Answered3 years ago
What is the best visa option for applying for a retirement visa in Thailand and what documents should I bring?
My goal is a September 24' arrival to Thailand to apply for retirement visa. I will meet the age and income requirements. What visa should I apply for coming into country to ease this process. I was told coming in on visa exempt tourist or 60 day tourist isn't recommended. Do I need any other documentation from home. My thought was hire an agent for first time and learn process to do on my own in future years. I'll be coming from USA. I've read about needing law enforcement back ground checks etc being required. Should I bring that also? Thanks for any tips.
Answer summary
The user plans to arrive in Thailand on September 24, 2024, to apply for a retirement visa and seeks advice on the best initial visa to enter Thailand, necessary documentation, and whether hiring an agent is advisable. Community members suggest that entering on a visa-exempt or 60-day tourist visa is acceptable, emphasizing that bringing documentation such as a bank statement confirming 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account is crucial for the non-O visa application. They also discuss the necessity of a background check only if applying for the non-OA visa while in the US. It is recommended to open a Thai bank account upon arrival, and while hiring an agent is an option, it's not mandatory as the process can be straightforward if the user follows immigration office instructions.
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Tom *********
The health insurance requirements were dropped to the best of my knowledge, but probably a good idea. If you apply for your visa in the US your bank statements and income source, Social Security, pensions, etc...will be accepted at face value. Here in Thailand there's an authentication process. I don't think the US embassy here "seals" or certifies income statements any longer. Get a 90 day Type O non resident then after 90 days get the 1 year extension
Steve **********
Don't need agent, just follow simple IO instructions
Pete **********
OP@Steve *********
what is IO ?Steve **********
@Pete *********
Immigration Officer.
Alireza *************
You are right first do through the agent then you know what to do for your next visa. Agent cost about
*****
baht.
Christopher *************
Brilliant
Pete **********
OPI bet the 80's in thailand was a blast
Pete **********
OPI'll call the Thai embassy. I'll apply here for the proper visa. I heard securing the bank account is the issue most run into. I will probably start with the 800k in bank for first year. But won't leave in. I'll just move it back in at renewal or just move the 65k monthly into thai bank. It's an either or requirement I'm pretty sure. I appreciate the comments. I corrected my date of prospective travel. I was there last September 23' hence my error . Thanks for the laugh. If i could go back in time it would be a lot further back than a year lol 😆
Stuart *********
@Pete *********
To get the year extension off a Non O the rules are that you must have the 800k in a bank account two months before applying. It must remain for 3 months after. Your balance cannot fall below 400k for the rest of the year. For the second year extension you can switch to using 12 months of 65k transfers. But you need to have adhered to the rules of the first year extension in order to do so. It’s possibly best to put the money back up to 800k 2 months prior to your next extension even though you’re going to use the 65k per month option. You technically don’t need to but if there is any reason that the transfer option doesn’t work (late transfer, not over the 65k or whatever) then you have a backup plan to get your next extension and then sort out the issue for the following year.
Pete **********
OP@Stuart ********
solid info thanks. 👌Steve *******
Non Imm O
Stuart *********
The need to use an agent is generally for those that can’t meet the financial requirements needed for a specific visa type.
If you use one you are generally bound to keep using them (or another agent) for subsequent years - although that’s only the case if you used them for financial reasons not just to “hand hold you” through the process.
It’s not difficult to do yourself. You say you have the requirements. You’ll need a Thai bank account to deposit funds in to. That could be the tricky part if you’re not on a long term visa and may require the help of an agent.
Once you have that then it’s generally pretty simple. Visit your local immigration office and ask them for the handout of their specific requirements. There is no generic list as each may have specific requirements.
If you use one you are generally bound to keep using them (or another agent) for subsequent years - although that’s only the case if you used them for financial reasons not just to “hand hold you” through the process.
It’s not difficult to do yourself. You say you have the requirements. You’ll need a Thai bank account to deposit funds in to. That could be the tricky part if you’re not on a long term visa and may require the help of an agent.
Once you have that then it’s generally pretty simple. Visit your local immigration office and ask them for the handout of their specific requirements. There is no generic list as each may have specific requirements.
Nigel **************
Maybe he means 23 Sept 2024
Pete **********
OP@Nigel *************
of course I did. It's amazing what people pick apart sometimes. 😆Nigel **************
@Pete *********
lol 😉 easy mistake to make
Steve **********
If you do an OA you will need to buy health insurance.
Come in on visa exempt.
With at least 15 days left go to immigration and convert to a non O. Open bank acct and deposit 800k baht. Go back to immigration at the time they tell you and extend the non O for one year due to retirement. While at immigration get a certificate of residence as you will need to open bank acct.
Come in on visa exempt.
With at least 15 days left go to immigration and convert to a non O. Open bank acct and deposit 800k baht. Go back to immigration at the time they tell you and extend the non O for one year due to retirement. While at immigration get a certificate of residence as you will need to open bank acct.
Steve **********
I think it's ok to get the OA if you are young enough to get health insurance. As you get older it can be pretty much impossible to buy.
Having the insurance is a good idea regardless.
Having the insurance is a good idea regardless.
John ********
@Steve *********
totally wrong order. You need the 800K in the bank to apply for a Non O in ThailandSteve *******
@Steve *********
He'll need a Thai bank account with 800k for the Non Imm O in Thailand. Much easier to get the visa in his home Country.
Stuart ***********
Using an agent is unnecessary and ties you into using them every subsequent year.
Tracy *******
I have done a retirement visa when I went. Last time was 10 years ago. I got that as it afforded me to stay many months,though I did not plan ever to live there full time. I gathered all required documents and went to Chicago, made my application, stayed at a friends house and picked the visa up in a few days. It was easy when I did it with all documentation needed. For the background check, I just got that at the state level and it was always fine.
Chris *******
Paul ********
Obviously you mean September 24 or your trip has got off to a bad start ! Whoever gave you advice about the visa waiver or 60 day not being suitable was wrong, not many other options available, 60 day would give you more time, but with an agent it is possible to get things sorted in 30 days if the process is started immediately after arrival.
No requirement for documents from home apart from your passport.
No requirement for documents from home apart from your passport.
Brandon ************
The only time you would need a background check is if you're applying for the non-OA visa from a Thai embassy or consulate in the US.
If you apply for a non-O visa while you're in the US there's no such requirement and it will probably be easier to open a bank account than if you arrive as a tourist.
Also "income" doesn't mean anything since the only income immigration will accept is embassy certified income and the US embassy hasn't done that for many years.
You either need to get the OA from the US and show the equivalent of 800,000 baht in your US Bank account or for the non-O you'll need 800,000 baht in your Thai bank account to apply for the 1-year extension after arriving.
If you apply for a non-O visa while you're in the US there's no such requirement and it will probably be easier to open a bank account than if you arrive as a tourist.
Also "income" doesn't mean anything since the only income immigration will accept is embassy certified income and the US embassy hasn't done that for many years.
You either need to get the OA from the US and show the equivalent of 800,000 baht in your US Bank account or for the non-O you'll need 800,000 baht in your Thai bank account to apply for the 1-year extension after arriving.
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