The cost of living in Thailand is fascinating, making it one of the best countries for retiring foreigners. This simply means that their pensions will have a higher value to meet daily needs.
Living with the people of Thailand is another benefit. They share amazing and rich cultures that are welcoming to foreigners. Imagine spending the rest of your life in this setting. It will be worth it!
There are proper ways to obtain a retirement visa in Thailand. It is crucial to follow immigration rules and other procedures though it is a bit stressful. Consider asking for professional advice to do well in immigration. For that reason, earning the said benefits becomes more possible.
Thailand Retirement Visa Versus Other Visas
Many foreigners desire to get a visa and permanently live in Thailand. However, this is not always the case. Meeting the requirements is the first step to holding a Thailand retirement visa.
The visa is made available for foreigners beyond 50 years old. They must meet the financial requirements to get a visa. One of the restrictions for the visa holder is not being able to work in the Kingdom. This factor makes the Thailand retirement visa different from other countries’ visas.
The application process is categorized into two – from a native country or through permanent residency. Foreigners whether residing in Thailand or other countries have the liberty to apply for a visa.
Getting a Retirement Visa in Thailand
Below is everything you need to consider when applying for a retirement visa in Thailand:
- Age Required
Applicants must be not younger than 50 years old to acquire a visa.
- Financial Status
The monthly pension should not be less than 65,000 baht or 800,000 baht when combined with bank savings and other income. You need to obtain from the embassy in Thailand a confirmation letter or a bank statement to ascertain the amount of income.
Another option is having a bank savings of more than 800,000 baht that is cleared within two months before the visa application. This must come with supporting documents, including a bank book and a confirmation letter from the bank.
Meeting either of the three requirements will grant foreigners a visa.
- Additional Documents
Applicants must show a valid passport to the embassy that will last for 12 months before expiration. Other documents may vary depending on the countries where the application is done. These include police and medical clearance, and insurance if there is any. There will be more documents needed when you apply from abroad than in Thailand.
- Search For Available Embassy
Embassies may or may not exist in your country which you must know before starting to process a visa. If not available, you need to go to Thailand using a non-immigrant visa to push through the application.
The application will only begin after your 60-day stay in Thailand and 30-day upon visa stamp expiry.
It should come with proof of residence, like a rental agreement and utility bills.
Things to Consider After Approval
Once the application is approved, a 90-day reporting is necessary. It works in person, via email, or by hiring an agent to report to the immigration office. They permit online reporting but not on the first schedule.
Leaving the country before completing the report will cause no problem. It goes on with the process by starting the 90 days of reporting. Failing to report 7 to 14 days after the reporting date will demand a fine or worse will lead to arrest. One thing to note is that the reporting date cannot be modified after renewing the visa.
In the case of leaving the country and then having an intention to go back, a re-entry permit is needed. It will be stamped on your passport. Make sure to get the permit a week before you leave.
On the other hand, foreign visa holders should get a Certificate of Entry (COE) to be presented to the airlines upon departure and arrival.
The Lifespan of a Retirement Visa in Thailand
Non-immigrant visas have two categories – the O Long Stay and O-A Long Stay visa. Both of them will qualify foreigners to stay in Thailand for one year. They can renew the visa annually without limit on how many times, however, no departure is allowed.
The best time to renew the visa is 45 days before it expires. Review the requirements for a less hassle visa renewal. Update the necessary documents, such as the bank books and permits. This is to ensure that you are still financially capable of residing in Thailand.
Prepare a valid passport together with the same size colored photos and the immigration forms. Moreover, the local office will look for a TM6 departure card to complete your requirements.
Final Words
If you are planning to spend the rest of your life in Thailand, it is vital to get a visa. The procedure for obtaining a Thai visa won’t take long with the help of a retirement visa service provider. Experts have knowledge and skills about the prerequisites to spend retirement age in Thailand.
Know the necessary papers you need to prepare to acquire a visa without any trouble. And also, keep in mind the next steps once the visa is ratified to avoid fines and other possible consequences.
