Thailand is one of top retirement destinations for retired foreigners and various groups of long-stay visitors. In order to promote long-term tourism and relevant businesses, Thailand issues retirement visas or non-immigrant visas for staying in the Kingdom for up to 1 year (Long Stay O-A) (renewable) for foreigners aged 50 years and over who wish to enter Thailand for relaxation (not for working). An applicant must have the qualifications shown below:

• Foreigners of any nationality aged 50 years and over (on the day of submitting the application);

• The applicant must not be under any prohibition from entering the Kingdom;

• The applicant must have no criminal record or be a security threat to Thailand or to the country of the applicant’s nationality and residence;

• The applicant must have nationality or permanent residence in the country where the application is submitted;

• The applicant must not have a prohibited disease as indicated in the Ministerial Regulation Number 14, B.E. 2535 (1992), such as leprosy, tuberculosis, drug addiction, elephantiasis, or third phase of syphilis;

• Employment is not allowed. 

          Foreigners who wish to stay in the Kingdom not exceeding 1 year (Long Stay O-A) should submit the application at the Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Consulate-General in the applicant’s residence country. The visa is valid 90 days per time and the visa may be extended for 1 year each time. The application fee is 5,000 baht. 

          A copy of a bank statement showing a balance of not less than 800,000 baht in Thailand, or an income certificate/ pension certificate (the original one) of not less than 65,000 baht per month, or a deposit account plus a monthly income totaling not less than 800,000 baht is required. In the case of submitting a bank statement, a letter of guarantee from the bank (the original one) is also required.

          A copy of a health insurance plan (as determined by the Office of Insurance Commission, OIC) and a copy of a health insurance policy document issued by a Thai or foreign insurance company are required. Health insurance must cover Covid-19 disease with the total sum of not less than 3,000,000 baht. A list of Thai insurance companies participating in the scheme can be found at http://longstay.tgia.org.

Source : Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Tel : +66 2203-5000