Hello, I am new to this site. I hope I make sense with this long question. I want to move to Thailand I am 76. I know I will have to deposit around $26,000. in a bank and leave it there. I know I will have to get insurance; I have talked to an agent. I want to make one trip and stay, no return to Florida or USA. We have an embassy here. I want to rent for 6 months then buy a condo when I decide where I want to live. What type of Visa to I need to get to come over and not leave? Thank you in advance.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A 76-year-old expat looking to move permanently to Thailand should consider applying for a Non-O retirement visa. This visa allows long-term residency and can be converted to an annual extension if certain financial requirements are met. The minimum fund requirement can be deposited in a Thai bank after arrival, and health insurance is not mandated in many cases. It's suggested to start with a 60-day tourist visa upon arrival to explore options before committing to long-term residency, and an agent's help is recommended to navigate the visa and banking processes smoothly.
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.
There is a guy in Rayong who helpen another American lady with the same route you are wanting to go. Maybe he can put you in contact with her and advise an agent etc...
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Marijke ********
Go live there and have a good life. Don't buy anything but rent. I know people who bought an house, men what a headache and problems for the family after the owner dies. Not that easy to sell and get the money the house is worth. Thai government loves those farangs. Much simpler to rent a longterm condo and enjoy
about $5800.00 US. Thats doable. I'll remember that. Thank you
Reply to
Sharron *******
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Tim *********
It's a great plan. I got here in August aged 66 and I'm not regretting one moment. And your idea of waiting 6 months before deciding where to live is spot on. FYI I've chosen Bang Saray, lovely small town 25 Kms from Pattaya. Sorry I couldn't help on the visa question but I wanted to wish you good luck šš
Sharron *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am narrowing it down to Phetchaburi in that area. Close enough to Bangkok, and easy to get to other places. By the ocean, that's important to me. I will be relaxing in my condo a lot, not one for bars. But I will get out to see the sites and eat. Maybe visit with others I meet along the way.
Yep I was born in Swansea, so the sea was a big pull for me too. I went to Hua Hin and Cha Am as part of my research (extended holiday tour!). I liked it all except the beach at Hua Hin. It's just huge, looks beautiful from a distance. But too big and very little shelter from the scorching sun. Across the Gulf here in Bang Saray, we have a lovely beach. Come and have a look if you get the chance. Some new condos too, but just a few so far!
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Tim *********
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Monk ******
I brought a condo 8 years ago thought then it was where i wanted ..
wish i had rented and had the flexability to change my mind.. .
I have been there. I have also gone to Italy for the past 40 years, every two years for 5 to 8 weeks at a time. Not able to retire there. But I adjust well. Thailand has been my second choice for a long time. There are down sides to everything. But there are also up sides. Thank you. I don't want it to be like Florida, or any where else in USA. Thats one reason I want to move.
Sharron *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
So an agent runs about $1000.00 us? To handle Visa. Thats worth it , I would think. I am pretty sure I want to live in Cha am, Phetchaburi. I will rent for a few months, then look for a condo to buy. An agent would be very helpful in getting Visa, bank account, and to buy condo. Thank you all for info.
Darryl ********
can you get combination of visas that will allow you to stay for nine monthsā¦
Since your an American go to the local Thai Embassy site for your area or log
Once there fill out a Thai Visa application it will cost u around $30
Fill out correct 2 or 3 months before your trip date.
Follow the instructions and when u do it correctly.
You will get a 2 month visa!
When u arrive you can extend an extra month
Then apply for a NON O visa
That way u vet 3 months to try different places or to decide where to live.
If u need help message me.
Fra *****
Just do not do it man , you will regret it , the expiration date 8s done for a long time , enjoy your holiday trips
Peter *******
Sharron, based on my experience of over twenty years of living here, be careful;
that is you donāt need agents for any of your requirements.
Arriving here with a Non Immigrant O visa obtained in your country from your nearest Thai consulate you will then visit a Bank who will open a Savings account for you.
After the
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0Thai baht has been deposited for either 2 or 3 months you then go to an Immigration Office, to apply for
an extension of stay based on retirement, note, itās an annual
extension of stay; the word visa
is not used.
All of the above comments are made Without Prejudice.
Nick **********
I am 75, been here 13+ years. Best to get 60 day tourist visa at your embassy/consulate, then you can get additional 30 days here at immigration for 1900 baht. That gives you plenty of time to get bank account and seed 800,000 baht. It is still best to use agent for 1st time as immigration is not easy at first.
I always have done my own visa "stuff", however, it constantly changes. If you are coming to Phuket, I can send you in the right direction.
Unfortunately I am not too familiar with retirement visas. I have a friend that is on a retirement visa and he told me that the insurance requirement is different for people who get the non-o visa from their home country vs getting the visa while in Thailand. I *think* there is no insurance requirement if you get the visa in country.
You can do all the paperwork yourself and save yourself a few dollars or you can hire an agent and save yourself some frustration.
I would recommend coming on a tourist visa. Hang-out for a while and talk to some expat locally to get their recommendations.
not very long ago you needed a mandatory health insurance for the application to the 90-days Non-Imm-O retirement visa, for the duration of exactly these 90 days after entry in Thailand. This requirement has by now been discontinued at most embassies worldwide. However for the application to the "1-year Extension Of Stay Permit" based on retirement, You NEVER before needed any mandatory health insurance
Reply to
Nongnuch ********
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THAI ******************************
It's a great idea to apply for a NON-O visa based on retirement before you travel to Thailand. This initial step will significantly streamline your arrival and settlement process.
Once you're in Thailand, you have the option to extend your stay annually. This process involves some local legalities and paperwork, which might seem daunting, but don't worry - we're here to help.
Our team at Thai Visa Centre has extensive experience in assisting retirees with their long-term stay in Thailand. We've helped thousands navigate through the visa process smoothly, ensuring a hassle-free experience. If you prefer a straightforward and worry-free process, we can handle everything for you.
Should you need any further information or assistance, please don't hesitate to contact our team via email at
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. We're here to support you in making your retirement journey in Thailand as pleasant as possible.
You can also contact our team via LINE (the main communication app which is used in Thailand):
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Luc ************
Contact Siam Legal
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Heather *******
Have Pm you
Rich ****
Renting is so cheap. Most people here will tell you not to buy.
He wants to live for the next 20 years at least in his own property without nasty landlords. Good decision. Not everybody's thinking like you Alan. 76 is not old!š§āš
Thank you. But I didn't want to screw around with rent every month. Or take the chance of settling in, and have them sell it, then have to move over and over. My family lives in their 90's. So, I should be good for a while. No health issues. I still work. But will stop once I move and volunteer some where there.
screwing around every month, FFS, you got to screw around to pay your bills every month, what happens to your property when you die??? Family gets it???? I doubt it, straight to the thai government, seriously??? RENT ALL DAY LONG, your 76, not 46, let your family enjoy your inheritance in cash, not the thai government in property, thank me later ok
Sharron *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
How sweet of you to think of my family. How ever they are blessed with not needing my money. And I can afford it. I bought the house I am living in 15 yrs ago. It is paid for. I can live without worry if I buy a condo. Even if I only live 10 more years, it will be 10 years of not worrying about having to move. Some people think one way, others think another. But thank you.
People generally don't buy to sell they buy to rent. I've been renting for over 14 years. I just changed condos 4 years ago, brand new, fully furnished for $220/month. It will be 5 times as much if you live 20 minutes closer to the downtown area though. I would never buy unless I hired my own construction team and followed their every move.
I think because it offers her security and stable costs for life. And now remains a very good time to buy in Thailand. Plus her USD will go far here. And she has a great opportunity to geo-arbitrage here. Why would she just rent?
maybe I was thinking about my own personal situation. I donāt see myself living past 75, I havenāt been kind to my body š¤£š But your arguments are worth noting š
Reply to
Karim ***************
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Roger **********
Apply for a retirement visa from the States.
VaiAna **********
Save yourself the hassle & use an agent to do the retirĆØrent visa & if you need assistance in converting a tourist visa into a non 0 visa they'll help with that you . That is one option
Get your birth certificate and marriage certificate (if married) authenticated *before* leaving the US, otherwise it will be a very difficult process, and Thailand requires authenticated documents:
no one should take any advice from someone who supports a supremacist, apartheid regime. āGods chosenā, āsuperior raceā, weāve heard it all before. Zionism is Nazism.
Edward *********
no one should take any advice from a terrorist sympathizer.
If you should ever decide to marry in Thailand, or to register an existing marriage. I'm not sure when else they might be required, but doing it while still in the states is pretty easy, but if you're not there, it's very difficult, even if you travel back for vacation, as it can take a long time to do.
CHECK: . . . Thai embassies in MANY countries have discontinued to issue the "multi entry 1-year Non-Imm-O Retirement visa". Only 90-days single entry versions remain available
The 65k international deposit method can be used from year 2 as long as the 800k stays in the account for 3 months after the first extension, does not drop below 400k for the next 7 months then is back to 800k before the application for the 2nd extension is submitted.
ā¦there are no stupid questions, only stupid answersā¦
Reply to
Steffen ********
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Peter ****************
As you posted to this group I believe it's okay to say use an agent. You can arrive without any visa and get 30 days. Once you arrive find an agent. This is absolutely the easiest way. I did this. It's not the cheapest way but it is the simplest.
I banked my 800k but I used an agent to avoid the lottery of luck and I'm allergic to forms. In Chiang Mai I paid around 30k baht all in all. I didn't shop around, you might find cheaper. As others have said you can do it yourself. I got an O A visa back in the states years ago. Did it all myself, what fun.
I did the same. 30 day visa on arrival, extended once and got an LTR 10 year vise. Used Siam Legal can get full details on requirements for an LTR visa online.
Reply to
John *********
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Darren *********
There is a list of visas on the embassy website. You could (depending on your nationality) apply for a tourist visa for up to six months. Take a look around then use a local visa agent jn-country). Or, save a lot of hassle and apply for a retirement visa before entry. (Then convert to a yearly extension to stay).
You need a non immigrant AO visa which you apply for and receive from the thai embassy in your home country before you leave your home country. You extend this each year in Thailand.
Health insurance is the most difficult thing at your age. If you can't get it you need to go about things differently.
Apply 60 day tourist visa from embassy in home country.
As soon as you arrive in Thailand open a bank account to deposit 800,000 bht.
Go to the immigration office nearest to you. They will give you a list of all the documents you need to apply for a 90 day NON IMMIGRANT O visa in Thailand.
THIS VISA DOES NOT REQUIRE HEALTH INSURANCE.
Once you have this you can apply for an Extension of stay for one year. Apply about 45 to 60 days after you arrive. You apply for this extension of stay each year.
this advice was given to me by an agent. Who did not charge. They give one hour free. Phuket visa experts. They would charge about 25 ,000 bht to do all this once your here on 60 day tourist visa.
To me the hardest thing is the health insurance, my husband got a global medical insurance cover , is that insurance policy must be purchased in Thailand? Or May I have the contact of your agent please ?
the health insurance does not have to be purchased in Thailand. But you need your insurance company to fill in forms for you to submitt to immigration. A copy of the policy and a receipt is not enough.
Min $100,000 U. S. coverage for inpatient and outpatient.
go the the type O visa if you can't get insurance
Phuket visa experts 0966399948 her name is Pannipa.
I use Agoda website. You can get some good prices in your area. Flight in the country are cheaper and you can get to different parts of the country. Start wirh a tourist visa and you can then find a bank and then guidance. You can fly to Vietnam for a day or Bali come back.
Ham ********
I think OP means when he arrives what visa to arrive on, as you need 800,000 in for 2 months before applying for Non O Retirement - we get only 30 days tourist visa but you need 2 months - what's best way to get the 2 months stay ?
you don't need 2 months 800 K in bank when you apply for non o Same day is ok but it has to stay 3 months or more after ( 3 months after year extension from non o )
and Bo Olsen . . . you got your wires crossed. . . . .In order to change from a tourist visa or exempt entry to a 90-days Non-Imm-O retirement visa, you only need to show the money in the bank. NO seasoning required! Only when you change from the visa to the 1-year Extension of stay, the money needs to have seasoned for 2 months
John **********
Where in Thailand are you planning to live?
I'd recommend you come on a 60 day tourist visa (which can be extended by 30 days), open a bank account as soon as you can and transfer in a minimum of 800k baht from overseas then apply for a 90 day Non-O visa inside Thailand. Once this visa is down to it's last 30 days apply for a 12 month extension of stay. No limit to how many 12 month extensions you can get so can stay forever without leaving. The one thing to be aware of is you will find health insurance hard to obtain at your age but the Non-O route above doesn't require insurance.
there are a couple of immigration offices that require the money is seasoned for 2 months before you apply for a Non-O visa inside Thailand but most do not
yes, you are right, there are a couple of Immigration offices who make up their own rules. . . The Immigrations Jomtien and Khon Kaen are known to harass applicants with a bogus requirement pulled out of their arses. The OFFICIAL line is: no seasoning required for the application to the visa, however 2 months seasoning required for the application to the Extension of Stay
The VISA non O retirement is only 3 months visa and not need that money in a Thai bank its then you arriwe in Thailand and acter 3 months you apply for a 1 year extension of Non-O visa you need the 800.000 B in account.
itās not difficult to open a bank account in Chiangmai. The people who post itās impossible probably go to one or two banks, dressed like a slob with a $20 USD initial deposit.
try Cigna insurance especially if over 70. Costs are reasonable if no pre-existing serious issues which may be excluded from coverage. Otherwise healthcare and dental in Thailand are excellent at fair and reasonable pricing.
yep by the time you get to 70 heath insurance can be very expensive ...might be a better decision to have a pot aside and pay your own way ... particularly if u are relatively healthy
you get a 90 day visa in your home country, and then extend it for 12 months when your in Thailand, no going out the country, however you have to keep 800kthb in your bank for 2 months before the ext and 3 months after, there after you must maintain 400kthb. No insurance needed
Reply to
Colin **********
Reply
Nigel **************
You could get a NonO visa based on being over 50 (retirement visa)
And get an extension, Wow, your money is sitting in the account for 3 months. You'll have to take a quick flight to the name. Vietnam or maybe kl malaser up to you the flights only about $100. A lot less than the cost of a visa agent. No need for a Visa agent. There are volunteers at immigration. That can check your paperwork and coach you on what you need. Also, there are Thailand Visa Facebook groups that will help you.. Welcome to Thailand the land of smiles. I did exactly what you're doing 8 years ago. And I love it. D m may if you have any other questions
Reply to
Dave **********
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Paul ********
I'm 73 ?? Just rent what you can n use a agent for visa!! Happy Days we are Coffin Doggers
Reply to
Paul ********
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