Warm weather, azure seas, picture perfect sunsets, good food, friendly people. Phuket is an ideal place to retire, either permanently or part time. Here is a guide to getting the retirement visa for Thailand, the process may sound daunting, but it is actually simple and easy if you follow a few basic steps.
What is the THAILAND RETIREMENT VISA?
A Retirement Visa in Thailand is a long-term visa that allows the holder to stay for one year in Thailand. A Thai Retirement Visa is available for foreign nationals who are over 50 years of age, seeking to retire in Thailand and meet certain financial requirements. Thailand retirement visa is the popular term for the actual “Extension of Stay Based on Retirement”. Basically, it is an extension of a Non-Immigrant O Visa. The “retirement visa”, or extension to stay is renewable every year and the renewal process can be done inside Thailand.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Applicant must be 50 years of age or over
- Must meet any of the financial requirements
- Security deposit of 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account for 3 months prior to the visa application, or
- Monthly income of 65,000 THB, or
- Combination of security deposit and annual income with a total of 800,000 THB annually.
PREREQUISTIES
- Initially a valid Non-O Visa or Non-OA Visa
- Up to date address registration
What is a Non-O Visa?
The Non-O Visa is issued to applicants who wish to enter Thailand to stay after retirement. This visa is issued at immigration after you enter Thailand on a Tourist Visa.
The Non-O Visa is good for 90 days and you must return to Immigration within the last 15-30 days of the Non-O Visa to apply for the annual extension of stay.
Documents needed for a Non-O visa
- Completely filled in TM86 or TM87 application form
- Copy of the detail page / front page of your passport with photo and your details
- Copy of the last Entry Stamp into Thailand
- Passport size photo
- Proof of financials (as outlined below)
If using money in the bank for financials you will need a letter from the bank confirming the funds came from abroad. Money should be in the bank the day you apply for the Non-O Visa. It is not required to be in the bank 2 months in advance as outlined for the extension below. Cost of the Non-O Visa is 2,000 THB.
ADDRESS REGISTRATION
Initially, when moving to Thailand, you must register your permanent address at immigration with a copy of your house papers or a lease agreement and a notary from your landlord/lady. If you move your address registration must be updated within 48 hours.
CONVERTING a Non-O Visa TO THE EXTENSION TO STAY
About 15-30 days before your Non-O Visa expires you will go back to immigration and give them the following paperwork.
- Completely filled in TM7 application form
- Copy of the detail page / front page of your passport with photo and your details
- Copy of the Non-O Visa and all extensions (if applying in the future)
- Copy of the last Entry Stamp into Thailand
- Passport size photo
- Picture of applicant in front of the house with house number clearly visible.
- Hand drawn map of the location of the house
- Proof of financials as listed below
Cost of the extension to stay is 1,900 THB.
Proof of financial status
Bank balance option
- Minimum of 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account (in your own name) for at least 2 months before the application date. This money needs to stay in this bank account for at least three months after the application date A minimum of 400,000 is required to remain the account until 2 months before the next application date.
For example. Let’s say your application date is January 1. You need to have 800,000 THB in your bank account by November 1 and this money must stay in the account until March 31. You can then take up to 400,000 THB out of this account for the remainder of the year until the following November 1.
However, it is HIGHLY recommended that you keep the 800,000 THB in your account throughout the year so you do not miss the financial deadline for the renewal. If the money is not in your account by the date it is required your application can be denied. It is also HIGHLY recommended that you put a little “cushion” in the account so if unexpected service charges come up that you are not aware of you will not dip below the 800,000.
This money should be in a regular savings account in your name only. If you put this money in a joint account, you will be required to put an additional 800,000 THB in this account to cover the second person. If you are married this can be remedied by having a separate joint account for day-to-day expenses and keep the 800,000 THB in separate single account. Dependent Visa explained further down.
- A signed and stamped bank letter and signed and stamped bank statement showing the required money and duration before the application date. These documents should be dated a maximum of 7 days before the application date. Be sure that both the bank certificate and statement have the same balance.
- Copy of the updated Thai bank book name page and the last 12 months transactions. Recommended that you update your bank book monthly if possible so the balance going forward matches the bank statements. Also bring the original bank book with you to immigration on the day of the application, immigration may ask to see it.
Or Income option
- Letter from Embassy/Consul certifying at least 65,000 THB a month income. Supporting documents of the income.
- Copy of the bank book name page and the last 12 months transactions. Again, bring the original bank book.
Please note that some embassies have stopped issuing income letters and you should check with them before you decided to use this method.
Or combination of Bank Account and Income
A combination of bank account balance and income can be used as long as the total (Bank Balance and Income combined) is more than 800,000 THB for at least 12 months prior to the application date with the following papers
- Certificate from Embassy/Consul (Max 6 months old)
- Supporting documents of the income
- Bank Letter and Statement (as mentioned above)
- Copies of the bank book.
Note: The non-o visa application and the extension of stay application based upon retirement need to be done at the same immigration office. If not staying in Phuket you should wait until you get to where you will be living to apply for the Non-O and visa extension.
Non-OA Visa
This is similar to the Non-O Visa and can be applied for in your home country. All necessary documents stated above for the Non-O Visa can be submitted to the Thai embassy or consulate in your country.
- Not all the Thai embassies or consulate in your country may be able to issue this type of visa.
- The application for the Non-OA Visa requires police clearance, medical certificate and annual health insurance to be shown at each annual renewal.
Dependent Visa for your Spouse
Your wife/spouse has two options: Apply for their own retirement visa / extension of stay or apply as a dependent. If your spouse would like their own retirement visa then they will have to provide all the same paperwork and have a separate 800,000 THB bank account or a joint account with 1,600,000 THB.
If the spouse applies as a dependent, they do not have to provide financials. They need a copy of the “primary” passport detail page and they have to show a copy of the marriage license. Remember, bring the original marriage license with you to immigration as they may ask to see it.
- Completely filled in TM7 application form
- Copy of the detail page / front page of your passport with photo and your details
- Copy of the current Non-O Visa and all extensions (if applicable)
- Copy of the Last Entry Stamp into Thailand
- Passport size photo
- Picture of applicant in front of the house with house number clearly visible.
- Hand drawn map of the location of the house
- Copy of detail page of “primary” visa holder’s passport
Reminders to the Thailand Retirement Visa Holders:
90-day Reporting
Retirement visa holders are required to notify the Immigration Office regarding their current residential address every 90 days. This can be done either by mail or by personal visit to the immigration office. You may also enlist the services of an agent to do this on your behalf through a Power of Attorney. If you decide to visit the immigration office, the good news is that Phuket has a convenient drive through window that facilities people to do their 90-day report. Both cars and motorbikes are welcome.
If the retiree is not in the country when the report is due, the counting for the 90-days will start again after upon re-entry to Thailand.
Re-entry Permit
If you plan to travel in and out of Thailand during the year of your visa validity, you will need a single or multiple re-entry permit to do so and to avoid your visa from getting cancelled. Otherwise, you need not apply if you plan to stay in Thailand the whole year. A single re-entry permit is 1,000 THB, while the multiple re-entry permit is 3,800 THB and can be obtained anytime of the year.
In case you find the need to leave the country for whatever reason, you can apply for a re-entry permit at the nearest Immigration Office or at the international airport before leaving the country.
Phuket immigration volunteers
Phuket immigration offers a unique service. There is an immigration volunteer website https://piv-phuket.com/ that contains much more helpful information. Volunteers are available at the Phuket Town immigration offices daily. These helpful volunteers speak in a variety of languages including Thai, English, German, Dutch, Flemish, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese. If you have any questions, you can email them or drop by. They are always willing to help.
Phuket immigration Offices
There are three Phuket Immigration offices. The main office in Phuket Town is where you will apply for your Non-O Visa and visa extensions. This is also where you register your address. For your convenience, there are two satellite immigrations where you can do your 90-day reporting. They are in Patong and Blue Tree in Cherng Talay.
In Conclusion: Take it Easy
Remember, take it easy. The process is done every day by hundreds of people. Choose a bank that has a good foreigner clientele, they will be used to the statements and letters that immigration needs. Put your paperwork together and go over a check list two or three times. There are agents that will charge you to do this procedure, but over time that can lead to a lot of money out of pocket.
Paperwork is King at immigration. When in doubt put more paper in your package, not less. And one last thing! You need to sign every single one of those pieces of paper!
The end result is worth the small amount of work you do every year. You get to retire in Phuket and enjoy quality of life and the easy, friendly lifestyle you deserve.
Article written by Prakaidao Hodges CEO of Baan Wise Phuket Co., Ltd. For further questions about this article or property management in Phuket please contact us here https://baanwise.com/contact-us/