Thailand is one of the world’s most popular retirement destinations, and it’s easy to see why. It offers a year-round climate, a vast expat community and excellent healthcare provision. However, if you plan to stay in Thailand for more than a year, you need a visa.
A Retirement Visa is a non-immigrant visa in Thailand that allows foreigners aged 50 or over to stay in the country long-term without working. The visa can be obtained either in your home country or in Thailand, and the process can take up to three weeks.
The first step is to apply for a 90-day non-immigrant visa at your home country’s Thai embassy or consulate. The waiting period is 60 days and there are certain requirements you need to meet before the embassy can issue the visa.
You must provide a letter from your embassy in Thailand confirming that you receive an income of at least 65 000 Baht per month (or proof that you have deposited 800 000 Baht into a bank account). If you don’t get a letter from your embassy, then you must submit a 12-month bank statement displaying a regular deposit of 65,000 Baht into a Thai bank account.
Your financial requirements must be met before a Retirement Visa can be issued. You must have a minimum of 3 million Baht in a Thai savings or fixed deposit account, OR you must be able to demonstrate that you have a guaranteed income of at least 1.5 million Baht per year or more.
If you have a retirement visa in Thailand, it is renewable annually and you can apply to renew it each time you return to the country. You can renew your retirement visa 45 days before it expires, but it’s best to get your renewal application in early.
This is a non-immigrant visa so you won’t be allowed to work in Thailand and you must report your address every 90 days to the Immigration police. If you do not comply with these rules, your Retirement Visa will be revoked and you will need to get a new non-immigrant visa from your home country’s Thai embassy or Consulate.
You can apply for a Thai Retirement Visa in Thailand at your nearest Royal Thai Immigration Department or you can use an agent to do the paperwork on your behalf. The first step is to present your passport and the required documents. Then the Immigration official will put a stamp in your passport and you are now eligible to enter Thailand on a Thai Retirement Visa.
The Retirement Visa is valid for a year and can be renewed if you have the required amount of funds in your bank account at the time of renewal. You must also be able to show that you can afford the re-entry permit if you need to leave Thailand while your visa is in place.
If you are planning to travel abroad during your stay in Thailand, you must get a re-entry permit before you leave the country, otherwise your retirement visa will be revoked and you will have to apply for a new non-immigrant visa.