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What type of visa will my friend receive upon arrival in Thailand for retirement?

Apr 4, 2025
25 days ago
Wayne *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
A friend from the USA is planning his retirement in Thailand. His plan is to enter the Kingdom and then apply for a Retirement visa type O. He asked me if he gets a 30 day visa on arrival or is it 60 days on arrival. I wasn't sure. Does anyone here know which on he would get?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A friend from the USA is planning to retire in Thailand and is uncertain about the visa he would receive upon arrival. He wants to know if he will get a 30-day or 60-day visa on arrival. Comments indicate that the duration can depend on the time of year he visits, and it is generally recommended for him to apply for a Non-O visa before arriving to facilitate banking and visa extension processes.
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.
David ********
Non O 90 day from own country via Thai consulate then apply for extension when in Thailand. This also allows you to open bank account in Thailand. Better option
Wylie *******
Unless they already have a thai bank account I'd suggest they apply for the non-o (not the non-oa) prior to coming. One of the requirements to apply inside of Thailand is to have 800k in a thai bank account. However, that has become extemely difficult recently because the banks want you to already have a long term visa before letting you open an account. That shouldn't be a problem if they already have the visa.
Lloyd ********
secondly, tell him to get the Non-O visa before he comes to Thailand, so much easier to open the bank account he will need to season the money, (even harder for Americans)
John **********
@Lloyd *******
Indeed it is so much easier. Great advice πŸ‘
Wayne *******
@Lloyd *******
getting it outside of Thailand invokes compulsory health insurance.
Lloyd ********
@Wayne ******
Not for a Non-O it doesn't.
Jakob *********
@Lloyd *******
I needed health insurance on my Non-O when I applied in Canberra embassy, Australia in December 2022
Lloyd ********
@Jakob ********
Maybe an embassy specific requirement, but it is not a global one.
Wayne *******
@Lloyd *******
oops, sorry man. πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™ Yes Non-O.

I’ll take myself out the back and have a bl**dy talk to myself.

And I criticize others for not β€˜reading it’ before they open their gob. πŸ˜‚
Lloyd ********
*****
totally depends when he is coming
Wayne *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lloyd *******
He is coming on May 14th
Graham ******
@Wayne ********
So he has time to get his Non-O retirement Visa before arrival making things much easier travelling and after arrival
Lloyd ********
Then at the moment, he will get a 60 day visa exempt entry
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