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How can I apply for a retirement visa in Thailand without a permanent address?
retirement visaThailand immigrationvisa applicationTM30non-O visahousing requirementexpat adviceThai bank account
Jan 13, 2026
4 months ago
Bonnie ************
ORIGINAL POSTERI was just looking at the application for the retirement visa & it asks for your address in Thailand. I currently just come to Thailand for 60 days at a time & stay with friends & different airbnbs depending on the trip. I am here now and would like to start the retirement visa process as I have sorted all the other requirements. I don’t plan to get an annual lease yet since I travel so much. Is it still possible to get a retirement visa and how do I satisfy this housing requirement without a lease? Thanks!
TLDR : Answer Summary
The individual is inquiring about the possibility of applying for a retirement visa in Thailand without a fixed address, as they stay with friends and at different Airbnb locations. Comments from the community suggest several options: using the address where the TM30 was filed, obtaining a letter of invitation from friends, or booking a hotel. It's also highlighted that for a change from a tourist entry to a retirement visa inside Thailand, a rental contract may be required. Additionally, those entering on a 90-days Non-O Retirement Visa from abroad would have different requirements compared to those applying inside the country.
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Jesper *******
Unless you already have a thai bank acct and u can switch your visa exempt to a nonO 90days in thailand using your latest TM30
Jade **********
Can anyone recommend a good thi law firm if possible
Sylvia ********
Jade **********
@Sylvia *******
English if possible pleaseSylvia ********
@Jade *********
can recommend some but what province?Reply to
Sylvia ********
Reply
Nongnuch ********
you would not need any of the above if you enter Thailand on a 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa which you have applied for and got issued outside of Thailand. As for the application to the 1-year Extension of the Stay Permit based on Retirement, you just need to be registered in the TM30 online system of Immigration. No rental contracts needed. You also will have to fulfill the financial requirement which is a minimum of 800,000 THB in your Thai bank account seasoned for a minimum of 2 months, but you do not have to prove that the deposit came from abroad
Nongnuch ********
@Bonnie ***********
are you applying for the 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa outside of Thailand, or are you applying for the "change of visa type" from a touristic entry to the initial 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa on Immigration inside Thailand?
I guess you have entered visa exempt, got stamped in for 60 days and now wish to apply for the “change”
*** if you apply for the “change”, you have to show a rental contract of an accommodation in Thailand as this is one of the requirements for the “change”.
Some Immigration want to see a minimum of 3 months rental contract, other Immigrations want to see a minimum of 6 months.
*** in order to be able to apply for the “change”, if you are a citizen of a country whose embassy in Bangkok does not issue any income affidavits, you will need to show a deposit of a minimum of 800,000 THB sitting in your Thai bank account in your sole name, and prove the money came from abroad. At this moment, there is no seasoning required for the deposit.
*** you will need a minimum of 15 workdays left on your entry stamp to be able to apply for the “change”
Google for “change of visa type Immigration”, on the website click on number 9 which shows a .pdf listing the requirements to “change” from a touristic entry to the initial 90-days Retirement Visa
Bonnie ************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nongnuch *******
I have a bank account already. I lived in Thailand for 30 years but as a dependent of my husbands residence permit. We are now divorced so I need to make my own arrangement to stay longer than 60 daysBonnie ************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nongnuch *******
thank you. This is my situation - entered visa exempt and want to change to retirement. Perhaps I should wait and apply from outside the country prior to my next trip. Thank you.Nongnuch ********
@Bonnie ***********
You should enter Thailand on a 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa which you have applied for and got issued outside of Thailand. *** On this visa-type, you definitely can get a bank account opened on your own, and transfer the required minimum deposit of 800,000 THB into it.
The process (at least on most banks) includes you must get a “certificate of residency” from Immigration, asking the bank to open an account for you. You also need a Thai mobile phone number and the SIM-card registered to your passport number and your name.
*** For the application to the 1-year Extension of the Stay Permit based on Retirement, you have to be registered in your accommodation by the TM30 online system of Immigration.
No rental contract is needed (at least on most Immigrations).
*** You will have to fulfill the financial requirement, which, at least for the first year, is a minimum of 800,000 THB in your Thai bank account. On the day you apply for the 1-year Extension of the Stay Permit, it needs to have seasoned for a minimum of 2 months, but you do not have to prove that the deposit came from abroad.
*** On The day you apply, you visit the bank, withdraw a small amount at the ATM outside of the bank, keep the paper receipt, then get the passbook updated and ask for the “bank letter of guarantee” (in Thai: rab roong thanakan)
You will need the following, and each copy signed in blue ink:
*** copy of your passport detail page
*** copy of the Non-O visa
*** copy of the entry stamp page
*** TM47 and TM7(you will get the form on Immigration)
*** a signed STM2 form (on Immigration)
*** 1900 Baht in cash
*** bring a few passport size pictures, you might need two pics when you buy a re-entry permit for the 1-year extension on the same day
Reply to
Nongnuch ********
Reply
Jan ******************
If you entered on a 90 days Non O visa based on retirement and are about to apply for a one year extension of stay (as several people call the retirement visa) you’ll need to prove some kind of more permanent residency. Whether the immigration will accept a six months or some months lease or require a full year to approve a one year stay, you’ll have to check out further with the actual immigration.
Ant ***********
You need to apply for the retirement Visa outside of Thailand
David *****
Wrong.
Heinz ***********
@Ant **********
no, immigration allows “change of visa status” if its e.g. for retirement.Reply to
Heinz ***********
Reply
Gregory *********
You mean for your first 90 day non o from outside the country? Use an adress you have or will likely stay at.
Ian **********
Get one of your friends to write an invitation letter or book a hotel that is free to cancel
Ralph *******
If you are staying with friends then they need to file a TM30. Do this before you apply for the visa. Then use that address.
Graham ******
You use your address that your TM30 was filed under
Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
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