Retirement Visa Thailand

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The Thailand Retirement Visa, also known as the Non-Immigrant OA Visa, is a popular choice for expats looking to retire in Thailand. Not only does successfully securing a Thailand Retirement Visa provide you with a convenient way to settle down in Thailand, it also offers a seamless route to permanent residency in Thailand.

Thailand Retirement Visa Benefits

Other than offering you a route to permanent residency in Thailand, the Thailand Retirement Visa also offers the following benefits:

• Extended stay in Thailand: With a Thailand Retirement Visa, you will be able to stay in Thailand for up to 1 year. However, if you wish to leave Thailand and return without losing your visa, you must obtain a re-entry permit.
• Unlimited renewal: Your Thailand Retirement Visa can be renewed upon expiry an indefinite number of times, so long as you still meet the requirements upon renewal.
• Renew in Thailand: This visa can be renewed while you are in Thailand, removing the need to travel every year for a new visa.

Thailand Retirement Visa Requirements

In order to apply for a Thailand Retirement Visa, you will need to meet the eligibility criteria and provide the following documents:

• Must be 50 years of age or over
• Must meet ONE of these financial requirements:
  • A security deposit of 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account for 2 months prior to the visa application.
  • Monthly income of at least 65,000 THB.
  • Combination of security deposit and annual income totaling 800,000 THB.
• Must provide the following documents for the above financial requirements:
  • In the case of the security deposit, you will provide an updated bank book or passbook together with a bank letter stating that the money had been deposited to the account from an overseas source not less than 2 months prior.
  • In the case of a monthly income of at least 65,000 THB, a letter from your embassy in Thailand verifying your monthly income.
  • In cases where your embassy does not issue an income letter, you can provide a 12-month bank statement showing a regular deposit of 65,000 THB into a Thai bank account.
• Other documents that may be required: These documents are usually not required if the visa application is submitted inside Thailand. However, there are rare cases when an official from the Thai Embassy or Consulate may ask for them before issuance of the visa.
  • Police Clearance Document
  • Medical Certificate
  • Proof of Health Insurance

Thailand Retirement Visa Application Process

There is no direct application for the Thailand Retirement Visa, as it is an extension of the 90-Day Non-Immigrant O Visa. Even so, here are 3 ways to apply for the Thailand Retirement Visa:

• Applying for the Thailand Retirement Visa in your home country: All the necessary documents stated above must be submitted to the Thai Embassy or Consulate in your country. However, it is important to note that not all Thai Embassies or Consulates in your country may be able to issue this type of visa, and that the application requires a Police Clearance Document, Medical Certificate, and proof of Health Insurance, as it is submitted outside of Thailand.
• Applying for the 90-Day Non-Immigrant O Visa and extension in Thailand: It is required that you apply for a 90-day Non-Immigrant Visa from the Thai Embassy or Consulate in your home country prior to your application for a Retirement Visa in Thailand. You will have to remain in Thailand for 60 days before you can file your Thailand Retirement Visa application at the immigration office or be on the last 30 days of your current permit to stay in Thailand. You will also need to provide proof of address in Thailand (utility bills, rental agreement, etc).
• Applying for the Non-Immigrant O Visa and extension in Thailand as a tourist: If you entered Thailand under the Visa Exemption Scheme or with a Thailand Tourist Visa, you can still apply for a retirement visa if you meet the requirements for the 90-Day Non-Immigrant O Visa and the Thailand Retirement Visa. You can apply for both of these at the immigration office in Thailand.

Thailand Retirement Visa Obligations

Once you become a Thailand Retirement Visa holder, you will be obligated to do the following:

• 90-day Reporting: You will be required to notify the immigration office of your current residential address every 90 days. This can be done either by mail, online, or by a personal visit to the immigration office. You may also enlist the services of an agent to do this on your behalf through a Power of Attorney. If you are not in the country when the report is due, the counting for the 90 days will start again upon re-entry to Thailand.
• Re-entry Permit: If you plan to travel in and out of Thailand during the year of your visa validity, you will need a re-entry permit to do so to avoid your visa from getting canceled. You need not apply if you plan to stay in Thailand the whole time. If you need to leave the country quickly for whatever reason, you can apply for a re-entry permit at the nearest immigration office or at an international airport before leaving the country.
• Bank Account: The Thailand Retirement Visa is valid for 1 year and can be renewed by meeting the same criteria and providing the same documentation as you did during the initial application. Please note that the required amount of funds in your bank account must be at least 3 months old before you can renew your visa, as opposed to the initial 2-month requirement.
• Importation of Household Effects: You cannot import your personal effects to Thailand duty-free according to the Bureau of Customs.

Thailand Retirement Visa Alternatives

Though the Thailand Retirement Visa is the standard visa for those looking to settle down in Thailand, Thailand also offers two other long-term visas that may better fit your needs and lifestyle in the country:

LTR Visa Thailand

The LTR Visa Thailand comes in four categories, one of which was specifically designed to cater to retirees. This visa comes with a renewable 5-year multiple-entry permit, a 10-year visa, and expedited immigration processing at airports, so it’s no wonder why this more convenient visa option is a popular choice for retirees in Thailand.

One of its more outstanding benefits is that it replaces the standard 90-day report with an annual report to the immigration office, so you can focus on enjoying your time in Thailand without immigration concerns every three months.

Thailand Elite Visa

If you are looking for a more laid-back and luxurious time in Thailand, consider the Thailand Elite Visa. With stays ranging from 5 to 20 years, this multiple-entry visa is acquired through a membership system that offers you access to a long and diverse list of free perks and benefits. These include free spa treatments and healthcare procedures, special gifts and discounts, and expedited immigration processing at airports among many, many others. It is by far the simplest and most rewarding way to stay in Thailand long-term.

Contact Siam Legal International

If you’re looking to retire in Thailand, get in touch with Siam Legal International. We’re a full-service law firm and visa consultancy that has helped clients from all around the world secure their dream retirement in Thailand for over 20 years. Our experienced Thai immigration team has both the knowledge and expertise to aid you in getting your Thailand Retirement Visa as quickly and smoothly as possible, so you can begin planning your golden years in paradise stress-free.

We will gather all the necessary documents and prepare them according to Thai immigration standards before submitting them on time on your behalf. If you have yet to apply for and obtain a 90-Day Non-Immigrant Visa, we will assist with this as well before taking you through each step of the Thailand Retirement Visa application process, so you can rest assured knowing that your future in Thailand will be secured swiftly and successfully.

Should you have any further questions regarding the Thailand Retirement Visa or any other Thai visa, do not hesitate to contact Siam Legal.

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