Thailand has over the years become a hot spot in Asia for retirement as the cost of living is low, crime levels are far lower than Europe or Spain and the weather is great most days of the year. Many people see Thailand as an excellent place for retirement. The Kingdom of Thailand has about 76 provinces that offer different attractions, cultures, and experiences. It is for these reasons that many foreigners are drawn to retire in this country every year.
The application process for retirement visa in Thailand is pretty straightforward. Over the years, however, this has become a rather confusing subject to many due to the inconsistency in the immigration processes. Not only are the processes varying in the Thai Embassies and Consulates around the world but also with some rules in different immigration offices all across Thailand.
Consider the following guidelines if you wish to retire in Thailand.
Eligibilities
- The client must be at least 50 years of age or over during the time of the application.
- The client must meet the financial requirement which could be any of the following:
- Security deposit of 800,000 baht in a Thai bank; or
- A monthly income or pension of 65,000 baht; or
- A total of 800,000 baht combination of personal bank deposit and income or pension for the entire year.
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Processing of Visa Application
There are at least two ways on how to get a visa to retire in Thailand:
- Application outside Thailand.
A foreigner who meets the age requirement set by the Thai Embassy (in their country) can directly apply for the 1 Year Non-Immigrant OA visa from their home country. Application for this type of visa requires the applicant to submit a police clearance and medical certificate.
- Application inside Thailand
Getting a 1 year visa extension inside Thailand based on retirement requires an initial application for a Non-Immigrant O visa. The Non-Immigrant O visa is usually applied at the Thai Embassy in the applicant’s home country, but it can also be obtained inside Thailand. However, the applicant must already meet the financial requirement if they wish to go with the latter.
In addition, applicants of Non-immigrant O visa extension in Thailand must provide evidence of their address in Thailand. Processing of visa extension is done at the immigration office in the same area, or usually the one nearest to their location in case there is none in their city or province.
Renewal of Extension
Once the applicant has obtained a one-year extension of stay based on retirement, the extension can be renewed every year within Thailand. The renewal application must be done prior to the expiration of the current visa. The procedure for renewal is the same as for the initial application, and therefore this should be an easier task for retirees who are able to obtain an extension before.
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Yord Satesri, Immigration Specialist
Can I get retirement visa through an agent in Thailand, after arrival on tourist visa.
Kind regards
You may send your inquiry to [email protected] for further assistance regarding the Retirement Visa application process.
I am informed that since July 2016 retirees on Koh Samui are required to undergo a complete medical including a blood test from the government hospital each time that they renew their visa. Is this normal practice in Thailand?
The medical exam is a requirement for immigration offices in other provinces as well, but not all. As for the use of the government hospital in Samui, this may be the discretion of the immigration office in the province.
Samui immigration is asking for a full medical and blood test for all people renewing their retirement visas. The government hospital on Samui must be used. This is new. Has this been approved by the main immigration office?
The medical exam is a requirement for immigration offices in other provinces as well, but not all. As for the use of the government hospital in Samui, this may be the discretion of the immigration office in the province.
My Thai retirement visa expires in Feb 2017. I am in the UK and am not back in Thailand until January 2017. I intend to stay in Thailand for 4-5 months and will renew my visa. Will immigration only stamp my visa for 30 days as I will only have 1 month left on my retirement visa?
Upon arriving at Thailand, you will be given your last entry which is for a 90-day duration of stay. You will need to renew your visa before the end of the 90-day period to avoid having to go through a new application process again.
I am wishing to retire in Thailand from Australia. I will be living in the Phetchaboon area. Where is the nearest Immigration office. Also I will marry my Thai lady soon after arriving in Thailand and living with her in a home that I will have paid for on her land.Her yellow book will have her and my name on it
What will I need to obtain a retirement visa
Regards
Graham
There are several immigration offices in neighboring provinces however you would need to check with the local police station which immigration office will cater to you as a resident of the Petchabun province.
As for the retirement visa, please refer below to the general requirements.
Hi
I have a Non-Immigrant0 Visa in my passport, issued by a Consulate in Austria. They told me, that I have to contact a Immigration Office within 3 month. I am living near Ubon Rathchathani. Where is the next Immigration Office I can contact?
Below is the information of the immigration office in Ubonratchathani for your reference. You may contact them regarding your concern.
26 Amphoe Phibun Mangsahan
Changwat Ubonratchathani
34110
Tel: 0-4544-1108
Email: [email protected]
Hello,
I have a Non Immigrant OA visa (retirement) that expires on 24 July 2016 but I’ll be in France until 28th of July.
Should I ask for an extension of my visa when I’m back in Thailand (visa expired) or should I apply for an extension (or a new one) in France?
Thank you
You should start your application for the retirement visa extension before leaving Thailand. Applying for a new one in France is another option.
That’s good thank you. Cos I will do it in BKmin that case not CM. I had one other point. My current address is CM. I’m afraid BKK immigration may not renew there because of this, although I am leaving CM to relocate to BKK after summer in London.
You might need to provide documents then as proof that you are moving to Bangkok from Chiang Mai. It’s best if you can contact or visit the Immigration Office in Bangkok to confirm your concern.
I have a retirement visa already but it is due for renewal soon. I have a letter from my pension provider showing that this is in excess of the 65,000 ฿ per month. Note that this in in GBPs paid offshore. I understand I need this verified by the British Embassy, is that sufficient to process the visa?
As long as you can get an Affidavit of Income from your embassy of which amount is meeting the requirement for the retirement visa application, then that should suffice.
Can I apply from Germany for a Retirement Visa when we are Canadians but live in Germany?
Please contact the Thai Embassy in Germany to confirm whether or not they will accept and process your visa application.
Thank you for your answer.
Another question. I have never been asked for proof of residence but, to be on the safe side, I will get one for the next renewal. What kind of document can be presented as proof of residence: i live in a house which is under the name of my Thai partner? Would an electricity or telephone bill addressed to me Mbe sufficient?
Thank you.
It’s best if you can directly talk to someone from the Immigration Office regarding your concern on whether a phone or electricity bill would suffice. If they say no, then you will likely be required to present the house rental agreement or contract and a letter from your Thai partner indicating that she’s allowing you to live in the house. She might need to provide a signed copy of her Thai ID as well.
Can I renew my retirement extension 45 days before expiry in Bangkok immigration
I believe in Chiang Mai this is possible
Yes, you may start the application for the 1 year Retirement Visa extension up to 45 days prior to the expiration of your Non-Immigrant O visa.
Hello,
How soon before the expiration date can I apply for renewal of the retirement visa?
Thank you.
You may start the visa renewal application as early as 45 days before its expiration.
I am a British citizen living in Thailand and need to renew my retirement visa. Can you please advise me of all the documents, letters etc. that I need to take to the immigration office to renew my visa and get a multiple re-entry stamp in my passport.
Thank you
The requirements to renew your retirement visa is just the same as when you first applied for it. Basically, you will need to bring documents as proof of your sufficient finances (bank book, letter from the bank or income affidavit from your embassy), proof of your residence, photo and your valid passport. To get the multiple re-entry feature, you will just need to pay an extra THB 3,800 on top of the regular visa fee at the Immigration Office.
Dear Sir: What do I have to do to register for my retirement visa? The 90 day check-in?
Not sure what you meant by registering your retirement visa. But if your concern is about obtaining one, you will need to apply first for the 90-day non-immigrant O visa. For more information, please visit the website below:
http://www.siam-legal.com/thailand-visa/Thailand-Retirement-Visa.php
I have been quite sick. Is it possible to do the 90 day check in for a retirement visa? Can I do this online?
Yes, you may do the 90-day reporting online. For information on the guidelines regarding the online reporting, you may visit the website below:
https://extranet.immigration.go.th/fn90online/online/tm47/TM47Action.do
Can 1 year extensions be renewed indefinitely?
1 year visa, depending on the type or category, may only be extended to a maximum period of 1 year. For more information, please contact the nearest Immigration Office in your area.
I am staying with a Thai friend. How to have proof of residence?
Depending on where you will be needing the proof of residence, you may present a letter of attestation regarding the foregoing provided by your friend and also document showing that he is legally residing in that address.
There is no specification on what can be considered income. In Bangkok, they will accept any form of income be it from salary, pension or stocks/rental from properties as long as they are from abroad. BUT please know as well that provincial immigration offices will have their own interpretation of the rule.
If I have 800,000 baht in a Thai bank do I still need the income letter issued by my UK embassy to meet the requirement? How much does it cost to get a retirement visa?
Thank you
If you have a savings of 800,000 baht or more at a Thai bank, you do not need to have or you do not need to meet the income requirement. Please send an email to [email protected] for information about the cost and requirements of getting a retirement visa.
I just talked to an immigration official in Hua Hin regarding the income requirements for Retirement Visa for foreigners wishing to retire in Thailand
My understanding was that it was either
1. 800,000 in a Thai bank account for at least 2 months
OR
2. Income or pension of not less than 65,000..or a combination of income and deposits amounting to 800,000 baht a year
The immigration official said that #2 refers only to “pensions” and not general income from a business or rents etc.
Everywhere I look on the internet it seems to say :
– Or an income certificate with a monthly salary of not less than 65,000 Baht
Is he right? Is it only “pensions” and not “income”?
There is no specification on what can be considered income. In Bangkok, they will accept any form of income be it from salary, pension or stocks/rental from properties as long as they are from abroad. BUT please know as well that provincial immigration offices will have their own interpretation of the rule.
I have recieved my A-O visa and am suppose to return to the immigration office in 2 months to begin the final process of applying for a retirement visa.
I am using my income from rental units I own as my financial backing.
Can you please tell me what documents I will need to have for the next appearance at immigration.
The Thai embassy website says
STEP 2: OBTAIN A ONE-YEAR RETIREMENT VISA
Requirements:
Must be 50 years old and above
Passport (signed copies of each page)
Non-Immigrant Visa
Departure Card TM.6
Proof of meeting Financial Requirements
Thai Bank Book (original)
Letter from your Thai Bank
Three(3) 4×5 cm photos, with full face taken
Will I need to have my Thai bank book an a letter from my bank if I am using “income” and not 800,000 baht to fulfill the financial requirements??
Thank you
You do not need a Thai bank book or letter from the bank. What you need is the income letter issued by your embassy in Bangkok and a supporting document as proof of your income. You also need a proof of residence such as lease agreement.
Looking on the immigration websites, there appear to be two addresses. Which is the definitive address?
How far in advance can you apply for the extension?
If there’s a need for you to apply for an extension, you may visit the immigration office which is nearest to your address of residence. The earliest date when an extension can be applied for depends on the type of visa that you have. It’s best if you can check with the immigration office directly about this.
I am 54 years old from Australia. I want to apply to get retirement visa. I earn over 65,000THB per month. What paper work do I need to bring into immigration office to show my income? And what else do I need to bring?
You will need to submit to them an affidavit of income which is issued by your embassy. If you wish to speak to someone regarding this matter, kindly send your contact details to [email protected] and someone from our firm will get in touch with you for further advise.