Is the retirement visa in Thailand renewed annually, and what are the requirements for permanent residency or citizenship?

Apr 7, 2022
3 years ago
Mick *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Re the retirement visa , my understanding is this visa requires renewal every year ? And obviously meeting the same requirements every year.

What about people who live in Thailand permanently in retirement, do you go through this process every year ? Or do you apply for citizenship after a certain amount of years ?

And during your first few years is it a requirement to report your address every 90 days in practice?

Lots of questions I know , any info greatly appreciated.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The retirement visa in Thailand indeed requires an annual renewal referred to as an "extension of stay for the purposes of retirement." During this time, holders must also complete 90-day reporting of their address. For those considering permanent residency, it is generally necessary to meet specific criteria, such as being married to a Thai national or showing a notable investment, as retirement status alone does not qualify. Achieving Thai citizenship is seen as significantly more challenging and may require prior work and tax contributions.
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.
George *************
If seriously interested in permanent residency or citizenship highly recommend this site for accurate information:

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Luc ********
Yes yes and yes 😁. Oh, and no, not citizenship.. way to hard . But permanent resident should be possible if I’m correctly informed. And I did do my research on this.
Ruth *******
@Steve *********
what is wrong with you? David was not rude. He simply corrected the misinformation you supplied. Your snark was not necessary. He never said you were less intelligent, but by the behavior being shown on a public forum…
Sean *********
It also varies from province to province, city to city and government officials in each branch--I've seen this in Chiang Mai and up in Mae Sai in Chiang Rai Province before I go into Tachilek (Take-A-Leak), Burma to do a "visa run". Be polite, try to be well-dressed and speaking Thai also helps! :-)
Joan *********
Renew every year, report every 90 days.
Steve *******
Extend yearly and report every 90 days.
John **********
You don't renew a retirement visa at all. What you do is get an annual extension of stay for the purposes of retirement, and you need to do this every year. You also need to do 90 day reporting for the duration of your stay.

Being here on retirement visa (or extension) means you are unable to apply for permanent residence
Luc ********
@John *********
as far as I know, you can apply for permanent residency after a couple of years, and meeting the requirements.
John **********
@Luc *******
yep, you can do that if you're working, married etc or via an investment exception. But if you're here long term on retirement you are excluded.
Luc ********
obviously you need to get married .
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*******
/quota_detail_en.pdf. For everyone to read. So
@John *********
. You are right. A retirement visa/extension alone, won’t be enough. 👍🏻
Michael ********
Dont even think about getting citizenship if you have not been a working taxpayer in Thailand.

Do what you are doing till you leave or die
Henry *********
The O visa just lets you into the country. Once you're here you just extend your stay each year.
Peter ****************
When you enter on a non imm o visa, that is valid to stay in Thailand for 90 days
@Mi**
, then after 60 days you can ask for this extension (1,900฿). If you have an Non imm OA visa you can stay for a year and go out and in the country as many times as you want. 90 days report still needed ! Every time you enter Thailand, you get another year. So if you leave and come back just before y'r visa expires (the sticker), you get a full year. Watch out, this extra year is NOT multi entry. To keep that year alive (also regular year extensions), you can buy a single or multi re-entry permit
Christopher ********
Short answer yes for ever
Peter ****************
@Mick ******
, After the VISA is void, then you can ask for a year extension e.g. based on retirement. Indeed you have to go through the procedure every year and yes, you have to notify imm. every 90 days, which also can be done online
Peter ****************
When do people stop to use the word "Visa" if they mean an "extension of stay" 🙄
Jon *****
@Peter ***************
You can skip the 90 day notification if you leave Thailand just before. Once back you have another 90 days ahead of you
Ken ********
@Jon ********
you need a re entry permit or you visa is void if you leave the country without one that or a multiple entry permit
Jon *****
@Ken *******
Correct, METV, Elite Visa...
Steve **********
In order to get permanent residency I believe you must be married, speak, read and write Thai and other additional requirements. Also, (again I believe) there are additional requirements and an extremely low “quota” of people allowed to be accepted.
Luc ********
@Steve *********
200 per country…. Bad for india, good for a small country 😅
Kool *******
Actually you don't need to be married. All being married does is reduce the monthly income you must be making and paying income tax on, and the final fee if you are approved, from bt198,000, to bt98,000. Also there is a quota, but at 100 applicants from each country the only ones it really concerns is the Chinese. Every other country has no problems. The big thing is you must be legally working and making the required wages. Those on a retirement visa can not qualify at all, even if they are married.
Bobby ********
Steve Barsalou. And it's very expensive!!
Danny ********
@Bobby *******
and you're still a farang
Bobby ********
Danny Ouimet. Once a farang always a farang.
Kool *******
Every long term visa requires you to renew it every year. The elite visa is slightly different, but you still must register every year, and all must do 90 day reports.
Andy *******
Renew every year. Do 90 day report. Always
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