Answered3 years ago

What are the requirements for applying for a retirement visa in Thailand, especially regarding residence contracts and applying from abroad?

Retirement Visa Non-O Visa Non-OA Visa Residence Contract Visa Application Process Expats in Thailand

Susan ***********

asked Mar 12, 2024

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Hi all! Need some info from experienced people with retirement visa, please. 

1. Is there any minimum expiry date of residence contract to apply a retirement visa? We have 1 year-contract extension from previous 3 year-contract but will end in August meanwhile my husband would like to apply in June after his visit his country. 

2. Is it possible to apply retirement visa from abroad? 

Thanks in advance for your kind help!

Answer summary

The post inquires about the requirements for applying for a retirement visa in Thailand, specifically regarding the minimum expiry date of a residence contract and the possibility of applying from abroad. Comments provide insights that a non-O visa can be applied for at a local embassy, and that it is possible to apply for a non-OA visa from a Thai consulate in one's home country, with different requirements based on the applicant's nationality.

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Marty *********

You can only apply for an OA visa from a Thai consulate in your home country. I had an OA for 6 years. It is an interesting visa but it comes with an insurance requirement for the visa and subsequent extensions of stay. I recommend that you pursue a 90 day O visa which can the be extended yearly without the insurance requirement.

It would help to know what country he is from. The requirements vary.

3 years ago

Susan ***********

@Marty ********

i see, thank you! His country is France. We have health insurance in Thailand (Luma which we bought the package in Thailand) but not sure if it has to be from some other appointed insurance companies in Thailand.

3 years ago

Marty *********

There is a list of Thai insurance companies that qualify. I have Pacific Cross. In theory you can get a form that his insurance company can sign stating that their coverage satisfies the Thai requirements. I've heard that some (many?) insurance companies won't sign it but i have no experience with this. It is definitely worth a try. I still recommend going for the nonimmigrant O visa with subsequent 1 year extensions of stay. It just sounds easier to me

I asked about his country of origin because he should able to meet the financial requirements using an income affidavit from the French embassy. This is something he should ask the embassy about.

Are you aware of the 10-year pensioner LTR visa available from the Thailand Board of Investment? That is what I have now. It also needs insurance and has a financial requirement of a yearly income $80,000 USD/yr. It costs 50,000 baht for 10 years.

3 years ago

Susan ***********

@Marty ********

good to know! Thank you very much!

3 years ago

Brandon ************

2) you can apply for a 90 day non-O visa based on being over 50 from your local embassy.

You can also apply for the 1 year non-OA visa from some embassies.

3 years ago

Susan ***********

@Brandon ***********

thanks, Sir. Does he have to get out after entering Thailand with the 90-day non-O visa to change it into Retiry visa or he can do it in Thailand?

3 years ago

Brandon ************

@Susan **********

the visa is the retirement visa

3 years ago

Susan ***********

@Brandon ***********

oh i see. Great! Thanks!