How Many Types of Visas Does Thailand Offer for Retirees?

Non-immigrant O Visa (Extension of Stay Based on Retirement)

First is the Non-Immigrant O Visa you possibly heard about it a lot. This visa grants retirees aged 50 and above an opportunity to extend their stay in Thailand for one year, with the possibility of renewal.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Age Requirement: 50 years old or older.
• Financial Criteria: THB 800,000 in a Thai bank account 2 months prior to the application date.
• Duration of Stay: 1 year
• How to apply: Apply for a non-immigrant O visa from your country, then extend to 1 year in Thailand, or come to Thailand with a tourist visa and convert it to a retirement visa at the Thai immigration office or with Thai Kru’s assistance.

Non-immigrant O-A Visa (Obtaining the Visa in Your Home Country)

The O-A visa is ideal for retirees planning to apply for their visa from their home country. You have time to prepare everything before moving to Thailand while waiting for your visa to be approved, and it offers a one-year stay in Thailand.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Age Requirement: 50 years old or older.
• Financial Criteria: Proof of funds of THB 800,000 ($23,000) or monthly income of THB 65,000 ($1,900) for the last 12 months.
• Additional requirements: health insurance and a criminal record check.
• Duration of Stay: 1 year
• How to apply: Apply either online or at the Thai Embassy in your country or with Thai Kru’s assistance.

Non-immigrant O-X visa (Long Stay)

The O-X visa is designed for retirees from specific countries who seek an extended stay in Thailand, up to a maximum of 10 years.You must hold passport and nationality of (1) Japan (2) Australia (3) Denmark (4) Finland (5) France (6) Germany (7) Italy (8) Netherlands (9) Norway (10) Sweden (11) Switzerland (12) United Kingdom (13) Canada (14) United States of America 

Eligibility Requirements:

• Age Requirement: 50 years old and over.
• Financial Criteria: A fixed deposit of no less than 3,000,000 THB or no less than 1,800,000 THB together with a monthly income of no less than 1,200,000 THB per year in a Thai bank located in Thailand.
• Additional requirements: Health insurance and a criminal record check.
• Duration of Stay: 10 years (with visa renewals every 5 years)
• How to apply: Apply at the Thai Embassy in your country or the Thai Immigration office in Thailand, or with Thai Kru's assistance.

Long-Term Retirement (LTR Visa) for Wealthy Pensioners

This visa is for retirees with substantial financial means who wish to retire in Thailand and offers a duration of 10 years.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Retirees aged 50 years and older with an annual pension or stable passive income.
• Personal income of at least USD 80,000 per year at the time of application.
• Investment in Thai government bonds, foreign direct investment, or Thai property in case of personal income below USD 80,000 per year but no less than USD 40,000 per year.
• Health insurance with at least USD 50,000 coverage or social security benefits insuring treatment in Thailand or at least USD 100,000 deposit.
• Duration of Stay: 10 years (with visa renewals every 5 years)
• How to apply: Apply at the Thai Embassy in your country or the Thai Immigration office in Thailand, or with Thai Kru's assistance.

So, it may seem like the Non-immigrant O visa (Extension of Stay Based on Retirement) is the easiest option. But, note that first, you must have a Thai bank account to deposit money into two months prior to extending your visa or converting from a tourist visa, so it's not actually that easy. Others might seem complicated, but if you're well-prepared, nothing is too difficult

So, Thailand has different retirement visa options for people with different money situations and preferences. If you want a simple extension for a year, the typical Non-Immigrant Visa might be right for you. But if you're a wealthy retiree looking for a long-term stay, the Long-Term Retirement (LTR) Visa could be better. You can get these visas in your home country or while you're in Thailand. And if you need help with all this visa things, Thai Kru can help you out. Just join us, and we'll make sure you get the right visa hassle-free, so you can enjoy your retirement in Thailand smoothly.