Thailand Retirement Visa: Most Frequently Asked Questions
Find out everything you need to know about retirement visas in Thailand and get all the answers to most frequently asked questions!
What are the qualifications for obtaining a Thai retirement visa?
1. Applicant must be at least 50 years old and meet any of the following financial requirements: A 800,000 baht security deposit in a Thai bank account for two months prior to the visa submission, a monthly income of 65,000 baht.
2. Supporting documents: A security deposit of at least 65,000 baht is required, along with an updated bank book or passbook, a bank letter stating that the money was deposited into the account from an overseas source for at least two months, a letter from your embassy in Thailand confirming your monthly income, and a 12-month bank statement showing a daily deposit of 65,000 baht into a Thai bank account.
3. Other records that would need to be presented include: Clearance with the police, a medical certificate and health insurance are all required.
Key Points
- A retirement visa is a non-immigrant O Visa or Non-Immigrant OA Visa that has been extended.
- The visa can be used for either a single or multiple entries.
- This is a long-term Thai visa that allows the holder to remain in Thailand for an entire year.
Is it possible to apply for a Thai retirement visa from outside Thailand?
Yes, you can. You can begin the Thai retirement visa application process from anywhere in the world. When you arrive in your home country, you will first obtain a Non-Immigrant Visa that is valid for three months. When you arrive in Thailand, you should first open a bank account and deposit the necessary funds, and after three months, your visa will be converted into a one-year Thai retirement visa.
How do I get the Thai retirement visa?
Prior to applying for a retirement visa in Thailand, you must first obtain a 90-day initial non-immigrant visa from the Thai embassy or consulate in your home country. You must have been in Thailand for 60 days or be within the last 30 days of your existing stay permit to file your retirement visa application at the immigration office.
If the amount of money in the bank account is less than 3 million Baht at the end of the first year of stay in Thailand or less than 1.5 million Baht at the end of the second year of stay in Thailand and the money in the said account was spent outside Thailand, the visa extension may be revoked.
When you’ve finished with the financial aspect, such as your savings in a Thai bank, you can proceed to the next stage. You must present it to the immigration office and explain why you are staying, as well as the fact that the non-immigrant visa must be converted to a retirement visa. Please keep in mind that Thai immigration will only approve your retirement visa application if your nonimmigrant visa is still valid for at least 30 days.
Those with multiple entry visas can simply leave Thailand and return at the end of each 90-day stay to renew their visa.
What is the best way for me to renew my Thai retirement visa?
The terms “Extension of Stay” and “Re-entry Permit” are often misunderstood and often confused for one another, you must realize that these are two separate items that you will need during your stay. It is important to note that when renewing a Thai retirement visa, the same requirements apply as when applying for the visa for the first time. Furthermore, any proof of funds in your Thai bank account must have been deposited and cleared at least three months prior to the date of your visa renewal application.
When your Extension of Stay expires, everything becomes null and void. The validity of your Re-entry Permit, on the other hand, is dependent on the validity of your Extension of Stay. However, leaving Thailand without a re-entry permit renders your extension of stay null and void.
Foreign nationals over the age of 50 who wish to retire in Thailand may apply for a Thai retirement visa.
What are the requirements of 55-year old couple who intend to retire in Thailand?
You must have at least 800,000 Thai baht in a Thai Bank account in your name. This money must have cleared in the account at least two months before you apply. Alternatively, you must have a monthly income or pension of at least 65,000 Thai baht.
Are there any restrictions to obtaining a retirement visa?
If your retirement has been accepted, you will be able to remain in Thailand for a year. You are not eligible to work when on this form of visa and you are required to report to Immigration to check your current address every 90 days.