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If I am on an O Retirement visa, am I considered a resident in Thailand?
Sep 23, 2025
7 months ago
John ****
ORIGINAL POSTERWould like to know .if I’m on o retirement visa am I considered a resident ?
TLDR : Answer Summary
A person on a retirement visa (Non-Immigrant O visa) in Thailand is considered a resident in terms of living in the country but is not classified as a permanent resident. While living in Thailand for over 180 days makes one a tax resident, it does not confer other residency rights.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Phil ******
No
@John ***
you are a non residentDaniel ******
LTR 10 years tax exempt! Nice!
Roberto *********
@Daniel *****
I'm retiree so rest of my life tax exempt! Nice!Reply to
Roberto *********
Reply
Mike ******
Define what you mean by the word resident first. Without doing so hard to give meaningful answer.
David ******
No and you never will be.
Rob **********
@David *****
yes you can qualify for Thai permanent residency, it is not as hard as many people think.David ******
@Rob *********
how many people do you know who have it? 99% never will that's for sure.Rob **********
@David *****
I know at least 15 people who have achieved it and of that 8 have gone onto get citizenship.Reply to
Rob **********
Reply
Brandon ************
@Rob *********
it is for someone on a retirement visa. Impossible, actually.Rob **********
@Brandon ***********
correct Brandon, I should have said if you qualify it isn’t a hard process. I have 15 friends that have achieved it , and I will be doing it myself next year, after 46 years traveling and living here, and being married to my Thai wife for the last 37 years and having had a work permit for the last 6 years.Reply to
Rob **********
Reply
Roger ********
The only possible answer is No - you do not want to know. Ignorance is, after all, bliss.
Simon *********
For tax, yes, everything else no
Graham ******
@Simon ********
The visa you have does not determine tax status (except LTR)Simon *********
@Graham *****
length of stay does... Which is determined by visa...Todd *********
@Simon ********
your visa determine max length of stay. Not length of stayGraham ******
@Simon ********
Agreed but a Non-O retirement visa is 90 days so that does not make you a tax residentSimon *********
@Graham *****
the average joe doesn't know the intricacies of a retirement visa and an extension of stay based on retirement... Since 90 days isn't much of a retirement and considering the context of the question, it's safe to assume the OP is referring to longer term stay...
Graham ******
@Simon ********
Seems clear to me "I’m on o retirement visa"Simon *********
@Graham *****
if you think someone might consider a 3 month stay as residency...Reply to
Simon *********
Reply
Pete *******
The Non Immigrant visa confirms you as resident for the purposes of the Land Transport Act, that’s about it.
Colin ***************
Non resident.
John **********
What kind of resident do you mean? If are here 180 days or more in any calendar year you are automatically a tax resident but other than that have no particular residence rights
Stuart *********
As in living here yes. As in Thai residence (permanent) no.
Reply to
Stuart *********
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