Thailand Retirement Visa: Non-O vs O-A vs O-X
All three need applicants aged 50 or older. Non-O means 90 days on entry, O-A means 1 year, and O-X up to 10 years. Non-O accepts THB 800,000, THB 65,000 monthly income, or a mix. O-A pages ask for THB 800,000 or pension income. O-X needs THB 3 million.
On this page
The three retirement routes differ in length of stay, money and insurance. This table compares them using embassy pages.
| Visa | Stay | Minimum age | Money shown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-O (retirement) | 90 days | 50 | THB 800,000, or THB 65,000 a month |
| O-A (long stay) | 1 year | 50 | THB 800,000, or THB 65,000 pension income at Oslo |
| O-X (10 years) | 10 years | 50 | THB 3 million, or THB 1.8 million plus income |
Non-O retirement visa
The Non-Immigrant O visa for retirement is for applicants aged at least 50. The holder is allowed to stay in Thailand for 90 days.
For money, the Phnom Penh embassy accepts one of three proofs.
- Bank statements showing a deposit of not less than THB 800,000.
- An income certificate with monthly income of not less than THB 65,000.
- A deposit account plus monthly income totalling not less than THB 800,000.
After entry, a one-year extension of stay may be granted at the immigration officer’s discretion if the retirement requirements are met. Immigration Bureau Order 12/2568 (in force 23 January 2025) replaced Order 242/2566. If the criteria are not met, the officer issues a refusal and the foreigner must leave within 7 days. The Chiang Mai retirement extension guide covers the papers, the counters and the address reports.
O-A long-stay visa
The O-A visa for retirement is for applicants aged at least 50. The holder is allowed to stay in Thailand for 1 year, and the visa is valid for one year.
Applicants show a bank statement with a balance of not less than THB 800,000. Oslo also names monthly pension income of THB 65,000, and Pretoria asks for a bank letter showing THB 800,000. O-A holders must notify the Immigration Bureau of their stay every 90 days. At the end of the year, a holder who wants to stay longer submits a request at the Immigration Bureau.
O-X ten-year visa
An O-X holder can stay in Thailand up to 10 years with multiple entries. The term is 5 years from first entry, with an option to extend for a further 5 years. The applicant must be at least 50.
O-X is limited to nationals of listed countries. The listed countries are Australia, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Italy, Japan, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
There are two money options.
- Deposit minimum assets of THB 3 million in a Thai bank.
- Deposit THB 1.8 million in a Thai bank and have income of THB 1.2 million per year.
Within the following year, at least THB 1.5 million must be left in the account.
Which embassy handles your application
Each embassy ties applications to its own jurisdiction. Oslo asks for proof of permanent residence in Norway or Iceland. Pretoria asks for nationality of, or residence in, the country where the application is submitted. Use the page of the embassy for your nationality or residence country for money and insurance figures, because the three posts here differ.
Money side by side
Non-O has three proofs. O-A requirements differ by embassy: Oslo names pension income of THB 65,000 a month, and Pretoria asks for a bank letter showing THB 800,000. O-X sits far higher, at THB 3 million or THB 1.8 million plus yearly income.
Another route: LTR Wealthy Pensioner
The LTR visa is renewable: 5 years first, extendable by 5 more years if qualifications are met. The Wealthy Pensioner category is for retirees aged 50 and older with a pension or stable passive income.
It needs passive income of USD 80,000 per year at the time of application. With passive income between USD 40,000 and USD 80,000, the applicant must also invest USD 250,000.
Health insurance
For the retirement extension in Thailand, only holders of a Non-Immigrant O-A visa must have health insurance. The embassies set their own cover for the visa itself, and the Bureau sets its own for the extension.
- Oslo, O-A visa: not less than USD 100,000 or THB 3,000,000, including COVID-19 treatment for the whole stay.
- Pretoria, O-A visa: outpatient cover of not less than THB 40,000 and inpatient cover of not less than THB 400,000.
- Immigration Bureau, O-A extension: not less than USD 100,000 or THB 3,000,000 for the whole stay.
- Oslo, O-X visa: outpatient cover of not less than THB 40,000 and inpatient cover of not less than THB 400,000.
- Non-O extension: no insurance is required.
The extension figure is higher than Pretoria’s. An O-A holder who bought cover on Pretoria’s figures should ask the counter before the extension date. The extension guide uses the same figures.
After arrival in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai Immigration (ตรวจคนเข้าเมืองจังหวัดเชียงใหม่) is at 71 Moo 3, Sanam Bin (Airport) Road, Suthep, Mueang, Chiang Mai 50200. The telephone is 053 201 755. The Services for Foreigner Section there lists applications for and changes to all types of visa.
71 ถนนสนามบิน Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
A foreigner permitted to stay temporarily must notify an immigration officer of their address every ninety days. Leaving Thailand without a re-entry permit cancels the permitted stay.
A single re-entry permit costs THB 1,000 and a multiple one THB 3,800. The Immigration Bureau fee list shows THB 1,900 for an extension of stay.
Photo credits
- Photos and clips uploaded to Google Maps (Chiang Mai Immigration Office on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)) by Peter Miller (WHY THAI).
Not confirmed: Whether your nationality is on the O-X list: check your embassy's page.
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Common questions
What is the difference between Non-O, O-A and O-X?
Non-O allows 90 days per entry, O-A allows 1 year, and O-X allows up to 10 years with multiple entries. O-X is limited to listed nationalities.
How old do I need to be?
At least 50 for all three visas.
How much money do I need?
Non-O accepts a bank statement showing at least THB 800,000, or monthly income of at least THB 65,000, or a mix. O-A asks for a balance of at least THB 800,000, and Oslo also names pension income of THB 65,000 a month. O-X asks for THB 3 million in a Thai bank.
Which retirement visa needs health insurance?
Oslo asks for at least USD 100,000 or THB 3,000,000 on O-A. Pretoria asks for THB 40,000 outpatient and THB 400,000 inpatient. At the extension, the Immigration Bureau asks O-A holders for USD 100,000 or THB 3,000,000. O-X needs inpatient cover of at least THB 400,000.
Which embassy do I apply to?
Each embassy ties applications to its own jurisdiction. Oslo asks for proof of permanent residence in Norway or Iceland, and Pretoria asks for nationality of, or residence in, the country where the application is submitted.
Can I extend a Non-O visa in Chiang Mai?
A one-year extension may be granted at the immigration officer's discretion if the retirement requirements are met.
Do I report to immigration every 90 days?
O-A holders must notify immigration of their stay every 90 days. A foreigner permitted to stay temporarily must notify an officer of their address every ninety days.
Is there another route for wealthy retirees?
The LTR Wealthy Pensioner category is for retirees aged 50 and older with a pension or passive income. It needs passive income of USD 80,000 per year.
Read next
General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.
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