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Retire in Thailand
Qualifications & criteria
Retiring in Thailand is an attractive option for many people around the world thanks to the charm of its culture, the affordable cost of living and the warm climate. The retirement visa is one of the routes foreigners choose to enjoy a high-quality life in Thailand in their later years. But what qualifications do you actually need? Here is the full picture.
Qualifications and criteria for consideration
- The applicant must be a foreign national aged 50 years or older.
- You must hold a 90-day Non-Immigrant Visa O (non-settlement visitor visa) and have previously stayed in Thailand for 60 days.
- For Non-O and Non-OA visas, evidence of a monthly income or pension of not less than 65,000 THB for the past 12 months, or a bank deposit totalling not less than 800,000 THB held over the last 3 months.
- For Non-OX visas, evidence of a monthly income or pension of not less than 100,000 THB for the past 12 months, or a bank deposit totalling not less than 3,000,000 THB held over the last 3 months.
- Financial evidence must come from a financial institution in Thailand — for example a copy of your bank book or a bank statement.
- You must hold health insurance covering the whole of your stay in Thailand.
- Retirement visa holders are not permitted to engage in any occupation within the Kingdom of Thailand.
Financial thresholds at a glance
| Requirement | Non-O / Non-OA | Non-OX |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 50 years | 50 years |
| Bank deposit in Thailand | 800,000 THB | 3,000,000 THB |
| Seasoning period for deposit | 3 months before applying | 3 months before applying |
| Monthly income alternative | 65,000 THB | 100,000 THB |
| Income evidence period | Past 12 months | Past 12 months |
| Health insurance | Required for full stay | Required for full stay |
| Permission to work | Not permitted | Not permitted |
Figures are the amounts required by the Immigration Bureau at the time of writing. Contact us to confirm the current thresholds before you transfer funds.
Documents required for a retirement visa application
- Form TM.86 if you hold a tourist or transit visa and are changing your visa type, or Form TM.87 if you have no visa but were admitted under the 30-day or 90-day visa-exemption schemes.
- Copy of your passport, including the personal data page, entry stamp, permission-to-stay stamp (if any) and departure card (TM.6).
- One photograph, 4 × 6 cm or 2 inches.
- Application fee of 2,000 THB.
- Financial documents, all in the name of the applicant, dated and updated to the date of application.
- A certificate from your embassy or consulate showing an income or pension of at least 65,000 THB per month, with supporting evidence.
- Financial evidence and income together totalling not less than 800,000 THB over a period of one year.
- Documents proving your residence in Thailand — rental contract, house registration, a map and payment receipts for the last 3 months.
Rules after your retirement visa is issued
- You may apply to renew your visa at least 21 days before the current one expires.
- Holders of a permission to stay of one year or more must report to the immigration office covering their area of residence every 90 days.
- The 90-day report can be filed 14 days in advance, or up to 7 days after the due date.
- If you report more than 90 days late you must attend in person and pay a 2,000 THB fine. If you are arrested the fine is 4,000 THB.
- When you return from abroad, the 90-day period restarts from your first day of entry.
- On a single-entry visa, apply for a re-entry permit before travelling abroad — at your nearest immigration office or at the airport you depart from — otherwise your permission to stay is cancelled.
Benefits of processing your visa with ThaiVisaRetirement
Additional services
A range of add-on services to keep your visa or work permit application running smoothly.
After-sales service
We look after clients after the visa is issued — basic troubleshooting, renewal reminders and help with urgent visa problems.
Special services
Professional support for limited companies, universities and schools so your business or teaching runs without interruption.
Not sure whether you qualify?
Send us your age, nationality and financial situation and we will tell you honestly which visa category fits — at no charge.