Quick Facts
At a Glance
The Three Visa Types
Non-OA vs Non-O vs Non-OX
Three visa categories cover retirement in Thailand. They differ primarily in where you apply, what insurance you must carry and how the financial proof is structured.
Non-OA
Most Common · New arrivals applying from outside Thailand
Applied from outside Thailand at a Thai embassy or consulate.
OIC-approved health insurance mandatory.
Valid for 1 year, renewable annually in Thailand.
800,000 THB bank deposit or 65,000 THB/month income required.
Non-O
Insurance-Free · Already in Thailand converting from another status
Applied from inside Thailand at a local Immigration office.
No OIC insurance mandate.
Commonly used when converting from tourist or DTV entry.
Same financial thresholds as Non-OA.
Non-OX
10-Year Option · Capital-rich retirees seeking long-term certainty
3,000,000 THB bank deposit held in a Thai account.
Ten-year validity — one application replaces ten annual renewals.
Reduces annual compliance administration significantly.
Still requires 90-day reporting unless covered by another arrangement.
Financial Requirements
The Three Methods
You must satisfy one of three financial thresholds to qualify for a Non-OA or Non-O retirement visa. Non-OX requires the 3,000,000 THB bank deposit only.
800,000 THB Bank Deposit
Funds held in a Thai bank account in your name. Must be seasoned for 3 months before your annual visa renewal date and remain above 800,000 THB at all times during the seasoning window. Immigration will request your bank book showing the balance history.
65,000 THB Monthly Income
A verifiable monthly pension or foreign income stream of at least 65,000 THB, verified via an income certification letter from your home country embassy in Bangkok. No Thai bank account balance is required under this method.
Combined Method
A combination of monthly income plus a bank deposit totalling 800,000 THB — for example, 40,000 THB/month income plus a 400,000 THB deposit. Accepted at most Immigration offices but confirm with your local office before applying.
The 3-Month Seasoning Rule
The 800,000 THB must remain untouched in your Thai bank account for the 3 months immediately before your annual renewal date. Immigration officers will request your bank book showing the balance history. Drawing the balance below 800,000 THB at any point during this window is grounds for renewal refusal.
Pook, Lead Barrister
"The 800,000 THB rule is simple on paper. In practice, we see renewal failures every month because the funds were deposited too recently or the passbook does not reflect what the Immigration officer expects to see. Get the bank documentation confirmed well before the renewal date — not on the morning of the appointment."
OIC Insurance
Health Insurance for Non-OA Holders
Non-OA holders must carry health insurance approved by Thailand's Office of Insurance Commission (OIC). The minimum coverage thresholds are set by government and must be maintained continuously.
Minimum Inpatient
฿40,000
per year inpatient (hospital admission) coverage required.
Minimum Outpatient
฿4,000
per year outpatient (clinic/GP visit) coverage required.
Verifying Your Policy
Many international policies (AXA, BUPA, Pacific Cross, Cigna) are OIC-approved. Verify your specific policy number against the OIC database before renewal. Policies not on the OIC list — even if they offer superior coverage — will not satisfy the Non-OA requirement.
Which Route Is Right for You
Choose Your Starting Point
Choose Non-OA If:
Applying from outside Thailand.
First retirement visa application.
Comfortable meeting OIC insurance requirements.
Want the simplest, most direct starting route.
Choose Non-O If:
Already in Thailand on another visa.
Have or can open a Thai bank account.
Want more flexibility on insurance options.
Converting from tourist or other visa status.
Choose Non-OX If:
Significant savings (3,000,000 THB+) available.
Long-term commitment to Thailand.
Want to minimise annual renewal administration.
Prefer depositing funds over proving monthly income.
Annual Renewal
Renewal Checklist
Passport valid for at least 18 months.
TM.7 application form (available at Immigration).
Bank book showing 800,000 THB balance (3-month history).
Bank letter confirming balance (issued same day at your branch).
OIC-approved health insurance certificate (Non-OA holders only).
4 passport-sized photographs.
1,900 THB extension fee.
Proof of address — rental contract or TM.30 registration.
Plan Ahead
Processing Times
Allow more time than you think you need — Thai immigration offices process at their own pace.
Open Thai bank account
Kasikorn and Bangkok Bank are most expat-friendly. Bring passport, visa and TM30.
Season funds in account
For the 800,000 THB method, funds must be seasoned before application. Plan ahead.
Obtain OIC insurance (Non-OA)
Most insurers issue digital certificates quickly. Confirm OIC approval before purchasing.
Immigration appointment
Walk-in is possible at most offices, but appointment queues are faster. Arrive early.
Visa approval
If documents are complete, approval is typically same-day. Incomplete applications cause delays.
Annual renewal
Do not leave it to the last week. Queue times grow at end of month in busy offices.
Avoid These
Top 5 Retirement Visa Mistakes
Every one of these has caused a real application to fail. All are avoidable.
Opening the wrong bank account
Not all Thai banks issue the confirmation letter Immigration requires. Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn and SCB are reliable. Some smaller banks refuse, or issue letters in a format Immigration will not accept. As of January 2026, Bangkok Bank no longer opens new accounts for tourist or DTV visa holders — secure the correct visa category first.
Not seasoning funds long enough
The 800,000 THB must be in your Thai account for at least 2–3 months before application, and must not drop below that amount for 3 months after renewal. Transferring the day before the appointment is a common and costly mistake.
Purchasing non-OIC approved insurance
For Non-OA holders, the insurance policy must be on the official OIC approved list. A policy from an international insurer not on the OIC list means rejection — regardless of how comprehensive the coverage is.
Forgetting TM30 registration
Your landlord or hotel is required to file a TM30 within 24 hours of your arrival. If you change address, a new TM30 is required. Missing TM30 documentation at renewal is one of the most common and unnecessary causes of complications.
Travelling without a re-entry permit
Leaving Thailand without a re-entry permit cancels your retirement visa. This mistake is irreversible — you must restart the process from outside Thailand. A multiple re-entry permit covers all trips within the visa validity period.
Before You Consider an Agent
Some agents offer to temporarily place the 800,000 THB in your account so it appears you meet the financial requirement. This is not a shortcut without risk — it can leave you unable to explain your own finances if an application is ever examined closely.
Read the ฿800,000 Agent Shortcut Warning →Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 800,000 THB bank rule for the Thailand retirement visa?
Funds must be held in a Thai bank account in your name. The balance must be seasoned for 3 months before your annual visa renewal date and must remain above 800,000 THB at all times during the seasoning window. Immigration officers will request your bank book showing the balance history.
What is the difference between the Non-OA and Non-O retirement visa?
The Non-OA is applied from outside Thailand and requires OIC-approved health insurance. The Non-O is applied from inside Thailand, has no OIC insurance mandate, and is commonly used by people already in Thailand converting from tourist or other visa status.
Do I need OIC-approved health insurance for a Thailand retirement visa?
Non-OA holders must carry health insurance approved by Thailand's Office of Insurance Commission (OIC), with minimum inpatient coverage of 40,000 THB and outpatient coverage of 4,000 THB per year. Non-O holders are not subject to this insurance requirement.
What happens if I leave Thailand without a re-entry permit on a retirement visa?
Leaving Thailand without a re-entry permit cancels your retirement visa. A single re-entry permit covers one trip. A multiple re-entry permit covers all trips within the visa validity. The visa cannot be reinstated — you must restart from outside Thailand.
What financial options are available to prove eligibility for the Thailand retirement visa?
Three accepted methods: (1) 800,000 THB held in a Thai bank account seasoned for 3 months; (2) monthly income of at least 65,000 THB verified via an embassy income letter; or (3) a combination of monthly income and bank deposit totalling 800,000 THB.
Sub-Pages & Related
Continue Reading
Retirement Visa — How We Help
→The service page — how we handle applications and renewals.
Non-O Retirement Visa
→Apply from inside Thailand, no OIC insurance required.
Non-OX 10-Year Visa
→3,000,000 THB deposit, one application replaces ten.
The ฿800,000 Agent Shortcut
→Using an agent to place funds temporarily? Read this first.
DTV Visa Reference Guide
→Key facts, requirements and checklist for the Destination Thailand Visa.
Compare All Visa Options
→Every long-stay Thailand visa route compared side by side.
