What do I need to legally retire in Thailand?

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Some of the comments on this site re legality,are somewhat suspect.

Having visited Thailand many times,for months at a time,and married to a Thai national,( now divorced)I have a certain amount of knowledge on the country.

The difference between legal and illegal is a fine line in my opinion.

Examples are the frequent bribing,offers of financial inducement,riding motorcycles without a helmet, prostitution; and it is prostitution don't kid oneself!

Having said that,I love the country,was married to a Thai,( previously mentioned) have a gorgeous 22 years old mixed race daughter,and think the country is wonderful!

But yes shortcuts occur,often not legal,and possibly a lot more than many countries! Though maybe not Nigeria...? Yes I have been there many years ago when my dad worked there....

Basically you have to be rich to move to Thailand.

Easy way is get a. Visa agent to do it all cost is minimal no hassle they do it all and more

STEP-BY-STEP DO-IT-YOURSELF INSTRUCTIONS -- APPLYING FOR RETIREMENT STAY AFTER ARRIVAL IN THAILAND

(Must be over age 50):

i. You may arrive either Visa Exempt (currently 45-days), or on a 60-day Tourist Visa.

ii. Then, immediately after your arrival, you must promptly open a Thai Bank Account, and transfer 800,000 Baht into Thai Bank Account (if married, some Immig. Offices like CM, accept Joint Account with 1.6 Mil. Baht. Also Note, that either Passbook Savings or Fixed Deposit is acceptable, but not Investment Account. Finally note, that some Immig. Offices, but not all - e.g. CM, require proof of foreign source of funds. WISE is an inexpensive, easy & reliable service to transfer funds).

iii. Then, you apply for a 90-day Non-O Visa at local Thai Immigration Office. If on Visa Exempt, you use Form TM87, if on Tourist Visa TM86. You are required to apply with minimum 15-21 days remaining on permitted Stay, depending on Office (Chiang Mai, requires 21 days).

Requirements: TM87 or TM86 (Note: Fear not, only 1-page Form simple to fill out in English with only basic info., name, address, passport info., arrival info, and stated purpose: "For Retirement"),

Must be Over Age 50, 2000 Baht, Copy of all relevant pages of Passport (i.e. Facepage, and Entry Stamp); copy of TM30 (that is the required arrival form that is either completed by your Hotel or Condo, or you do yourself at Immig. Office w/i 24 hrs of arrival); copy of proof of residency (Rental Agreement, or Hotel Reservation -- some offices may not allow if only staying at a HOtel); and most importantly proof of the money in Bank (Copy of Bank Book, and a certified Letter from the Bank usually costing 100 Baht).

Above is all simple and straightforward, so no need for spending money on a Visa Service.

iv. If all docs. in order, Immig. Office will put a Sticker in your Passport that you are "under consideration", and a date to return to pick up your Visa Stamp (prior to your Stay expiration).

v. Next, when you have 30 days remaining on the Non-O (and your Bank Money has "seeded" 60 days -- i.e. stayed on deposit), you go back to Immig. Office to apply for the 1-yr Retirement Extension.

Requirements.: TM7 (Req. for Extension of Stay); 1900 Baht, and all other same docs. as above (newly updated of course). And, you will receive 1-yr Extension of Stay -- usually same day, if you arrive in morning.

Note: For both processes above, your Bank Passbook Balance must be updated same date as application, and the Bank Letter should be no more than 7 days old -- easiest just to do both same day just before going to Immig. Office).

vi. Finally, you should/must get a Re-Entry Stamp -- easiest/best to just do immediately after you get your 1-yr. Extension stamp. It can be single Re-Entry for 1000 Baht, or 3800 Baht for unlimited multiple Re-Entry. The Re-Entry Stamp allows you to leave and return to Thailand, without invalidating your 1-yr Extension. If you fail to do that, then your Extension of Stay is nullified, and you must start the process again.

(IMPORTANT: If you want or need to leave Thailand while on the initial 90-Day Non-O, same thing -- must get Re-Entry Stamp.). Hope that is all clear.

By Robert B. Morton

9/

I would seek a full understanding of the amount of toxic air pollution first.

Also, the import duties, fees and taxes.

first thing dont tell them your American or Indian lol tell them your from Canada or Australia lol

What is the Thai embassy phone number thailand Bangkok

Be old and rich

And remember if you retire hear from uk the state pension Will be frozen,it’s best if you have health insurance,make shore you have enough money to last you out ,there are people trapped hear no health insurance and no money to go back and no home in uk to go back to travel with caution

Money age and a visa

You’re well on the way. Now that you have joined the group today, next you should go to this group’s landing page, and type “retirement” into the search field (magnifying glass icon at the top of the page), hit enter, then spend a few hours of your time reading the thousands of helpful previous posts and comments. You should also thoroughly review the official Thai government visa website (links available in the above mentioned posts/comments). Good luck.

Yes, I used an agent who circumvented the financial requirements so i have to use an agent again or cop some sort of fine. In dealing with the agent I was unable to have a understandable conversation so I was unaware of what they were doing for me. That was in Phuket

Basically you need money to retire here

You can bring all the money you want untaxable as long as you don't stay at 180 days in this tax year and then the following year you can stay as long as you want.

Nothing

A lot of money to cover tax on ALL money brought into Thailand from overseas and health insurance etc

Yes, do not use an Agent. They circumvent the financial requirements which is basically fraud.

Money and lots

Contact someone like Thai Visa centre in Bangkok. They will ask some details, and provide genuine options. They were great with me.

Just retired.

Be over 50 years of age, have 800.000 thb in the bank. Apply.

Probably 1000 post explaining it just do a search or wait there will be two more of this day

Your local Thai Embassy site has all the options for retirement, Non O or OA