I am a 53 year old American citizen and wish to obtain a non immigrant-O visa for purposes of retirement after entering Thailand in the next couple of months. I also have intentions to marry my fiancé shortly after arriving so consider that as well. What is the best visa and or way to enter Thailand in order to apply for the non-O, or potentially marriage visa? Is there currently any visa waiver entry or must I get a tourist visa in order to apply for the non-O within Thailand?
TLDR : Answer Summary
An American citizen looking to retire in Thailand at 53 can enter the country using a 45-day visa-exempt entry. After arrival, they may apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa for 90 days, based on age requirements and alongside plans for marriage. It's crucial to have the necessary funds in a Thai bank account, but there are no seasoning requirements for the initial application—only for extensions after the marriage or retirement based on the 800K baht requirement.
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.