Published by Settle in Abroad – Your Relocation Experts in Thailand
If you’re planning to retire in Thailand and you’re currently living outside the country, the Non-OA Retirement Visa is often the first option you’ll hear about. It’s designed for retirees who want to arrive in Thailand with long-term permission already in place.
Below is a straightforward explanation of what the Non-OA visa is, how it works, and who it’s best suited for, without the jargon.
What Is the Non-OA Retirement Visa?
The Non-OA Retirement Visa is a one-year visa for foreigners aged 50 or older. It must be applied for outside of Thailand, through a Thai embassy or consulate in your home country (or country of residence).
Once approved, the visa allows you to:
Stay in Thailand for a full year
Leave and re-enter Thailand as often as you like during that year
Arrive with long-term permission already sorted
For many retirees, that peace of mind during the first year is a big advantage.
Financial Requirements
One of the main benefits of the Non-OA visa is that your funds do not need to be in Thailand at the start.
You’ll need to show one of the following:
800,000 THB in savings, or
65,000 THB in monthly income
Your money can remain overseas when you apply. This means you can arrive in Thailand knowing you already have a one-year visa in place.
If you plan to stay beyond the first year, you’ll need to open a Thai bank account and move your funds into Thailand after you arrive.
Health Insurance (Required)
Health insurance is mandatory for the Non-OA Retirement Visa and is often the deciding factor for many applicants.
The insurance must:
Meet Thai government coverage requirements
Be valid for the entire visa period
Because insurance must be renewed each year, it’s important to think long-term and make sure coverage will remain available and affordable as your circumstances change.
Criminal Record Check (Required)
A police clearance certificate is also required. This must be:
Issued by your home country (or country of long-term residence)
Recent and official
Processing times can vary, so it’s something to plan for early in the process.
Is the Non-OA the Right Retirement Visa?
The Non-OA Retirement Visa works best for retirees who:
Want to arrive in Thailand with a one-year visa already approved
Prefer not to set up Thai banking immediately
Meet the insurance and background check requirements
It offers a clear, structured first year, which many people find reassuring when relocating to a new country.
That said, the Non-OA is often not the final visa retirees stay on long-term. If you plan to remain in Thailand beyond the first year, most people eventually transition to the Non-O Retirement Visa, which allows for more flexibility, especially around insurance and yearly renewals.
We’ll be covering the Non-O Retirement Visa in more detail in a future post.
Planning Your Retirement in Thailand
Every retirement plan looks a little different. The right visa depends on:
When you plan to move
Whether you want to set up Thai banking right away
Your insurance situation
How long you plan to stay
Taking the time to understand these details upfront makes the process smoother and helps avoid surprises later.
