Answered8 years ago
What are the current requirements for the Retirement visa and other visa options for a US citizen planning a long-term stay in Thailand?
Hi everyone! (sorry for long message)
I am returning to Thailand this April and am hoping to stay 6 months this visit.. I'm a US citizen and am planning to arrive on an O visa, good for 90 days, and am interested in applying for a Retirement visa; however, my son who is in a Thai university told me that there have been some changes to the Retirement visa requirements recently, so I'm wondering if anyone could help me know what the requirements currently are as the Boston Thai Consulate did not have that info for me..
What I can tell you is that I receive $1400 in my bank account per month from SSDI, and have a savings of $6,100, but it's very likely I could borrow from a family member to bump my savings up to $7,000/$8,000 for the visa process if $6,100 is not enough..
My other option is to come on a Tourist visa and visit Laos and Vietnam for a spell to fill 6 months.. Or while there find a school and apply for an Education visa (from the US or, if allowed, apply from Thailand?).. But ultimately my goal is to find a visa where I meet the requirements and that would allow me to stay on a long-term basis..
Any help is appreciated as I feel a bit lost and overwhelmed with this part of my plans, and really rely on the expat community for a lot of various questions I don't have the answers to..
Thank you so much in advance for any help you think you could provide.. :)
I am returning to Thailand this April and am hoping to stay 6 months this visit.. I'm a US citizen and am planning to arrive on an O visa, good for 90 days, and am interested in applying for a Retirement visa; however, my son who is in a Thai university told me that there have been some changes to the Retirement visa requirements recently, so I'm wondering if anyone could help me know what the requirements currently are as the Boston Thai Consulate did not have that info for me..
What I can tell you is that I receive $1400 in my bank account per month from SSDI, and have a savings of $6,100, but it's very likely I could borrow from a family member to bump my savings up to $7,000/$8,000 for the visa process if $6,100 is not enough..
My other option is to come on a Tourist visa and visit Laos and Vietnam for a spell to fill 6 months.. Or while there find a school and apply for an Education visa (from the US or, if allowed, apply from Thailand?).. But ultimately my goal is to find a visa where I meet the requirements and that would allow me to stay on a long-term basis..
Any help is appreciated as I feel a bit lost and overwhelmed with this part of my plans, and really rely on the expat community for a lot of various questions I don't have the answers to..
Thank you so much in advance for any help you think you could provide.. :)
Answer summary
The user is a US citizen returning to Thailand for six months and initially plans to enter on an O visa valid for 90 days. They seek information on the recent changes to Retirement visa requirements, considering their SSDI income of $1400 a month and $6100 in savings. Comments clarify financial eligibility for the Retirement visa, stating the need for a minimum of 800,000 Thai baht (~$22,000) or equivalent monthly income, along with age criteria of 50+. Alternatives discussed include applying for a Tourist visa or METV and exploring Education visas through their child's university status.
29 repliesnewest first
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Tod *********
I would say come here on a 6 month METV and then look around to see what other types of visas/extensions might be a better 'fit' for you.
James ********
I reread your OP...You are on Social Security Disability Income SSDI...not Social Security. Therefore you may not yet be age 50+
James ********
Might be able to get a visa based upon his having an EdVisa studying at a Thai University. Lets see what others think about this possibility ????
David **********
Carrie LoPresti you don't look 50 either. Must be 50 to qualify for that visa.
James ********
How old is your son ?
Tod *********
Check the websites and see if you meet the requirements to get a 6 month METV from one of the thai consulates in the US that issue it :( Here's the requirements for the 6 month METV from the thai consulate in Los Angeles
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Cathy *******
OA visa in the USA is only from the Chicago, LA, NYC and WashDC consulates. Not all sell this one. bUT you need proof of financials in a local (US) bank. And financial you need to prove equal to 800,000b which is about $22,000. That is before you travel then when you arrive they “might” Ask you prove you have living expenses of about 20,000 B for your time in country. Retirement in Thailand is not “easy” as many thought it used to be. But if you can prove financial they will still allow you. Plan a monthly income of about $2000 US to start and you will adjust up or down as you settle in. Admin Tod can give better basics once he’s up but OA is basically: over 50 years old, proof of financials, health cert and background check. It allows one year in country each time you enter the country. (Basically if you exit and re enter right before the actual visa expires, you can get stamped for another year and get almost 2 years stay out of the visa).
Cathy *******
@Carrie *********
Admins prefer we stick to actual visa questions just be aware many Thai insurance will have pre existing exclusions And waiting times.
Carrie **********
OP@Cathy ******
, no problem.. I of course will research on my own as well.. :)Carrie **********
OP@Tod ********
, I can't locate your answer..Cathy *******
@Carrie *********
google is your friend....sorryCarrie **********
OP@Cathy ******
, I'm actually looking for a recommendation for affordable health insurance.. I thought maybe a local Thai health insurance, but other's gave me two different international health insurance companies.. Do you have a recommendation possibly for insurance?Tod *********
@Carrie *********
I answered your questionCarrie **********
OP@Cathy ******
, the Boston Thai Consulate told me the other day that the O visa is good for 90 days... They said that if you're trying to apply for a retirement visa you have to do it within those 90 days.. But I supp2 I could go on an O visa giving me 90 days...decide not to apply for retirement visa (since I don't meet the requirements :( ).......And someone said I could apply for a complete 90 tourist visa in Laos to re enter Thailand..essentially giving me the 6 minths I want.. Is it true that Laos issues 90 days tourist visas for Thailand?
Cathy *******
Whatever you do, with your financial limits make sure you have travel insurance! Thailand can be a nasty surprise if you don’t have health insurance!
Cathy *******
@Carrie *********
also it is good to remember while folks call it a “retirement” visa it is not. It is a O visa based on “something” the regular O...which is probably your best bet will allow I believe 60 days and then you re enter right before it expires and get another 60 days and maybe extend for 30 day at immigration shortly before that last days ends. I’m not very familiar with the basic O but it is more easily obtainable.Cathy *******
Carrie LoPresti no the amount of you financials would never have meet the Thai requirements. What has changed recently is the Embassy in Thailand no longer will issue financial affidavits. Until recently you could get the affidavits from the US Embassy saying you meet the financials but you didn’t have to actually prove it. Thailand said prove it. And the Embassy basically said we can’t so they stopped issuing the papers. Now you have to prove and many don’t, can’t or choose to leave.
Carrie **********
OP@Cathy ******
, sadly, I don't have anywhere near $22,000.. I only have $6,100 in savings, at the moment just $1,400 coming into my bank account per month.. So it really does seem the Retirement visa is out of my reach.. With my financials above- did I not meet the Retirement visa requirements for 2018, last year?Carrie **********
OPHi
@Yvonne ********
, I've never heard of the OA visa/retirement visa.. The Boston Thai Consulate didn't mention that visa- or at least it wasn't one of the few I was asking them about..James ********
800,000 Thai baht is approx $2,137 monthly
James ********
Here is website and requirements for the O-A visa at Los Angeles Consulate. Can be processed by mail. Normal turnaround time 10-12 business days.
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James ********
Need to be age 50+. Have annual income of 800,000 Thai baht or equivalent in US$. Or combination of cash in bank plus annual income to meet 800,000 Thai baht. Only available from Thai Consulates/Embassy in Washington DC, NYC, Chicago and Los Angeles. NOT in Boston. You say you have Social Security income...what is the annual amount BEFORE any deductions for Medicare or Taxes? Look at the annual statement you should now have for year 2018 sent you by Social Security for use in filing your federal tax return.
Carrie **********
OP@Yvonne ********
, what website did you mean exactly? 😊
Yvonne *********
@Carrie *********
check there websiteYvonne *********
Have you looked at requirements needed to apply for the OA visa/retirement visa in the the Thai Embassy in the USA
Ansel ********
You don't meet current requirements. Full stop.
Carrie **********
OP@Ansel *******
, thank you.. Sad news.. But thank you for letting me know bc I do need to sort thru my options.. :)
Adrian ************
Is your son thai ?
Carrie **********
OP@Adrian ***********
, hi there! No he is a US citizen.. Dual citizenship with US and Sweden.. But he is studying at Mahidol University and has been in Thailand for the past 3 years..Activity
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