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What steps should I take to get my retirement visa in Thailand before my arrival?

Nov 19, 2025
a day ago
James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello group,

looking for an agent referral to get my RETIREMENT VISA

I’m 66, with USA passport

I have the income qualification

with the recent Visa changes happening, I think it’s time for me to just get it done once and for all.

But speaking of that, for this coming trip… I’m planning to arrive December 3.

I’ve read the changes but it is still confusing

I think I could stay a total of 90 days… But that will include two 30 day extension. My plan was to be in Thailand about 40 days, go to Vietnam for a month or so, and then return to Thailand for 50 days.

Earlier this calendar year, from January to April, I was in Thailand for about 70 days total (interrupted by two 12 day trips to Vietnam) Does that have any bearing on my status?

Any helpful insight would be appreciated

Thank you in advance
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking advice on obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand, as they are qualifying based on income and are planning to arrive in December. With recent visa changes, they are uncertain about their eligibility and travel history's impact on their application. Several comments suggest applying for the Non-O visa before arriving in Thailand to simplify the process. It is advised to have a bank account ready in Thailand with the required funds for the extension. Users shared strategies for managing the visa application efficiently, with emphasis on avoiding agent services unless necessary.
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.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
THAI ******************************
With all the recent changes, getting your retirement visa sorted now is a smart move. Since you already meet the income requirement, the process can be very straightforward.

Your travel earlier this year won’t cause any issues if you arrive with the right visa. The easiest and most affordable path is to apply for your Non O in your home country before you fly. When you enter Thailand with a Non O, opening a bank account is simple and your past entries won’t matter. With that in place, our fee for the yearly extension is 15,000 THB and it’s usually completed in 1 to 3 days.

If you land without a visa and only have an exempt entry, and you still need a bank account, then agent services cost more. You would need to come to Bangkok for one day. We assist with opening your bank account on exempt entry, securing your Non O the same day, return your passport so you can fly back to your province, and then you can post your passport back to us for the 1 year extension. That part only takes a few days. This full package includes everything starting from exempt entry and results in a 15 month retirement visa plus a bank account (without needing to leave the country). Total cost is 60,000 THB.

If you prefer to continue entering on exempt entries despite having multiple past entries, we also offer a FastTrack and Safe Entry service. It’s usually 2,000 to 5,000 THB and helps ensure a smooth entry. You just need to contact us at least one day before arrival so we can check your history and arrange everything.

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Nongnuch ********
"looking for an agent referral to get my RETIREMENT VISA

I’m 66, with USA passport

I have the income qualification" . . . . . . . . . . . . .if you really want to apply for the 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa in your home country, you can do so based on your original income verifications. . . . however as a U.S. citizen, in order to apply for the 1-year extension of the stay permit based on retirement on Immigration inside Thailand, you cannot use your income as proof of finances, at least not in the first year. You will instead need a Thai bank account with a minimum of 800,000 THB seasoned in your account for a minimum of two months . . . . . .agents service can be bought if you have no own funds, they bribe Immigration and get the 12-months extension for you, however this can only be had at costs of something like up from 32,000 THB, in some cases around 60,000 THB
Will ************
Get the 90 day Non-o before you arrive , open your bank account, deposit 800k Baht and extend once a year every year until you snuff it.
Jim *******
If you can not trust a stranger on the Internet, who can you trust?

Most people here are plain idiots, bare the the Mods and few, not more than five of them.
Bob **********
Get the non -o before you come makes things simple
Stuart ***********
If you think there's a risk because of your previous visits without a visa, why not apply for a tourist visa first. Then when you go to Vietnam apply online for the non-O. You can then activate the non-O when you return to Thailand, open a bank account, put the required 800k baht in the account and then extend your stay once your funds have seasoned for 2 months. As Marianne said, it's not difficult if you do it this way and no need for an agent.
Steve *******
@Stuart **********
Just apply for the Non Imm O before travelling, no need to apply for a Tourist visa
Stuart ***********
@Steve ******
he's going to Vietnam before he can get the extension.
Steve *******
@Stuart **********
Yeah. And? Just needs a re-entry permit to keep the Non Imm O alive.
Stuart ***********
@Steve ******
I already liked Marianne 's original suggestion of getting the non-O first, i was giving him an option in case his timescales slip. If he sticks to this timescale then yes it would work, if not he would be starting again. He probably doesn't need a tourist visa at all (I was just being cautious because of his history).
Marianne ********
You should apply for the Non-O based on retirement before you arrive.

Don't need to make it stupid expensive by hiring an agent.

The Non-O should enable you to get a bank account, which you will need to get sorted and filled with the required amount of money for your 1 year extension within the first 30 days of your arrival.
Graham ******
@Marianne *******
Agreed, enter on a Non-O, open a bank account and transfer 800k, get a re-entry permit for your Vietnam trip and, on your return to Thailand and after your 800k has seasoned for 2 months, apply for your 12 month extension then get a re-entry permit when your 12 months is inked in for your return later next year.
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