The Thailand Non-Immigrant O-A visa — universally known as the "Non-OA" or "retirement visa" — is how the vast majority of expats over 50 live legally in Phuket long-term. I've renewed mine twice, helped a dozen friends navigate it, and this guide covers everything you'll actually need to know — not just the official rules, but the unofficial realities of applying at Phuket Immigration.
Non-OA Retirement Visa: At a Glance
- Minimum age: 50 years old
- Valid for: 1 year, renewable annually in Thailand
- Bank requirement: ฿800,000 in Thai bank OR ฿65,000/month income
- Insurance required: ฿40k OPD / ฿500k IPD (OIA-approved)
- Work allowed: No
- Where to apply: Phuket Immigration, Chalermprakiat Road
- Multiple entries: Yes (apply for re-entry permit)
- Cost (extension): ฿1,900
What Is the Thailand Non-OA Visa?
The Non-Immigrant OA visa is Thailand's primary long-stay option for retirees. It's issued initially as a single-entry visa at a Thai embassy abroad, valid for 90 days. Once in Thailand you can extend it annually at any immigration office — Phuket has its own — for ฿1,900 per year.
It's not technically a "retirement visa" in the sense of a permanent residency path; it's an annual extension that you renew each year at Phuket Immigration. Most Phuket retirees extend locally, meaning there's no embassy visit involved after the initial entry. The process is routine once you know what documents to prepare.
The Non-OA is obtained abroad first (at a Thai embassy or consulate in your home country or a neighbouring country). Once in Thailand, you extend it annually at Phuket Immigration — this is the routine that most Phuket retirees follow year after year. You don't need to leave Thailand for renewals once you're set up.
Non-OA Retirement Visa Requirements 2026
The requirements are set nationally by the Thai Ministry of Interior, but implementation is handled locally at Phuket Immigration. The core requirements are unchanged for 2026:
1. Age
You must be aged 50 or over on the date you apply. There is no upper limit. Your passport must have at least 18 months validity remaining when you apply for an extension.
2. Financial Requirement
This is where most confusion arises. You have three options:
| Method | Requirement | Proof Needed | Practicality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank deposit | ฿800,000 in Thai bank account | Passbook + bank letter | Most common |
| Monthly income | ฿65,000/month pension/income | Income certificate from embassy | Requires embassy certification |
| Combination | Income + deposit totalling ฿800k/year | Both income cert + passbook | Useful if pension is ฿30k–฿64k |
For the bank deposit method, the ฿800,000 must be seasoned for at least 2–3 months prior to application (Phuket Immigration typically checks 3 months). It cannot be a one-day deposit. Keep it well above ฿800k — some immigration officers have refused extensions where the balance dipped during the year.
3. Health Insurance (Mandatory Since 2019)
Thailand made health insurance compulsory for all Non-OA extensions in October 2019. You must have:
- Minimum ฿40,000 outpatient coverage per year
- Minimum ฿500,000 inpatient coverage per year
- Policy must be from an OIA-approved insurer (Office of Insurance Affairs list)
Approved insurers commonly used by Phuket expats include AXA Thailand, Pacific Cross Thailand, Bangkok Life, and Allianz Thailand. International policies (Cigna Global, Bupa International) are sometimes accepted but not always — check with Phuket Immigration before relying on one. See our Phuket health insurance guide for detailed comparisons.
Some international health insurance policies don't qualify because they're not on Thailand's OIA-approved list. Bring your insurance certificate and policy details to Immigration — if the insurer isn't on the list, your extension will be refused. Always confirm before buying a policy.
4. No Criminal Record
You'll need a police clearance certificate from your home country when first applying at a Thai embassy abroad. This is not required for annual Phuket extensions — just for the initial visa application.
5. Medical Certificate
Required for the initial embassy application, not for annual extensions in Thailand. Must confirm no communicable diseases (tuberculosis, leprosy, elephantiasis, third-stage syphilis, or drug addiction).
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
Open a Thai bank account (if you don't have one)
You need a Thai bank account — not a foreign account. Most Phuket expats use Kasikorn Bank (KBank) on Yaowarat Road in Phuket Town or Bangkok Bank on Phang Nga Road. Read our Phuket bank account guide for the step-by-step process.
Season ฿800,000 for 3 months
Deposit ฿800,000+ into your Thai bank account at least 3 months before your application date. Do not let the balance drop below ฿800k during this period.
Buy OIA-approved health insurance
Purchase a policy from an OIA-approved Thai insurer. Get the certificate in the correct format — some insurers provide a specific "Non-OA immigration certificate" which speeds up the process.
Apply at your Thai embassy for the initial O-A visa
Your first Non-OA is obtained abroad. Bring all documents to the Thai embassy: passport, photos, bank evidence, insurance certificate, police clearance, medical certificate, application form. Cost is typically ฿2,000–฿3,000 equivalent.
Enter Thailand and register your address (TM30)
Your landlord should file a TM30 notification within 24 hours of your arrival (or when you move). If they don't, you may face complications at Immigration. Most reputable Phuket rental agents handle this automatically.
Do 90-day reporting
Every 90 days you must report your address to Phuket Immigration or online via the e-Services portal. See our 90-day reporting guide for options (in-person, online, post).
Extend annually at Phuket Immigration
Apply 30–45 days before your current permission to stay expires. Bring the complete document set (see checklist below). Pay ฿1,900. Extension is typically processed same-day at Phuket Immigration.
Apply for re-entry permits if you travel
Leaving Thailand without a re-entry permit cancels your extension. Apply at Phuket Immigration or Phuket Airport desk. Single re-entry: ฿1,000. Multiple re-entry: ฿3,800. Always do this before any international trip.
Document Checklist for Annual Extension at Phuket Immigration
This is the standard document list for Phuket Immigration as of March 2026. I recommend bringing originals AND photocopies of everything:
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport (original + copy) | Copy all pages with stamps + current visa/extension |
| TM.7 application form | Available at Immigration or download in advance |
| 4×6cm photo | Recent, plain background, no hat/sunglasses |
| Bank passbook (original + copy) | All pages showing 3-month balance above ฿800k |
| Bank letter | From your Thai bank, dated within 7 days of application |
| Insurance certificate | OIA-approved insurer, showing coverage amounts |
| TM30 receipt | Proof your address is registered — landlord or hotel |
| Lease agreement/proof of address | Copy of your rental contract |
| ฿1,900 cash | Immigration does not accept cards |
Phuket Immigration is located on Phuket-Phang Nga Highway, south of the Naka junction, near the Samkong area. Hours: Monday–Friday 08:30–12:00 and 13:00–16:30. Closed public holidays. Arrive by 08:00 if you want to avoid a long queue — it gets busy by 09:00. Many expats use a local visa agent to queue on their behalf.
Should You Use a Visa Agent in Phuket?
Using a local visa agent for your Non-OA extension is very common in Phuket. Agents typically charge ฿2,500–฿5,000 on top of the ฿1,900 government fee. What you get in return: they handle queuing, double-check your documents, and deal with any issues that arise. Given that Phuket Immigration queues can be 3–4 hours, many expats consider it good value.
Reputable agents we list in our service directory have long track records and will tell you upfront if your documents aren't in order. That said, if you're organised, speak adequate English (immigration staff do), and arrive early, DIY is entirely manageable.
→ Compare Phuket Visa AgentsNon-OA vs Other Long-Stay Visa Options
| Visa | Age | Cost | Income Req. | Work? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-OA (O-A) | 50+ | ฿1,900/yr | ฿800k bank/฿65k/mo | No | Standard retirees |
| LTR Wealthy Pensioner | 50+ | ฿50,000 | ฿800k/yr pension abroad | No | High-income pensioners |
| Thailand Elite (TPEC) | Any | ฿900k–฿2.5M | None | No | Hassle-free, long-term |
| Non-B + Work Permit | Any | ฿1,900/yr + WP | Salary required | Yes | Working expats |
| DTV (Digital Nomad) | Any | ฿10,000 | ฿500k savings | Remote only | Remote workers |
If you're 50+ with a solid pension or ฿800k+ in savings, the Non-OA is the most cost-effective option. If you dislike annual bureaucracy and can afford the upfront cost, the Thailand Elite visa eliminates most of the hassle. Read our complete Phuket visa guide for all options side-by-side.
Insider Tips From 6 Years in Phuket
Keep a buffer above ฿800k. Maintaining ฿900k–฿1M gives you breathing room. An officer who sees ฿800,100 when checking your passbook may scrutinise more carefully. ฿900k looks clean.
Get a KBank account in Phuket Town. KBank on Yaowarat Road is experienced with expat immigration requirements and knows exactly what format the bank letter needs to be in. Ask for a "letter for immigration extension" explicitly. See our bank account guide.
Sort the TM30 before you apply. If your landlord hasn't filed a TM30 for you, you may be turned away at Immigration. Remind your landlord each time you move or return from a trip abroad.
Re-entry permits at Phuket Airport. If you're about to fly and forgot a re-entry permit, there's an Immigration desk at Phuket International Airport (before international departures). Apply there before checking in.
Foreign income tax change (2024). From January 2024, Thailand taxes foreign income remitted into Thailand in the same calendar year it was earned. This may affect how you manage your pension or overseas income transfers. Consult a Thai tax advisor if you remit significant income — see our Phuket retirement guide for details.
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