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What is the best visa option for retiring in Thailand as a UK citizen?
Retirement VisaNON-O VisaNON-OA VisaVisa Application ProcessThai ImmigrationBank AccountExpats in ThailandLong Stay VisasThailand e-VisaRetirement in ThailandVisa Requirements
Sep 23, 2024
2 years ago
Sean ********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi All
Looking for a basic plan / advice.
I intend on retiring for a few years in Thailand in 12 months. I’m from the UK, age 55.
Thai girlfriend for 5 years, house now built near Kalasim, everything good.
Travel to Thailand every 12 weeks, and my girlfriend has been to the UK with me 3 times.
Worked all my life, and just want to relax and enjoy the next 5 to 10 years while I’m still able to.
I don’t have a Thai bank account.
Which visa should I apply for in the uk, and what steps do I need to take to keep things simple.
Thanks so much for your help and advice.
Sean
Looking for a basic plan / advice.
I intend on retiring for a few years in Thailand in 12 months. I’m from the UK, age 55.
Thai girlfriend for 5 years, house now built near Kalasim, everything good.
Travel to Thailand every 12 weeks, and my girlfriend has been to the UK with me 3 times.
Worked all my life, and just want to relax and enjoy the next 5 to 10 years while I’m still able to.
I don’t have a Thai bank account.
Which visa should I apply for in the uk, and what steps do I need to take to keep things simple.
Thanks so much for your help and advice.
Sean
TLDR : Answer Summary
Sean, a 55-year-old UK national planning to retire in Thailand, seeks advice on which visa to apply for. According to community suggestions, the Non-Immigrant O or OA visa would be suitable. It's recommended to apply for the Non-O visa from the Thai embassy in the UK before traveling. Once in Thailand, he can open a Thai bank account, deposit 800,000 baht to meet financial requirements for a long-term stay. Several community members recommend handling the application process himself to avoid extra costs associated with agents, while others suggest using an agent to alleviate any stress in the process.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement 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.
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Andy **********
Apply for the NON O visa on the Thai e-visa website in the UK, before arriving in Thailand, try and open a bank account yourself, it may be possible with the non O visa, get a visa agent to open the bank account if you can't do it yourself, and deposit ฿800,000 that needs to be seasoned for two months, when you arrive in Thailand go and get a list of requirements for a "12 month extension of stay based on retirement" after 60 days in Thailand you should be able to apply for the extension, the new DTV is another option to look at.
Sean ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andy *********
Thanks for the advice, very helpful 😀👍Andy **********
Make sure you apply "directly" with the Thai e-visa official website, not through any third party websites.
Sean ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andy *********
Thank you 👍Reply to
Sean ********
Reply
Sean ********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks Andy
When I apply for the Non O visa in the Uk and hopefully get it, how long do you have until the 90 days starts.?
For example, apply 1 month before departure,
When I apply for the Non O visa in the Uk and hopefully get it, how long do you have until the 90 days starts.?
For example, apply 1 month before departure,
Andy **********
@Sean *******
*******************************************************************************
Graham ******
@Andy *********
This is the official eVisa website ************************
Andy **********
@Graham *****
I made a comment to him, saying only use that link I sent for information, about applying on the E-visa website, and said to only use the E-visa official website "directly" and not to go through any third party sites, But yes, good idea you supplying the official link, I'm sure he appreciates the help.Reply to
Andy **********
Reply
Andy **********
@Sean *******
as long as you meet all the requirements your visa application will get approved, sometimes they ask for additional documents, you need to print the E-visa and carry it in your passport, it has an issue date and a use by date, you can enter Thailand anytime within that date to activate the visa, and you get stamped in for 90 days, the London embassy are very quick at issuing e-visas, people report getting them usually within a week, so a month before would be okay, I've send an information link in another comment, that explains the way to apply on the E-visa site.Graham ******
@Sean *******
The 90 days start the day the Visa is issued and when you enter Thailand anytime during these 90 days you'll get a 90 day entry stamp. RTE London are one of the quickest for Visa approvals so applying one month before your departure is fine.Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
Greg ***********
I started out on a 90-days Non-Imm-O retirement visa once I turned 50, opened a bank account in Thailand and transferred +800.000.- THB onto it. Then I applied for the "1-year extension of stay permit" on Immigration, using the bank letter confirming the deposit had seasoned for 2 months. Fee is 1900.- THB, and I always buy a single re-entry permit for 1000.- THB on the same day. I have been renewing/applying for the next extension, year for year, since 17 years. Easy peasy, it take 20 minutes on the bank and 20 minutes on Immigration
Sean ********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks Greg.
What is the single re-entry permit for ?
What is the single re-entry permit for ?
Sean ********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks for the advice, very helpful 😀
Greg ***********
@Sean *******
I always buy it on top of the 1-year extension. In case I exit Thailand, it keeps the stay permit valid. If you exit Thailand during the one-year extended stay permit without a re-entry permit, your extended stay permit will expire and you would have to start the whole process, againReply to
Greg ***********
Reply
Nicholas *********
Pessimistic
At 65 one is still fit!!!!
At 65 one is still fit!!!!
Sean ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI hope so, 😂👍
Reply to
Sean ********
Reply
Jo **********
get an LTR visa for sure
Glenn *********
You don't need a agent if you got the money in the Bank.. practically easier paperwork for you than you did for your gf first visa to the UK ..your get everything you need by contacting the Thai embassy London ...
Stuart ***********
Do not use an agent, the process is easy.
First apply for a non o retirement visa whilst you are in the UK.
Then come to Thailand and open a bank account straightaway, this should be easy as you have a non o visa.
Deposit 800,000 baht in the account as soon as you have opened the account (if using Wise to transfer you need to use the code for buying a house, so it shows as an international transfer).
Go to your local immigration office and get a list of their requirements to extend your stay.
Once your money has been in the account for 2 months, go to your bank to get the documents immigration require and take these plus your other documentation (lots of photocopies and passport size photos) to immigration and get the one year extension.
I did mine for the third time two weeks ago and it took me less than 30 minutes in the immigration office, to walk away with another year.
It costs 1,900 baht. Good luck.
First apply for a non o retirement visa whilst you are in the UK.
Then come to Thailand and open a bank account straightaway, this should be easy as you have a non o visa.
Deposit 800,000 baht in the account as soon as you have opened the account (if using Wise to transfer you need to use the code for buying a house, so it shows as an international transfer).
Go to your local immigration office and get a list of their requirements to extend your stay.
Once your money has been in the account for 2 months, go to your bank to get the documents immigration require and take these plus your other documentation (lots of photocopies and passport size photos) to immigration and get the one year extension.
I did mine for the third time two weeks ago and it took me less than 30 minutes in the immigration office, to walk away with another year.
It costs 1,900 baht. Good luck.
Sean ********
ORIGINAL POSTERthanks
Reply to
Sean ********
Reply
Bob **********
Just get a no -o come here open a Thai bank in your nome deposit 400k for two months and extend for one year based on married to a Thai
Greg ***********
@Bob *********
he isn't married to herBob **********
@Greg **********
then he’ll need 800k in the bank for retirementReply to
Bob **********
Reply
Dave ********
This is who I used.
Dave ********
Don’t do it yourself. Find an agent to take care of it for you. It’s so much easier. It’ll cost you a few baht but it’ll reduce the stress involved. This is just my opinion and experience.
Michael *******
@Dave *******
don’t feed the trough 🤔Dave ********
@Michael ******
I said it was my opinion. We can still have those right?Michael *******
@Dave *******
Of course , in my opinion and experience feeding the trough perpetuates the corruption surrounding Immig, and DLT to the point in Phuket it’s 3 months to get an appt now for a license unless you pay…..these people are greedy and exploit the willingness of farangs to pay to cut corners …..I saw this in Africa over many years and it’s a serious issue comes down to personal choice but I won’t recommend agents for reasons I mention 👍Reply to
Michael *******
Reply
Mark ********
@Dave *******
"Cost him a few baht"..like *****
baht?Reply to
Mark ********
Reply
Mark ********
Yup do it yourself. No need for an agent. O and OA are pretty straight forward. O you dont need health insurance..OA you do.
Stephen ********
Easy to do yourself. Go on Thai embassy uk website
Ting **********
Hi retirement visa can do all process here in Thailand
Ron ******************
Non imm O or OA based on retirement. Contact the Thai embassy for requirements.
Reply to
Ron ******************
Reply
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