Thailand Retirement Visa
Posted on 14. Sep, 2009 by Thailand Visa Guide in One Year Visa Extension, Retirement Visa
There are two types of visa options for individuals who are interested in retiring in Thailand. The first option is an O-A Retirement visa which is obtained in your home country before entering Thailand. The second, and most common is the extension of stay based on retirement which is processed at immigration inside Thailand. This guide is for the second type: a visa extension inside Thailand. For information on an O-A visa, please click here.
Extension of Stay based on Retirement.
You are eligible for a one year visa extension on the basis of retirement you are able to meet the following criteria:
1. 50 years of age, or over.
2. Possess a Non-Immigrant type visa.
3. Meet the minimum financial criteria of 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account, or a verified income/pension of 65,000 baht per month, or a combination of savings and income.
Step 1: Obtaining an NON-Immigrant Type Visa
In order to make the application for a retirement visa extension you must first possess a NON-IMMIGRANT type visa. A non-immigrant visa can be obtained at a Thai embassy or consulate in most countries. Normally, an application for a single entry, 90 day NON-Immigrant O visa is made for the purpose of extending the visa at immigration in Thailand. Typically, you can show your passport (with an appropriate birthdate over 50) and some general evidence of the required funds (a standard bank statement).
Click here to view a sample application for a NON-IMMIGRANT “O” visa.
Under some circumstances, at some embassies and consulates, they are not willing to issue a NON Immigrant Visa. In this case you can obtain a 60 day tourist visa which can later be changed over to a Non-Immigrant type visa at Immigration in Thailand. Please note, that changing over the tourist visa adds another step at immigration and requires you to present the identical documents as a retirement visa. Be aware, you can ONLY make the applcation for extension within the last 30 days of the validity of the NON-O visa.
Step 2: Meeting the Financial Requirements.
1. Showing 800,000 THB in a Thai Bank account. In this circumstance you must show evidence of 800,000 THB which has been transferred into a Thai bank account from outside the country and has been resident for at least two (2) months before the application. To prove this, you must obtain documentation directly from your bank. You will require a Tor Tor 3 (foreign exchange certificate), a certified statement of account, and an updated bank book.
Click here to download a translated request for documents which you can print and present to your bank official.
2. Show an income or pension of 65,000 THB per month. For this method you must obtain an ‘affidavit of income’ from your embassy. This is a certified statement declaring your income. Various embassies have different requirements for issuing this document. You should contact your embassy directly for additional details on obtaining this document. Please note: it is recommended to supply additional ‘evidence of funds’ to the immigration officer as they are aware that some embassies do not ask for any supporting documentation when issuing the income affidavit.
Click here to view an example of an income affidavit.
3. Combination of funds. This will require documentation from both sources noted above (1&2). The combined total must be 800,000 baht or over. Note: Some immigration officials request a minimum of 400,000 THB resident in the bank account for the combination method.
Step 3: Required Documents Checklist.
1. Application form TM.7. Download Here.
2. Application fee: 1,900 THB
3. Original Passport and a signed photocopy of passport ‘information’ page.
4. A NON-Immigrant type visa with less than 30 days remaining in validity. A photocopy of NON-Immigrant visa and entry stamp, signed.
5. A hand drawn map to your residence. Google maps (or similar) will NOT be accepted.
6. One 4×6cm passport photo.
7. Financial Evidence:
a. 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account. Requires: Tor Tor 3 (foriegn exchange certificate), Certified statement of account, updated bank book. Funds must be resident in account for 60 days prior to application OR
b. 65,000 THB per month income/pension. Requires: Affidavit from embassy. OR
c. Combination of funds. Requires: documents noted in a&b above.
Step 4: Making the Application.
Applications for retirement visa must be made at the Thai Immigration Bureau in the area which you reside.
Don’t Forget…
Thailand Visa Guide
19. Sep, 2009
xfg
[Translate]