Answered4 years ago

What are the visa options for Americans living in Thailand on Social Security?

Visa Options Retirement Visa Social Security Long-term Stay NON-O Visa NON-OA Visa

Bryn ********

asked Nov 7, 2022

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For those Americans receiving SS as their ticket for living in Thailand, what will be the options for staying in Thailand? Will it be in-and-out every three months? Can’t Immigration say, “Enough is enough—we don’t want you staying without the Extended Stay?”

Answer summary

For Americans living in Thailand on Social Security, the main options for long-term stay include obtaining a retirement visa (Non-OA) by either depositing 800,000 baht in a Thai bank or proving a monthly pension of 65,000 baht. It's important to note that relying on frequent visa runs or extensions can lead to issues with immigration officials. Those over 50 should consider applying for a Non-O or Non-OA visa prior to arrival or while in the country, as staying long-term without the appropriate visa is not advisable. Alternative options like moving to Cambodia are also suggested for those who find Thailand's visa requirements challenging.

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Sid *******

Cambodia has a straight forward visa system if you can't make the required standard for Thailand

4 years ago

Stuart *********

Trying to stay long term in Thailand without the correct visa will not work. You may get away with it once or twice but ultimately you’ll be pulled over by an immigration officer and potentially denied entry.

You need to look at the options of either getting a Non OA visa in the US, or a Non O based on being over 50 either before you come or in country.

4 years ago

Robert **********

If you are 50, which is most Social Security recipients, you are eligible for retirement visa if you put 800,000 baht in a thai Bank, or show a pension of 65,000 baht per month. As with anybody else, Social Security or not, if you keep trying to do visa runs and extensions, you will eventually run into trouble.

4 years ago

Edwin ********

@Robert *********

So is it one OR the other, or is it both? (I had assumed it was both, though I could be wrong.) Similar question for the marriage visa, which has lower income and savings thresholds, and which (unlike the retirement visa) reportedly allows the visa holder to work as long as proper Work Permits are obtained (and though that is of course not sufficient reason to get married, I am still interested in gaining additional clarity ["for a friend," of course].

4 years ago

Robert **********

@Edwin *******

its one or the other, but the income method is more tedious to arrange.

4 years ago

Bryn ********

@Roberto *********

65,000 for every month a year prior, methinks. Otherwise, 800,000. Once that is done you can keep up the monthly 65,000 and take the 800,000 and use it as your beer money:))

4 years ago