Answered4 months ago
Can I change my retirement visa to permanent residency in Thailand?
Hi everyone, I've had a retirement visa since 2023. Is it possible to change it to a permanent residency visa? (I hope I spelled that correctly.) How much does it cost and how difficult is it? Thanks for any advice.
Answer summary
A retirement visa in Thailand does not directly lead to permanent residency. To qualify for permanent residency, individuals typically need to have a valid work visa (Non-B), a work permit, valid tax payments, and meet minimum income requirements (BT 80,000 to BT 100,000 monthly). Additionally, those married to Thai nationals may have different income criteria (BT 40,000+) but must still apply under specific conditions. Even then, application approval is competitive and based on limited quotas.
30 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Arthur **********
I,m going to apply for a non o family visa what documents do I need.?
Ken *******
My understanding is that permanent residency in Thailand offers you few benefits. You still cannot own land and you still must report your address every 90 days.
Charoen *******
You can buy permanent residency. TIT
Salvatore ***********
OPCharoen Krung how much?
Charoen *******
Salvatore LaBarbera You need connections, not just money.
Guy *********
Relax..you only have to renew it once a year..why complicated things
Angelo ***********
Nope, the only way I know is from a Non B visa. Even LTR -> permanent residency is not possible.
The basics are:
- minimum 3 years on a Non B visa with work permit
- paying taxes about 100k per year (not sure if that is correct but it pooped up several times in google searches)
- speak and read Thai (there is a standard test, you can prepare for that and it is easy)
The basics are:
- minimum 3 years on a Non B visa with work permit
- paying taxes about 100k per year (not sure if that is correct but it pooped up several times in google searches)
- speak and read Thai (there is a standard test, you can prepare for that and it is easy)
Jeremy ***********
Angelo Schneider spouse/family visa can also hold the work permit, not just non b. and the income requirement per month is 40k if you are married to a thai woman.
Tomas *******
Not possible
Gregory ********
Many other requirements to meet—can you speak and read Thai—would be a good atart😩😩😩😩
Allan *******
@Gregory *******
you can't even write english 5555Paul *********
LTR I have, 10 year.
Steve******
Paul Andrews Someone should tell you that 10 years aren't permanent.
Paul *********
Yes I know
Robert **********
you need to of been working for a minimum of three years with relevant visa & work permit amongst other requirements more information can be found in this link
**************************************************************
Salvatore ***********
OPThanks so much to all 🙏
Kool *******
You must work legally, on a work permit, continuously for a minimum of three years, making at least bt80,000 a month, but now they want it above bt100,000 a month, and filing your Thai income tax. If you are married to a Thai, then the monthly minimum wage amount is at bt40,000+ a month. You can never qualify for permanent residency on a retirement extension of any kind. You must be legally working, paying your taxes in Thailand.
Michael ********
Nope you need to be working and paying taxes
John **********
There's no path to permanent residence from a retirement visa
Elías ********
@John *********
I think it'd be possible IF the person marries or is already married to a Thai national, isn't it?
Peter *******
Elías Molina no
John **********
@Elías *******
they would have to move to a Non-O based on marriage as they can't work on one based on retirement
Dca *****
Elías Molina if a Foreign Wife Married to a Thai Husband, then no Thai Work Permit or income requirements for Thai PR or Thai Citizenship, but if a Foreign Husband or Spouse Married to a Thai Wife or Spouse, then definitely Thai Work Permit and income requirements for Thai PR, but, if not coming from a home country that does NOT allow for dual citizenship, then directly applying for Thai Citizenship is the better and cheaper option for those with Thai Spouse and coming from a country that allows dual citizenship
Elías ********
Dca Dca I see
GreyEle*******
Elías Molina need to pay taxes for 3 years and be married for 3 years.
Angelo ***********
Adam Ffs You do not need to sing the anathem, that is a stupid FB myth.
Melissa *********
Adam Ffs I thought 200 per nationality. 200 total?
Peter *******
GreyElephant🐘 en perfect Thai lezen, schrijven en spreken
Adam *****
GreyElephant🐘 and speak fluent Thai, and be able to sing the Thai national anthem, and put yourself into the hugely long que whereby only about 200 applicants are approveded each November.....
Sabrina **********
@John *********
yes . Is trueActivity
23 joined23
people
Related
25Can I apply for a retirement visa in Thailand if my O visa bank funds have only been in for 5 weeks?
1.7k1982mo
Can I use an agent for my first 90-day report on a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand?
5.6k21754mo
How do I show proof of 400,000 Baht deposit for a Thai bank account when applying for a visa?
13.6k862286mo
Is it easier to obtain a marriage visa or a DTV visa in Thailand?
11.2k861489mo
Do I need to cancel my visa when I finish my work permit in Thailand to switch to a retirement visa?
615251y
How can I convert my retirement visa to a business visa in Thailand?
839631y
What documents do I need to apply for a Non-O visa from the UK for retirement purposes, considering my situation?
1.5k10142y
Will I have issues entering Thailand on a one-way ticket while applying for a retirement visa?
2.6k21152y
What could an 'alert' at Thai Immigration mean for my visa situation?
3.6k24453y
Can I obtain another single entry re-entry permit with my retirement visa in Thailand?
2k9263y
What documents do I need to transfer from a Non-B extension to a Non-O retirement extension in Thailand?
921723y
Can you transition from a visa exempt status to a marriage visa in Thailand?
1.7k1523y
How can I change my O/A visa to an O visa for retirement in Thailand?
831174y
Can I get a retirement visa after arriving in Thailand on a 30-day stamp?
1k654y
What documents do I need to apply for a 90-day Non-O visa based on retirement in Thailand?
1.3k975y
Can I obtain a 90-day Non-O visa with multiple entry while in Thailand?
1.2k935y
How many days before my retirement visa extension expires can I apply for renewal in Thailand?
808435y
Can a retired expat change their visa from a retirement visa to a non-B visa in Thailand?
1.4k8166y
What are the differences between a resident visa and a retirement visa in Thailand?
3.3k33126y
Does the Thai Elite Visa provide any preferential treatment for entry during current restrictions?
5.6k46586y
Can I hold both a retirement visa and a work permit in Thailand?
1.3k697y
Can I change from a Non-B visa to a retirement visa in Thailand?
1.8k1758y
What happens if I return to Thailand without a re-entry permit on my retirement visa?
2.8k23199y
Is there a limit to the number of entries on a spouse visa in Thailand, and which visa is better for frequent travel: spouse or retirement visa?
2.3k2259y
Can I switch from a business visa to a retirement visa without leaving Thailand?
3k26199y
Resources
Need help with your retirement visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served