🏖️

Retirement Visa (Non-O-A / Non-O)

Thailand's retirement visa is one of the most popular long-stay options for retirees worldwide. Available to anyone aged 50 or older, it comes in two main forms: the Non-Immigrant O-A visa (applied for at an embassy abroad, valid for 1 year) and the Non-Immigrant O visa (applied for in Thailand on a retirement basis, initially 90 days but extendable to 1 year). Both require proof of financial means and allow you to live in Thailand year-round with annual renewals.

Duration

1 year (Non-O-A) or 90 days extendable to 1 year (Non-O)

Cost

2,000 THB (~$58 USD) for Non-O-A at embassy; Non-O visa varies by embassy

Extension

1,900 THB (~$55 USD) per annual extension

Updated

2026-02-17

Requirements

✓

Age requirement

Must be 50 years of age or older at the time of application

✓

Valid passport

Must have at least 18 months validity (for O-A) or 6 months (for O)

✓

Financial requirements (Option A)

800,000 THB (~$23,000 USD) deposited in a Thai bank account for at least 2 months before application

✓

Financial requirements (Option B)

Monthly income of at least 65,000 THB (~$1,900 USD) from pension or other sources

✓

Financial requirements (Option C)

Combination of bank deposit and annual income totaling at least 800,000 THB

✓

Health insurance (Non-O-A only)

Insurance covering at least 40,000 THB outpatient and 400,000 THB inpatient treatment in Thailand

✓

Criminal background check (Non-O-A only)

Police clearance certificate from your home country, issued within 3 months

✓

Medical certificate (Non-O-A only)

Certificate stating you do not have prohibited diseases (leprosy, tuberculosis, elephantiasis, drug addiction, third-stage syphilis)

Application Process

Choose Your Visa Type

Decide between Non-O-A (apply at embassy abroad for direct 1-year visa) or Non-O (enter on tourist entry, then convert to retirement visa in Thailand). The Non-O-A requires more documents but gives you a full year immediately.

Prepare Financial Documents

Open a Thai bank account and deposit 800,000 THB, or prepare proof of monthly income of 65,000 THB. For the Non-O-A, embassy may accept home country bank statements. For in-country extensions, Thai bank account is required.

Submit Application

Apply at the Thai embassy (Non-O-A) or at your local immigration office in Thailand (Non-O extension). Bring all original documents and copies.

Complete 90-Day Reporting

Once your visa is active, report to immigration every 90 days. This can be done in person, by mail, or online through the immigration website.

Duration & Extension

Initial Stay

1 year (Non-O-A) or 90 days extendable to 1 year (Non-O)

Extension

The retirement visa can be renewed annually in Thailand as long as you continue to meet the financial requirements. You must report your address to immigration every 90 days (TM.30/TM.47 reporting). The Non-O-A must be applied for abroad initially; subsequent renewals are done in Thailand as Non-O extensions.

Eligible Countries

All nationalities aged 50 and above

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work in Thailand on a retirement visa?

No, the retirement visa does not include a work permit. You are not allowed to work for a Thai or foreign employer while in Thailand on this visa. If you want to work remotely, consider the DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) instead, though note you must be 50+ for the retirement visa option.

Can I leave Thailand and re-enter on my retirement visa?

Yes, but you must obtain a re-entry permit before leaving Thailand. A single re-entry permit costs 1,000 THB and a multiple re-entry permit costs 3,800 THB. Without a re-entry permit, your visa extension will be voided upon departure.

How long must I keep 800,000 THB in my bank account?

The 800,000 THB must be in your Thai bank account for at least 2 months before your extension application and must remain there for at least 3 months after the extension is granted. After that, the balance must not drop below 400,000 THB for the rest of the year.

Can my spouse join me on the retirement visa?

Your spouse cannot be added to your retirement visa directly. However, if your spouse is also 50+, they can apply for their own retirement visa. If your spouse is younger, they may be able to apply for a Non-O visa as a dependent, though the requirements differ.

Is the AOW (Dutch state pension) enough to qualify?

The full AOW for a single person is approximately $1,400 USD per month, which is below the 65,000 THB (~$1,900 USD) monthly income requirement. However, you can supplement with other pension income, savings, or use the bank deposit option of 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account instead.

Tips

💡Open a Bangkok Bank or Kasikorn Bank account as they are most experienced with retirement visa holders.
💡Use an immigration agent for your first extension - costs around 5,000-10,000 THB but saves considerable hassle.
💡Set a calendar reminder for your 90-day reporting - late reporting incurs a 2,000 THB fine.
💡The Non-O route (entering on tourist visa, then converting in Thailand) is often easier for first-timers.