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What are the best visa options for retiring in Thailand full-time while maintaining ties to the UK?
Thailand visaNon-O visaretirement visaexpat in ThailandThai immigrationThai bank requirementsmoney requirements for visas60-day visa90-day multi-entry visa
Sep 7, 2024
2 years ago
Kevin *******
ORIGINAL POSTERHi, ok I will be arriving in October from the UK I have over 800kbht in a Thai bank a pension of around £2K and have a Thai residence. I have previously done a 90 day multi entry Non O. I have been back in the UK since May, This trip I will be retiring to Thailand full time except for a three day back to the UK in late February for my daughters wedding. What are my best options? TIA
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user plans to retire in Thailand after living in the UK and seeks advice on the best visa options considering their financial situation and previous immigration history. Suggestions include applying for a Non-O visa based on retirement with a one-year extension, emphasizing the need for 800,000 Baht to be held in a Thai bank for two months prior to application, and discussing potential alternatives like a Non-O Married visa if married to a Thai national.
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David ********
You're 800k will need to have sat in Thai bank account for at least 2 months, prior to application, you also need a validated stamped bank certificate from the bank certifying the money has been there and this letter must be the same day as you apply in person. Monthly income is irrelevant as long as you have the 800k details. Next you need Blue Book (book baan) showing your wife's home and it will have a reference (in Thai) on it that states you live there too. News rules (since June 2024) also state you need photo of the house showing outside, inside rooms and a selfie style picture of you standing outside the house. Thai immigration has gotten very strict about the address.
You mentioned daughters, so if you are married to Thai then I would suggest doing Non O Married visa vs Retirement visa as they are money requirements are only 400k not 800k and they are much more lenient on marriage visa applications. 😎
You mentioned daughters, so if you are married to Thai then I would suggest doing Non O Married visa vs Retirement visa as they are money requirements are only 400k not 800k and they are much more lenient on marriage visa applications. 😎
Kenneth *******
Looks like you already have chosen. Is the money mentioned in Baht or Pound? Having 20,000 B per month is not much to live on.
Kevin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kenneth ******
Sorry corrected.Peter *********
@Kenneth ******
pound 💷 obviuoslyRobin ********
@Peter ********
messaged you mateRobin ********
@Peter ********
why obvious? Could be monthly so about £480 ish if thai .Peter *********
@Robin *******
pension uk op says 20kRobin ********
@Peter ********
corrected it to 2k English. So 20k ish thai a week . Plenty .Robin ********
@Peter ********
yeah but he's talking in thai baht for everything, not made it clear about the 20k .Peter *********
@Robin *******
ok if *****
baht agree not a lotRobin ********
@Peter ********
ill be looking at 28,000 baht a month in 18 months . Not ideal but doable .Peter *********
@Robin *******
not a lot if you like a drink and girls ?Peter *********
@Robin *******
why what's happening???Robin ********
@Peter ********
sometime in 2026 I'll be Thailand bound . I'll be nearly 59 . So too soon to start using my savings . So will use the interest from them . Then start to use savings a bit closer to pension age .Frank ********
@Robin *******
tax consequencesPeter *********
@Robin *******
need keep saving mate as to live comfortably you need around *****
baht a month 😉Robin ********
@Peter ********
easily done mate . Stayed at a resort over the darkside for 4 months. That was 13k a month all in . Theres a place round the corner from there , small compound of various size rooms/apartments starting at 5k . There's a advert on FB , I'll find the link after work , it's a mobile home type place near the lake . 600,000 to buy .Peter *********
@Robin *******
ok mate don't forget to take inflation and rate of thai baht against pound into your calculations at time of your move a couple of years as a lot can change, but anyway good look 😀 p.s and price of fancy hair styles also 😀 don't effect me as bald lol 😉Robin ********
@Peter ********
plus labour tax ing everything that moves or isn't nailed.down .Christopher *************
@Robin *******
and Thailand from 2024Robin ********
@Peter ********
10k rent , 6k food 12k whatever . Like I say not ideal but very doable .Peter *********
@Robin *******
sorry mate not doable, electric water clothes internet phone etc.Reply to
Peter *********
Reply
Pete *******
Non-O based on retirement then 1yr extension of stay with a reentry permit.
Kevin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Pete ******
What’s best to do apply before arrival or when I’m there after the 60 days?Pete *******
@Kevin ******
as you already meet the requirements for an in country Non-O I can’t see any advantage one way or the other. If you get from UK it’s 2656baht, if you get in country it’s 2000baht.Reply to
Pete *******
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