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Which visa should my wife and I choose for moving to Thailand at age 55: Non-O or Non-OA?
Thailand VisaNon-O VisaNon-OA VisaRetirement VisaImmigrationVisa ExtensionExpat Life in ThailandBanking in ThailandHealth InsuranceResidency RequirementsTelecommunications in Thailand
Mar 4, 2026
2 months ago
Shepherd *******
ORIGINAL POSTERSo my wife and i have a date set for october 1st. to move to thailand ( we are both over 55 ) we are looking for positive help and feedback , so when we apply for the non immigrant visa ( visa type ) which purpose of visit do we pick ,is it retirement for foreignors aged 50 years or older ( who wish to stay in thailand no longer than 90 days ( is this the one we want so once we arrive to extend for one year ) or do we choose a different purpose for visit. Once we choose the right one we plan in order to
Find a residency for 1 year
Get landlord to fill out tm30 and proof of his ownership
Go to immigration to get residency letter
Get cellphone with address connected to the phone numbers and out names
Go to bank to open 2 seperate account one for me and one for wife each with ( 800000 plus baht in each )
Get health insurance
After 2 months in bank go back to bank to get proof of 2 months on deposit ( all deposited from our usa account of course ) and bring to immigration.
Are we missing anything or should we do this in a different order, thanks to everyone for helping in advance we really do appreciate any feedback.
Find a residency for 1 year
Get landlord to fill out tm30 and proof of his ownership
Go to immigration to get residency letter
Get cellphone with address connected to the phone numbers and out names
Go to bank to open 2 seperate account one for me and one for wife each with ( 800000 plus baht in each )
Get health insurance
After 2 months in bank go back to bank to get proof of 2 months on deposit ( all deposited from our usa account of course ) and bring to immigration.
Are we missing anything or should we do this in a different order, thanks to everyone for helping in advance we really do appreciate any feedback.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The customer is seeking guidance on which visa to apply for as they plan to move to Thailand. They are considering the Non-O visa, specifically for foreigners over 50 that allows for a 90-day stay which can be extended for a year, or the Non-OA visa which has stricter requirements including health insurance and police checks. The community provided various insights affirming that the Non-O visa is likely the better choice for their situation. They also detailed a multi-step plan involving bank account setup and other necessary immigration tasks upon arrival.
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Sean **********
If you get Non O you do not need insurance. May I suggest the first day you get here is to go to an AIS, TRUE or another carrier store and get a Thai Sim card for both of your phones. . I have an AIS plan for a year and it costs around $100 . Then I would go open bank accounts. Because they will need to season.then you have plenty of time to take care of the rest of the items. Then I would make a trip to immigration in the province you plan to stay to get a checklist of all the documents you may need.
Dennis **********
Yes, kaskon does not need residency yellow book
Terry ***************
Better off applying for the Non O as planned however when you land in Pattaya open bank accounts yourself, don’t deposit 800K each, then use an visa agent to do proof of funds, they will charge circa 14,000 baht each per annum to do the 12 month extension for both of you. If you leave the 800,000 baht equivalent in a UK bank it’ll earn more interest than the cost of paying to use a visa agent.
Steve *******
Terry Bill I doubt there's much in it. 1900bt v
*****
bt. Staying legally or with a fraudulently obtained extention of stay and forever looking over your shoulder, hoping the sh*t doesn't hit the fan!Terry ***************
Steve Greir in case you didn’t know, most extensions are by an agent and the preferred method of the immigration office, doing it yourself and paying 1,900 baht doesn’t involve a brown envelope stuffed with cash. Maybe it’s time you got up to speed with the real world
*****
Terry ***************
Steve Greir (1900 baht plus 800,000 baht x 3% interest = 25,900 baht) v 14,000 baht. Plus if you pay an agent 14,000 baht you don’t need to fanny about acquiring bank letters or visit immigration offices
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Terry ***************
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Tom *******
Sounds like you are doing great
A little bit research and preparation always helps you
Especially when you go to immigration office
Go immigration about 60 days after entry and get forms for extension and explain what you want to do and they will give you the information required for that particular office
Good luck and have a great time in Thailand
A little bit research and preparation always helps you
Especially when you go to immigration office
Go immigration about 60 days after entry and get forms for extension and explain what you want to do and they will give you the information required for that particular office
Good luck and have a great time in Thailand
Simon *******
A non o doesn't require health insurance or police checks simply get the 1 year extension.
Chi *****
Stop by Cambodia before heading to Thailand to see what the Cambodia is able to offer for retirees. The weather is the same, healthcare is getting better and better. Easy Visa. Beaches are not much different and plus Ankor Wat. Siem Reap is the town for expats. Just my 2 cents.
Rajan *******
At some point you may need a good lawyer.
You may want to try to find at beginning and discuss full plans.
This will make the whole process much easier and safer and the best way to get started and in which order to do things with a timeline established.
It does cost, but good Bkk lawyers are not as expensive as US
They can also advise on tax planning, bank accounts, property and land purchase and possibly company set up if this is a better option for your plans iro tax implications and planning for tax reduction in both countries
You may want to try to find at beginning and discuss full plans.
This will make the whole process much easier and safer and the best way to get started and in which order to do things with a timeline established.
It does cost, but good Bkk lawyers are not as expensive as US
They can also advise on tax planning, bank accounts, property and land purchase and possibly company set up if this is a better option for your plans iro tax implications and planning for tax reduction in both countries
John *********
Retirement. Be careful who you bank with. Some banks have had a lot of problems recently with retirees and foreigners. I use SCB and have never had a problem.
Shepherd *******
ORIGINAL POSTERJohn Nielson yeah i have seen a-lot on issues about banking i hear kasikorn probably the best
Reply to
Shepherd *******
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Paul **********
You Thai SIM is linked to your passport, not address. You get that validated by taking your passport to a kiosk, pay 100bht and they give you a receipt to show the bank. Suggest a domestic SIM rather than tourist as you are not coming to Thailand as a tourist.
I opened two banks accounts. One day to day banking, Krung Thai, and K Bank for the seasoned money. Deposit and forget theory for me.
Bank will want you home country tax reference such as NI number forcexampke if from the UK.
You will find a favorite copy shop as you will need multiple photo copies of everything that you will counter sign for anything you do here in Thailand.
I opened two banks accounts. One day to day banking, Krung Thai, and K Bank for the seasoned money. Deposit and forget theory for me.
Bank will want you home country tax reference such as NI number forcexampke if from the UK.
You will find a favorite copy shop as you will need multiple photo copies of everything that you will counter sign for anything you do here in Thailand.
Ian *******
Paul Turner I did the same for the 800k, I opened a separate account to hold that. Deposit and forget theory, and it makes it very simple for the bank to report, and immigration to check.
Reply to
Ian *******
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Tony ********
Come over with non o visa, you have 90 days to extend this on the grounds of retirement, as soon as you arrive I'm Thailand open the bank account and deposit money.
Running_*********
Check out this video and follow him for more info about moving to Thailand.
"Retired Working For You" Or "RW4U" has good information about Visas and moving to Thailand.
"Retired Working For You" Or "RW4U" has good information about Visas and moving to Thailand.
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Paul ********
So unds like a plan, but get to the bank as soon as possible, gives you more time, you don't need health insurance for a non o retirement visa,
Doug *******
You might need a certificate of residency from immigration in order to open a bank account. I think all banks want this except you might not need it for Kasikorn.
Stuart *********
Retirement for those over 50 is the Non O visa. For longer than 90 days is the Non OA. That one requires police checks, medical and mandatory insurance (ongoing requirement for extensions too). The former doesn’t.
Some choose the OA because they don’t want/needs funds in Thailand for two years, but for you it sounds like the Non O is your better option.
Some choose the OA because they don’t want/needs funds in Thailand for two years, but for you it sounds like the Non O is your better option.
Simon *******
If you have not been to Thailand before please don't but straight away rent go around Thailand then make your minds up ,renting is very cheap
Simon *******
@Stuart ********
Sorry you are incorrect a 90 day non O can be extended to 1 yearStuart *********
What are you talking about? The OP was asking about choices for a visa application, not whether they could be extended.
Of course a Non O can be extended for a year I never said it couldn’t. A Non OA can too but you need insurance to do so.
Of course a Non O can be extended for a year I never said it couldn’t. A Non OA can too but you need insurance to do so.
Reply to
Stuart *********
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Jim *******
Seems you have it all covered
Reply to
Jim *******
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