Can a retired 57-year-old US citizen obtain a retirement visa in Thailand based on income?

Visa Exempt Entry Non-O Visa Thai Retirement Visa Expat Costs Visa Requirements Retired US Citizens in Thailand Bank Deposit Requirements Marriage to a Thai Citizen

Jun 21, 2023

a year ago

Edward ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Age 57 retired US citizen. 

Part 1. 

I arrived in Chiangmai on a visa exempt 45 day stamp and extended to a total of 74 days.  I just went to Hanoi for 30 days and I arrived back in Bangkok on a visa exempt and will stay the thirty. I plan on leaving at the end of the month for at least 90 days to Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia. So that will bring me to October will I probably be able to stamp in again in October? 

Part 2. 

I am retired and do have documents that state me pension is $65000 annually from the NYS pension system. I will not be returning to America for quite some time. How difficult would obtaining a retirement visa be based upon income. 

Where would I start.  I don’t mind moving around for the current year but I would like to try to stay in Thailand longer periods by next spring.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A retired US citizen, currently in Thailand on a visa exempt entry, is seeking advice about their eligibility for a retirement visa based on their pension income. They inquire about the possibility of re-entering Thailand in October after traveling and express their desire to stay longer in the country. Key advice highlights that they might re-enter without much issue but will need sufficient funds for a Non-O visa, specifically an option that requires 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account. Furthermore, the comments discuss alternatives like obtaining an O-A visa outside Thailand and the implications of marriage to a Thai citizen on visa eligibility.

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Dick ********

If you do go the route of applying for a Non-O visa while inside Thailand, you won’t be required to show health insurance. You will, as others have said, need funds in the bank. 800k if you go the non-O retirement route or 400k if you go the non-O based on marriage to a Thai. You will also need to have actual marriage documents for the latter. There’s no non-O visa based on having a fiancé.

a year ago

Edward ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Dick *******

thanks. In the long run I guess this is the route I will take. Assuming I have my third visit in October and get an extension leaving in November would I be ok to get an entry visa by the following February or March. I do want to travel across the region anyway.

a year ago

Reply to

Edward ******

Ryan ********

You can get a retirement visa outside Thailand and you won’t have to move any money to a Thai bank account but you will need to show health insurance.

a year ago

Ellie *******

@Ryan *******

, it’s Non-OA and could be an option. But you read OP is now in Thailand and also not going back to his country anytime soon.

a year ago

Cole ***********

@Ryan *******

The O-A visa. It is a good option for those not staying full time.

a year ago

Reply to

Cole ***********

Edward ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I have a Thai fiancé does any of this get easier with marriage. She is a home owner if that means anything. My assets are tax deferred and breaking them now comes with heavy penalties. Rather do this somehow through income and not the 800k

a year ago

Ellie *******

@Edward *****

, unfortunately, not much, non-o visa based on marriage you need 400k thb banked money or 40k monthly. Other than amount of funds, same conditions are applied. You need to have banked money for the visa and first year, they you can use monthly international transfers for second year or later.

a year ago

Edward ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

when you say 400k thb or 40k monthly. Is it 80k monthly without marriage. My pension is more than $4000 or 139k baht a month after taxes. That can’t get me anywhere I need the money in Thai bank in addition??

a year ago

Robert *******

@Edward *****

IF you want to apply for a visa at a Thai Immigration Office, the money needs to be in a Thai bank account on your name.

800.000 Thb if it is based on being over 50 years of age (populair retirement and deposit must come from abroad)

OR

400.000 Thb if it is based on marriage with a Thai citizen.

For the 1 year Extension of Stay it is:

65.000 Thb a month with foreign deposit into a Thai bank account in your name

OR

40.000 Thb a month into a Thai bank account in your name

ONLY if you want to use bank accounts with multiple names, you simply multiply mentioned numbers with the account holders.

a year ago

Reply to

Robert *******

Open a bank account in Thailand in your name only and deposit 800.000 Thb. After that you can apply for a conversion of your Visa Exempt Entry into a Non Immigrant O visa and get 90 days of stay.

After 60 days you apply for a 1 year Extension of that stay.

You make sure you deposit each and every month at least 65.000 Thb into that bank account as a foreign deposit and after 12 months but before the 1 year Extension of Stay ends you apply for a new 1 year Extension of Stay using your monthly deposits.

a year ago

Ellie *******

1. you might not have much issue to enter on visa-exempt in October. be prepared with three proofs when you enter Thailand again.

2. unfortunately, you as us citizen cannot use the pension in your country for your in country non-o visa or 1-year extension. you need to put 800k the in your Thai bank account to apply for visa and the first yearIy extension. with starting to transfer 65k every month for 1w months, then you can use that transfer record for yearly extension applications for second year and later.

a year ago

Reply to

Ellie *******

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