Categories > Guides and Tips
Things to Know about Retiree Visa in Thailand
Are you considering retiring in Thailand? If so, there are a few important details you should know about the retiree visa process.
Retiring in Thailand can be an attractive option for those seeking a warmer climate, a lower cost of living, and a rich cultural experience.
The retiree visa is a long-term visa for foreign nationals aged over 50 to stay in Thailand for up to one year.
It requires a valid passport and evidence of financial stability, such as proof of minimum monthly income or savings in a Thai bank account.
In this post, we’ll explore some of the key things you need to know about the retiree visa in Thailand, including eligibility requirements, application procedures, and the benefits of obtaining this type of visa.
So, if you’re thinking about retiring in Thailand, keep reading to learn more!
Thai Retiree Visa Explained
A retiree visa is a type of long-term visa that allows foreign nationals over the age of 50 to stay in Thailand for an extended period of time, usually up to one year.
This visa is designed for those who wish to retire in Thailand and enjoy the country’s warm climate, affordable cost of living, and vibrant culture.
Remember that on this type of visa, employment is not permitted.
1. Types of Thailand Retirement Visas
There are two types of retirement visas issued by the Thai government for foreign nationals: The One-Year Thailand Retirement Visa (“O-A”) and the Ten-Year Thailand Retirement Visa (“O-X”).
The One-Year Thailand Retirement Visa, also known as the O-A visa, is a type of long-term visa issued by the Thai government for foreigners aged 50 and above from any country who wish to retire in Thailand.
This visa allows the holder to stay in Thailand for up to one year, with the option to renew it annually as long as they meet the required criteria.
The O-A visa is ideal for retirees who want to spend an extended period in Thailand and explore the country’s culture and lifestyle.
On the other hand, the Ten-Year Thailand Retirement Visa, also known as the O-X visa, is only available for certain nationalities of foreign nationals aged 50 and above.
The O-X visa is issued for a period of five years, renewable once for an additional five years, with a total duration of ten years.
This type of visa provides a longer-term option for retirees who want to spend more time in Thailand and enjoy its warm climate, delicious cuisine, and friendly people.
NOTE: Neither visa allows the holder to work in Thailand. The primary purpose of these visas is to provide a way for retirees to enjoy their retirement in Thailand without worrying about constantly renewing their visa status.
2. Costs of Getting a Thailand Retirement Visa
The cost of obtaining a Thailand Retirement Visa can vary depending on the type of visa and the applicant’s country of origin. The processing fees for the visa can be classified as follows:
| Type of Visa | Fee (Approximately) |
|---|---|
| Single-Entry 1-Year Thai Retirement Visa | 2,000 THB |
| Multiple-Entry 1-Year Thai Retirement Visa | 5,000 THB |
| 5-Year Thai Retirement Visa | 10,000 THB |
Note: These fees are subject to change and may vary depending on the specific Thai embassy or consulate where the application is submitted.
3. How to Apply for a Thailand Retirement Visa
To apply for a Thailand Retirement Visa, follow these steps:
Step 1: Contact the Thailand Embassy or Consulate
The first step in applying for a Thai Retirement Visa is to contact the Thai Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence.
You can find their contact information on their website or by visiting in person. It’s important to learn about their opening hours, working days, and preferred method of payment for the visa fee.
Step 2: Make an appointment (if required)
Some Thai diplomatic missions may require you to make an appointment to submit your visa application. If an appointment is necessary, be sure to schedule it in advance to avoid any delays.
Step 3: Collect the required documents
To apply for a Thai Retirement Visa, you’ll need to collect several documents including:
- Your passport (with at least 6 months validity)
- A completed visa application form
- A recent passport photo
- Proof of financial stability, and
- Any additional documents required by the Thai diplomatic mission
Step 4: Submit the documents and visa application
Once you’ve gathered all the necessary documents, you can submit them and your visa application to the Thai diplomatic mission.
- Depending on the embassy/consulate you apply in, you may be able to submit the application in person or by mail.
- If you’re applying by mail, be sure to enclose a pre-paid and self-addressed envelope so that your passport and visa can be mailed back to you.
Step 5: Wait for the application to be processed
After submitting your application, you’ll need to wait for it to be processed. Processing times can vary depending on the embassy/consulate, so be sure to check with them for an estimated timeline.
Step 6: Collect the passport and visa
Once your application has been approved, you can collect your passport and visa.
- If you applied by mail, they will be mailed back to you.
- If you applied in person, you may be able to collect them the same day or at a later date.
4. Benefits of Thai Retirement Visa
The Thai Retirement Visa comes with a range of benefits that make it an attractive option for foreign nationals over the age of 50 who want to spend an extended period of time in Thailand.
Some of the benefits include:
- The ability to stay in Thailand for up to one year or even up to 10 years, depending on the type of visa obtained
- Open a Thai bank account
- Purchase property
- Enjoy the country’s relaxed and affordable lifestyle
Thai Retiree Visa Requirements
In the previous section, we discussed the types of retiree visa. Now, let’s take a closer look at the requirements for each type.
1. Thailand Retirement Visa O-A: Qualifications and Requirements
Here are the qualifications and requirements for obtaining a Thailand Retirement Visa O-A.
Age Requirement
- You must be 50 years old or above to be eligible for this visa. Your age will be verified through your passport or any other government-issued document.
Financial Requirements
To qualify for a Retirement Visa, you need to have a certain amount of money in the bank.
- You must have a bank account with a minimum balance of 800,000 Thai Baht (approximately $23,000 USD) for at least 2 months before the visa application.
- Alternatively, you can have a monthly income of at least 65,000 Thai Baht (approximately $1,900 USD)
- Or a combination of the two, totaling 800,000 Thai Baht per year
Health Insurance and Requirements
- You must have health insurance coverage for at least 400,000 Thai Baht (approximately $12,000 USD) for inpatient treatment and at least 40,000 Thai Baht (approximately $1,200 USD) for outpatient treatment.
- Your health insurance policy must be provided by one of the authorised companies recognized by the Thai General Insurance Association.
- You are also required to be free from the following medical conditions: Leprosy, Tuberculosis, Elephantiasis, Substance addiction (Drug or Alcoholism), or Late-stage Syphilis.
Police Clearance Certificate
- You must also provide a police clearance certificate from your home country or the country where you have lived for the past 12 months. This certificate should not be older than 3 months and must be translated into Thai.
Passport Requirements
- Your passport must have at least 18 months of validity remaining from the date of your visa application. It must also have at least one blank page for the visa sticker.
Other Requirements
- You may also need to provide additional documents, such as proof of residency, marriage certificate, or proof of kinship for dependent family members.
These requirements may vary depending on the Thai embassy or consulate where you apply for the visa.
2. Thailand Retirement Visa O-X: Qualifications and Requirements
Here are the qualifications and requirements for obtaining a Thailand Retirement Visa O-X.
Age Requirement
- You must be 50 years old or above to be eligible for this visa. Your age will be verified through your passport or any other government-issued document.
Origin of Country
The following countries are eligible:
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Canada
- Australia
- Japan
- Germany
- France
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Switzerland
- Denmark
- Finland
- Norway
- Sweden
Financial Requirements
To qualify for a Retirement Visa, you need to have a certain amount of money in the bank.
- You must have a monthly income of at least 100,000 Thai Baht (approximately $3,000 USD). You must provide proof of income in the form of a pension, social security, or other retirement benefits.
- Alternatively, you can also obtain a Thailand Retirement Visa O-X by depositing 3 million Thai Baht (approximately $87,000 USD) in a Thai bank account for at least one year before applying for the visa.
You must maintain this balance for the duration of your stay in Thailand.
- Or an annual income of at least 1.2 million Thai Baht (approximately $35,000 USD)
Health Insurance and Requirements
- You must have health insurance coverage for at least 400,000 Thai Baht (approximately $12,000 USD) for inpatient treatment and at least 40,000 Thai Baht (approximately $1,200 USD) for outpatient treatment.
- Your health insurance policy must be provided by one of the authorised companies recognized by the Thai General Insurance Association.
- You are also required to be free from the following medical conditions: Leprosy, Tuberculosis, Elephantiasis, Substance addiction (Drug or Alcoholism), or Late-stage Syphilis.
Other Requirements
- Annually, it is necessary to report to the Immigration Officers in Thailand to confirm that the required qualifications are still met.
What You Need to Know after Receiving Your Thailand Retirement Visa
After receiving the Thailand Retirement Visa, you are allowed to enter Thailand during the visa’s duration.
Nevertheless, expatriates living in Thailand must adhere to specific regulations.
One of these regulations is obtaining a Thai Re-Entry Permit if you plan to leave the country. Plus, you must report your address to Immigration every 90 days to show that you still reside there.
1. Renew Your Retirement Visa (Visa Extension)
If you plan on staying in Thailand longer than the duration of your retirement visa, you will need to apply for a visa extension.
The process for renewing your retirement visa in Thailand is relatively straightforward, but it is important to start the renewal process at least 30 days before your current visa expires.
In contrast, for the O-X Retirement Visa in Thailand, you are only required to apply for an extension every five years, which entitles you to another 5-year visa.
During the visa extension process, you will need to prepare some supporting documents:
- Completed Visa Extension Application Form TM.7
- Passport-size photograph
- Signed copies of all passport pages
- Evidence of accommodation in Thailand
- Proof of meeting the financial criteria to reside in Thailand, (e.g. bank statements or notarized affidavits of income)
Note: You must meet the same eligibility requirements for a retirement visa extension as you did for the original visa.
2. Accomplish a 90-Day Reporting
90-Day Reporting refers to a mandatory requirement for all foreign nationals staying in Thailand for an extended period of time to report their current address to the Thai Immigration Bureau every 90 days.
This requirement applies to those who hold a non-immigrant visa, such as a retirement visa, as well as those who stay in the country on a long-term basis without a visa.
Failing to comply with the 90-day reporting requirement may result in a fine or other legal penalties.
This report must be submitted within 15 days before or 7 days after the 90-day period ends. Reporting can be done in person, through an agent, or via mail.
3. Apply for the re-entry permit
When staying in Thailand on a long-term basis, it’s not uncommon to leave the country for various reasons such as vacations, business trips, or family matters. However, if you hold a Non-Immigrant Visa, you will need to apply for a Re-Entry Permit if you want to come back to Thailand without invalidating your visa.
The Re-Entry Permit can be obtained at any Immigration Office in Thailand, including the Suvarnabhumi Airport Immigration Office. The application process is relatively simple and requires the following:
- A completed TM.8 form
- A copy of your passport and visa
- A passport-size photo
- The application fee (Single-entry Thailand re-entry permit: 1,000 Thai Baht; Multiple-entry Thailand re-entry permit: 3,800 Thai Baht)
It’s important to note that the Re-Entry Permit only allows you to re-enter Thailand once.
If you plan to leave the country multiple times during your visa’s validity period, you will need to apply for a multiple-entry visa or obtain a new Re-Entry Permit each time you leave.
Additionally, it’s essential to apply for the Re-Entry Permit before leaving Thailand as it cannot be obtained outside the country.
