Retirement in Thailand

Retiring in Thailand is an option for foreigners who are looking to retire in a tropical paradise where the cost of living is cheap but without compromising quality living. The Kingdom of Thailand has been drawing hundreds of foreign retirees every year owing to many reasons such as the country’s warm climate, friendliness of the locals, world-class infrastructures particularly health care services and the world-renowned Thai food. And for single retirees, never underestimate the immense possibility of finding your life long companion in the Land of Smiles. Thai ladies are known to be lovable and sweet apart from their excellent physical attributes.

Thai Retirement Visa Application

A foreigner who wishes to retire in Thailand need to comply with the Thai immigration rules concerning long term stay visa for the purpose of retirement. Retirement visas fall under Non Immigrant Visas category O-A. The visa is valid for one year but it’s renewable as long as you meet the requirements. It can be obtained from the Thai embassy or consulate abroad or from the Thai immigration office in Thailand.

The requirements for the Thai Retirement visa application are as follows:

 A.   Age requirement – The applicant should be at least 50 years old or older

 B.  Financial requirement – The applicant should meet the required funds for the visa application. This can be accomplished through any of the following means:

1. THB 800,000 (approx 26,000 USD) deposit in a Thai bank account OR

2. Monthly income/pension of THB 65,000

3  Combination of bank deposit and income. That is Savings in a Thai Bank + Pension/year equals THB 800,000

 C.  Medical Certificate and Police Clearance Certifcate– are required when the visa is obtained from the Thai embassy/consulate abroad

Thai Retirement Visa Application Process

You may apply directly for a retirement visa at the Thai consulate or embassy in your home country provided that you meet all the requirements outlined above. Otherwise, you can always apply for an initial Non Immigrant O visa or a pre-retirement visa so that you can come to Thailand and accomplish the retirement visa requirements i.e. opening a Thai bank account or visiting your embassy for the affidavit of monthly income. The Non-O Visa is usually good for 90 days and it can be extended into a one year retirement visa 21 days before it expires. This can be done after satisfying all requirements for the retirement visa application.

In case, you are in Thailand with another visa, your visa can be switched into a Non Immigrant O visa at the immigration office. You would have to satisfy the rest of the requirements so that your O visa can be extended into one year retirement visa.

90-day Notification at the Thai immigration office

Retirement Visa holders are required to notify the Thai Immigration office every 90 days. If you are not in the country when your 90-day report is due, you would not need to do the report anymore. A new counting will be in effect when you return to Thailand.

Retirement Visa Renewal

The renewal of a retirement visa can be done at the Thai immigration office on or before the expiration of the current visa. The same requirements from initial visa application are required from the applicant. The visa renewal can be accomplished in a day.

Shipment of Personal Effects for Retirement Visa Holders

Contrary to some advice, the shipping of personal effects by retirement visa holders is subject to duties according to Thai Bureau of Custom.

G.A.M. Legal Alliance can assist you with processing your retirement visa whether outside or inside of Thailand. Our Thai visa specialist can walk you through the whole process of the visa application thereby ensuring success in your visa application.

SEE OUR RETIREMENT VISA PACKAGES