Thailand has long been one of the most popular retirement destinations for retirees from all over the world, offering high-quality healthcare, reasonable living costs, safety and access to some of the most beautiful natural landscapes.

Given the cultural and linguistic differences, and the associated decision-making processes, dealing with the legal aspects of your retirement in Thailand can be challenging.

Whether you wish to spend your retirement years with your non-Thai or Thai partner, Thailand offers various visa options that will allow you to truly settle in and enjoy your new life for an extended period of time.

In this article, we will guide you step by step through the Thai retirement visa process for you and your partner and explain the eligibility criteria so that you can make the most of your time in Thailand.

Information on the Thai retirement visa

The Thai retirement visa, also known as the Non-Immigrant OA visa, is a long-term visa that allows the holder to stay in the Kingdom for one year. The visa can be renewed annually and can be applied for in Thailand.

Married, non-Thai couples who wish to spend their retirement in Thailand and are both at least 50 years old can apply for a Thai retirement visa. However, they will be treated as individual applicants and must meet the financial requirements independently.

If your partner is under 50 years of age, he/she can be considered your relative.

Requirements for a pension visa

  • Both applicants who do not hold Thai nationality must be at least 50 years old.
  • The following financial requirements must be met:
  • You must deposit at least 800,000 THB as a down payment for at least two months before applying for the visa.
  • A monthly income of at least 65,000 THB.
  • A combination of security deposit and annual income totaling 800,000 THB.
  • Non-immigrant visas of type "OA" require health insurance with a minimum coverage of USD 100,000 that also covers COVID-19 treatment.

    • Supporting documents

  • If proof of security is required, applicants must provide a current bank statement and a letter from the bank showing that the money was deposited from a foreign account at least two months before the visa application date.
  • If applicants wish to prove their monthly income, a letter from their embassy in Thailand confirming their income is required. If the embassy does not issue this letter, applicants must submit a bank statement for the last twelve months showing regular deposits of at least 65,000 THB per month into a Thai bank account.

    • Application process

  • Application for a non-immigrant OA visa in your home country:
  • Not all Thai embassies or consulates can issue you this visa.
  • The above-mentioned documents must be submitted to the consulate in your home country or the Thai embassy.
  • Applicants must submit a medical certificate, a police clearance certificate, and proof of annual health insurance.
  • Entry into Thailand as a tourist and application for the Non-Immigrant O visa and its extension:
  • Foreign nationals with a tourist visa or a visa exemption stamp can apply for the pensioner visa, provided that the applicant has already met the requirements for an application for a non-immigrant visa category O and an application for a one-year visa extension.
  • This can be done at the Thai immigration authorities.
  • Applications for a non-immigrant visa (O visa) and its extension in Thailand:
  • Applicants must apply for a 90-day initial non-immigrant visa at the consulate in their country of residence or at the Thai embassy before applying for a pension visa.
  • Before you can apply for a pension visa at the immigration office, you must have stayed in Thailand for 60 days or be within the last 30 days of your current residence permit.
  • Proof of address in Thailand is required (e.g., rental agreement, utility bills, etc.).

    • Retirement in Thailand with a non-Thai partner under 50 years old

    Non-Thai spouses under 50 years of age are not eligible for a Thai retirement visa. However, if the spouse is married to a retiree who holds a valid retirement visa, they can apply for a dependent visa for Thailand.

    The family visa entitles the applicant to stay in the Kingdom for up to one year. The visa can be extended in the following year, provided the visa status of the pensioner (the supporting spouse) is valid.

    Eligibility of dependents

  • Proof of kinship with the main visa holder must be presented to the Thai immigration authorities.
  • The primary visa holder should be able to demonstrate their ability to provide for and support the dependent.
  • Passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
  • The applicant may submit the application for maintenance entitlement by a person residing in Thailand (Non-o) to the Thai embassies and consulates in his home country.
  • Once approved, the applicant can enter the Kingdom as a dependent of the main visa holder.
  • The Non-O visa is valid for 90 days. If the family member wishes to extend their stay in the Kingdom, this can be applied for 30 days before the expiry date.

    • Note: Divorce between the dependent and the person entitled to maintenance will result in the cancellation of the dependent's visa. The dependent would have to leave the Kingdom as soon as possible.

    Retirement in Thailand with a Thai partner

    If the pensioner has a Thai citizen as a partner, he can apply for the spouse visa instead, as the requirements for this are less stringent.

    For couples who wish to spend their retirement in Thailand, this can be a dream come true. However, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the visa regulations, as any mistake can lead to the application being rejected. To ensure a smooth process, it is advisable to consult Thai embassies, consulates, immigration authorities, and experienced visa agents.

    If you have any questions about the Thai retirement visa or are planning a long-term stay in Thailand, contact us for advice.

    If you have any questions regarding your application for a Thai long-term residence visa, please use this form to contact us.