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

Nov 19, 2025
5 months 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 referrals for an agent to assist with obtaining a Retirement Visa (Non-O) for their upcoming trip to Thailand, where they will stay for 90 days, with plans to visit Vietnam in between. They are concerned about recent visa changes and previous stays in Thailand affecting their eligibility. Comments suggest applying for the Non-O visa before arrival, opening a bank account, and depositing the required funds for the extension. Several users express that using an agent can simplify the process, while a few warn against the high costs associated with such services. Overall, it's advised to apply for the visa prior to traveling.
90 DAY REPORTING RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Use the trusted Thailand 90 Day Reporting Serviceto get your in-person report done and mailed to you for as low as 375 THB (even if the online system doesn't work for you).
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Bill *********
You're on the right track by seeking an agent to define the process properly. You can consult with the moderator of this forum and get a plan of action laid out. Then you won't have any surprises. It'll make for a stress-free and time efficient process. Speaking from experience, I always use an agent for everything immigration related, as I place a high value on my time.
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Jim *******
@Bill ********
Thai Visa Centre are excellent, I used them. I can see posts (possibly AI generated) against using agents. First time, use an agent, the Thai Visa Centre is the premium one.
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Jim *******
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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.

LINE:
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EMAIL: https://
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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
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Jim *******
@Nongnuch *******
32,000 THB if you have Non-O 90 days visa. No own funds (800,00 THB) and no bank account. The agency will, somehow, sort it out.

The top price is for the customers with only visa exemption.

With your own funds (own bank account, 800,000 THB in it) to exend the stay for one more year is like 12,500 THB.
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Jim *******
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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.
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Jim *******
@Will ***********
Just like walk in a park?
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Jim *******
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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.
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Bob **********
Get the non -o before you come makes things simple
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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.
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Conflicting info here
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Stuart ***********
Is it from the Thai Embassy in the Philippines?
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Stuart ***********
@James ********
that's very strange. It suggests everyone must apply from the USA! Also that you need a return flight, when you are retiring to Thailand. The wording on some of these sites is terrible. Post another question asking the question and hopefully one of the moderators will confirm. I've never done this, but I have read that many others have.
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Stuart ***********
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Does my non-o visa need to be applied for in my home country USA?

Because I’m already in Asia (Philippines)
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Stuart ***********
@James ********
you can apply from the Philippines James.
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
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James *********
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Steve *******
@Stuart **********
Just apply for the Non Imm O before travelling, no need to apply for a Tourist visa
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Stuart ***********
@Steve ******
he's going to Vietnam before he can get the extension.
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Steve *******
@Stuart **********
Yeah. And? Just needs a re-entry permit to keep the Non Imm O alive.
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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).
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Stuart ***********
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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.
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Jim *******
@Marianne *******
Wait. To open a bank account, one has to have a Thai mobile phone number, registered in their name and passport number, address and a receipt for that. No airport prepaid SIMs accepted.

To get that, they need a Certificate of Residence, issued by Thai Immigration. One has to go to their Immigration office to get that certificate. May take a week.

Is your post AI generated?
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Marianne ********
@Jim ******
No.

I have opened all of my accounts with a pre-paid SIM.

Last ones around 3 months ago.

But even if you did in fact genuinely need that, you will need to go to Immigration for a Residence Certificate to open a bank account anyway, so I don't really see the problem here. Just get both of at the same time.

Some offices give them out the same day as the application. Mileage will vary on that.
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Frangipani *******
@Jim ******
you open a Thai bank account when you get to Thailand. 🇹🇭 You don’t need a Thai bank account when applying for a non O outside of Thailand. Once you get to Thailand you get your Thai SIM card. Simple.

Btw, I have bank accounts with several Thai banks. I had no issue with giving them my Thai phone number which is a prepaid SIM. How would the bank know that your phone number is from a pre paid SIM anyway?
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Jim *******
@Frangipani ******
It is believed that Superman does not even use toilet paper!
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Frangipani *******
@Jim ******
what a very childish comment 😂

Are you accusing me of lying about my experiences or have you simply had too much to drink?
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Jim *******
@Frangipani ******
Sorry for my harsh words, I can believe you did it as you did. What triggered my response was your advice to others.

What triggered that massive bank account lock downs?

Those prepaid cards that the crims paid Thai nationals to open bank accounts with their (crims) SIMs. For some money, maybe 200-300 THB.

Thai nationals can open a bank account with any bank with their Thai ID. So they did.

The first visible victims were the street vendors whose accounts were locked, disabling their trade payments.

Then, disadvantaged Thais (limit that to poor ones) who had no trade no money, just their accounts abused by the crims.

The Bangkok Bank, the biggest one in Thai was summoned by the Thai goverment about the scandal.

To simplify it for this argument, say, the BKK bank showed that out of 1,000 mobile phone 900 numbers were either inactive or had an another person who owned that mobile number.

That is why they requested the account owner to come in person to their branch and confirm the phone number and address.
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Frangipani *******
@Jim ******
What triggered it? The account holders did not comply with current laws.
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Jim *******
@Frangipani ******
No drink. You are simply lying. "Get Thai SIM Card"? How do you get it? Who is distributing the SIM cards that are acceptable by the banks?

As clueless as you are, the SIM card with your name, address, passport number, will be on the receipt the banks want to see.

Edit: prepaid SIMs are easily identifialbe, just first 3 digits like "092" and they get recycled. Just see how many bank accounts were frozen because of mobile number mismatch.

When it was possible to open an account with prepaid mobile that does not exist any more. AIS recycles them after a year, to a different prepaid owner.

No way to buy that number and make it your permanent number.

The whole crack over last several months was because of the undocummented prepaid SIM cards, criminals were caught with tens of thousands of them in stock.
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Marianne ********
@Jim ******
I have had my pre-paid number since around December 2021.

Same number, it has never changed.

Even bought it at the airport initially.

If you top it up regularly, you keep the number.

And I bet you a dollar that most bank branches will be fine with pre-paid SIMs. You can get proof of ownership of the number from your local operator shop quite easily. If required.
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Frangipani *******
@Jim ******
I got my prepaid SIM from
****
a couple of years ago. It is not prefixed 092. I have opened two bank accounts with it.

Lying, clueless- speak for yourself.

Recycling of SIMs, if you are SMART, you top up your SIM every month to keep the number alive.

Why don’t you try to do some research before you accuse people of lying and calling them clueless?

As I said, speak for yourself.

This will be my final post on this matter as I have better things to do than responding to aggressive, clueless people.

Goodbye.
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Frangipani *******
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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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Graham ******
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