People from all over the world visit Thailand and return again and again. Last year, it was estimated that 12 million people visited the kingdom and so many could not wait to return once they have landed back in their home country.  Of these large number of enchanted tourists who consider returning to Thailand for good, a lot of them are eyeing a retirement in Thailand, to live or to work here. If you happen to be one of them, then you have come to the right place as we can help you make your dream come true through our inclusive legal services particularly those pertaining to Visa assistance and immigration concerns.

Siam Legal shares your dream of a retirement in Thailand. As such, we offer you our comprehensive legal services aimed at ensuring you a hassle-free entry and retirement to the Land of Smiles, as Thailand is famously called.  A foreigner traveling to Thailand needs a tourist visa to enter, and this is a somewhat straightforward process. When thinking about staying here for an extended period of time or possibly retiring here, it becomes more burdensome and this is where we can be of great help to you.  Arranging for an extended stay for whatever reason they are made i.e. retirement in Thailand, Thai work permit,  fiancé  visa, a Thai real estate transaction, Thai tax, or doing business in Thailand, are just among the multifarious  legal services  our company specializes in.

Many of our clients had been visiting Thailand for several years and finally, made the leap and so far they not regretted their Thai retirement plans. Some live in Bangkok and do not miss owning a car, as the sky train system that is in place, rivals other similar ones for being safe, reasonable, and efficient. Some live in the North of Thailand where life is quiet and peaceful. Others choose the South where beautiful beaches in areas like Phuket and Koh Samui abound.  Whether you choose to live in the north, south, east or west of the country, rest assured that we have offices all over the Kingdom will be there to assist you with your legal concerns.  In the meantime, please go over the outline of retiring in Thailand below and be guided accordingly.

To start your Thai retirement plans, you need a non-immigrant visa. Ideally, it should be acquired prior to your arrival in Thailand. Siam Legal can assist you in obtaining it in your home country or in a nearby country. In addition, we can help you convert a tourist visa to non-immigrant visa inside Thailand but it can take up to 1 or 2 months for this conversion process.

Requirements for getting a non-immigrant visa outside Thailand:

1. 50 years old of age or older
2. Passport (at least 1 year remaining until expiration)
3. Holding the nationality or permanent residence of country of application
4. Police Records Check
5. Certificate of Health
6. Proof of meeting financial requirement *
7. Bank letter showing funds or pension statement

1.Passport - copies of every page. Each copy must be signed by applicant.

1. Non-Immigrant Visa
2. Departure Card TM.6
3. Proof of meeting financial requirement *
4. Thailand Bank book (original)
5. Letter from your Thai Bank
6. Medical Certificate (health exam administered by doctor at first class hospital)

Photos, three (3) in quantity which are 4 x 5 centimeters in size (not passport photos) with full face and taken wearing business attire (no hat and some jurisdictions require suit and tie). Must have been taken within six (6) months.

* FINANCIAL REQUIREMENT:

1. BANK ACCOUNT SHOWING THB 800,000
2. MONTHLY INCOME OF AT LEAST THB 65,000
3. COMBINATION (BANK ACCOUNT + INCOME x 12 = THB 800,000)

 Signing for your new Retirement Visa

Your Thai retirement starts with your first and only appearance for the retirement visa at the Immigration office upon its approval. You must appear in person with your passport and sign the visa paperwork in the presence of the Immigration staff. The Immigrant staff puts a stamp in the passport at the time of approval.
Restrictions on Your Retirement Visa

The retirement 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.

 You have six months from your entry to Thailand to bring in from your home country your household items.
 
 After you have been granted a permit to stay for a year in Thailand, your belongings will not be taxed. However, if your permit to stay is for less than one year, these items will be taxed 20% import duty plus 7% value-added tax.
 
The period of six months starts the date that you initially entered Thailand on the retirement visa O-A visa, regardless whether you leave or re-enter Thailand after that date. However, the deadline is somewhat flexible. If your personal items are due to arrive in Thailand more than six months after the entry date, you should inform Customs about this at least two months before the six-month deadline.

Definition: “Visa” is issued outside of Thailand by a Thai Embassy or Consulate in which you request entry into the Kingdom of Thailand. Once allowed to enter the Kingdom, the Immigration Officer will stamp a date in your passport. This is referred to as your “Extension of Stay.”
 
Definition: “Extension of Stay” is the time period you are allowed to remain in the Kingdom of Thailand. This is typically the date stamp in your passport by the Immigration Officer either after arriving in the Kingdom through a border checkpoint or issuance by the Immigration Police after a request for an extension of stay.
 
Many people misunderstand the difference between an extension of stay and re-entry permit much to their own disadvantage. Here is the key point: your “extension of stay” stamp is the controlling date. Everything is dependent on this date. Your re-entry permit is only valid until the date stamped in your passport to leave the country. Any re-entry permit you obtain will expire when your “extension of stay” expires. If you depart the country without a re-entry permit, your “extension of stay” is invalidated. This is the key distinction so after going through the process of getting a longer period of time for your “extension of stay” please ensure your have a re-entry before departing Thailand. Siam International Legal Group can assist you to obtain a single re-entry entry permit (one time use) or multiple re-entry permit (unlimited use).

Your Thai Retirement Visa expires when your Extension of Stay does. You will need to renew your stay in Thailand before your extension of stay expires. This can be done in Thailand. If you cannot obtain your extension inside Thailand, you will have to get a new non-immigrant visa from a Thai Embassy or Consulate abroad as explained above. Siam International Legal Group with its global presence can assist you in any country with renewing your visa.
 

You are required to report to Immigration Police every 90 days for persons 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. Our firm offers professional service with a yearly package to perform the task of the reporting to Immigration each 90 days