If you are Aged over 50 years Old and Planning to stay for a long Term in Thailand, the Retirement visa will be one of the Best Visa options that you can consider applying for. It allows you to stay for 1 year in Thailand, and You can extend your stay with additional 1 Year.
In this Article we will be Elaborating the Steps you need to go through to Apply for Thailand Retirement visa in a Simple and clear way.
First of All, You will be Traveling to Thailand either under a Tourist Visa or under the visa exemption Scheme if it’s applicable for your Nationality. Then, at Least 15 days before the Visa duration expires, you will have to apply for Non Immigrant O Visa which allows you to stay in Thailand for 90 days, and is considered as a preliminary Stage or a Transition visa before getting the retirement visa.
How to Apply for Non Immigration O Visa in Thailand
You will need to prepare the below requirements to be able to apply for Non immigrant O Visa in Thailand:
- Passport
- 2 Personal Photos for applicant (Size is 4×6)
- In case you arrived Thailand under the visa exemption Scheme, you will need the TM 87 Form – OR – If you arrived Thailand Under the tourist Visa, You will need TM 86 Form.
- TM 6 Form, Which is the Departure Card that you receive at the Immigration upon arrival.
- Provide one of the following 3 Options: A) A Deposit in a Thai Bank for minimum of 800,000 THB – OR – B) An Official Paper Proving that you earn at Least 65,000 THB on a monthly basis or more (Has to be approved by embassy or by the Ministry of foreign affairs) – OR – C) Yearly income and Bank Deposit altogether Equivalent to or more than 800,000 THB.
- A long Term Renting contract for a Minimum of 6 Months, or Present the Ownership of an apartment or a House in Thailand instead.
Third Step: After Successfully getting your Non O Visa, you will be able to convert it to retirement visa 60 days after that. The reason for 60 days is that you will need a Bank Statement showing that your Deposited 800,000 THB did not move from your Bank Account. (in case you use this way and Not the 65,000 THB Monthly income way)
So what are the Documents that you should prepare before applying
- Passport
- 2 Personal Photos (Image Sizes are 4×6)
- TM 7 Form
- TM 6 Form, it’s the form you Receive at the Immigration upon arrival, also Called Departure Card)
- TM 30 Form: This paper has to be certified by the owner of the place that you are renting (hotel or apartment) . It’s a form showing and proving that you are staying at a specific place while applying for the visa. (It can be done online or Directly at the Immigration Office)
Remark: Before renting the apartment, Make Sure to agree with the apartment Owner to do the form for you when you need it, as some owners refuse to do it. - Provide one of the following 3 Options: A) A Deposit in a Thai Bank for a minimum of 800,000 THB – OR – B) An Official Paper Proving that you earn at Least 65,000 THB on a monthly basis or more (Has to be approved by embassy or by the Ministry of foreign affairs) – OR – C) Yearly income and Bank Deposit altogether Equivalent or more than 800,000 THB.
- A long Term Renting contract for a Minimum of 6 Months, or Present the Ownership of an apartment or a House in Thailand instead.
