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When is the best time to apply for a retirement Non-O visa for Thailand?

Non-O VisaThailand Retirement VisaVisa Application TimingExpats in ThailandImmigration AdviceVisa Types
Sep 3, 2025
3 days ago
Paul ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So I've decided to go for a retirement non o visa, I'm 66 in December and been advised from a lot of people on here and else where that a bronze elite visa at my age was stupid, I'm flying out to Thailand for good at the start of December, when is the best time to start my application,is it too early to start and send it off now,
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is planning to apply for a retirement Non-O visa as they are moving to Thailand in December at the age of 66. They seek advice on the optimal timing for the visa application. Commenters suggest applying between 45 to 90 days before the intended travel date, with specific experiences showcasing a quick turnaround from the Thai embassy. Additionally, discussions highlight the impracticality of the Bronze Elite visa and mention alternative options, such as the LTR visa, for older expats.
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Charles ****************
Some have gone under the radar.

Lots of visa places in Pattaya. I think they charge about 15,000 bt a year.

In some cases, you can find a good one, live anywhere in the country and mail your passport to them for the 90 day chks.

But hey, what do I know.
3 days ago
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Henrik *****
Grown up people should be able to take control over their own life, and don’t use doggy agents.
2 days ago
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Charles ****************
@Henrik ****
 Whatever
a day ago
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Charles ****************
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Gary ********
@Charles ***************
 you know more than most on this page. But first 15 month visa is
*****
/
*****
. Then
*****
/
*****
***********
. Then
***********
after that. U might be wasting ur time sharing good knowledge on here. 🤔
3 days ago
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Ken *******
@Gary *******
 first 15m visa is 7800baht in CM
3 days ago
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Charles ****************
@Ken ******
 Are we related?
3 days ago
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Ken *******
@Charles ***************
 Dad was a bit of a root rat so possible lol
3 days ago
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Ken *******
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Charles ****************
@Gary *******
 Depends on the visa agency. Pattaya, directly across from the post office, 50 meters from beach rd. Forget name. Manee?
3 days ago
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Charles ****************
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Julia ******
Why you going there for women?
3 days ago
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Paul ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Julia *****
 I'm married to a Thai woman, been together for 6 yrs, have a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom bungalow with 11 rice fields and 20 buffalo, so now I'm not going for the woman, lol
3 days ago
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Paul ********
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Terence ******
Look into the LTR visa
3 days ago
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Dawn **********
Go online and make an appointment with immigration. It will save you time. In CM, there was nothing open in Oct, Nov or Dec when I started looking last week. I check everyday and they opened some dates end of Nov.
3 days ago
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Steve *******
@Dawn *********
 The OP doesn't need to apply for their extention of stay until at least Feb 2026 and most likely won't need an appointment.
3 days ago
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Dawn **********
@Steve ******
 he’ll get all the information he needs at that appointment. There is nothing worse than sitting at immigration all day to hear you are missing documents. Especially during burn season.
3 days ago
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Dawn **********
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Kevin *******
Do you need a flight booked before you apply for a non o visa ? I can't book yet as I'm waiting for a clinic appointment due in the next few weeks ! so can't book the flight yet !
3 days ago
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Henrik *****
Visa first, flight after approved.
2 days ago
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Paul ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kevin ******
 I haven't booked a fight yet, just looked on website and picked fight number for that day, also where it says last country flying from I put united Arab Emirates as that's the half way point from England, don't know if that's right or not,
3 days ago
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Kevin *******
@Paul *******
 I've tried to do it on my phone not compatible methinks !
3 days ago
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Graeme ******
@Paul *******
 hi Paul I know when I applied I flew from Manchester via doha then to bangkok. I put flying from Manchester (UK). For the TDAC the flight number I gave when entering thailand was the flight number from doha to bangkok.
3 days ago
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Graeme ******
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Jan ******************
@Kevin ******
 You don’t need to prove or upload any tickets for a Non O visa, but you’ll just need to give a trip with flight itinerary for the application. When it’s issued you’ll have three months to enter anyway regardless of any dates.
3 days ago
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Jan ******************
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Brook ********
Stupid is an understatement
3 days ago
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Tobben ********
Ask chat Gpt !
3 days ago
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Henrik *****
No a good Idea, then you think you get a right answer, even when it gives false information.
2 days ago
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Ken *******
@Tobben *******
 and question GPT all the time because it's often wrong. It's still learning
3 days ago
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Ken *******
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Pete *******
A Bronze Elite visa is a complete waste of money. Much better alternatives are available.
3 days ago
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Greg *********
@Pete ******
 I've got the bronze visa.love it
3 days ago
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Gary ********
@Greg ********
 cos u don't know any better. How much did u pay for that? 🤔
3 days ago
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Greg *********
@Gary *******
 30k for 5 years.6k a year stress free
3 days ago
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Greg *********
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Pete *******
@Greg ********
 you must be kicking yourself spending 650k on a visa that the DTV mirrors for 10k.
3 days ago
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Greg *********
@Pete ******
 I've got the money.hate queing up at immigration
3 days ago
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Pete *******
@Greg ********
 with a DTV you never need to visit Immigration. Sounds like “a fool and his money”.
3 days ago
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Greg *********
@Pete ******
 cheap charlie
3 days ago
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Greg *********
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Steve *********
@Pete ******
 why?
3 days ago
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Pete *******
@Steve ********
 because you have spent 650k on a visa which for all practical purposes is replicated by the DTV which costs 10k.
3 days ago
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Henrik *****
For retirement DTV is inferior, don’t go that route.

And DTV is not eligible for a Thai Bankaccount, for those who think they need it.
2 days ago
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Steve *********
@Pete ******
 Ah Ok -
3 days ago
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Steve *********
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Nigel *******
I am doing the same as you, flying in early December. I plan to do my application in early October. This gives me a bit of time if I mess it up.
3 days ago
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Paul ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Having massive problems trying to download my bank statements, I've compressed them I've turned them into jpeg and still will not upload,

Any help will be much appreciated,
2 days ago
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Nigel *******
@Paul *******
 you need to merge the PDF files, there are plenty of free apps that will allow you to do this.
2 days ago
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Nigel *******
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Paul ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nigel ******
 where are you flying from, we might be able to help each other,
3 days ago
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Nigel *******
@Paul *******
 the departure date is only an intended date, so no actually have to depart on that date. The visa is valid for use up to 90 days after the issue date.
3 days ago
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John *********
@Nigel ******
 i will be sorting my type Ovvisa based on marriage mid November with a planned departure mid Jan 26.

So its ok to book a one way ticket?
2 days ago
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Nigel *******
@John ********
 yes
2 days ago
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Nigel *******
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Nigel *******
@Paul *******
 from Heathrow.
3 days ago
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Paul ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nigel ******
 should have said what country, even through it's a retirement visa I still had to enter a leaving date, bit weird,
3 days ago
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Paul ********
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Kevin *******
@Nigel ******
 have you booked your flight yet ?
3 days ago
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Nigel *******
@Kevin ******
 yes, flying with Eva, on the second.
3 days ago
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Nigel *******
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Graeme ******
The thai embassy in London is pretty quick to turnaround a non O, typically they say 2 working weeks , I got mine recently within that time and I applied for mine 2 months before I was due to travel
3 days ago
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Brandon ************
non-O is valid for 90 days from when it's issued. So anytime within 90 days of your trip is fine. Usually 45 days before your trip will leave you plenty of time.
3 days ago
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Ken *******
@Brandon ***********
 I've seen that visa stamped date is when you arrive is when 90 days starts. That was stamped on mine.
3 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Ken ******
 You're talking about something different. The visa is valid for 90 days. That's how long you can use the visa. Once you enter within that 90 days, you get a 90 day permission to stay stamp. The visa is no longer relevant because it was used to get the permission to stay stamp.
3 days ago
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Brandon ************
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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