How to get a retirement visa in Thailand?

For people over 50, it's quite easy to get a retirement visa to live in Thailand. The visa needs to be renewed every year, and you must prove you can support yourself. This involves showing either 800K Baht in a Thai bank account or proving a monthly income above 65K Baht. You can also combine these two methods, as long as the total exceeds 800K Baht annually.

Thailand Visa for people under 50 (tourist visa)

For those under 50, obtaining a long-stay visa in Thailand is more challenging. As a regular tourist, you can typically receive a 60-day visa on arrival, which can be extended by 30 days while in Thailand. After that, you must leave the country, usually by flying to a neighboring country and returning. Although this generally works, it’s safer to stay abroad for a few days to avoid complications when re-entering.

Visa runs!

In Thailand, a whole industry has grown around offering "visa runs" — trips across the border to obtain a new tourist visa upon re-entry. The government discourages this practice, warning that repeated visa runs may result in refusal of entry. While these threats have rarely led to serious issues, the hassle and risks involved make long-term stays through visa runs an exhausting solution.

Education visa

Another option for those under 50 is the education visa, which is meant for students but often used by long-term tourists. Some people enroll in Thai language courses primarily to obtain this visa. While studying Thai is sensible for long-term residents, some barely attend classes, which can cause issues when renewing the visa. The government may question how someone can study for a year without learning the language, so caution is advised.

Note:

Visa rules and procedures can change frequently. We cannot take responsibility if the information here becomes outdated or incorrect.