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Answered4 years ago

What are the qualifications and fees for obtaining a 90-day Retirement Visa in Thailand?

Terry ******
asked Jan 13, 2023
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Hello,

I entered on a 45 day Visa. I want to get a 90 day Retirement Visa. What are the qualifications or guidelines for that? Also, how much is the fee?

Thank you in advance
Answer summary
To qualify for a 90-day Retirement Visa (Non-O Visa) in Thailand, you must be over 50 years old and demonstrate financial stability by maintaining at least 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account in your name. You will need to fill out Form TM87 (for Visa Exempt) or TM86 (for Tourist Visa), provide copies of relevant passport pages, your TM30 form, proof of residency, and a bank letter. The application fee is 2,000 baht, with a subsequent extension fee of 1,900 baht for a one-year extension after the initial visa period.
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Fi *********
Fi *********
Following
Michael *******
Michael *******
Would 75 days be enough?? I came in on 45 days. Just paid 1900 baht for 30 extension. Very simple👍
Terry ******
Terry ******
OP
@Michael ******
Yes 75 good
Terry ******
Terry ******
OP
Correct Robert and by the way thank again guys
Michael *******
Michael *******
@Terry *****
you don’t need bank account for 75 days.
Robert ************
Robert ************
@Michael ******
I think he was talking about converting to Retirement, while on Extension.
Graham ******
Graham ******
@Michael ******
Yes if you can open the Thai bank account in time but if you're already on the extension you have very little time
Michael *******
Michael *******
Excellent!! As mr Burns would say..
Robert ************
Robert ************
@Terry *****
STEP-BY-STEP DO-IT-YOURSELF INSTRUCTIONS -- APPLYING FOR RETIREMENT STAY AFTER ARRIVAL IN THAILAND (Must be over age 50): i. You may arrive either Visa Exempt (currently 45-days), or on a 60-day Tourist Visa. ii. Then, immediately after your arrival, you must promptly open a Thai Bank Account, and transfer 800,000 Baht into Thai Bank Account (if married, some Immig. Offices like CM, accept Joint Account with 1.6 Mil. Baht. Also Note, that either Passbook Savings or Fixed Deposit is acceptable, but not Investment Account. Finally note, that some Immig. Offices, but not all - e.g. CM, require proof of foreign source of funds. WISE is an inexpensive, easy & reliable service to transfer funds). iii. Then, you apply for a 90-day Non-O Visa at local Thai Immigration Office. If on Visa Exempt, you use Form TM87, if on Tourist Visa TM86. You are required to apply with minimum 15-21 days remaining on permitted Stay, depending on Office (Chiang Mai, requires 21 days). Requirements: TM87 or TM86 (Note: Fear not, only 1-page Form simple to fill out in English with only basic info., name, address, passport info., arrival info, and stated purpose: "For Retirement"), Must be Over Age 50, 2000 Baht, Copy of all relevant pages of Passport (i.e. Facepage, and Entry Stamp); copy of TM30 (that is the required arrival form that is either completed by your Hotel or Condo, or you do yourself at Immig. Office w/i 24 hrs of arrival); copy of proof of residency (Rental Agreement, or Hotel Reservation -- some offices may not allow if only staying at a HOtel); and most importantly proof of the money in Bank (Copy of Bank Book, and a certified Letter from the Bank usually costing 100 Baht). Above is all simple and straightforward, so no need for spending money on a Visa Service. iv. If all docs. in order, Immig. Office will put a Sticker in your Passport that you are "under consideration", and a date to return to pick up your Visa Stamp (prior to your Stay expiration). v. Next, when you have 30 days remaining on the Non-O (and your Bank Money has "seeded" 60 days -- i.e. stayed on deposit), you go back to Immig. Office to apply for the 1-yr Retirement Extension. Requirements.: TM7 (Req. for Extension of Stay); 1900 Baht, and all other same docs. as above (newly updated of course). And, you will receive 1-yr Extension of Stay -- usually same day, if you arrive in morning. Note: For both processes above, your Bank Passbook Balance must be updated same date as application, and the Bank Letter should be no more than 7 days old -- easiest just to do both same day just before going to Immig. Office). vi. Finally, you should/must get a Re-Entry Stamp -- easiest/best to just do immediately after you get your 1-yr. Extension stamp. It can be single Re-Entry for 1000 Baht, or 3800 Baht for unlimited multiple Re-Entry. The Re-Entry Stamp allows you to leave and return to Thailand, without invalidating your 1-yr Extension. If you fail to do that, then your Extension of Stay is nullified, and you must start the process again. (IMPORTANT: If you want or need to leave Thailand while on the initial 90-Day Non-O, same thing -- must get Re-Entry Stamp.). Hope that is all clear.
Steven *****
Steven *****
@Robert ***********
This is so helpful. However, the hardest part seems to be opening the Thai bank account. With the new policy, it seems almost impossible to open a bank account under visa exempt before the Non O visa. So an agent is a must for opening a Thai bank account to kick off the whole process, right?
Terry ******
Terry ******
OP
From an Agency
Rene ******
Rene ******
@Robert ***********
that easy? And people pay 40k for that?? 🤣
Robert ************
Robert ************
@Rene *****
Sounds like a Scam to me; and definitely a waste of money. If you don't want to deposit the 800k (in an Interest Earning Bank Acct.), you can always use the Income Method by transferring 65K/mo. from Pension.
Terry ******
Terry ******
OP
@Rene *****
I was quoted 32,000 THB for the 15 month
Rene ******
Rene ******
@Terry *****
and you had to have to 800k?
Robert ************
Robert ************
@Rene *****
Exactly.
Rene ******
Rene ******
@Robert ***********
maybe people pay to avoid that 800k demand...?
Robert ************
Robert ************
@Richard ********
Don't do "Whatsapp". And, prefer either public posting (for everyone's benefit), of if necessary DM/PM. In any case, in answer to your above question, my personal opinion is just as easy to do it the way I suggested -- i.e. arrive Visa Exempt and/or on Tourist Visa and convert to Non-O and then 1 yr. extension. If done my way, no Criminal Check nor Medical Check required. As noted in my Instructions, however, if you do it upon arrival must act diligently (i.e. quickly) to get Bank Account opened and money transferred.
Richard *********
Richard *********
@Robert ***********
thank you. Was thinking of heading straight for Chiang Rai. If I arrive with tourists visa, where would you suggest I initially stay to apply for 0 Visa?
Robert ************
Robert ************
@Richard ********
That's actually a good question. We are in Chiang Mai, and though I don't have personal experience with other Immig. Offices, I think CM nowadays (as opposed in past), is pretty good office. Although they are "picky" about enforcing TM30, when it comes to the Non-O for Retirement and Extension, at this time they notably do not enforce the foreign origin of funds requirement for the Bank Deposit. (i.e. you don't have to worry about showing proof of where money came from).
Richard *********
Richard *********
@Robert ***********
following even though it is giving me a head ache. Please pm me if I can video WhatsApp with you. After looking into it, the renewable one year retirement visa is likely best for my purposes. First basic question? File while in USA or just head over and then file.

Doctor checks notarized criminal record clear notarized.
Đl *****
Đl *****
@Robert ***********
Hi Robert, I already have an active (not dormant) bank account in Thailand. I am not applying for the retirement visa in 2023 but later. Is it possible for me to transfer money from overseas bit by bit over 2 years to make up that THB800K?
Robert ************
Robert ************
@Đl ****
Not sure if your question is about using the alternative "Income Method" which requires 65,000 Baht per month transferred from overseas for 12 months; or simply about taking your time getting the 800K into Bank. If the latter, of course it does not matter, so long as you have the 800K in the Bank at time of Application. Also, some Immig. Offices require proof of foreign origin of funds, some don't (e.g. Chiang Mai).
Đl *****
Đl *****
@Robert ***********
Wow. That's a very informative post. Thank you.
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
The primary requirement is going to be showing 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account in your name only in order to apply for the 90 day visa, and also for the subsequent 1 year extension.

The fee to apply for any visa is 2000 baht, and 1900 baht for any extension.
Đl *****
Đl *****
@Brandon ***********
(I am not applying for the retirement visa in 2023 but later)
Đl *****
Đl *****
@Brandon ***********
May I ask you, is it possible to gather that THB800k by Instalments? (For example remitting THB40k per month over 20 months from overseas)? Must it be one lump sum of THB800k?
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
@Đl ****
if you get the non-O visa before you enter Thailand, there's no problem with transferring the money in little by little before that. But if you enter visa exempt or tourist visa and try to convert to the non-O inside Thailand, you must prove the 800,000 was transferred to Thailand from overseas, and that will likely be difficult with multiple transfers over a long period of time.
Đl *****
Đl *****
@Brandon ***********
Hi Brandon, thanks for your reply.

The reason why I don't want to transfer THB800k right now is because I am not ready to settle down permanently in TH yet.

I am exempted from visa for TH and all of her neighbours, except Myanmar. So I will be based in TH but also travel around South East Asia.

To transfer the THB800k in one lump sum l will have to close some fixed deposits, which I am reluctant to do.

I think Thai banks can provide confirmation letters when overseas remittances are received.

How about a set of confirmation letters with a total amount of THB 800k?
John **********
John **********
@Brandon ***********
the 800k must also come from overseas
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
@John *********
Some offices are known not to care. It should be but they may turn a blind eye if you have the correct amount. Especially if it’s been in an account for a while
Terry ******
Terry ******
OP
John Thank you.

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