Answereda year ago

When should I apply for the 1-year extension based on retirement after receiving my Non-Immigrant ‘O’ visa in Thailand?

Non-Immigrant O Visa Retirement Visa Visa Extension Thailand Immigration Expat Visa Rules

Oo *****

asked Jul 6, 2025

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Hi all, received my non  immigrant "O"visa this week. ( Thanks to you guys) Q- when do you apply for the 1 year pensioner visa while in Thailand. This non immigrant O  is for 3 months after arrival. I then want to go to the yearly pensioner retirement Visa system. Thanks.

Answer summary

The Non-Immigrant O visa allows for a 90-day stay in Thailand. To transition to the 1-year retirement extension (not a separate visa), you should apply when you have 30 days or less remaining on your O visa. Some offices may allow applications with 45 days remaining. Ensure to have your funds (800k THB) in a Thai bank account for at least 2 months before applying, along with proof of residency and a Thai phone number.

9 repliesnewest first

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Marcus **********

As AP + BT advice but I would suggest you get a Thai mobile number ASAP (easy to do at most 7-11). If you don't have a lease/ condo already you may be able to pay a few months in advance for your hotel and supply that to the bank and IO as proof of address. (works in CM, other IO may be different). Means you don't have to rush the choice of where to live.

a year ago

Alan *******

Now you need:

- A lease or condo proof of residency

- A thai phone #

- A thai bank account (above 2 required for this)

- 800k in that account for 2 months before the date of application for the extension.

So the first 30 days keeps you busy and then you wait for 2 months.

a year ago

Anna *********

You have the visa, next you will apply for "an extension based on retirement" There isn't anything called a pensioner visa

a year ago

Kevin *******

@Anna ********

there are s retirement visa maybe that what they mean?

a year ago

Anna *********

@Kevin ******

haha it’s correct name is non O or non OA Visa and it’s for 3 months and then what you get is an ‘extension based in retirement’

Using commonly used incorrect terminology is what causes lots of confusion

a year ago

Brandon ************

You already have the visa. That's what the 90 day non-O is.

The 1-year extension is exactly that, an extension. Not a visa.

You can apply at all offices when you have 30 days or less left. Some offices allow 45 days or less left.

If you're using a bank deposit, ensure your money has been in the bank for 2 full months already at the time you apply for the extension.

a year ago

Oo *****

Thanks Brandon and everyone. It's not easy walking through these Visa applications and so on. You are right about the use of the word " Pensioner visa, I do mean retirement extension. Owe you all a Leo when I am there in a few weeks. Thanks again.

a year ago

Kevin *******

@Brandon ***********

you can’t get a bank account in a 90 day tourist visa , just got off the phone with the Thai consulate they said you need retirement visa or spousal visa to get bank account privileges, not allowed , unless you can prove with official paperwork to prove you can ,???

a year ago

Brandon ************

@Kevin ******

what does that have to do with this post? This post is about someone who already has retirement visa asking when they can apply for extension

a year ago