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What are the steps for US veterans applying for a retirement visa in Thailand?

Thailand visa retirement visa NON-O visa expat advice Chiang Mai US veterans visa requirements expat community pension income

May 29, 2025

a month ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello, Im planning on traveling to Chiang Mai in September and looking for advice for a retirement Visa. I have a monthly pension from DFAS and draw disability benefits from the VA. Are there any US veterans that can share some advice?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

To obtain a retirement visa in Thailand, you must be over 50 years old and can fulfill one of two financial criteria: either maintain 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account or receive a monthly pension of at least 65,000 baht deposited into a Thai bank account for 12 months. Being a US veteran doesn't provide any special advantages in the visa process, and it is advised not to rely on agencies for paperwork. Chiang Mai is a supportive community for expats, and assistance is often available from other residents and immigration volunteers.

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.

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Lynnette *******

Visa requirements should be on the embassy website. Visas are not based in previous job, like being in the military or any other occupation.

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Jim ********

I am a retire Navy. I applied for the LTR Visa prior to moving to BKK

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Edward ********

If you are over 50. Have 800,000 baht to put in bank or monthly equivalent coming into Thailand from pension then you are ready to go.

Do not fall victim to an agency in Thailand. You can do the simple few pages of paperwork required yourself. Being a veteran has no advantage for relevance.

USMC vet retired in Thailand for 20 years.

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David **********

@Edward *******

that's interesting. So to be absolutely clear. If you chose the route of demonstrating 65k per month coming into your account, can you select this option as soon as you move to Thailand (so in theory your new Thai account may only show the first months deposit) or will you need to put 800k in an account for the first year until you can show a full 12 months worth of 65k deposits going into your Thai bank account?

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Edward ********

@David *********

you can either have 800k in bank 65k/month deposit from a 'bank'. I use 'bank' because WISE and my USA Investment Company are not acceptable. Regarding what periods money must be in the bank for your situation I am not sure - I can tell you that I was told as a pperson on a current retirement visa and want to switch to a monthly arrangement. I would need 10 months with a specified form from bank. Don't know where you are located but the volunteer staff at Chiang Mai Immigration are very knowledgeable and have the answers.

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Edward ********

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Art *******

It seems you have plenty of income for the wealthy visa (if you are 100% P & T). Chiang Mai is a great choice too.

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Nate ***********

Also be very careful here in Thailand a lot of the women here if you're not already married or mainly looking for people with certain kinds of Visas so try not to get involved with somebody who only wants you for what you have but that's just a personal opinion not really related but also definitely plenty of people here what to help you in some regards also another little personal advice it's best to stick around for a while because at first you will be a stranger to everyone but once they get to see you more casually they get more friendlier be very careful here. I've been living in Chiang Mai since January should be easier for you than for me though because I'm a younger individual I'm probably thinking about popping over to Cambodia because it's getting really really arbitrary with the immigration laws here and the kind of requirements that they're looking for just seems like they're geared toward mainly just rich and elderly almost as if they know they could take advantage of certain individuals so be very careful be wise and whatever you do it's best to back off don't meet anger with anger here it ends horribly I know kindness is a virtue no matter how bad someone else is attitude is.

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Edward ********

@Nate **********

Thailand is like everywhere else. Scammers and victims are not located in one place.

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Nate ***********

@Edward *******

you know in a way I kind of enjoy the single life but.. companionship is always something everyone strives for am I right?

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Nate ***********

@Edward *******

just to think true love means nothing in a world ruled by little pieces of paper with faces

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Nate ***********

@Edward *******

oh yeah 100% I entirely agree the Philippines is a place where I got hurt really really bad I lost my innocence to somebody I wish I had saved myself for someone who truly loved me but I was used

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Edward ********

@Nate **********

I go for money before love. Money is real.

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Nate ***********

@Edward *******

greed has no place in a world where love heals and money just corrupts

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Nate ***********

@Edward *******

money is only as real as the government upholding it. Look at the Cambodian real versus the Thai baht you see more trade with the Thai baht because the Thai baht has value if money was that much real $4.17 wouldn't be a cash stack in Cambodia I don't think that seems like it's very real at that point Monopoly money out of a board game has more value. Love is more real than money will ever be besides you can take the love to your grave when you die on your Deathbed your money is no longer yours before you even touch the dirt or the crematorium

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Nate ***********

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Michael ********

Saw someone posted a US veterans page for Thailand before, try searching for that

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Anna *********

There are loads of people on this site ( not US veterans) who can answer this for you or you can read the details on you Thai visa embassy site. You will need to be over 50, arrive with a visa from home ( non O) open a bank account with 800K Thb, season for 2 months, go to immigration and apply for a 12 month extension based on retirement. Then you can start depositing 65k Thb every month for 12 months for the following years extension. Where the money comes from makes no difference in Thailand as long as it is an international transfer and shows as such

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John *********

could you clarify the 65,000 THB haz to go in as 12 consecutive payments IF you already have, and have maintained a 800,000 THB account balance.

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Graham ******

The 65k deposits need to start before the first extension is approved so that when it is time to apply for the second extension there are at least 12 consecutive monthly deposits

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Vlastidlav ******

is there agency or lawyer who can advise me on the process?

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Edward ********

@Vlastidlav *****

no need for an agent. You just got all the details in previous response.

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Anna *********

@Vlastidlav *****

Probably but I have no idea I don't use agents

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Anna *********

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