What do I need to do to move as a retiree to Koh Samui, Thailand?

Just make sure you've got someone to help you tie your shoelaces 👍

Of course there is such a thing as a “retirement visa”

I am amazed how careless people use the word “Retirement Visa”.

Do you mean the 90-days Retirement Visa or do you mean the 1-year Retirement Extension?

Actually, the term “retirement visa” can mean seven (7) different visas and stay permits, it depends what people like to say, be it wrong or not.

With kinds regards and thanks to Robert Lagas, who wrote it up and whose original text I have only marginally altered.

Once more, because people try to give advice based on what they think is a "Retirement Visa"

First of all, you DO not have to be retired to apply for this visa. You however need to be 50 years or older.

Well, some Thai embassies will insist that you already receive a pension, or they will tell you to apply for the Non-Imm-O/A Longstay Visa. What “your” embassy is doing, you need to check.

Second is that all options have DIFFERENT rules, regulations and requirements.

So please read and try not to give incorrect advice by using the requirements for a different type of visa or extension of stay.

What is a retirement visa?

It is a phrase used by foreigners and Immigration and it could be 7 different types of visa or stay permits, with different rules, regulations and requirements

OR

it could even be an 1 year Extension of Stay based on being over 50 years of age and willing to sit out the rest of their life inside Thailand.

It is easy to type “retirement visa”, but very difficult to understand which option the person refers to

Options are:

1. Single Entry Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age

2. Multiple Entry Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age (it got discontinued by October 2023 and is not available any more)

3. Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age without entry by conversion at local immigration office

4. Non Immigrant O-A visa (Long Stay)

5. Non Immigrant O-X visa

6. Long Term Residency (LTR) visa

7. Extension of Stay based on being over 50 years of age and willing to sit out the rest of their life inside Thailand (stamp from Immigration, which is not a visa)

ONLY for options 3, 5 and 7 the applicant needs a bank account in Thailand or a Certificate of Income from their Embassy.

Option 2 cannot be applied for any more, since all Thai Embassies and Consulates took it out of the E-visa program.

Option 3 is applied for by conversion of your Visa Exempt Entry or Tourist Visa at your local Immigration Office inside Thailand.

Option 6 is applied for with support of BOI Thailand

Option 7 is applied for at your local Immigration Office AFTER you used a Non-Immigrant visa.

Other options are applied for at a Thai Consulate OR for those countries who are legit, on-line.

Thanks for reading this long explanation.

Go with a normal 60 days visa. Look around, live there, talk with people, find a good trusted agency for visa

Where are you now ?

Age ?

If you are over 50

For over 50 years of age 100% easier & cheaper to apply for a Suitable retirement Visa from your home country

When you are ready to come - Apply for a Non-O 90 day Visa from the Thai Embassy in your home country about 30 days before departure.

When applying online you will need to show the required funds in any bank account , some personal details & Flight details & proof of first nights accommodation .

Once approved & arrive in Thailand you have 90 days to organise for the 12 month extension

No.1 requirement is

You need to set up a Thai bank account & deposit 800K Baht for at least 60 days to satisfy the extension

Go to the bank of choice & ask them what they require to open a bank account

You can also come to Thailand on a tourist Visa & get it converted to a Non-O retirement Visa for a much higher cost

There are 5 or 6 different retirement visas available in Thailand. First you need to work out is which one you want. Time for some research