What is the retirement visa protocol for expats over 50 years old wishing to live in Thailand?

Go there 4 months per year it’s enough !

First question, why not Spain or Italy? Much cl9ser and more beautiful, and easier language to learn

Personally I would retire in Philippines 🇵🇭.

I have experience in Thailand and Philippines is much nicer. No problem with visas you can extend every 2 months

Go to cambodia easy to get a retirement visa not as many hoops to jump through

Bring all your money 💰 🤑 to Thailand 🇹🇭

I think it's also possible to get one retirement visa and have your spouse on it as a dependent. If so that would require one bank account.

Any person you meet will need money to take care of their old mother, father, children, buffalos or even elephants.

First thing is to find a Thai lady or boy half your age, give them all your money and promise them to buy them a house and adopt all their bastards from previous tricks. Then the Thai immigration will see thru it that you are an honorable man and may give you a retirement visa which need to be renewal every year with more and more money.

Pattaya is sleazy place no good

By the look of his replies to comments I think he knows Thailand and acting stupid to see comments. That’s all .

I barely help these types of people .

They already know enough or can look online for help .

Pay, pay, pay

Same .. and same!

I am just looking into this. Surprisingly not a difficult process but as all things administrative, it is important to strictly follow the established process. Ideal approach is to get an agent to handle this for you. There are several visas retirees can use depending on individual circumstances.

Google for facts.

Ware a nice plce. Near sea ?

Is it cheap. To buy a flat , or Rent ?

Go to the Thai immigration website

Contact Thai Visa Centre.

Get a brain transplant

Research

Chap gpt can give you a very comprehensive answer. On here you will only get conflicting information from bitter and twisted expats. Good luck.

I don’t understand and maybe I missed something.

I read al comments and you wrote that you have lived before in all seasons in Thai. And you ask about what’s the protocol for retirement and visa? 🫣🤪.

I have been only for 3 weeks last January in Thai. And the protocol is easy to read on the Thai website. Just follow these steps I guess 😉🤗.

Get a visum for 90 days. Go to Bangkok - get and bank account and drop money or proof you got every month money on it and let te 90 days visum change in a 1 year permit. Something like that.

But I think you must know this after all your years in Thai 🤣😉🫣

Go to Thailand in all seasons and see if you like it first, I to would love to live in Thailand But from March on it gets very hot, so for me it would be from October to March. Come back jump in my Motorhome cross to Europe and drive, I have a Thai wife of 20 years and the Motorhome, so I got the dream just need her permission.

Well, there are several roads leading to the 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa and to the subsequent 1-year extended stay permit based on retirement.

We are talking about the most common and persisting misunderstandings regarding the rules that come with applying for the “retirement visa” and the subsequent “one-year extension of stay permit based on retirement”. Misunderstandings happen because a “retirement visa” can mean 7 different visas and stay permits

The best way is to enter Thailand on a 90-days single entry Non-Imm-O Retirement/over 50 Visa”, as it will get you a 90-days stay permit stamped. On this visa, you can get a Thai bank account opened. Within this 90-days period, you have plenty of time to arrange for the application to the “1-year extended stay permit”

On a Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa, there is no mandatory health insurance, no police report and no medical check needed. These are requirements if you apply for the 365-days Non-Imm-O/A Longstay Visa.

In order to apply for the “90-days single entry Non-Imm-O retirement visa” through the online E-visa system at the Royal Thai Embassy of your home country, you can use the proof of income of a monthly minimum of 65,000 THB, by using your original pension or other income documentation.

Or you can use a deposit of a minimum of 800,000 THB or the equivalent in your home country currency, or on your home bank account, or on a Thai bank, or just anywhere in the World – as long as it is in your sole name

However, for the application inside Thailand to the “1-year extension of stay permit” out of the initial 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa, if you are a citizen of a country whose embassy in Thailand does not issue an “income affidavit” any more (these are the embassies of USA, U.K., Canada and Australia), you would need a “12 months bank statement”, showing that for the past 12 months, you have been transferring from abroad to your Thai bank account a minimum of 65,000 THB, consecutively month for month.

If your embassy still issues an affidavit of income, you can use this method for the financial proof, which needs a monthly income or pension of a minimum of 65,000 THB

For British, Australian and U.S. citizens, in the first year there is no other way around, than depositing a minimum of 800,000 THB in your Thai bank account and use this deposit for the financial proof which is required for the application to the “1-year extension of stay permit based on being over 50/retired”

The alternative would be, if you don’t have that kind of money or are not willing to deposit in a Thai Bank account is, paying an agent to “arrange” the requirements, which I, however, do not recommend

Or, as soon as you have accumulated 12 consecutive months of 65,000 THB transfers, all you need to do is apply for the next 1-year extension of the stay permit, using the 12- months bank statement. After you get the second 1-year extension issued, you could withdraw the 800,000 THB.

This application to a 1Year Extension costs a 1900 THB fee and you can theoretically do it all by yourself, or accept the help of an agent for the simplified legal service.

NOTE: It is income OR deposit.

There is a third method, called the “combination method”:

A combination mix of income and deposit. Some immigrations don’t allow the combination method in the first year.

And some Immigration want the deposit part to exceed 400,000 THB.

The combination method means that the sum of the deposit AND the monthly income exceeds 800,000 THB in one year.

But let’s continue with the “normal method” (visa issued in your home country, followed by the application to the 1-year Extension inside Thailand):

On the day of application to the 1-year extension, the 800,000 THB need to have “seasoned” in your account for two months, and this has to be proven with the “bank letter of guarantee” (in Thai: rab roong thanakan).

You need:

*** an up-to-date TM30 registration of your accommodation in Thailand

*** your passport. Copies of passport detail page and page with the entry stamp

*** your updated bankbook and the “bank letter of guarantee” and an receipt of an ATM withdrawal of a small amount on the same day

*** a TM7 form (you will get it on Immigration)

***you sign in blue ink on all copies

*** you sign forms STM2, STM11 and STM9

*** maybe you get asked for a copy of your TDAC (digital arrival card)

*** 1900 Thai Baht application fee

*** 1000 Thai Baht fee for the single entry permit

After been issued the “1-year Extension of the Stay Permit based on Retirement”, the 800,000 THB need to remain in the account for 3 more months. After these 3 months, the deposit shall never go under 400,000 THB. Before the application to the next “1-year Extension of Stay”, a minimum of 800,000 THB must have seasoned in the account for two months, again

On the day you get issued the “1-year extension of stay permit”, you should buy a re-entry permit for it.

A re-entry permit will keep your stay permit alive in case you exit Thailand before the expiry of the 1-year stay permit.

A single re-entry permit is 1000 THB on Immigration. A multi re-entry is 3800 THB. With a multi re-entry permit, you could exit and re-enter unlimited times during the 1-year stay permit period.

Jo first you must do visa in uk 🇬🇧 I used a company called Scott’s Visa thy were very good it cost around £250 I recommend very highly it was stress free

You don’t have to go to thai embassy in London thy do everything for you .. and if you live outside London you safe on train fare & travel ..

Go to veitnam

Hi, to tell you the truth i have heard a lot of sad stories but there are also beautiful ones... i have been maried with a wonderful and pretty thai woman for more than 13 years, we have a very handsome 9 years old son and we are all very happy together. Just don't go chase women in discos, tourist places and maybe you will get very lucky too... 😊🙏

there are so many story's here. I can imagine that, when you all read this while you not know about thai visa at all, you not know where to start.

So the best way is the site of Immigration. They have the wright story and the latest news.

Or go to a visa office.

All people here are so kind and trying to help!!!! But all have other opinions and that surely is gonna confuse.

I even have my retirement Non OA for a few weeks and did all by immigration of my country. So I know how it works. But then still there were people here who said I was wrong????!!!!.

Just bring 20 grand and try it, then go home in 6;months

Stay in the land of plenty. Maybe get used to daily call to prayer. Praise Allah

If you’ve lived here before why ask, people like you are so arrogant to think that someone will give you all the information, your just taking the piss 🤬

Avoid it at all costs

It’s a nightmare place to live

Bring enough money

That is Gospel.😀

Use an agent it's a lot less hassle. Worth the extra cost for peace of mind, as everything changes constantly.

Go on the Thai immigration website

Phone credit card passport , probably a spare pair of glasses at your age …. But once you’re here you’ll need a degree in patience to navigate the system …. Thailand is very bureaucratic … things happen their way or not at all … this is not to put you off just to forewarn you

Depends where you like to live....

Not being funny but this post is just lazy. Go on the Internet and look. Then if have a query about a VISA then ask.

It’s best to ask people who have done this. It requires planning and finances.

As 180 days a year resident you have to declare and eventually tax in Thailand. A DTA can be reduced or terminate tax but certificates have to be legalized- here the problem starts…

Yes you need money!

Personally think it might be wise to use a visa agent.

The only one is you have to have enough money

Relax everyone!!! Y'all know by now that the person posting the question has zero intentions of reading your answers.

Western refugees are flooding Thailand...It will end up changing this beautiful country massively.

You need to spend time here first

Try it first. It's a total culture shock. Personally I love it but it won't suit everyone

Lawyers, money and guns

Good adv is come as tourist first, learn basic Thai language, don't fall in love too easy, never married ex whore, never show off your wealth, keep low profile, behave like a poor guy and homeless.

Best woman to get married is (Isaan girl) @ northeast state of Thailand. Stop relation immediately if the girl ask for money. Disguise as poor man and become temple boy. Good Thai ladies usually visit temple frequently. Make fren first

I spent nearly 5 months here in 5 trips in the last 2 years. I retired here in January 2026. I think first you need to find what you like here and a place suitable to live that suits your lifestyle.

Places like Pattaya may be ok for a holiday but I would not live there knowing what I know now.

I coming first and last time February 2004 and never go back to Europe.

Happy Thailand 22+ years.....

Bring a bank card

Google.. thai embassy in the UK???!!!

The first thing you need to do is which of the 5 or so visas all classed as retirement visas suit you. The most common is the 90 day non-o visa based on being over 50 which you obtain before travelling to Thailand. Once you get here open a bank account and deposit the required funds for a 12 month extension of stay based on retirement. The funds need to be in place for 2 months before you can apply for the extension so getting the bank account is a priority

Wellcome 🙏🏡If there is a small modern garden house near the airport in Khon Kaen, price around 3M THB, would anyone be interested?

Don't get into a serious relationship with young Thai women, they more than likely are going to use you for money, go out at night, want you to buy them expensive things, want you to send money to their family, cheat on you, and the list goes on. Just have your sex if you want, and send them away.. ...p.s. never buy a house in their name either, they will kick you out eventually and move their husband and family in.

Visit for 6-12 months before making any decisions.

Burning season.

Rainy season.

Hot season.

He won't last long here

No clue

They will love / bang u long time

Come for a few weeks try different locations and accommodations and see if you like it before making a permanent move.

Don't do it

Please don't think you will retire in an area that looks good on the Internet, yes come to this wonderful country and rent before you decide where is best for you.

A non O 90 days,then extend it every year is a good place to start.

For over 50 years of age 100% easier & cheaper to apply for a Suitable retirement Visa from your home country

When you are ready to come - Apply for a Non-O 90 day Visa from the Thai Embassy in your home country about 30 days before departure.

When applying online you will need to show the required funds in any bank account , some personal details & Flight details & proof of accommodation .

Once approved & arrive in Thailand you have 90 days to organise for the 12 month extension

No.1 requirement is

Within the first 2 weeks one needs to set up a Thai bank account & deposit 800K Baht for at least 60 days to satisfy the extension

Go to the bank of choice & ask them what they require to open a bank account

You can also come to Thailand on a tourist Visa & get it converted to a Non-O retirement Visa for a much higher cost

Money

Easiest way is to look online to the Thai embassy website , it has all the questions and answers that you might need

Ask you Embassy