1. My friend is 54 years old and a male. He wants to retire in Thailand and to apply for a retirement visa to stay in Thailand. He's currently in Thailand but traveling back to his home country Switzerland end of June and coming back July 11th. What would be the best way to apply for a non-immigrant visa so that he can open a bank account and apply for an extension of stay later?

   Currently an application for a tourist visa is active within the system and as he is in Thailand right now he cannot apply for the non-immigrant visa right now. He actually does not need a tourist visa. Should we just cancel the tourist visa first? I guess yes. This is the first part.
   

2. The second part is that we need proof of a health insurance for the application for the non-immigrant visa. As I see it, there are only a handful of health insurance companies who would issue the necessary confirmation and form that is needed to apply for the non-immigrant visa. But there are certain health conditions that probably would be difficult to include in a new Health insurance. So the applicant wants to keep his current health insurance from Switzerland that would cover just any condition and any health related problem wherever he travels for up to 12 months in length. That means including problems that might occur in Thailand. They would cover any problem by 100%. But this insurance is not listed within the accepted health insurance companies. So is it necessary, despite the fact that he has a valid health insurance worldwide, covering everything that he needs another insurance just because the Thai government requests so?

Non-O visas and extensions do not currently require any health insurance.

The OA visa does.

He should seek an O visa.

Unfortunately, this situation is subject to future change.

This is how we, to see what is needed, filled in within the immigration application form...

3 minutes ago, zappalot said:

This is how we, to see what is needed, filled in within the immigration application form...

I can't read that but suggest if the particular place being used won't issue a single entry 90 day non immigrant O visa without insurance to seek out another location to apply for that as it is definitely NOT a requirement for that visa or for annual extensions based on that. For OA it is.

Edited May 29May 29 by Jingthing

4 minutes ago, zappalot said:

This is how we, to see what is needed, filled in within the immigration application form...

That is for a non-OA.

A non-O gives a 12 month extendable 90 day entry and does not need insurance (or police check or medical check) and is the preferred choice for most people intending to stay long term.

Just now, Upnotover said:

That is for a non-OA.

A non-O gives a 12 month extendable 90 day entry and does not need insurance (or police check or medical check) and is the preferred choice for most people intending to stay long term.

People seeking to start the retirement status process generally apply for only a 90 day single entry O visa and then in Thailand apply for the first annual extension. No insurance required.

I'm not up on the details but I do know getting that O visa in Thailand has become harder but might be possible depending on office or maybe with a lawyer's help and also some embassies/consulates may not issue O visas if you mention intention to retire and then only have the OA option.

Again, it may depend on where applied.

Edited May 29May 29 by Jingthing

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

People seeking to start the retirement status process generally apply for only a 90 day single entry O visa and then in Thailand apply for the first annual extension. No insurance required.

That's what I said, a 90 day entry that is 12 month extendable.

Just now, Upnotover said:

That's what I said, a 90 day entry that is 12 month extendable.

Yeah sorry, indeed you did. I jumped the gun there.

OP your friend obtains a Non O (retirement) outside of Thailand on the e-Visa platform.

Application and payment all online.

With that Non O he will be stamped in for 90 days.

His first task is to open a Thai bank account.

The bank may also require him to provide certificate of residence (COR)

When account opened he transfers 800k to his Thai bank if he plans to use money in bank method.

After funds are in account for two months + he applies for 12 month extension (it's not a retirement visa)

Which immigration office?

Insurance is NOT required.

Note if he wants to exit and reenter Thailand he needs buy reentry permit. Multi is good idea.

Also suggest he avoid BBL bank

These are the correct options to use for a Non-O visa, which does not require insurance.

On 5/29/2026 at 3:01 PM, zappalot said:

This is how we, to see what is needed, filled in within the immigration application form...

take a closer look at the application. The reason you have to produce/have health insurance is because under "Purpose of Visit" Non-Imm O-A has been selected NOT Non-Imm O.

On 5/29/2026 at 2:39 PM, Jingthing said:

Non-O visas and extensions do not currently require any health insurance.

The OA visa does.

He should seek an O visa.

Unfortunately, this situation is subject to future change.

I curious why OA visa needs health insurance and a O visa doesn't.

Seems silly, maybe OA visa holders at risk of more health problems.😄

I moved of an retirement OA visa to marriage OA visa when this came in at advice of immigration officer.

Health insurance was too expensive and die to a stent would not cover heart. Waste money

I self insure.

17 minutes ago, Bruce Aussie said:

I moved of an retirement OA visa to marriage OA visa when this came in at advice of immigration officer.

Just to be clear ... You previously were obtaining extensions of permission of stay from a Non O-A entry based on retirement to currently extensions based on marriage.

These extensions based on marriage do not require insurance.

15 minutes ago, Bruce Aussie said:

I curious why OA visa needs health insurance and a O visa doesn't.

Seems silly, maybe OA visa holders at risk of more health problems.😄

I moved of an retirement OA visa to marriage OA visa when this came in at advice of immigration officer.

Health insurance was too expensive and die to a stent would not cover heart. Waste money

I self insure.

As Dr.Jack said extensions based on marriage do not require insurance.

With an O-A based on retirement there is no requirement to bring the ฿800,000 into Thailand. You can show ฿800,000 equivalent in your home country bank account. Therefore, medical insurance is required.

If using the money in the bank method, the Non-O requires you transfer ฿800,000 into a Thai bank account from overseas. The implication being that this ฿800,000 can then be used for medical expenses.

That appears to be the logic although is not that logical given the restrictions on the ฿800,000 before/after renewing your annual extension and the balance not being able to go below ฿400,000 at any point in time.

Edited June 1Jun 1 by skorts

2 minutes ago, skorts said:

If using the money in the bank method, the Non-O requires you transfer ฿800,000 into a Thai bank account from overseas. The implication being that this ฿800,000 can then be used for medical expenses.

Its actually the 12 month extension that requires the funds in bank.

Some opt to enter Thailand with a Non O eVisa with no intention of obtaining extension.

As you point out... the notion that the 800k can be used for eg a medical emergency is a joke.

The funds maintained in bank is a scam.

Those funds can be used and if were you would no longer be in financial compliance for current extension.

Catch 22

On 5/29/2026 at 2:35 PM, zappalot said:

He's currently in Thailand but traveling back to his home country Switzerland end of June and coming back July 11th. What would be the best way to apply for a non-immigrant visa so that he can open a bank account and apply for an extension of stay later?

As already said, he should apply for a non-O visa before returning to Thailand, and specific requirements when applying from Switzerland are set out in the following link:

https://www.thaiembassy.ch/Content/Embassy/59.html

He may need to delay his plans to return to Thailand on 11 July, though.

1 hour ago, skorts said:

With an O-A based on retirement there is no requirement to bring the ฿800,000 into Thailand. You can show ฿800,000 equivalent in your home country bank account. Therefore, medical insurance is required.

For the initial application for an OA and for annual extensions, does this 800K (equivalent) have to be actual cash in a savings account, or can this be the balance in brokerage investment accounts?

As we all know, for the O visa, cash must be in a savings or fixed account at a Thai bank.

If your friend can qualify for an LTR visa that would be the way to go. Easy to open a bank account. Check the BOI website for qualifications and if he has any questions the BOI staff are very helpful. Your friend's health insurance may qualify but I'm not so sure if it only lasts for 12 months. May have to use the deposit method. If cannot qualify for LTR the "O" is the next best option.

22 hours ago, NoDisplayName said:

For the initial application for an OA and for annual extensions, does this 800K (equivalent) have to be actual cash in a savings account, or can this be the balance in brokerage investment accounts?

As we all know, for the O visa, cash must be in a savings or fixed account at a Thai bank.

It doesn’t look like brokerage or investment accounts are permitted. When I got my O-A in London in 2014 (since switched to Non-O) I showed equivalent of ฿800,000 in a U.K. bank current account.

This is what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand, website says about the Non-Immigrant Visa “O-A” (Long Stay):

“A copy of bank statement showing a deposit of the amount equal to and not less than 800,000 Baht or an income certificate (an original copy) with a monthly income of not less than 65,000 Baht, or a deposit account plus a monthly income totalling not less than 800,000 Baht.

- In the case of submitting a bank statement, a letter of guarantee from the bank (an original copy) is required.”

Once you go onto annual extensions on an O-A you have to have the ฿800,000 in a Thai bank account, unless you switch to the monthly income method.

Other option is to obtain another O-A and avoid transferring the ฿800,000 into Thailand.

If you leave Thailand just before your O-A one year permission to stay expires you can get another one year extension on re-entry meaning you can get 2 years out of your O-A. Medical insurance for your second one year extension of stay is required on re-entry to Thailand. The O-A is multi-entry.

15 minutes ago, skorts said:

If you leave Thailand just before your O-A one year permission to stay expires you can get another one year extension on re-entry meaning you can get 2 years out of your O-A. Medical insurance for your second one year extension of stay is required on re-entry to Thailand. The O-A is multi-entry.

That is correct.

To be clear.. to exit and reenter during the "second year" the Non O-A visa, is no longer valid and would need to purchase a reenter permit

On 6/1/2026 at 3:59 AM, skorts said:

As Dr.Jack said extensions based on marriage do not require insurance.

With an O-A based on retirement there is no requirement to bring the ฿800,000 into Thailand. You can show ฿800,000 equivalent in your home country bank account. Therefore, medical insurance is required.

If using the money in the bank method, the Non-O requires you transfer ฿800,000 into a Thai bank account from overseas. The implication being that this ฿800,000 can then be used for medical expenses.

That appears to be the logic although is not that logical given the restrictions on the ฿800,000 before/after renewing your annual extension and the balance not being able to go below ฿400,000 at any point in time.

Non-O requires NOT you transfer ฿800,000 into a Thai bank account from OVERSEAS