What are the requirements and recommendations for applying for a retirement visa in Thailand for expats over 50?

Hi Mac my name is rattiya I work for Asia’s oldest and most established wealth management firms we have a specialist business that deals with over 70 insurers.

Dm me and I can help you from there

Many thanks

You do not need Health Insurance if you follow my instructions, but you DO need Health Insurance if you apply outside the Country for an O-A Retirement Visa.

Can I ask a question, ( the above info is great, thanks)

If I am on an ED visa would I have to leave the country and come back in on an exempt stamp?

Not a visa requirement but make sure you have and can perpetually afford world class healthcare insurance which does not run out as you get older.

This might cost £5000 to £ a year for a couple.

800,000 Each

As both 50+ you each need to apply (no dependent option).

Where in Thailand do you plan to live?

You have the choice of

1 OA visa which you apply for in your home country & requires proof if 800k equivalent each each plus quite specific health insurance. You can show the funds in your home country but they will need to be moved to Thailand before you can extend the OA visa & will need continued health insurance.

2 Coming on an O visa ( or tourist visa which you will later convert to an O) quickly opening & depositing 800k & then applying for retirement extension.

It is possible for 1 of you to hold the visa & 800k & the other to be a dependant but you will need to have your marriage certificate certified & legalized or you will both need a 800k account each.

At most immigration offices you can show 12 monthly international transfers of instead of the 800k for your annual extension.

A lot of people do find the process confusing & use agents & they do have their uses but it can be costly & sometimes result in non legitimate visas.

Bear in mind that an extension actually costs 1900bt each & if you can open & fund a bank account they really shouldn't be needed.

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.