Are you certain you want the OA visa and not the non O?

The non O requires 800,000 baht in a Thai bank for the first year, but otherwise it's a simpler option as you don't need the criminal checks or the insurance policy from one of only a few companies.

Get a non O retirement visa online from the Thai Embassy in your country before coming to Thailand.

Open a bank account in Thailand as soon as you get here and deposit 800,000 baht. Wait 2 months and extend your stay at immigration for 12 months based on retirement.

Rent don't buy.

@Graham ****

yes it should be cheaper. It's really easy to do yourself, but up to you.

I asked how much when I arrived and they wanted something like 30,000. I did it myself for 1,900.

@Graham ****

it's not illegal to use an agent, but it is illegal to circumvent the rules (things like using the agents 800,000 baht instead of your own money).

@Greg **********

I am exactly the same, so easy to do and takes an hour or so once a year.

@Pete ******

you don't need an agent it is very easy.

You need to apply for a non O visa online at the Thai Embassy in your country before coming to Thailand.

Enter Thailand using the visa.

Open a Thai bank account immediately and deposit the 800,000.

Go to immigration and ask for a list of requirements to extend your stay based on retirement.

Wait until your money has seasoned for 2 months, then go to immigration with everything on their list and pay 1,900 baht.

The form to apply is a 2 sided A4 form with about 15 questions, things like; name, passport number, date of arrival in Thailand etc.

Good luck.

@Marty ******

when did you do this, more than a few months ago?

It's virtually impossible to open a bank account without a long term visa now.

Only the non OA visa requires criminal checks and insurance.

Most people opt for the non O instead, online at the Thai Embassy in their country.

@Kristie ******

you need to get a non O visa before travelling to Thailand online from the Thai Embassy in your country. It used to be possible to come without a visa and open a bank account, but that's not possible now.

If you avoid the non OA visa, you don't need criminal checks and medical insurance.

It's more complicated than getting a non O visa before you come to Thailand, as it's virtually impossible to open a bank account without a long term visa.

@Tom ********

as always Brandon is the 'Oracle' as far as visa advice goes.

Another bonus of doing it in the UK before you come, is that you then do not require an onward flight.