How to get an initial Retirement Visa for Thailand?
If you are considering retiring in Thailand, you will need to obtain a retirement visa, also known as a Non-Immigrant Long Stay Visa.
You can apply for this in Thailand or at a consulate in your home country. The process for acquiring a retirement visa is relatively simple, but it can also become lengthy depending on how you plan to spend your retirement.
To be eligible for the visa, you must be at least 50 years old and pass a criminal background check. Additionally, you must have a valid passport that will not expire for at least one year.
Finally, you must meet certain financial requirements. There are several ways to satisfy these requirements:
- Hold a Thai bank account containing at least 800,000 baht (around $24,500)
- Have a monthly income or pension of at least 65,000 baht (around $2,000)
- Have a combination of the aforementioned options, resulting in a minimum total of 800,000 baht ($24,500)
Please note that if you choose the first option, you must have held the money in the Thai account for at least two months before applying for your visa.
You must also provide a letter from the bank proving your deposits. Acquiring a retirement visa is straightforward, but it does not mark the end of your visa-related responsibilities. There may be various reasons why you need additional permits or different visas.
Your retirement visa is valid for one year, but you must still report to immigration every 90 days. Failing to do so may invalidate your visa.
The retirement visa also does not permit you to work in the country; you will require a work visa for that purpose. Any attempt to work, or even volunteer, with only a retirement visa could result in your visa becoming null and void. Moreover, the retirement visa doesn’t allow you to leave and re-enter the country.
If you plan to travel, even for a visit home, in your first year of residence, you will need to request a re-entry permit. The permit application is relatively simple, and you will need to provide a photograph of yourself and various sections of your passport.
As your retirement visa nears its expiration date, you will need to request a visa extension. This application is like your initial application but includes additional requirements, such as proof of address, bank statement copies, and photographs of every page of your passport.
Residents of the Western and U.S., as well as those from a handful of other countries, may obtain five-year retirement visas, but the criteria are more stringent. Instead of 800,000, you must have at least 3 million baht in a Thai bank account, and it must have been held there for at least 12 months prior to your application.