Retirement Visa Thailand: A Step-by-Step Guide
Thailand’s majestic landscape, formed by its rich foliage and scenic beaches, makes for a very relaxing and soothing environment one could live in forever. It’s not surprising that foreigners find themselves enchanted and want to spend their retirement days in this breathtaking tropical paradise.
Persons 50 years of age and older may apply for the Thailand Retirement visa. This makes your stay in Thailand hassle-free. If you are interested in doing the same, applying for a retirement visa in Thailand would be the first step to take. Listed below are the requirements.
How to Obtain a Retirement Visa in Thailand
STEP 1: OBTAIN A NON-IMMIGRANT VISA – CATEGORY “O”
Requirements:
- Passport with validity of at least 6 months remaining before expiration
- Proof of Accommodation in Thailand (if you apply for this visa within Thailand)
- Bank statement showing proof of funds
- Annual health insurance (as required by some Thai embassies or consulates abroad)
- You must be holding nationality or permanent residence of the country of visa application
- You apply at the Thai Embassy abroad or Thai immigration office within Thailand.
STEP 2: OBTAIN A ONE-YEAR THAI RETIREMENT VISA EXTENSION
Non-Immigrant O Extension Requirements:
- Must be 50 years old and above.
- Passport (signed copies of each page)
- Non-Immigrant O Visa
- TM30 receipt
- Proof of meeting Financial Requirements such as bank statement (for income)
- Income Certificate from the embassy in Thailand (applicant’s nationality)
- Thai Bank Book showing deposit account (original)
- Letter from your Thai Bank (certificate must be signed by the bank official)
- Three (3) 4×5 cm photos, with full face taken within the last 6 months.
- Proof of permanent accommodation in Thailand such as a lease or rental agreement.
Medical certificates and criminal record certificates are not required for the retirement visa application process completed inside Thailand.
STEP 3: OBTAINING A RE-ENTRY PERMIT
Most people misunderstand the different concepts of “Extension of Stay” and “Re-entry Permit”. Sometimes mistaken for each other, you must understand that these are two different things, both of which you would need during your stay.
The Extension of Stay is simply the controlling date for your period of stay. Everything else is dependent on this. Everything is invalidated when your Extension of Stay expires. Extension of stay is usually valid for 1 year. On the other hand, the Re-entry Permit’s validity is subject to the validity of your Extension of Stay. However, leaving Thailand without a re-entry permit automatically invalidates your extension of stay or period of stay.
The Re-Entry permit comes with two options for the Thailand Retirement Visa holder:
- Single entry (1,000 THB)
- Multiple entries (3,800 THB)
The re-entry permit application is submitted at the airports in Thailand. The Immigration Bureau has an Immigration officer assigned before the Passport Control counters for processing these requests.
STEP 4: REPORTING YOUR STAY EVERY 90 DAYS and VISA EXPIRATION
Applicants must report to the Immigration Bureau every 90 days if they are on a long-term extension of stay. Persons holding a multiple entry visa will simply depart Thailand and renew their extension of stay after each 90-day entry. The reporting can be accomplished either in person or online.
If you cannot obtain your extension inside Thailand, you will have to get a new non-immigrant O visa from a Thai Embassy or Consulate abroad.
SUMMARY
You are now a holder of a 1-year extension of a non-immigrant visa for retirement purposes. Health insurance is not required but the applicant must have applied within Thailand for the visa to be exempt from insurance requirements. Remember to do your reporting every 3 months, commonly referred to as “90-day reporting”, submitting the application to the Immigration office either online or in person. Enjoy your retirement in Thailand with the assistance of a law firm such as Siam Legal who have immigration consultants to assist you.
Check the Step-by-step Guide for the 90-day Online Reporting.
Meeting the Financial Requirements for a Retirement Visa
Financial Requirements are as follows:
- Thai bank account showing deposit amount of a minimum of THB 800,000 or
- Monthly income of at least THB 65,000 (monthly income affidavit from your embassy in Bangkok) or
**Some foreign embassies in Thailand will not issue a certified proof of income, therefore some nationalities may be required to show the bank account with the required funds only
More Information for the Retirement Visa
VISITING THE IMMIGRATION OFFICE
Your first and only appearance for the retirement visa will be at the Immigration office for submission and its approval. You must appear in person with your passport and sign the visa paperwork in the presence of the Immigration staff. The Immigrant officer puts a stamp on the passport at the time of approval. On the same date you visited the Thai immigration office, you may also secure your re-entry permit.
RESTRICTIONS ON RETIREMENT VISA
The Thai retirement visa once approved allows you to stay in Thailand for one year. You are not allowed to have employment while on this type of visa. Also, you must report to Immigration every 90 days to verify your current address.
IMMIGRATION BUREAU IS RESPONSIBLE FOR EXTENSIONS FOR THE RETIREMENT VISA
This is a non-immigrant O visa issued by the Immigration Bureau. It is valid for a one-year retirement visa. No medical certificate is required. The holder of this type of visa is allowed to stay in Thailand for retirement purposes and the holder of this type of visa is not allowed to work. Employment of any kind is strictly prohibited. The immigration act forbids working under this type of visa. Please avoid a criminal record by violating this law. You can only apply for your Thai retirement visa at the Thai immigration office that has jurisdiction over the province where you currently reside in Thailand.
Other Long-Term Visa Options for Thailand
Thailand boasts a diverse array of long-term visa options, meticulously crafted to suit a wide spectrum of needs:
Marriage Visa:
- Tailored for individuals married to Thai nationals.
- Offers an extended stay in Thailand, fostering family reunification and the cultivation of shared life experiences within the Kingdom.
LTR Visa:
- It is customized for select categories aimed at fostering overseas investment and driving economic development.
- Grants holders the privilege to reside and work in Thailand for up to a decade, accompanied by an array of benefits including access to healthcare, educational opportunities, and the establishment of local bank accounts. This visa is an enticing choice for those aiming to lay down solid roots in Thailand.
Thailand Elite Visa:
- Crafted for high net-worth individuals seeking privileged residency in Thailand.
- Provides visa validity ranging from 5 to 20 years, enabling uninterrupted stays without the necessity of exiting every 90 days.
- Elite Visa holders enjoy expedited immigration procedures and have the option to utilize privilege points for representation during the 90-day reporting process, ensuring a seamless residency experience in Thailand.
These long-term visa options are meticulously designed to cater to diverse lifestyles and objectives, offering individuals the flexibility and convenience needed to flourish in Thailand.
WHAT IF I NEED HELP WITH MY THAILAND RETIREMENT VISA APPLICATION?
If you need assistance with your retirement visa application you can contact Siam Legal for assistance. Siam Legal offers full support for your retirement visa in Thailand.
www.siam-legal.com/thailand-visa/Thailand-Retirement-Visa.php
