What is the best visa option for a British retiree planning to move to Chiang Mai?

Question

Hi, I’m looking for some advice for my Dad please.

He’s British and is exploring retiring in Chiang Mai. He’s planning to come over in November for 3 months to see how he likes living there before making any decisions.

Could anyone recommend the best visa route for retirement and any reliable contacts/email addresses who could guide him through the visa, paperwork and relocation process?

He doesn’t use Facebook, so I’m researching on his behalf.

Any advice or contacts would be really appreciated. Thank you 😊

Ask Thailand · Answer

A British expat is looking for advice on the best visa option for his father's retirement in Chiang Mai. The recommended route is obtaining a 90-day NON-O visa for an initial visit, followed by the possibility of a 12-month extension of stay, contingent on financial requirements such as maintaining 800k baht in a Thai bank account or a monthly income of 65,000 baht. Community members suggest researching online resources, such as the Thai Embassy's website and YouTube guides, for further information on visa applications and relocation. Personal preferences and lifestyle will play a crucial role in deciding the most suitable area to settle in.

Martyn *********** · Answer

I hope he has no breathing problems? Pollution is a big problem up there for 3+ months of the year...

Steven *************** · Answer

Plenty of good and some not so good information on You tube. Gregor Brown has some very good ones and a good downloadable pdf format book. I highly recommend He make several trips exploring different areas before picking one to settle in. Best visa option for making the permanent move is the 90 day Non-O followed by 12 month extensions of stay.

Doc ******** · Answer

Need to remember your dad needs to have the 800'000 Thai baht or 65000 Thai baht income as proof when he applies for the e visa in the UK for the non o visa if he goes that route.

Shayne ********** · Answer

There's heaps of Chiang Mai focused Thailand information here.

[url redacted]

Will ************ · Answer

Must apply here for Thai visa , can be done up to  90  days before arriving into Thailand so  do it now [url redacted]

Lynnette ******* · Answer

As John says. Get the Non-O based on retirement. Open bank account. Then IF he wants to stay he's got it set up.

Taki**** · Answer

All the information about visas is on the Royal Thai Embassy London website. Don't need Facebook to view the website.

John ********** · Answer

He should get a 90 day Non-O visa for his trip in November which will negate the need for a 60 day tourist visa plus 30 day extension.

If he likes it and decides to move he should return home and apply for another 90 day Non-O visa while sorting out things in the UK. When he arrives in Thailand the next time he'll need to open a bank account and put a minimum of 800k baht in it within the first couple of weeks as it needs to be there for 2 months before he visits his local immigration office to apply for a 12 month extension of stay, which he can apply for repeatedly as long as he keeps meeting the requirements

Michael ******** · Answer

Go to Thai embassy UK website and all the info is there. There is a link to the e visa website there as well

What is the best visa option for a British retiree planning to move to Chiang Mai?

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