This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What documents and visa are needed for a British expat to retire in Phayao, Thailand?
retirement visaNON-O visaThai immigrationexpat living in ThailandPhayao districtvisa documentationThai bank account requirementsLONG-TERM RESIDENCE visa (LTR)expat advicemoving to Thailand
Feb 17, 2024
2 years ago
Paddy **********
ORIGINAL POSTERI have been married to a Thsi woman for 11 years I am British/Scottish I live in Glasgow whilst wife is working Netherlands I am 74 in August she has her own home in Phayao district we plan for myself to retire there what documents do I need and what is the best visa for me to retire there we hope to finalise things for my move end of this year or beginning of 2925 thank you
TLDR : Answer Summary
A British man, married to a Thai woman, is seeking guidance on the documentation and appropriate visa for retiring in Thailand's Phayao district. He considers the retirement visa (NON-O) the best option due to his wife's absence during his initial move, with advice highlighting the necessity of having 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account. Other options such as tourist visas before transitioning to retirement or marriage visas are discussed, along with the Long-Term Residence (LTR) visa as a favorable option. The conversation emphasizes connecting with the Thai embassy and the importance of proper planning for relocating by the end of 2024 or early 2025.
LONG TERM RESIDENT (LTR) VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic LTR Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Long Term Resident (LTR) Visa.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Long Term Resident (LTR) 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.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted DTV Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Durrant ********
A big bank balance should cover it
Shane ************
Use
@THAI *****************************
to get a retirement visa. You only need a bank account here if u use an agent and don't need to have 800k thb sitting in itKevin *******
Took your time !
Paddy **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kevin ******
yep as I'm still able to workKevin *******
@Paddy *********
at 74 ? Must be a pen pusher !Paddy **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kevin ******
nope far from itReply to
Paddy **********
Reply
Del ******
I think the marriage visa is the best thb 400k . you entitled to most then on .
Jim ***********
O
David *******
I wish you well for your 900th birthday. Happy Birthday. I will not be here to buy you a beer. Sorry.
Vernon *********
I am British/English!
Jamie ******
If you haven’t been ,just go on a tourist visa ,,,you can get retirement or marriage visas when your in Thailand …
Paul *********
If one is able to qualify - LTR is THE best option. (10year visa, renewal at 5yr point only). You’ll need to research it. A Brit friend of mine recently got it.
Helen ********
Beautiful area Lake Phayao and district.
John *********
Phayao area is spot on.
Jim *******
@John ********
Could you please tell me where this area is. I've been learning about Thailand myself for the last year and I haven't heard of this place. Thank you in advance
John *********
@Jim ******
About as far north as you can get. And about as far from the sea so I have swimming pools as a small business (or my wife has). Very laid back with few tourists and as near to a zero crime rates as you get, including any rip off pricing, always local prices. Lovely mountains and best climate in the country. I'm in Chiang Kham, Phayao province. 1 hour from Phayao town, 1.5 from Chiang Rai and 3-4 from Chiang Rai. Border crossing to Laos is close by for a leisurely cruise down the Mekong.Don ******
@John ********
Is the smoke bad there during burn season?John *********
@Don *****
Have a look at the charts on the internet. Gets hazy but so does the whole region.Stephen *********
@Don *****
yes. North area gets badJim *******
@John ********
Thank very much John. I appreciate you getting back to me so quickly. I hope to move there in the future. I have finances and health issues to work out first.John *********
@Jim ******
Give me a shout any time. Just sat down for a beer. Been a week chasing an underground piping leak in the pools. Shifted a lot of dirt! Good luck with it all.Reply to
John *********
Reply
Robert *********
Contact your nearest Thai embassy for info
Vernon *********
@Robert ********
Unfortunately no Thai Embassy in Scotland! I think they will accept his British/Scottish passport in London!!Robert *********
Vernon *********
@Robert ********
I was being sarcastic, obviously lost on some people.Reply to
Vernon *********
Reply
John *******
74 good on you cannot fault you, wish i could do the same
John ********
@John ******
I intend, if things workout going there for good in 2025, then I'll be on my way to 77th year.Steve **********
@John *******
John...dont wait, take a small loss. Once you step off plane. You add ten years to your life, maybe can't say that on 2025.
Tomorrow's promised to noone.
Been her over 20, never thought I would..feel great , Dr says another 10 or 15.
Am older than you.
Why wait !
John ********
@Steve *********
I'd be there in a heartbeat Steve, but need this year and possibly six months of 2025 to accrue the required funds to get the visa extension. I had hoped to get the agency under the table visa, but I was informed by a visa agent in Udon that they cannot do it anymore due to a new immigration commander in Isaan. That coupled with the Chinese in Bkk., & the scandal with 100 immigration officers taking bribes from these Chinese has put a block on that road of obtaining a visa extension.Steve **********
@John *******
Undersrand not wanting to use agency, and the neg publicity of late.I don't use one but know those that do.
PM me if thats your only drawback
John ********
@Steve *********
hello Steve, don't know if you've seen the msg , I've sent on your messenger. Full explanation of my predicament. The agent route may be preferential. I'll msg., my reasoning on your messenger.Reply to
John ********
Reply
Steve **********
@John ******
you can !Reply to
Steve **********
Reply
Stuart ***********
Retirement visa is much easier to obtain than marriage, but you need to deposit 800,000 baht in your Thai bank account.
Get an online
Good luck.
Get an online
*****
day tourist visa before you come, then you have plenty of time to get all the bank sorted (do this immediately) and your documentation ready.Good luck.
Frazer ******
@Stuart **********
Extremely hard to open a Bank account on a Tourist visaStuart ***********
@Frazer *****
yes. I managed it a couple of years ago, but it seems to be more difficult now. I see most people seem to use an agent for that now at a cost of about 4,000 Baht.Frazer ******
@Stuart **********
Just another one of the many money making schemes.Reply to
Frazer ******
Reply
Veronica ********
@Stuart **********
you don't need *****
0 in a Thai account if you apply for your retirement visa in your own country .Marriage visas are a head fkSteve *******
@Veronica *******
You'll need 800k in a Thai account and seasoned for 2 months for the 1 year extention of stay. Marriage visa is just as easy but only requires 400kVeronica ********
@Steve ******
I only need to show regular money coming in per month ( *****
according to memory) ...according to Thai embassy in AustraliaSteve *******
@Veronica *******
Different requirements for Males and Females when it comes to a Non Imm O based on marriage.Reply to
Steve *******
Reply
Steve *******
@Stuart **********
Why get a Tourist visa? Just get the Non Imm O before he comes, so much easier. No extra trip to Immigration, easier to open a bank account and no onward travel needed, it's a no-brainerStuart ***********
@Steve ******
I thought that involved getting police checks and other stuff, but if it's as simple as applying then yes that makes sense.Steve *******
@Stuart **********
Police check and medical is for the Non Imm OA, a totally different visa.Stuart ***********
@Steve ******
okay, it seems much better I agree.Reply to
Stuart ***********
Reply
Chris ***********
2925? That’s a long time ahead.
Andy ********
@Chris **********
no point leaving it to the last minute....lolPaddy **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chris **********
sorry should 2025 but I guess u knew thatJohn ******
@Paddy *********
good luck with your planChris ***********
Pulling yer leg sorry!
Reply to
Chris ***********
Reply
John ******
@Chris **********
Tardis.Reply to
John ******
Reply
Brandon ************
If your wife won't be moving with you then the retirement visa (non-O) is probably your best option since she would have to go with you every year if you wanted to use the married to Thai visa.
Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
34 comments
2 years ago
25 comments
2 years ago
54 comments
2 years ago
48 comments
2 years ago
66 comments
2 years ago
3 comments
2 years ago
15 comments
3 years ago
53 comments
3 years ago
What are the visa options and requirements for British expats looking to stay in Thailand long-term?
4 comments
3 years ago
109 comments
3 years ago
12 comments
3 years ago
42 comments
3 years ago
37 comments
4 years ago
42 comments
4 years ago
14 comments
4 years ago
6 comments
5 years ago
14 comments
5 years ago
8 comments
5 years ago
22 comments
5 years ago
61 comments
5 years ago
What is the best visa for a UK retiree to live in Thailand while meeting the financial requirements?
5 comments
5 years ago
26 comments
6 years ago
49 comments
6 years ago
12 comments
8 years ago
6 comments
8 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.