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What are the visa requirements and costs for moving to Thailand for language study and retirement?
ED VisaNON-O VisaRetirement VisaThailand ImmigrationVisa FeesLanguage Learning in ThailandExpat AdviceGerman EmbassyVisa Extension Requirements
Jan 16, 2026
3 months ago
Juniper ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERHey Everyone! I am planning my move to Thailand with my mom who is retiring - would love to hear your thoughts on if I have this information right in my head.
We will be applying for our visas in advance at the Embassy in Frankfurt Germany at the start of February (for a planned move in March).
For myself I am getting an ED Visa to learn Thai (to start - will later switch to a DTV I believe but I want to learn Thai intensively):
ED Visa and School Fees
· Initial visa (Germany): ~€80
· Extensions (Thailand): ~€50
· Visa fees total: ~€130
· School fees: €650 for 9 months
· Overall total: ~€780
For the NON-O Retirement Fees
* Initial visa (Germany): ~€80
* Annual extension (Thailand): ~€50
* Visa fees total: ~€130
Does that all seem right? Is applying at the Embassy in Frankfurt a month before ok?
Thank you!
We will be applying for our visas in advance at the Embassy in Frankfurt Germany at the start of February (for a planned move in March).
For myself I am getting an ED Visa to learn Thai (to start - will later switch to a DTV I believe but I want to learn Thai intensively):
ED Visa and School Fees
· Initial visa (Germany): ~€80
· Extensions (Thailand): ~€50
· Visa fees total: ~€130
· School fees: €650 for 9 months
· Overall total: ~€780
For the NON-O Retirement Fees
* Initial visa (Germany): ~€80
* Annual extension (Thailand): ~€50
* Visa fees total: ~€130
Does that all seem right? Is applying at the Embassy in Frankfurt a month before ok?
Thank you!
TLDR : Answer Summary
The poster is preparing to move to Thailand with their retiring mother and is seeking validation on the visa and cost information. They plan to apply for an ED visa for themselves (to study Thai) and a NON-O retirement visa for their mother at the German Embassy in Frankfurt. The estimated costs are provided, and various community comments discuss nuances of visa fees, school fees, financial requirements, and advice about learning Thai. Key points include the need for potential extensions and clarifying financial proofs for retirement visas.
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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Jim *******
My Thai daughter, Thai mother, learned Thai as her native language. At 4.5 years of age, the whole family moved to Japan. At home, and at her (International) school English was the language. She is trilingual - English, Japanese, Thai. Reading, writing, conversation.
She is now 22, a student of English language and literature in Australia, will graduate this year. She is a linguist. She kept on taking Thai classes with a professional Thai teacher. After 3 years, 420 Thai lessons, 1:1, she is telling me she is where an 8 years old Thai child is. Writing, reading, conversation. She knows what does language acquisition take, better than anyone here (unless they are Philology Bsc in English) might know.
Google educated posters here think learning Thai it is going to be a walk in the park. No, spend months and month learning Thai and the most you can get is giving instructions to a taxi driver. Nothing like holding a meaningful converstaion with anyone in Thai, let alone getting into talks about literature, arts, politics. A misdirected effort.
She is now 22, a student of English language and literature in Australia, will graduate this year. She is a linguist. She kept on taking Thai classes with a professional Thai teacher. After 3 years, 420 Thai lessons, 1:1, she is telling me she is where an 8 years old Thai child is. Writing, reading, conversation. She knows what does language acquisition take, better than anyone here (unless they are Philology Bsc in English) might know.
Google educated posters here think learning Thai it is going to be a walk in the park. No, spend months and month learning Thai and the most you can get is giving instructions to a taxi driver. Nothing like holding a meaningful converstaion with anyone in Thai, let alone getting into talks about literature, arts, politics. A misdirected effort.
Ron ******
@Juniper **********
You are aware of the financial requirements for both retirement and DTV visas?Juniper ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERRon Duke
OK, great thank you so much!
OK, great thank you so much!
Jim *******
Learning Thai at your age? 10 years and classes 5 hours a day, you might, MIGHT if you are talented, be at the level of a 3rd year of elementary school.
Juniper ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERJim Davis 🤣🤣🤣 Because people in their 30s and above can’t learn Thai? Okay, sure…
I don’t know how old you think I am, I don’t know why you think age has anything to do with learning a new language, and I don’t know why you think it takes 10 years to learn one. Even a “difficult” language doesn’t usually take more than a few years—especially with classes and cultural immersion.
That is, unless someone has serious difficulties or learning disabilities related to language acquisition… but I’m already bilingual, so I think I can handle it.
All of that aside, I also don’t remember asking for your—or anyone else’s—opinion on whether or not I should learn Thai. It’s actually the basic, polite thing to do when you decide to live in another country: learn some of the language rather than expect everyone to speak English for you, which is, frankly, a little arrogant and rude.
Also, just so you know, the general consensus is that it takes around 3–6 months to reach a conversational level in Thai and about 2–3 years to become fluent. I’ve already started learning on my own with an app and I’m getting by just fine—but thanks so much for your very unnecessary comment. 
I don’t know how old you think I am, I don’t know why you think age has anything to do with learning a new language, and I don’t know why you think it takes 10 years to learn one. Even a “difficult” language doesn’t usually take more than a few years—especially with classes and cultural immersion.
That is, unless someone has serious difficulties or learning disabilities related to language acquisition… but I’m already bilingual, so I think I can handle it.
All of that aside, I also don’t remember asking for your—or anyone else’s—opinion on whether or not I should learn Thai. It’s actually the basic, polite thing to do when you decide to live in another country: learn some of the language rather than expect everyone to speak English for you, which is, frankly, a little arrogant and rude.
Also, just so you know, the general consensus is that it takes around 3–6 months to reach a conversational level in Thai and about 2–3 years to become fluent. I’ve already started learning on my own with an app and I’m getting by just fine—but thanks so much for your very unnecessary comment. 
Reply to
Juniper ***********
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Juniper ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERRon Duke yes the retirement one is fine - the DTV visa is a bit stricter which is why I’m starting with an ED - I mean I planned to learn Thai at a school anyway & it’s easier to get than a DTV / gives me time for my savings account to grow before I apply for the DTV
Graham ******
Juniper Page-Rose DTV is 500k banked and retirement/over 50 visa is 800k banked or Embassy affidavit
Juniper ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERGraham Seal yes for DTV I know that’s why I need a bit more time for that one - thanks - for retirement they also accept regular steady proven income of 65,000 THB or more which is the route we’re going.
Ron ******
Juniper Page-Rose For the first one year extension of stay based on retirement unless your Embassy still provides income affidavits then your only option is the 800k banked money method. The 65k monthly transfers method is only available from the second year extension.
Juniper ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERRon Duke ok we'll ask the embassy, everything I've read says providing proof of pension is enough but she may need to report every 90 days for the first year till we get her bank account set up and then do the year extension thing
Ron ******
Juniper Page-Rose From what I can see the German Embassy here still issues income affidavits so that makes things easier. She can use that affidavit in lieu of showing banked funds when she applies for her one year extension of stay at immigration. 90-day reporting has nothing to do with bank accounts. If you are in Thailand for 90 consecutive days you are required to report. Hope it all goes well.
Reply to
Ron ******
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Steve *******
You'll need an extension of stay every 90 days with the Non Imm ED visa. You don't actually need a visa to 'learn Thai'.
Juniper ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERSteve Greir yep I’ve got the extension fees listed there as well and since I want to take Thai classes anyway it seems the easiest visa to start with / the DTV has stricter financial requirements which I need more time for (you need to have the 500 K thb in your account for a longer period of time I’ve heard)
Reply to
Juniper ***********
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Shayne **********
You really need to be looking into schools in the city that you're going to be based in.
Juniper ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Shayne *********
that I’ve already done - thank you :)Reply to
Juniper ***********
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Jan ******************
The visa and extension fees look correct. School fees can vary between institutions. (Extension is € 52 at date, and foreign missions set their own fees).
Juniper ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jan *****************
Ok thank you - obviously we plan on having some extra funds on the side in case any of this is wrong but I just want to lay it all out in a financial plan.Reply to
Juniper ***********
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John *****
Lol the published costs and the reality are often far apart in thailand. Greasing palms is standard practice
Reply to
John *****
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