough via Sydney consulate.

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Wayne *********

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Michael ********

Relo4paws for pets

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Michael ********

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