Thailand Retirement Visa

If you were born between 1946 and 1964, then you are a baby boomer.  If you are a baby boomer who has either retired or will be retiring from your job, then that makes you a Golden Boomer.   If you remain true to form and still place great importance in the concept of expanding personal freedom then in all likelihood you see retirement as yet another great opportunity to bring about change.

Starting a new life in an exotic country is probably one of the most exciting things you can do as a Golden Boomer. Thailand has in fact become a favourite retirement destination for people from all over the world. They come to Thailand for its beautiful tropical climate, lovely beaches, rich culture and friendly people. In addition, the health care services are world class, the cost of living is low and there are many good business opportunities available to foreign retirees. What makes it even better is that the country welcomes expatriates. A Thai Retirement Visa is an expatriate-friendly visa that will make it easier for you to move to Thailand and live out your dreams.

With a Thai Retirement Visa, you can stay in the country for one year and extend it every year thereafter if you so wish. You are simply required to inform Thai Immigration of your current address every 90 days. This visa also allows you to bring in your personal items to Thailand tax-free within 6 months from the time you are issued your visa. Take note however, that this visa does not permit you to work.

1. Obtain a non-immigrant “O” visa in your home country. This visa will allow you a 90-day stay in Thailand. When you reach Thailand, you can choose to extend it to 1 year. It would be much easier if you seek the help of a Thai law firm with an affiliate office in your home country when applying for your visa. When you get to Thailand, visa experts from the Thailand office of the same law firm that helped you back home can further assist in case you have other visa and immigration concerns.

2. Apply for a One Year Retirement Visa in Thailand. You have to submit several requirements including proof that you are financially capable of supporting yourself in Thailand. This must come in the form of a Thai bank account showing a deposit of at least 800,000 THB or a monthly pension being received worth at least 65,000 THB. The third alternative is a combination of a bank account plus your 1 year income totalling to 800,000.

Upon the approval of your application, you have to make a personal appearance at the Immigration office to sign the visa document.

3. Renew your Retirement Visa. The date your Extension of Stay expires is co-terminous with that of your Thailand Retirement Visa; therefore you must renew your visa before your extension of stay ends. This is usually done in Thailand. If in case you are unable to get an extension while in Thailand, your only option is to obtain a new non-immigrant visa from a Thai Embassy or Consulate in another country.