What visa options are available for American retirees looking to live in Thailand?

June 9, 2017
7 years ago
John ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello, I am an American retiree , 70 yrs. and after 4 years in Mexico i am wondering about living in Thailand, Here in Mexico i play Music, i study Tai Chi and Qui Gong so, i want to attend a few classes also perhaps a school of Qui Gong Medicine training, it has been over 50 years since visiting the Orient , had my 18th birthday on the docks of Bancock ........would you please send suggestions on what Visas or Papers i should submit, retiree, over 50 ( well over ) a Thai friend of mine , told me to go to North Thailand in the Mountains...............i thank You in advance

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TLDR : Answer Summary
An American retiree, aged 70, is seeking advice on the appropriate visas and paperwork for living in Thailand after spending four years in Mexico. The retiree is interested in attending classes for Tai Chi and Qi Gong and has been advised by a Thai friend to consider moving to the cooler regions of North Thailand. Suggestions from community members include exploring the Non-Immigrant OA Visa, obtaining the Elite Visa, and gathering specific income requirements for visa extensions. It is also noted that the area may be more suitable for alternative therapies.
OA RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the OA Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
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  • Explore recent discussions by using the OA Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
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David ************
What's your monthly income. I did it and happy as hell. Of course I don't live in Bangkok
David ************
They all go to the pits sometime.
Terary **********
@David ***********
Here I come-- there goes the neighborhood
John ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
lol........neon lights, i play " Blues " and R&B music
David ************
I don't know Neon but were about 450 kilometers south of Bangkok on the east coast.
John ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
how far is that place from Neon
David ************
Lol, the few expats here actually go on TripAdvisor and purposely make bad comments. We have the nicest beaches best diving and great environment. People just pass through here on their way to Kih Toa and other islands. They don't even know this exists.
John ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Wow, thank you for your kind replies, that does look like where a very happy man would live, i shall look it up. ........Uh, maybe don´t post that to much.............just sayin
David ************
I live on Thung Wua Laen beach in Chumphon. Virtually untouched by tourism which is hard anymore in Thailand to find.
David ************
Yea, I am right on the beach. Just asked income to pass information to you on retirement visa requirements we have to go through.
Terary **********
Welcome to thailnd. Please bring Tacos.
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Let *******
BEST is to get the Elite Visa for 500,000.00 bht.
Robert ********
Actually, the 1 MB Elite Visa option is good for 20 years and offers more benefits...that is just Bt. 50K per year.
Amornrat **********
for a person over 50 years of age this is not a good advise, IMHO. If you quality you can get a O-A which is good for a stay of up to 2 years. Or get a Multiple O , this is good for a stay for up to 15 month. Or just a three month Non O and do an extension inside Thailand.
Perry *******
JC has an extensive set of videos for "retiring" to Thailand.

There is a members area with even more advice, tools, and support.

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Steve *******
Non immigrant OA visa. Check out your local Thai embassy/consulate website for required documentation
David ****************
North Thailand is cooler and seems more of a 'hub' for alternative therapies/etc so might suit you.

Get a visa at a Thai embassy/consulate and then after the initial year, it can be extended within Thailand. You will need 800,000b in a Thai (sole) bank account/income of 65,000pm or a combination of the 2. With that you can extend your visa because of retirement in the Kingdom
David ****************
@John *****
. A yearly visa extension costs 1,900baht.
John ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank You
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