Thai Retirement Visa in Phuket

When it’s time to consider your retirement home, many would imagine stunning beaches and tropical climates all year round. Phuket is a perfect place for that. Besides the stunning views, the island offers a vast selection of properties, an affordable lifestyle, well-established infrastructure, and an international standard healthcare system. It is a dream destination to spend your golden years filled with adventures and comfort.

To legally retire in Phuket, foreigners need to obtain long-term retirement visas. As long as you are over 50 years old and meet the financial requirements, you will be able to settle on this paradise island in no time. The application process for a retirement visa is relatively straightforward. However, the requirements have been changing over the years. With the help of a legal expert who knows the ins and outs of the immigration and visa procedures in Phuket, acquiring a retirement visa will be considerably easier for you.

What is the Retirement Visa?

The retirement visa in Thailand is a type of Non-Immigrant visa, known as a Non-Immigrant O Retirement visa . This visa is issued to those who intend to stay in Thailand long-term and are at least 50 years old. The retirement visa is valid for 1 year and can be renewed annually for unlimited times given all the requirements are met. It is important to take note that the holders of the Retirement visa are not allowed to engage in any form of work during their stay in Thailand.

Note: The one year retirement visa issued by Thai immigration in Thailand is not the same as the one year Non Immigrant OA visa issued at the Thai Embassy abroad.

Who is Eligible for a Retirement Visa in Thailand?

Foreigners who are interested in applying for the Non-OA visa must possess the following qualifications.

• Must be 50 years of age or above at the time of application submission
• Must not be prohibited to enter Thailand
• Must not have prohibitive diseases, such as Leprosy, Tuberculosis, drug addictions, etcetera
• Must meet the following financial requirements:
• Hold a minimum of 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank account for at least 2 months before the application, and;
• Hold a minimum of 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank account for at least 3 months after the approval date and maintain 400,000 Baht in the bank for the rest of the year until 3 months before the next visa extension is required. OR
• Have a monthly income of at least 65,000 Baht. A certified letter from the applicant’s Embassy in Thailand is required. OR
• Have savings in the Thai bank account and the annual income combined of not less than 800,000 Baht (In Oct 2020, Phuket Immigration Office announced that foreign retirees can prove that they have kept at least 400,000 Baht in the Thai bank account and have the income that brings the total of 800,000 Baht a year.)

Required Documents for Retirement Visa Application

The general documents needed to apply for the retirement visa in Thailand include:

• A passport with a minimum of 18 months validity
• Visa application forms (3 copies, filled and signed)
• Passport-sized photos (3 photos, taken not over 6 months)
• Certificate proving that the applicant has no criminal record
• Health certificate issued not over 3 months (if required by the officer)
• Rental agreement or document proving the ownership of the current residence
• TM30 form
• Prove of financial status:
• Bank statement showing the deposit amount in Thai bank account of not less than 800,000 Baht or;
• Embassy Letter showing the income of not less than 65,000 Baht/month or;
• Bank statement showing the deposit amount, plus the income, totaling not less than 800,000 Baht
• A confirmation letter from the bank stating the current balance in the Thai bank account

Other supporting documents may be requested by the authorized officer depending on the case.

How to Apply for the Retirement Visa in Phuket

In most cases, the applicant will first have to apply for the Non-Immigrant O visa which is valid for 90 days, then after 60 days, apply for the Non-Immigrant Retirement visa for 1 year. If the applicant entered Thailand with a tourist visa, it must be converted to the Non-Immigrant O visa which can be processed without having to leave Thailand.

Retirement Visa Application Fees

• Change Tourist Visa into Non Immigrant O: 2,000 Baht
• Retirement Visa: 1,900 Baht
• Single Re-entry Permit: 1,000 Baht
• Multiple entries Re-entry permit: 3,800 Baht

Maintaining the Retirement Visa

To maintain the retirement visa, the visa holders must comply with the following guidelines.

• 90-day reporting: Long-stay visa holders must report their current residence to the Immigration Office in the area every 90 days. This can be done via mail or in person.
• Re-entry permits: Once the 1-year extended visa is obtained, the foreigners must ensure that they acquire the re-entry permit before leaving Thailand during the visa validity period. Otherwise, the visa will be void upon returning to the country and the foreigner will have to restart the whole application process.

Visa Extension

Application for visa extension can be submitted to the Immigration Office in Phuket within the last 45 days of the current visa. The applicant must present the evidence that proves the financial status as when the initial visa application was submitted. Each extension is granted for one year as long as all of the requirements are met.

The retirement visa in Thailand is ideal for foreigners who are looking to make the most out of their golden years. The lawyers in Phuket who are specialized in this area will be able to assist you through all the processes to make the first step of your retirement dream hassle-free.

Siam Legal Phuket offers a hassle-free and and through assistance in obtaining a retirement visa and therefore make it easy for you to get to the Land of Smiles.

Siam Legal (Phuket)

123 / 27-28 Moo 5, Bangtao Place, Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket, 83110, Thailand
Phone: +66 76 326 322

Siam Legal Phuket