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Which visa should I apply for retirement in Thailand and is it easier to prepare my bank paperwork in the US or Thailand?

Feb 19, 2025
3 days ago
Floyd ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I've got the paperwork to apply for my Visa to Thailand which of these visas listed is for retirement or which is the best one to go with I got all the paperwork except the bank in Thailand I can get my bank statements is it easier to do here in the states or is it easier to do when I get to Thailand and if I do it in Thailand should I have all the paperwork ready when I get there anybody out there give me an honest answer I'd appreciate it thank you
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking guidance on applying for a retirement visa to Thailand and whether to obtain necessary financial documents in the US or Thailand. They are considering the Non-O visa and are advised to use the e-visa system for application. Comments suggest entering Thailand on a tourist visa or visa exemption to facilitate the bank account opening needed for the visa requirements.
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.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Dca *****
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Dca *****
Gregory ********
Non O —in the States before you come as you cannot show money in Thai bank
Floyd ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I would go on my regular Visa and apply there but I'm worried about getting the bank account so it looks like type o Visa is what I should get is this correct
Floyd ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok I appreciate all the input I printed these off of the tie embassy website not the evisa web site if I knew I could get my bank account open I would just go on my
James ******
do in thailand. Trailer and you get an O visa and don't require insurance. From outside of Thailand to get an OA visa and require insurance
Steve ********
Come on a 60 day tourist visa, get a good agent, and bam, done!
Wayne ********
If you do decide to file the E visa form, you must first find out which Thsi embassy or consulate has jurisdiction over the state that you live in. For instance, when I filed for my retirement visa, I lived in Texas, so I had to apply to the embassy in Washington DC. They will ask you that information on the first page of the E visa application. They also have consulates in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New Orleans.
Floyd ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Floyd ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne *******
I'm in South Carolina so I'm assuming that Washington DC would be my point of contact
John *******
Go

For diplomatic
Floyd ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Floyd ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
I still have one for back in the '70s but I think it's expired
Stuart *********
No idea where you got that form from but as
@Bra****
mentioned all embassies now require an online application via the evisa system.

If you apply for a Non immigrant visa from the US then you’ll find it way easier to open a bank account that will allow you to apply for the yearly extensions.

You can enter visa exempt or on a tourist visa (why pay $45 for one when you get the same amount of days for free). But you’ll have an incredibly hard time trying to open a bank account to satisfy the requirements for an extension. It may be possible to do so but quite possible that you can’t.
Pertti *************
But I suggest you should come here with visa exemption and apply non o retirement inside kingdom.
Steve *******
@Pertti ************
Much easier to apply in your home Country before you arrive in Thailand.
Nigel **************
@Pertti ************
but recent posts say it is almost impossible to open a bank acc here now. Better do it online at home before flying here
Brandon ************
@Pertti ************
it's going to be impossible to get the bank account needed to apply for the non-O visa if you come here visa exempt
Pertti *************
@Brandon ***********
not true. You get letter from immigration. Last week I helped my friend👍 It's almost impossible even with wp🤡 so i just paid that service😅
Marcel *******
@Brandon ***********
Some have already prepared this when it was easier to open an account ☺️🙏🏽
Jan ******************
@Pertti ************
Personally I would say it’s more convenient to apply for the initial 90 days Non O visa before you come and apply for the one year extension of stay in Thailand.
Brandon ************
You cannot apply with this. All Thai embassies now use the e-visa system. You can ONLY apply through here:
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William *********
@Brandon ***********
a lawyer can easily open an account for you at Bangkok bank. He will also tell you how it works. You need to deposit a certain amount of money. That amount recently changed I believe. Email a lawyer. Call thai embassy in Toronto or Vancouver
Brandon ************
@William ********
Maybe you haven't kept up with the news lately. Most people that only want a bank account have to go to Pattaya to get it, and those agents aren't able to do so at the moment.
William *********
@Brandon ***********
I opened mine through a lawyer quickly in Bangkok. I heard Pattaya is doing lots for retirees since Covid?
Brandon ************
@William ********
As of last week there is a huge crackdown on scam accounts and the biggest agents in Pattaya have all stopped doing bank accounts. They cannot even do bank accounts if you want a visa in Pattaya right now.
Floyd ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
So you are saying apply for the non-immigration Visa and that will get me a bank account in Thailand how long will this be the last
Brandon ************
@Floyd *****
yes, you would use this option in the system to apply for the 90 day non-O visa
Floyd ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Floyd ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
I printed the forms off the computer to fill them out before I put them in the computer I just need to know which one should I apply for thank you
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