Applying for Thai retirement visa

1: Requirements for retirees getting a Non-Immigrant “O” Visa from outside Thailand at a Thai embassy:

1. 50 years old of age or older
2. Passport (at least 1 year remaining before expiration)
3. Holding the nationality or permanent residence of country of application.
4. Police records check
5. Certificate of Health
6. Proof of meeting financial requirement
7. Bank letter showing funds or pension statement

2 : Documents required for One-year retirement visa in Thailand.

1. Passport - copies of every page. Each copy must be signed by applicant.
2. Non-Immigrant Visa
3. Departure Card TM.6
4. Proof of meeting financial requirement
5. Thailand Bank book (original)
6. Letter from applicant’s Thai Bank
7. Medical Certificate (health exam administered by doctor at first class hospital)
8. Three up-to-date neat photos, 4x5cm

* Financial requirement
1. A bank account with at least 800,000 baht
2. A monthly income of at least 65,000 baht
3. Combination of both bank and income of at least 800,000

Signing for new Retirement Visa
When the visa is approved, only the passport holder can pick it up in person. Even though this visa is valid for one year, the visa holder must report to immigration every 90 days to verify his address. This can also be done by mail.

3 : Bringing household items to Thailand

Household items must be brought into Thailand within the first 6 months of issuance of the visa. Visa-holders are not taxed. In the event of unforeseen circumstances the items are due to arrive in Thailand after that time, it is advised to explain the matter with an officer-in-charge.

4 : Getting a re-entry permit

The retirement visa is only valid for a single stay in Thailand. If the visa-holder wishes to leave and return to the Kingdom within the one year, he must obtain a re-entry permit, either a single re-entry or a multiple. This can easily be acquired, for a fee, at the immigration office where the visa was issued. In event the visa-holder does not obtain this, his retirement visa will become invalid.

5: Renewing the retirement visa

Just before the visa and valid entry stay (same date) expires, the visa-holder is required to apply for a new visa. He just has to follow the steps as in the first process. New visas though, are usually less time consuming.

Reporting to immigration every 90 days

This is usually done at the same immigration office as where the visa was issued. The visa-holder simply has to arrive at the office and sign a piece of paper which reads something like “I still reside at the same address”. If the visa-holder changes address in the meantime, he must inform immigration as soon as possible. This can also be done via post, but the visa-holder must ask his immigration officer beforehand.

5. Cost of Living in Thailand

Accommodation

The cost of accommodation in Thailand varies enormously depending on location, and especially in Bangkok.

Bangkok: Most accommodation in downtown Bangkok for example is fully furnished and serviced, a condo or apartment like this costs 1,700USD+ a month. On the other hand however, a non air-con basically furnished apartment, condo or even house on the outskirts of Bangkok costs in the region of 100 – 200USD a month – a huge difference.

Phuket: The cost of accommodation there has shot up quite a bit over the past decade, however there is very little in the way of the astronomical prices seen in downtown Bangkok. Near the sea, most of the long-term accommodation and situated away from the beach and so the prices aren’t so high. A decent enough house or basically furnished apartment can be got for around 300USD a month.

For all other destinations in Thailand including Pattaya and Krabi etc. the cost is about half than that of Phuket’s.

Food & Beverage

Besides up-market restaurants and hotels, the cost of eating and drinking in Thailand is real cheap. A plentiful meal for two, including non-alcoholic beverages at say an open-air food market costs between 2 – 10USD depending on what is ordered. A Western or Chinese meal for two at a posh restaurant in Bangkok or another tourist area costs around 50 – 100USD – another huge difference. From a local convenience store, soft drinks and water are around 30 cents per bottle and a large bottle of locally made beer is about 1.50USD. At an upcountry restaurant and bar the prices aren’t too different to the convenience store.

A Night on the town

For a night out in Bangkok or another tourist destination, the cost is far more than upcountry, but it is still not too much. Excluding buying drinks for friends or company, the cost of a decent night out should be around 50USD.