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What are the steps and requirements for retiring in Thailand as an expatriate?

Apr 20, 2025
2 months ago
Corrado *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Good evening everyone I was born in Italy but I have been living in London for 26 years. I am 59 years old and would really like to retire in Thailand where I have already traveled several times and where I met a lady and would like to get married. Question: what do I need from A to Z to do this? bank account, visas, if I need to have a house with her etc.. Thank you all so much
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking advice on the necessary steps to retire in Thailand, including visa types, financial requirements, potential marriage to a Thai woman, and other logistical needs for a smooth transition. Comments suggest various visa options such as the Non-O Visa and Retirement Visa, with recommendations for financial preparations and the importance of establishing a local bank account. Users caution against relying solely on agents and encourage legitimate processes.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Jeff ******
Why the need to get married if you are going to live in Thailand? Not necessary , certainly until you are comfortably established in relationship and Thai lifestyle
Nicholas ******
I would recommend using an Agent in Thailand
Jeff *******
Don't start life here down the agent route, you'll regret it. Do it legitimately or not at all.
Vincent *******
immigration agents. real estate agents. travel agents. money transfer agents . all needed. they have connections to sort it all out much easier.
Jeff *******
@Vincent ******
Only if your brain isn't the best. You really don't need any of them.
Jon ********
@Jeff ******
come on. Agents are great. Make things so much easier. What’s to regret ?
Jeff *******
@Jon *******
If you use them on a 'can't be arsed' basis, ie you qualify anyway fine, but once you start using their cash, understand your stay here is based on a pack of fragile cards.
Jon ********
@Jeff ******
not true, if you have the money in the bank for a Visa extension. What is the problem with drivers licenses?
Peter **********
Having lived in Thailand for many years I would recommend the following .

1. Come to Thailand

2. Get an agent through recommendation .

3. Don’t give money to her

4. Accept that buying a house with her, you are effectively handing over your money to her .
Jeff *******
@Peter *********
Having lived in Thailand many years I would recommend the following :- ignore everything Peter Edgworth and his bar stool muppets tell you. He's just one of the few that couldn't hack it
Franco **************
Potresti rivolgerti ad Alexander Bagnati che ha un agenzia di pratiche a Bangkok, io mi son trovato bene.
Vincent *******
well that all depends on what your wife wants then . maybe she wants to go to the uk or somewhere else. maybe she want you to buy her a house etc. rule number one. never ever put anything in someone elses name.
Jeff *******
@Vincent ******
That doesn't apply in every country on the planet right? If he marries and it goes pear shaped it's a
*****
split - oh look again like every other country on the planet. Apart from in Thailand the courts are kinder on the male than they are in the West by a very long way
Vincent *******
the thai courts favor the thai partner . many houses in my village are now bank repo. Its in thai wife name. she takes out equity line of credit and adios
Tai **********
@Vincent ******
Vincent, I think your space key has some sticky shit on it, or is that really how you write? That shit is unreadable 😅
David **********
Get a non o visa for 3 months get to thailand and get a residency certificate then go to immigration and get a letter for the bank marry the girl and put
*****
0 baht in the bank and you will then apply for marriage visa
Chris *******
1st step go the evisa site and get the requirements for that embassy.

2nd step apply for 90 day non-o based on being over 50.

It is not a "longstay" visa.

3rd enter Thailand with that visa.

4th go to immigration for a residence certificate, most offices will issue with a hotel TM30.) And get the local "retirement" extension requirements.

5th take copies of everything to bank and apply for account.

With the 90 day visa should not be a problem. Better if you have longterm accommodation in some cases.

6th get the 800k transferred from overseas within the first 30 days.

7th once the 60 day seasoning period passes apply for a 1yr extension of stay and then repeat this process yearly.

*SOME OFFICES have odd out of the ordinary rules.*

Costs of extension is 1900b.

OTHERWISE enter as a tourist and pay $$$ to an agent.

This has pitfalls but for some the only way they can get it done.

But if you don't qualify,

"you gotta pay to play".
Jon ********
Get a retirement Visa. You are over 50. It is a lot easier. If you have 800,000 baht you can do it or you can use an Agent if you don’t. A marriage Visa is 400,000 baht but your wife will have control of you. I have had both marriage and retirement Visas
Max *****
@Jon *******
what do you mean with "wife Will have control of you"?
Jon ********
@Max ****
she will

Divorce you and your visa is canceled and you’ll have to leave the country and start the whole process again
Paul *******
@Jon *******
the wife will always have control.

The type of visa is irrelevant.
Jon ********
@Paul ******
what is irrelevant about it? The wife has no control over a retirement Visa.
Paul *******
@Jon *******
true. it doesn't matter.
Frank **********
You can start by going to the Thai Embassy website in the country you are in.
Niall *******
Just ensure you have enough money. I'd allow upwards of 500,000 Thb per year to live, plus 800,000 to be deposited in a Thai bank for your visa. Enter Thailand visa exempt and then apply for a Non immigrant 'O' visa when you're here. Simple as that.
Günter *********
@Niall ******
if you are married to a Thai person you need only 400.000 deposit for the retirement visa. I will go for that next year. It gives you a different position. But I’m married for more than 25 years
Niall *******
@Günter ********
ya, that's an option but the paperwork is crazy and a lot of hoops to jump through
Nick **********
@Niall ******
why enter Thailand visa exempt and make it so much harder ? Get the visa non-O based on 50+ in the home country first.
Niall *******
@Nick *********
That's not easier as health insurance is mandatory
Nick **********
@Niall ******
No, not correct. Health insurance is for the O-A type, which is different. But for the O type no health insurance is required.
Kev *****
@Niall ******
keyboard warrior eh.
Niall *******
@Kev ****
I should be charging for that information 556
Tony ********
I arrived in Thailand 4 years ago . Stayed in a hotel for a week and looked at condos. Rented a condo . I was on my 90 day visa. Next I went to a visa agent and they helped me with bank account and 1 year visa. A lot of people say save money and get it yourself. Not good for me. Don’t send money to anyone at all. Do all business on person. Good luck to you
Anna *********
First work out what visa you want, apply for that from London, then work out the rest
Rene ********
Google is a good start
Diana ********
@Rene *******
I always think people who give unhelpful advise come across as massivejealous arses 🙄
Rene ********
@Diana *******
, reality check time. Why would I be jealous having been based in Thailand for 15 year? When you get some experience of these sites and know something about the matter your opinion will be somewhat weightier. I feel that it's a personal duty of everyone to first try and gather some basic information from Google the Thai Visa official gov site, and then use forums to clarify doubts or get more details on issues that arise. Pissing you feel that just to launch I totally open-ended massive question without having done the slightest footwork is abusing people's time. You think what you like, and try to get reign in your jealousy. Yes another example that might help you understand. Imagine someone says, "I want to go and live in America can you please tell me everything I need to do? "Without making the slightest effort to gather some basic facts . Ridiculous!
Diana ********
@Rene *******
well now I'm convinced, surely with all your experience you could offer more suitable advice than be a Google wanker!!
Nick *******
@Diana *******
yep. It’s sad
Matthew *********
@Rene *******
google will give you so much false information that it's not even funny. Worst place to start. The most obvious is Thai embassy
Rene ********
@Matthew ********
that's what I meant
Matthew *********
@Rene *******
and to be just a little funny. Dam google map always gives me wrong direction. Over the weekend it sent me the wrong direction so many times. Always have to recenter. Can't trust google 555
Nom *******
Lotsa money
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