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The Big Thai Visa Post: Visa Types, Requirements, Restrictions & Benefits

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All visa processes, whether you are flying across the world or traveling to a neighboring country, are daunting ones.

With all the different types of Thai visa available, at times it may seem as if figuring out how to fly to the moon would be an easier task than finding out which one is right for you.

It isn't straight-forward, that's for sure.

I've been here 11 years now and I still discover stipulations in the small print now and again.

There are a number of different visas to consider, so to prevent the risk of deportation and the embarrassment of explaining your predicament when you wind up back in your home country, I have compiled up-to-date visa information for the 5 most common types of visa.

Let's get started…

thai visa thailand

Why Do You Need a Visa?

Let's start with this simple but common question.

A passport is needed when traveling to other nations to show that you are a legal citizen, so why do we need to go the extra mile to obtain a visa?

Visas are different than passports in that they show why it is you are going to another country, as well as how long you plan on staying there.

Visas are usually granted to those who are working or studying abroad for a certain amount of time, however, there are other types of visas, including marriage and retirement visas.

All you have to do is apply for the correct one, which you'll be able to after reading this post.

So let’s get started with the different types of Thai visa, their requirements and the application process.

1. The Tourist Visa

Are you looking for a long spring break destination? Are you taking the gap year to blow all of your money in exchange for fond memories and a boatload of “candid” selfies?

Well, Thailand is certainly one of the most beautiful destinations you will find in your search for the perfect vacation.

If this is the case, don’t let the idea of getting a tourist visa scare you. While it may be easier to simply travel to another city in your own country of residence, figuring out the Thai tourist visa is well worth your time to see this beautiful country.

Also, if you are staying for less than 30 days, you may not need a visa to enter the country. See this link for the requirements for each country.

Requirements:

In order to apply, you will need to have a passport with at least six months of remaining validity. You must also have two passport photos. You must have already purchased your flights, as a copy of your round trip tickets or confirmed itinerary is required.

You must also have proof that you have sufficient funds to be traveling in the first place (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family).

There are two types of tourist visa:

1. Tourist (3 months validity/up to 60 days/Single)

This is a single entry visa that gives you up to 60 days straight in Thailand.

2. Tourist (6 months validity/up to 60 days/Multiple Entries)

This is the newer, far better option that gives you a 6-month visa, allowing you to stay for 60 days at a time, but with multiple entries.

Application Process:

Obtaining a tourist visa is the least difficult visa to obtain as there are few requirements. You apply for a tourist visa in your home country from the Thai Embassy or a Thai consulate.

After arrival in Thailand, if you need extra time, you can extend a tourist visa twice, each time for an additional 30 days.  There is a 1,900 Baht fee for each extension.

The extension of stay, as well as the change of a certain type of visa, is solely at the discretion of the Immigration officer.

The Benefits

In most cases, the single entry will be enough, but for those who want to spend 6-months at a time here (leaving every 60-days) the new 6-month visa is a bonus option.

The advantage of entering the country with this visa is that you'll have 60 days instead of the standard 30 on arrival.

This means that should you want to attend an extra full moon party, or spend longer with your Thai girl/boyfriend, you won't have to to do a visa run to buy some time.

2. The Work/Business Visa (Non-Immigrant “B” Visa)

Many people come to Thailand to teach English as a second language. Others are relocated here for work, to invest and even conduct international business.

The B visa process is fairly harmless and, if done right, can be just another simple check off your to-do list before coming to source that next big import product from Thailand.

Requirements:

This is a bit tricky to stipulate because there is no set business visa, rather a category (B) for which you have to submit documents depending on the business-related reason you require this type of visa.

For most work-related type visas you need two passport photos, a medical certificate, a valid passport, a letter of employment, a certificate of degree and proof of funds of 20,000 Baht (per person)

Work Permit:

Note that this visa isn't a work permit. A work permit is obtained separately inside Thailand, and usually by your employer.

If you want to work in Thailand, you should apply for an initial 90-Day Non-Immigrant B visa from your home country under the employment category.

The work permit application then takes place during the initial 90 days of your visa. Once a valid work permit is obtained, the applicant then applies for the 1-Year Non-Immigrant B visa inside Thailand.

Once you have a work permit, 90-day reporting to any Thai Immigration Office is required. You'll also need a re-entry permit if you wish to travel outside of the country. The good news is that renewal of this visa can be done inside Thailand.

Application Process:

As with all types of visa, the B visa must be obtained in your home country (or country other than Thailand). Single-entry and multiple-entry visas are valid for three months initially, though multiple-entry visas are valid for 1 year (leave every 90 days).

For single entry, your passport must be valid for 6 months or more, and for multiple entry the passport must be valid for 18 months or more.

The Benefits:

On a multiple-entry B visa, you are allowed to stay in Thailand for 90 days at a time. You are also able to open a bank account as well as obtain a work permit, if needed.

The B visa covers the following types of work-related activity: to conduct business, to work, attend business conferences, scuba diving courses, to teach, kick boxing courses (Muay Thai) and massage courses.

It will suit those prospecting for business in Thailand and having meetings with Thai companies or attending seminars and trade shows.

3. The Retirement Visa

What better way to retire than on the shores of Thailand’s world famous beaches, or in the quiet hills of Nakorn Nowhere?

Thailand’s yearlong tropical climate makes it a great place to put your feet up and truly enjoy retirement at a slower pace, or not, as the case may be.

The retirement visa is fairly hassle-free, and not too long ago they introduced online reporting to make it easier. Personally I hope they'll do away with the laborious reporting in the near future.

I can't see why people aren't simply required to pop down to a local Police Station or immigration office every 3 months and get stamped in. Would take 5 minutes and be done at everyone's leisure.

Wishful thinking…

Requirements:

The retirement visa is also referred to as the non-immigrant “O-A,” or the long stay visa. You must be at least 50-years-old and have a clean criminal background.

Two months prior to the visa, you must have a security deposit of 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank account, or a monthly income or pension of 65,000 Baht; or a total of 800,000 Baht through a combination of a bank deposit and income or pension for the entire year.

Every 90 days you must report to the immigration office regarding your current address in Thailand, but this can be done by mail if you do not wish to personally visit the immigration office.

An agent can also do this for you through power of attorney. What better way to fully enjoy retirement than to let other people do the 90-day reporting for you?

Application Process:

Before applying for a retirement visa in Thailand, you must first apply for a 90-day initial Non-Immigrant visa from the Thai embassy or a consulate in your home country.

Once you are on the last 30 days of your current permit to stay, you can file your retirement visa application.

Note that to support your application you must have an updated bank book or passbook and a bank letter stating that the money has been deposited to the account from an overseas source for not less than 2 months.

The Benefits:

You can stay up to one year with this visa, as well as renew the visa, every year, from inside of Thailand. That means you don't need to leave and do those horrible visa runs!

4. The Marriage Visa (Based On Having a Non Immigrant O Visa)

Online, on vacation, at a bar on Khao San Road: it doesn’t matter where you fell in love, it just matters that you did.

Many of you may find yourselves lucky enough to have found the one and tied the knot, and if Skype and Facebook messenger aren’t enough to keep the romance alive, you may want to think about moving to Thailand on a marriage visa.

The marriage visa is a tad tricky to understand, in that it is actually technically known as a 1-Year Extension of Stay Based on Marriage.

First you need to apply for a 90-day visa or a 1-Year Non-Immigrant O visa from your home country or country of residence.

Note that the 90-day Non-Immigrant visa may also be obtained from nearby countries in Thailand.

When you apply for the Non-Immigrant O, you will be doing so on the basis of being married to a Thai national and therefore will need to submit your marriage certificate and copy of your wife’s ID with your application.

The Non-Immigrant O visa will give you a year’s stay in Thailand but with the condition that you leave every 90 days. However, to extend your stay without having to leave, you need to follow the requirements below:

Requirements:

In order to get the 1-year extension of stay, you need to be married to a Thai national and not have any criminal history. You must also have a monthly income of at least 40,000 Baht, or a Thai bank account with 400,000 Baht for two months.

There is some conflicting information from various legal sources on whether you can combine savings and income to meet the 400k financial requirement. However, the official law reads as follows:

In the case of marriage to a Thai woman, the alien husband must earn an average annual income of no less than Baht 40,000 per month or must have no less than Baht 400,000 in a bank account in Thailand for the past two months to cover expenses for one year.

Every year, this visa is renewable and this process can be done inside Thailand. The requirements to obtain the visa are the same as when you initially got it. You must also report every 90 days to the nearest immigration office with your current address.

Remember that if you want to travel outside of Thailand after having obtained your retirement visa, you will need a re-entry permit to do so. If you don’t get one, your visa will be cancelled when you exit the country.

You can apply for one at the nearest immigration office or at the international airport before leaving the country. Note that this does not apply to a 1-year multiple entry visa but a visa which was extended in Thailand for the period of 12 months.

Application Process:

Obtaining a Non Immigrant O visa based on marriage is straight forward. Simply apply inside your home country and provide the a copy and translation of your marriage certificate and a copy of your wife's ID card.

Once you have the Non-Immigrant O multiple entry, you can travel to Thailand and activate the visa.

On the last 30 days of your 90-day permit to stay is when the 1-year extension can take place and, providing you meet the financial requirements, the processing time usually takes about a month.

Note that you don't need to do the 1-year extension if you don't want to. You could just leave every 90 days.

The Benefits:

Once you have a marriage visa (extended Non Immigrant O based on marriage), you can stay in Thailand for a full year without ever needing to exit the country.

You are also allowed to work if you are able to obtain a valid Thai work permit to go along with the marriage visa.

Lastly, if you don't apply to extend for a year by following the financial requirements listed above, you can always extend your visa for a further 60 days, making it last 5 months. I wrote a post on how to do this here. 

5. The Education Visa (1-year Non-Immigrant ED Visa)

Believe it or not, this has been the most illegally exploited visa over the years. The ED visa, as it's known, became a popular way to long-stay in Thailand with minimal financial commitment: Simply sign up to learn Thai for a year with a language school and voila, you get an educations visa.

Of course, people weren't really learning Thai, and, after a number of years, the Thai government began asking immigration officers to conduct random basic Thai tests on those who'd supposedly been learning the language for a few years.

Needless to say, those who couldn't answer very basic questions had theirs cancelled.

If you do apply for an Ed visa, make sure you go to at least one lesson a week!.

Requirements:

You can apply for the Ed visa in your home country or from inside Thailand. Most people come in on a tourist visa and then find a school to sign up with. The school then duly sorts out the paperwork with the Ministry of Education.

If you are accepted, which you most likely will be, you will then have to leave Thailand and apply for the Non-Immigrant ED visa in any Thai embassy or consulate outside of Thailand. Most people hop over to Laos to do this.

People of every nationality can apply for a 1-year Non-Immigrant Education visa. Though nationals of the following countries must apply in their own country: Bangladesh, China, India, Iran, Sri-Lanka and Middle Eastern countries – don't ask me why!

From inside your own country, you'll need the usual suspects such as passport or travel document with a validity of not less than 6 months, and a recent 4 x 6 cm photograph.

In addition, you'll need a letter of acceptance from the language school you wish to study at, and for those who intend to study in a private institution, you may require an official letter from the Ministry of Education of Thailand or other sub-authorities concerned, which is basically an approval of your enrollment and a copy of your registration certificate.

Note that there are slightly different documents required for internships and other more specific areas of study.

Application Process:

It's actually much easier to apply for an education visa inside of Thailand because the language schools are crying out for students, and are therefore willing to do all the legwork required to sign you up.

The only hassle is having to go to Laos or any other country in the surrounding region to get your ED visa. But as I'm sure you can tell, this is why the ED visa became such a popular route for the “Oh my God, I don't want to go home. How can I stay here for longer” type traveller.

On arrival back in Thailand you will be permitted to stay for 90 days. Once you have the school paperwork you can extend your stay every 90 days at the Bangkok Immigration Office for the duration of the course (up to a maximum of 3 years). The fee is 1,900 Baht for an extension.

Note that if you have a single entry ED visa, when you want to travel abroad, you have to get a re-entry permit to leave and come back in. This can be conveniently done at Suvarnabhumi Airport before you leave.

You can file to pause your visa so that the period of your leave will not be included in the duration of your visa. To get a re-entry permit, you need the following:

  • Passport and a  copy
  • One 4 x 6 cm passport photo
  • 1,000 Baht fee for single entry, and 3,800 Baht for multiple entry

The Benefits:

You get to stay continually in Thailand and don't have to leave every 90 days, as you would on some of the other Non Immigrant O visas (where the financial requirement hasn't been met to extend).

However you do have to report to immigration every 90 days to let them know your address. You can do this up to 7 days before the due date.

Single entry ED visa holders also have to get a re-entry permit if they want to travel abroad; so get a multiple entry from the outset.

All in all, this visa is a good choice if you want to stay long term, and learn Thai, of course!

6. The Thailand Elite Visa

The Thailand Elite Visa is a multiple entry visa, valid for five years, and renewable as long as the membership is still valid. With the basic package starting at a cool 500,000 Baht, you will be granted a 1-year stay, with an extension possible at the end of the year.

The website doesn't quite reflect this upmarket offering: the design is poor, the information hard to decipher and the pages slow to load – you would have thought they'd spend some of that money on a decent user experience.

That said, if you have the money, this is the easiest way to stay in Thailand long term, with fringe benefits that make you feel important.

Requirements:

The only requirement is that you have the cash. Oh, and that you aren't a known criminal or banned from the country.

The Benefits:

You won't need to do visa runs, but you will have to do 90-day address reporting. No stress though, your Thailand Elite personal liaison office will handle this for you, apparently.

Other benefits include: a concierge service at the airport (they greet you and get you a limo to your hotel), spa treatments, a health checkup, discount shopping, cheaper banking with Bangkok Bank, and a bunch of other stuff you might not use.

Visa Overstay Rules!

Do not make the mistake of overstaying your welcome in Thailand. Be sure to have a look at either the length of your permit by stamp or your particular visa to see what date it is you are supposed to leave Thailand.

You are considered to be overstaying even if your visa ended the previous day.

Overstaying your welcome in Thailand could get you into serious trouble.

The 500 Baht a day penalty that was once the only punishment handed out for foreigners overstaying their welcome has now been accompanied by an entry ban for severe offenders, and as of March 2016, you could receive a ban for as long as 10 years.

If you overstay and turn yourself in, you get banned for one year for staying more than 90 days, banned three years for staying more than one year, banned five years for staying more than three years, and last but not least, banned for 10 years for staying more than five years.

If you need to extend a visa, you can do so by applying for permission at the Office of Immigration Bureau, located on Government Center B, Chaengwattana Soi 7, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Tel 0-2141-9889.

Be wary of your expiration date and don’t overstay your welcome, or you may not ever be able to come back to paradise!

Don't see the type of visa you want listed in this post? Confused and need some advice? Have I made a mistake? Leave a comment below and let me know!

Comments Sort by : newest | oldest

  1. Very informative +concise info.Was confused by all visas available + relevent conditions but you have made it simple to follow the rules so that i will know i have right visa when i retire there next year,thankyou

    Reply

  2. Hold EVERYTHING!!!!!

    I was just on the Royal Thai Embassy’s US website and there is a NEW KIND OF RETIREMENT VISA! (Sorry for the excited shouting.) It’s called the Non-Immigrant Visa Category “O-X” (long stay). It seems to be an upgrade to the O-A (as you have to be over 50). It is valid for 10 years and allows a stay of up to 5 years. It shows a fee (in the US) of $400. The financial requirements are higher than the O-A (“3 million bahts in Thailand or a bank deposit of no less than 1.8 million bahts and annual income of no less than 1.2 million bahts. ” Which will require clarification, I’m sure.) and requires health insurance (” Applicant must have a Thai health insurance for the duration of stay, with coverage for outpatient treatment of no less than 40,000 bahts and inpatient treatment of no less than 400,000 bahts” They provide a helpful link for the purchase…) It is limited to citizens of the following countries: Japan, Australia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Canada and United States.

    Now this is the interesting part. Unlike the instructions for the O-A there is exactly no mention of in-country reporting requirements.

    I’ll see if I can find out anything additional.

    Reply

    • Hi James, I saw this mentioned on Facebook a few days ago but didn’t get so excited when I saw the requirements. This thing about having to deposit money in a Thai bank grates on me. Thai banks offer very poor interest rates – so it’s a wasted investment, and in the event of a “run” on the bank the money won’t be secure. Does the visa require a deposit in a Thai bank and the annual income, or one or the other? It’s not clear.

      Reply

      • Hi TTL,

        It does appear to be a bit excessive but interest rates the world over right now are basically zero. I’ve sent a message to the Thai Embassy in Washington for clarification. The 3 MegaBaht requirement for the deposit is for “at least one year” and drops to 1.5 MB after that. There is also a combination deposit (1.8MB) and income (1.2MB/year) qualification.

        The big deal seems to be the health insurance requirement. Only one of the providers posted premiums online which for my age group were about 60,000 THB/year for the minimum coverage amount. In part I think they might be trying to induce people with long-term care needs to choose Thailand as a treatment center and at the same time have some assurance that they have the resources to pay for everything they’re going to need.

        I’ll post when I hear back from the embassy.

        Reply

  3. Hi Peter,

    I have retired in Australia, and am about to apply for a retirement visa looking to a shift to Thailand in the next month. (I have read elsewhere that it is easier to apply from your home country).

    Two questions (if you don’t mind),

    1: What is your current opinion on this, would it be better to apply now from Australia, or apply for a Tourist visa and wait until I have been in Thailand 30? 60? 90? days?

    2: On the website of the Thai Consulate in Sydney, they instruct that for a retirement visa, as well as all extended stay visas, you also fill in a generic “personal data” form which I have downloaded from their web site. All is straightforward with this, apart from the section at the bottom which asks for your proposed address in Thailand (probably a guest house to begin with), and also a “Reference Person in Thailand”. Does this person, do you think, have to be a Thai national? Would they accept the landlord as a reference?

    Probably silly questions I know, but would appreciate your guidance on this.

    Kind Regards,

    Billie.

    Reply

  4. We’re moving to Thailand in 18 months time (my partner is Thai, but as TH does not recognise same sex civil partnerships from UK and has no same sex marriage laws….yet) I am going to enter using an alternative process:

    1. I’m a co-director of a Foundation in TH so this is a possibility
    2. I could enter on a retirement visa – what are the restrictions however on working? I guess none is allowed
    3. ED visa initially – I am about to start a MSc in the UK and perhaps I could follow this up with a further degree in TH – what are the rules about non language courses?

    Excellent website – love reading ur updates and information!

    Chris

    Reply

    • Hi Chris,

      Is the foundation a registered non-Thai NGO? Or Thai company? If so, you can get a Non Immigrant O visa, and then a work permit can be issued for voluntary work by the foundation (once you are in Thailand).

      An ED visa is also a possibility. You will need a letter from the school/university confirming your place.

      You cannot work on a retirement visa.

      Reply

  5. I’ve been trading emails with the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington about the O-A long stay “retirement” visa and got an interesting response to one of my questions. I was told that the 800 Kilobaht does not need to be in a Thai bank account but only in a bank where you can prove you’ve got it (a letter of guarantee from the bank where the money resides). Of course, I’m not sure if this is true everywhere but at least for the US it seems I can keep the dollars in the US until I Transferwise them as needed. I’ve got some more detail I’ll be talking with them about and pass it on as I find out.

    Reply

    • Some more info from the Royal Thai Embassy. 1) Your money doesn’t need to be in an actual bank – any financial institution will do, like an investment house or mutual fund company. And, 2) The financial guarantee documents you provide can have some age to them, a month or two old is still fine.

      What wasn’t specifically covered was whether an in-country renewal would accept the foreign bank guarantee or not. So my quest continues.

      Reply

      • Hello,
        I would like to follow up about 800,000 bahts – does this amount has to be deposited into Thai bank account when applying for permanent visa?
        How safe to guarantee your money in Thai bank account not disappeared? Is there any FDIC protection there? If I have assets in US and money in US banks, is that enough to prove them?
        Thanks in advance for any reply

        Reply

        • Brian,
          What the Thai Embassy in D.C. told me was that the 800,000 can be in any financial institution. It doesn’t have to be in Thailand. That could change at any time (the requirements for the new O-X visa stipulate that the money must be in Thailand, for example) but as of mid-August 2017 funds in a U.S. account were acceptable.

          Reply

    • Hi Gary, you would apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa in your home country, which is valid for 3 months. You can then convert that visa to a 1-year retirement visa after having opened a Thai bank account and deposited 800k Baht for a minimum of 60 days. You can also show a monthly income or pension of 65,000 Baht; or a total of 800,000 Baht through a combination of a bank deposit and income or pension for the entire year. The cost of the Non O visa is £50 ($65).

      Reply

  7. Hello,
    Thank you for all of the helpful information. I am going to be teaching at an international school in Thailand starting in August. My school is guiding me through the Non B visa process, and I will be going to Lao in the next few weeks.
    My problem is my partner is with me in Thailand. How can I get a visa for him also, as my school will not provide one for him unless we are married. What are the options for him?
    Thank you!

    Reply

  8. Hi there and thank you for your great information.

    Ive read the entire post but my I’m still unsure if my Q was answered. I am a long-stay resident here in TH on a tourist APEC 90 day visa (I dont mind the visa runs), but can get a retirement visa if needed. However, as I understand it, neither of these will help if I earn a little cash on the side eg I am a builder and get some regular reno work and receive rent money. I am happy to declare the cash and pay the tax if needed, but I gather I need a “work permit” besides my normal tourist or retirement visa. Is that correct? If so, how do I get a work permit if I dont have an offical employer? cheers

    Reply

    • Hi Dan, you won’t be able to get a work permit without a proper employer to apply for it on your behalf. Building is also a profession reserved for Thais under labour law, so an employer would have a tough time justifying that the position is to be taken by a foreign national. I can’t advise that you work illegally, so I’d do the work as a favour and not for cash payment. Any money you receive from any person should be a gift and not as cash in exchange for work. If it is just a little money it probably wouldn’t be eligible for taxation anyway.

      Reply

  9. Hi 🙂

    This is very informative thank you! I am currently studying at a university so therefore have an Education Visa.

    I plan to go to my home country for a visit. Do you possibly know if the immigration officers will ask me to show a minimum amount of cash, upon re-entry? (ie. 10000 or 20000 baht) I heard there are new rules because they are suspicious of people who have an ED Visa now.

    TIA 🙂

    Reply

    • You will need to get a re-entry permit. You can get one from the airport before you fly. As long as you have that there will be no issue coming back in. Maybe carry your University campus ID as proof; it can’t hurt to do that. Never heard of this showing cash thing. Don’t worry.

      Reply

  11. Hello! I just found your website. Very impressive! I am currently a math teacher living in United States, and I plan to travel to Thailand to find work as a teacher in September. I have never traveled internationally, so I am new to visas. I could try to set up a job in Thailand before I come there, but I am nervous to accept a job before I come there. I prefer to be in Thailand when I search for work. The website, “ajarn.com”, a teaching site, suggests that it is better to find a teaching job after you arrive in Thailand. If you don’t mind, I have a few questions for you Sir?

    Do you think it is wise to come to Thailand before I have a job secured?
    Is it true that teaching jobs are in abundance their and easy to find?
    How should I handle my visa situation there? Should I just get a tourist visa and wait until I find a teaching job there, then, let the school handle my work visa?

    Thank you Sir!

    P.S. Thank you for offering so much information. I will enjoy learning from your website.

    Reply

    • Hey John,

      Yes. Get a multiple-entry tourist visa (look at TTL’s posts on the visa run). I would advise – instead of committing to a job in advance you plan on something more like: take 1 week to get (fully) over the jet-lag, 3 months to get over the culture shock, 3 months to figure out what part of Thailand you want to live in, and 3 months to start looking for a job. Thailand is different from “the West” (particularly the US) in so many ways you’ll have a lot to learn before you can make any kind of informed decision. Coupled with the regional differences I think that you’d be better served long-term by easing in over 6 – 9 months. But, if you need a job right away then go for it.

      I would suggest starting to learn Thai (if you haven’t already) starting now. I don’t speak much, nor well, but it’s worthwhile way beyond what I imagined.

      Also go in knowing that they don’t do things like that around here. You will find the paper chases daunting, the protocols and procedures numbing, and the mai bpen rai attitude kind of frustrating. But when you take the time to learn it and take a lot of deep breaths you’ll find that for what they need to do their system works.

      And read EVERYTHING on TTL. Peter’s got the best info in the world here.

      Good luck.

      Reply

      • Thank you James! Great advice! My initial plan was to take 2 months getting settled-in before I started searching for a job. I will heed your advice and take my time getting adjusted before I join the work force. I do have another question if you don’t mind. Is it possible to have short-term interns in schools to observe teachers’ and students’? Maybe I could travel to different schools and observe? That would be helpful if possible.

        Thank you again!

        Reply

        • Hey John,

          I’m sure that would be completely dependent on the school and how you pitch the idea.

          As to your books question you posted. Typically when you fly from the U.S. to Thailand your baggage flies free. If you use a non-US carrier you can sometimes get away with up to 120lbs in two bags. If you go first or business (in my dreams, that’s how I fly) the baggage is basically unlimited. We usually fly EVA premium economy (costs less than regular economy on US domestic lines) and get two bags per passenger each up to 62lbs. Instead of the 50lb limit on the US carriers. I have not found anyway to ship anything from the US to Thailand without getting hit with a bill that would buy a pretty nice car.

          There are a number of excess baggage shippers on the web which is where I would start looking as to how much it would cost to send your books. From looking at them about shipping a bike to Bangkok they seemed to be about US$20 less than the excess baggage charge from the airline (if I’m remembering right). If you’ve got enough stuff to fill a Balikbayan box do a search for LTL shipping. It’ll take a while to get there since it goes by sea but would allow you to ship whatever you wanted. I used a similar service when I was living in Grenada and it worked pretty well.

          Reply

    • Hi John, I pretty much second everything that James said (thanks for the kind words too James).

      It’s definitely worth spending time in potential places you want to live before committing, and often the place you first stay and think you love you feel quite differently about within a couple of months. There is a huge difference between holiday living and living permanently, as I’m sure you can imagine. The dynamics change considerably.

      That said, if you are looking at international school jobs then some of these are recruited for outside of the country. Jobs in Thai schools can be found very easily within the country. You might like to try Chiang Mai for teaching, as that’s a less hectic city than Bangkok. Though if you fancy an island like Phuket then that’s a possibility too.

      There are jobs all over the country, and salaries vary slightly by region.

      Visa wise, as James said the tourist visa (multiple entry) is a good option. When you find a job you will be required to go to a neighbouring country (most likely Laos) to obtain a B visa (as detailed in the post above) from the Thai embassy. You can then return and your employer will sort out your work permit.

      Let us know if you have any further questions. All the best!

      Reply

      • Thank you for your help! I will use the multiple entry tourist visa. i will look into Chiang Mai as well. I am sure it would be quite overwhelming to start out in a place like Bangkok. I plan to only visit Bangkok, not live there at first. But, like you said, probably not wise to have too many plans when I go there; just go with the flow and figure out the best place that resonates with me.

        I do have another question if you don’t mind. When I come to Thailand, I plan to pack two large suitcases, and that is all. I don’t want to bring too much, but I would like to bring some books. I do have lots of books and would like to bring 20 or 30 of them. If it is possible, what is the best way to ship books to Thailand? I know the Philippines has something called “Balikbayan box”. With the Balikbayan box, you can ship a large box with no weight limit for a flat fee of around 80 to 100 dollars. I was wondering if there was something like that in Thailand?

        Thank you again!

        Reply

  12. Hi Peter. Can a holder of a working permit in Thailand allowed to invite her mother and a brother to visit her? If yes, how long are we allowed to stay in Thailand for a vacation? Working permits are different from working visa or are they the same?

    Reply

    • You wouldn’t need an invite. You would simply come on a tourist visa, or, depending on how long you want to visit for and what passport you hold, you will just get an entry stamp at the airport. It will either be 15 or 30 days.

      Reply

  14. Hi, I am in Bangkok and 2 days ago I was granted a one year stay on the basis of retirement (non-O).
    I now want to enrol in a thai language course at Chula University and I see that I should have a Non-Immigrant ED visa instead.
    Could I not retain my NonImmigrant O and study on that one?
    If not, can I make the change from Non-O to ED within Thailand?

    And if this gets difficult can I just study in a private school with my Non-O visa Retirement?

    Reply

    • You can’t have 2 visas at the same time, and I think that technically you can’t study within the education system on a retirement visa, but I’d inquire at the school as I’m pretty sure they have an exception for this. I do know that you can study at a private school on your retirement visa. A few years back I was studying on a Non O and most of the people in my class were retired or on similar long-stay (non-ed) visas.

      Reply

  17. I plan to spend 70 days in Chiang Mai from Dec. 20, 2017 to Feb. 28, 2018. I already have a plane ticket and a condo rented. I am retired and do not plan to work or volunteer. I think the O-A visa is the correct one for me but I’m not real sure. If another type of visa would be better please let me know. I will only need a visa for the time period above, how soon in advance of Dec. 19 can I get the visa. I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Chachoengsao in the 1980’s and have been back to visit on 3 occasions but never for 70 days.

    Thanks

    Reply

    • Hi Charles, you could get that visa but it’s designed really for those wanting to stay a year. You have to meet the financial requirements too, which means depositing 800k in a Thai bank account. I’d go for a 60 day single entry tourist visa and then extend at immigration to cover you for the last 10 days. Or, get a multiple entry tourist visa, stay for 60 days, then hop over to Laos for a night or 2 and then re-enter Thailand for the last week of your trip (this then activates your visa for a further 60 days).

      Reply

  18. Hi,

    Came across your site when I was trying to find out full details of the Thailand Elite visa. My mom’s considering that one, but I feel like it’s a scam. I think the selling points for her are that she’s older and doesn’t want the hassle of renewing — which she thinks you have to leave the country to do that, and provide medical records….is this true? Do you know the requirements for the 90 day reporting vs requirements for the annual renewal on a retirement visa? I’m hoping to convince her she doesn’t need this Elite membership. Thanks so much.

    Reply

    • The main difference between the retirement visa and the Elite visa, aside from the fringe benefits, is that on the Elite visa you visit immigration once, to activate your stay, and then the Elite visa company will do your reporting for you.

      If you live in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya or Phuket, you can drop your passport at the Thailand Elite office and collect it once it is done. They take it to immigration for you.

      Of course, other benefits are things like getting collected and being dropped at the airport by a private car, and expedited through passport control.

      I think you have to weigh up the benefits vs. your financial situation.

      I have a post on the Elite visa here

      1. Immigration can be a hassle. Having someone do the reporting for you is a good benefit. But it only covers the aforementioned areas. That said, if you are retired with little to do, is half a day at immigration really that much of a hassle? Get there first thing and you can be done in 2 hours. If you are a bit older and feel intimidated by the process, you could always pay an agent to come with your on the day to help you complete the process.

      2. Is the private car a big benefit? You can book a private Mercedes car for 1,200 Baht to drop/pick you up from the airport anyway.

      3. Getting through passport control quickly has never been an issue for me. The longest I have waited is 20 minutes. That said, on the way out of Thailand on an international flight, it can get busy and 45-1 hour waits aren’t uncommon. If I was 60+ I’d probably just say my leg was hurting me and get put in the fast track lane 🙂

      4. Discounted shopping at King Power and free golf trips are of no appeal to me.

      5. Don’t forget the financial requirements for the retirement visa though. You still need to have that 800k in a Thai bank account. Most people do not dig this and it’s a peeve for many.

      If cash was no problem and I wouldn’t miss it then maybe I’d consider it.

      Reply

  19. First let me say. I’ve only recently came across your Website. It is the most informative, straight forward site on Thailand that I’ve every come across. Thanks for being so willing to share your experience and information. You would be surprised on how many Westerner’s are not willing to share any information once they’ve settled in Thailand. The mentality becomes, “I found Mind, now you find Yours.” Going to give you a quick example. I am in the process of applying for a Thai Visa-Retirement Long-Stay O-A (which at the end I have one question for you. Although reading your article above, you’ve seem to have answered part of it.) OK. Back to my example. As I said I’m applying for a Retirement Visa. So, I’ve also been looking on-line at various websites for a place to stay ( a reasonable Condo, something simple.) Well I came across an individual who had a Video on U-Tube. Showing a Studio/Condo for the price range and, more importantly right in the area I would like to stay in Bangkok. So I (an a few others who also viewed his video.) Replied to his posting asking if he could provide us the name of the complex he was staying at, as we were also interested in possibly staying there. He replied to us. That he would not share the information, as he respected his neighbors and didn’t want a bunch of Farangs moving in and bringing down the quality of the building. Well, I an a couple of others replied back to him. Without going into the full discussion we had (and the others.) I told him he needed to look in a mirror, because, he (like I) was one of the same Farang’s he didn’t want moving into the building (being from the U.S like me.) That how soon people forget how at one time all another, they were in a position of asking help and took it freely when it was offered. So the whole point is. I, and, I’m sure many of your followers who came across your site. Are so Greatly Appreciative of everything you are so freely willing to share. Thank You. Now, I promise one quick question in regards to the Retirement O-A Visa. From what I understand now. I have to report every 90 days to Thai Immigration to verify where I live. Correct? However, am I required at all during the year to leave Thailand and come back? That’s the part that still confuses me. I apologize for being so long winded.

    Reply

  22. Ive looked at what you have written and im wondering what place I fit into lol… So confusing

    I work one month in Russia and one month off… My plan is to move to Chiang Mai , so I would be there 5 months a year, but never more than 27 days at a time… How would that work for me if you know…. I saw somewhere else where someone said you could only get 2 30 day no visa trips per year.. So just confused about it all

    Reply

  23. Hi and as always thanks for your diligence in helping us through the visa quagmire.
    My question is about after getting married, which I just did, and have jumped through all the hoops in getting the marriage certificate.
    I’m ready to go Laos for the next procedure, but the 400,000 I have in the bank hasn’t been there for two months…not even 1.
    From what I’ve read, they won’t issue a non immigrant O based on marriage without that, correct?
    All the law blogs and visa sites say it’s necessary, but your post seems to say its not necessary if you take the 90 day option. So confusing and very scary 🙂
    Have you heard any new info on the financial requurement? I’m a US citizen and I think the rules are slightly different for different nationalities. Cheers! Super great blog. I know how much work you put into it.

    Reply

    • Last I heard you can only get the single entry Non O in Laos, which you don’t need the financial requirement for. This would be for 90 days, extendable by 60 at immigration in Thailand – so potentially a maximum of 5 months stay. If you want a multiple entry you need to get this from your home country. You can then extend for 1-year once inside Thailand, with the financial requirement of 400k in a Thai Bank for 2 months.

      Reply

  24. Perhaps deliberately so, but this is one convoluted, costly and confusing visa system. But thanks for trying to clarify it. For the ‘six-month’ tourist visa then, it can ONLY be acquired in the home country. Having got it, you can only stay six months by renewing it twice, so 60+60+60. Is the renewal done in country or outside? You say you can renew twice for 30 days each time, but that would only bring you to a total of 4 months not six months: 60 + 30+30. Please clarify if you can.

    Also, perhaps an update: the ed visa seems pretty costly now, one school is quoting an incredible 30,000+ for the year.

    Reply

    • It’s a 6 month multiple entry visa. So the visa lasts 6 months but you must leave every 60 days. in 60 days, out, in 60 days, out, in 60 days = 180 days. However, you can extend it at immigration for 30 days just before it expires, so actually you could get 7 months out of it.

      I think the visa system is confusing and needs a huge overhaul. It has been put together in bit parts by different people at different times who miss key considerations and then have to make adjustments that prevent it being straight forward. But it keeps a lot of immigration officers in jobs pushing paper around and making foreigners jump through hoops, and makes a lot of money on extensions. This suits the status quo. In theory the whole system could be taken online and probably 50% or more of the workforce cut, but then they’d have to deal with the unemployment.

      I don’t think it is costly though, particularly for your 30k (a year) ED visa. That’s a good deal. You get to learn Thai at a school and stay in the country for the duration. It would cost that a month to study English in the UK a few times a week at a school. It’s 500 Baht an hour for good English lessons in Bangkok.

      Reply

  25. Hello and TIA for your help—My 17 yr old will be travelling to Thailand this spring to take a 3 week language course, do some travelling, and volunteer for 2 months. Can you help us with the Visa or Visas she should get and how to manage this? I have contacted the thai consulate 3 times with no response. Is there other paperwork required for a minor? She is a US citizen–thank you–Nancy

    Reply

    • I’d assume the language course could be done under the 30-day entry stamp because it is only for 3 weeks. But she’ll be staying longer as she intends to travel and volunteer. So I’d suggest a Non Immigrant O visa for voluntary services. This lasts for 3 months.

      The organisation she is volunteering with will need to arrange a work permit too, in addition to the visa; and most reputable organisations will readily provide help/or arrange this all for you.

      The official rule is: Although you will work as a volunteer, you do need a Non-Immigrant visa as well as the Work Permit. The NGO must be legally registered with the Thai authority, and that you need a recommendation letter from the NGO for your visa application and the Work Permit.

      Does your daughter have any idea of who she will be volunteering for yet?

      In terms of being under 18, you will need to follow these guidelines for parents when applying.

      Reply

  26. Your website is amazing, thank you for all of the FREE information! I’d like to stay in Thailand for one year and maybe longer. I don’t qualify for a tourist visa with multiple entries. It seems my best option is the ED visa by signing up for a language school. Is it reasonable that I can fly in without a visa and join a language school to stay for a year? Do you see any possible complications? I’m a USA citizen

    Reply

    • You could do that, though you will have to leave again once you make contact with the language school, as you have to get the ED visa outside the country. You can get a multiple entry tourist visa. Lasts 6 months, but you have to leave every 60 days.

      Reply

        • Ham – – What exactly is the big rush to get out of Dodge? Did the Mafia put a contract out on you or something? If not, all I can say is Thailand will still be there next year. Furthermore, if I were in your shoes and I could not wait one more second to get my ass to Thailand I would probably just go on a tourist visa until I could sort out what kind of long term visa would be best for me. If memory serves, you can stay 6-month before you need to do a border crossing and come back in. Of course you will temporarily have to leave the country to change over to a new kind of visa but so what. Just take that opportunity to visit some other countries that you have always wanted to see.

          As for the “elite” visa, it seems to me like this is a good option for people who are too young for a retirement visa but who also do not want to work or to mess with constant visa runs. For people who can qualify for other types of long-term visas however this just seems like a HUGE waste of money to me. You are basically paying enough money to buy a very nice used car simply to avoid some paperwork and other potential hassles down the road.

          Reply

            • Well, that’s certainly understandable. In fact, I kind of envy that level of excitement and anticipation. I can remember a time when I too was as excited as a kid on Christmas Eve to be making a trip to Thailand. Sadly those days are long gone however and now its all just old hat and I don’t get overly exited about the prospect of going to Thailand.

              By the way, I just want to clarify something. You DO realize that you are not going to get back the 500K that you would be paying for the elite visa? It’s not merely a deposit, such as is the case for the retirement visa.

              Reply

  29. Hi TTL

    If i am getting paid in Australia to get work done in Thailand would that qualify me for the 65,000 Baht monthly income requirement? On a B Visa?I am setting up in Koh Samui and Udon Thani to consult for a company in Australia that will pay me 65,000 Baht a month

    Reply

    • There isn’t a 65k requirement for a B visa. A Non Imm B category visa is secured by getting a letter of employment from the prospective employer and other things as stipulated in the post. It would of course have to be a Thai company, or foreign company with a Thai company branch here. Once you have that visa the company can apply for your work permit inside Thailand. You can’t consult for a company in Australia and live in Thailand and get a B visa on that basis. You would need to have the intention of coming to work for a Thai company.

      Reply

        • I have to admit I’m kind of curious about this one myself. From what I understand you are not allowed to work in Thailand on a retirement visa, yet it seems you will also not to be able to get a work visa in Thailand for the type of work you are going to be doing there. This would seem to be a classic example of a catch 22 situation.

          Anyway, if I were you my questions would be as follows:

          First of all, when I submit my proof of income from my company back home will the Thai immigration authorities have any way of knowing that the monthly checks I will be receiving are actually a salary and not from a pension? And if so, would they even care since my employer is not in Thailand?

          And secondly, if I am not technically allowed to do this type of work while on a retirement visa in Thailand, is there really any way for them to ever find out? And if they do find out, what would the consequences be?

          In any case, if it is indeed illegal to do this type of work in Thailand while on a retirement visa I suppose I would just do the 800,000 baht bank deposit. After all, unlike with the monthly checks, with the lump sum deposit you do not need to show where the money came from. It could be the proceeds of illegal drugs deals for all they know. In other words, there is no paper trail which proves that you are actually still working. And 800K is not really all that much money. In fact, I will get half of that amount just from selling my car before I retire in Thailand.

          Reply

            • Yeah, an ex-wife can really put a guy in the poor house. And this is probably one of the main reasons why I never got married myself. After all, while an ex-girlfriend can certainly rob you of your sanity, she is not going to have much of an impact on your finances.

              Anyway, that’s an interesting question about the dividends but unfortunately I don’t have a clue what the answer is. TTL is the real expert on this stuff so hopefully he will answer your questions soon. And I’m very curious to know the answers to these questions myself. After all, if my friend never gets his Thai company off the ground I might try to do some freelance work of my own over the internet after I retire there.

              Reply

          • Hi Ken,

            You can’t work on a retirement visa, but as with the digital nomad situation the law has not been updated to cover the eventuality of this type of digital age work. For example, I’m sure there are plenty of guys over 50 here who still have business interests overseas and send daily emails associated with work activities. One would assume that eventually a special type of work permit will be introduced to cover this eventuality and distinguish it from the standard work permit.

            In answer to your other question on pension vs salary: They will see the payee on your Thai bank account statement. Indeed, having the lump sum 800k is the easiest route.

            Reply

        • Yes, 65k per month. But you have to prove it as an income. To support your application you must have an updated bank book or passbook and a bank letter stating that the money has been deposited to the account (Thai account) from an overseas source for not less than 2 months.

          Reply

          • So if I get this right
            The payee is me
            And that’s who it should be
            I’m short of the 800k
            I have 300k now and the balance will be 500k in income
            Will this work ?
            I’d love to have 800k but means I’ll have to wait to May 2017
            And I can’t wait!!

            Reply

  30. Hello There,
    I am planning to go to Chiang Mai to do a Thai Yoga Massage course and I have to stay 5 weeks which passes the 30 days that I am allowed to stay without issuing a visa. Do you think it is possible/easier to extent it once I am there, instead of issuing one now as I am not in the country of residency. I hold a British passport.

    thank you, will appreciate your respond.
    lida

    Reply

  31. What a great site you have here. Really appreciate the effort you put in to help others like me. Following your Facebook page just now too.

    Need a little help if you don’t mind. I was issued a Non-immigrant O Visa from my home country. I did ask for an one-year multi-entry non-immigrant O Visa at the time of applying for 2.5 times the fees, however for some reason the Thai Consulate told me I would only be able to receive a single entry non-immigrant O Visa which is valid for 90 days with my recent marriage to a Thai wife. My question for you is that if I want to be able come in and out of Thailand while doing business travel for an US corporation that I work for. Would I be able to convert my single entry non-immigrant O Visa to a multi-entry one by just visiting the Government Complex in Chaengwattana? Also, is it even possible for a foreigner like me who is married to a Thai spouse without leaving Thailand at all? I don’t intend to not leave Thailand due to work, but if my wife and I decide to have kids I just want to be sure that I wouldn’t have to leave Thailand all the time just to meet the Visa requirements. Thank you in advance!

    Reply

    • Hi Allen, sorry for the delayed reply. You can’t convert it. You can get a re-entry permit from the airport if you want to leave and come back in within those 90 days — see here. You can apply for a 1-year extension of stay based on marriage to a Thai national, but you’d need 400K in a Thai bank in your name for at least 2 months before you apply. You can then stay in the country, but would need to do 90-day reporting, and get a re-entry permit if you want to go out and back in. Alternatively, you could go to Laos and apply for a multiple entry one-year non imm O. But having that would mean having to leave every 90 days. But with a multi-entry you don’t need the re-entry permit.

      Reply

  32. Regarding the 1 year extension of a Non-Immigrant O Family/Marriage Visa:
    The requirements are 400,000Baht in a Thai account for more than 2 months OR more than 40,000Baht of income per month.

    That income, can it come from overseas or does it have to be Thai income? Would they accept pay slips from my home country as proof?

    Reply

  33. Peter,

    I will applying for a non-immigrant visa for the purpose of retiring in Thailand, with my Thai wife, sometime next year. Since I may want to volunteer in some capacity while in Thailand (perhaps teaching English at a wat school, etc.), I was told that I should apply for a non-immigrant O visa which is available to those who are marriaed to a Thai, and then, in Thailand, apply for a one year extension which can be renewed each year. This process I am told would allow me to volunteer, whereas I would not be allowed to do so if I enter the country with a non-immigrant O-A retirement visa. Are you knowledgeable regarding this matter? Thank you. Sid L.

    Reply

  34. Hi nice article. We are in Thailand on the Retirement visa. The process was fairly straight forward enough. We have been here about a year now and because we have come and gone various times to visit friends in other Asian countries we have only had to do the 90 day report once and for that purpose we used a local company in Chiang Mai where we live. The Thai immigration process is hard to get your head around as we keep hearing conflicting reports on what must be done if one comes and goes. We have read that if we go away from our permanent address even overnight a TM30 immigration form needs to be submitted when we return by our landlord and if it isn’t completed when we do our next 90 report it could cause problems. We have mentioned this to our landlord but he doesn’t seem too interested so at a bit of a loss as to what the actual repercussions will be in the future. What do you know about this process?

    Reply

    • The TM.30 is to be filled by “House owners, heads of household, landlords or managers of hotels who accommodate foreign nationals on a temporary basis who stay in the kingdom”. This is supposed to be done when you arrive, I assume. So if you go away for one night and return to the same address surely it doesn’t have to be filled in again.

      Reply

  35. Hello,
    I married to a Thai lady abroad 6 years ago.
    I obtained non immigrant O visa and arrived to Bangkok last month.
    I called the immigration bureau today on 1111 to ask about the required documents if the married visa.
    They advised me about 11 requirements.
    One of the is called “Freedom to marry certificate” from my embassy.
    I called my Embassy ; The Egyptian Embassy, they advised me that they only issue it for singles who are going to marrying for already married ones.
    I have all the requirements except this documents.
    I am confused.
    Any advice!
    Thanks 🙂

    Reply

    • Hi Walid, immigration must have misunderstood you. Your embassy is correct, this document is only required by those wanting to get married. Hve you got a multiple entry Non O visa, based on your marriage? If so, are you seeking to do the one year extension?

      Reply

      • Yes, I got Non-Immigrant, O Visa, Single entry, and I have all the required documents for applying to a marriage visa except the “freedom to marry certificate” because I am already married 6 years ago.
        Please advise.

        Reply

  36. Peter, regarding the process for applying for an O-A Long Stay Visa .- I will be applying for same at the Thai Consulate in Los Angles and it is my understanding that I will be given a 1 year visa, not a 90 day visa which is the case if one initially applies for same while in Thailand. Also, it is now possible to do the 90 days residence reporting online (in addition to by mail and by a proxy person). Thanks for all the great information you provide on this blog.

    Sid L.

    Reply

    • Technically, yes. Here’s the official rules:

      Upon arrival in Thailand, the actual length of stay (1 year) will be determined and granted at Immigration check – point.

      Once having been in the Kingdom up to 90 days, applicant must report himself / herself to the authorities concerned and every 90 days, also report can be made by post by fill up the form TM.47 which can be obtained from immigration office.

      Correct on the reporting. This can be done online.

      Reply

  38. One comment about the retirement visa: if you have over 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account, it is not necessary to also have pension income. Just the amount in the bank account is enough. Also note that as of the second year, the amount of 800,000 baht has to be ‘seasoned’ for a period of 3 months, instead of the 2 months needed with the first extension.

    Reply

    • That’s interesting. So you are saying that if you were to use some of that 800,000 during the year you would have to make sure you had the balance back up to 800,000 a full 3-months before renewing your visa? I didn’t know that. Of course I can’t imagine any scenario in which one would need to have the full 800,000 in the bank. After all, that would mean that the person had no retirement income at all – or at least none that he could legally claim as income. There are probably a lot of people like me out there however who have to deposit a smaller amount to make up for the fact that their retirement income will be somewhat less than 65,000 baht a month. And in such a case unfortunately they can never really use that money unless they can pay it all back fairly quickly. I really hate the idea of having money just sitting in the bank that I can neither spend nor put to work for me but I guess there’s just no way around that one.

      Reply

      • Yes, there is no obligation at all to keep the 800,000 baht in your bank account as soon as you obtained the extension of your visa based on retirement. And indeed, you have to make sure that ultimately 3 months before the date you are going to apply for a new extension (what you can do up to 30 days prior to the termination of the extension), you get you balance above the 800,000 baht threshold again. During this 3 months ‘seasoning period, the bank account must stay above: even 1 baht below the threshold for a day or so will kill your extension. There are some other requirements to take into account too. Such as: google map print of your house, copy of rental agreement, copy of the owner’s house book, and the usual passport copies (at least containing the main page, pages with visa, extension stamps, arrival card etc.).

        Reply

        • When you say “owners house book” I assume you are referring to the proof of ownership of the house or condo in which you reside, such as a title deed. In any case, since I will be living in a condo that I will also own I guess this won’t be an issue. The Google map thing seems a bit extreme but I guess with all the foreigners constantly trying to pull a fast one on immigration they just want to make sure you did not give them the address of a vacant lot somewhere.

          As for the money, luckily I will only need to keep about 250,000 in the account after factoring in monthly retirement payments. Still though, as I said before, I hate having even this small amount of money just sitting there in a low interest bank account forever and not being able to put it to work for me. And I doubt you would be allowed to deposit the money into a high yield CD or some other such investment vehicle as this is supposed to be the money you are actually using to support yourself for the duration of the year. In fact I’m sure that the only reason for the yearly option is so that people who have enough savings to retire 10 or 15 years before they are eligible to receive a pension or social security can do so in Thailand. Although I imagine that plenty of people who are working illegally in Thailand probably also avail themselves of this option if they have that kind of cash lying around.

          Anyway, now that I think about it you could probably still make use of that money by using it as collateral for a loan should you want to invest in some income property or something like that.

          Reply

          • What I find interesting is that it has to be in a Thai bank and it can’t be in a high-interest account elsewhere. Is there some economic benefit to this, or to the banks? It certainly doesn’t benefit the depositor.

            Reply

              • Can Aldert, or TTL explained how difficult it is to get monies out of Thailand?

                I am in the midst of planning retiring in Bangkok and in the process of transferring most of my savings to a bank in Bangkok.

                My retirement agent was able to open a bank account for me on a tourist visa ( 30 days).

                If I cannot get my monies out I might just transfer the minimum required which us Baht 800K.

                Reply

            • I have often wondered about this myself. After all the whole point of verifying your income or savings is to ensure that you will have enough money to support yourself in Thailand and therefore will not be working illegally or begging for money on the streets someday or otherwise become a burden to society. And of course, based on the financial requirements to get a retirement visa in Thailand, they clearly want us to pump a LOT more money into the economy than the average working Thai person does.

              Still, the fact remains; it is just as easy to verify that one has money in a foreign bank account as a Thai bank account. And in any case, having that money in a Thai bank versus a foreign bank does not make the person any more or less likely to spend all of that money in Thailand. So what gives?

              Well, the fact of the matter is, having money in a Thai bank account helps the Thai economy whether you spend it or not. This is because banks don’t just sit on your money. They put it to work to make more money for themselves. In fact, I think they only have to keep about 5 to 10 percent of your money in reserve and the rest is used to loan out to other individuals and institutions so that they can make money off the interest. And this of course also helps stimulate the economy.

              Still, foreigners who have chosen to retire in Thailand make up such a small percentage of the population that I can’t imagine that the money they have held in Thai bank accounts has much of an effect on the Thai economy. I don’t really know this for sure though. And in any case I guess only some government official somewhere really knows for sure why we are required to keep our money in a Thai bank.

              Reply

  39. I am actually very familiar with the retirement visa requirements for Thailand but this is the first time I have read about the requirements for the marriage visa and I’m really surprised to learn that it only requires half the deposit that is required for a retirement visa. I suppose the logic here is that if you are married you will automatically have two incomes to live on. This is kind of a silly assumption however since we all know that in the majority of cases the foreign man will probably not only be the sole support for his Thai wife but might possibly also have to partially support his wife’s family. Also I can’t understand why if the security deposit option is 50% less than it is for the retirement visa then why is the income requirement only 37% less. It’s almost as if someone just arbitrarily pulls these numbers out of thin air.

    Of course the 65,000 a month income requirement for the retirement visa seems fairly reasonable when you consider that this is about what one would make in California at a minimum wage job. When you consider that this is about eight to ten times more than the Thai minimum wage however it starts to sound a little less reasonable.

    Still, at least they don’t require us to hire domestic help (cook, housekeeper, etc.) in order to get a retirement visa like they do in Indonesia. This is probably one of the most silly visa requirements I have ever heard of. Not that I mind contributing to the Indonesian economy at all, but why should I be forced to contribute only in this very specific way. Its almost as if the government is trying to say that foreigners are not capable of cooking their own meals or keeping a neat and tidy house and garden without help. And frankly that’s almost a little insulting. It wouldn’t be so bad if they would let me hire someone I could actually use, like a massage therapist or acupuncturist who makes house calls for example. But I have no use for a domestic servant and I’m actually kind of uncomfortable with the whole idea of such a thing. This means that if I were to retire in Indonesia I would have to hire a housekeeper and then tell her to just not show up. And some people might take offense at the idea of getting paid to not show up.

    Getting to my question though, there is one thing that has always confused me about the Thai retirement visa. Here’s the problem. As you say, I can only apply for it during the last 30 days of my 90-day non-immigrant visa, and at this point of course the required money must have already been in my Thai bank account for at least two month. This means I would have to get a Thai bank account and have the money transferred within a week or so of arriving in Thailand. And the problem with that is that you have also said that it is very difficult to get a Thai Bank account without either a work visa or retirement visa. And at this point I would not even have a permanent address in Thailand. Anyway, if this is true, wouldn’t it make this sort of a catch-22 situation? In other words, it sounds like I can’t get the bank account without the visa and I can’t get the visa without the bank account. Of course if I were to hire a lawyer to take care of my visa issues I’m sure they could sort it all out very quickly. But if I were doing it all on my own it sounds like it would be a real pain in the @ss.

    But then again I may just go for the education visa at first and not apply for the retirement visa until much later. For some reason I just never took an interest in learning Thai like I did with Japanese but I really need to learn it sometime and it sounds like this would be a good way to kill two birds with one stone.

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    • It is difficult to find logic for many of the visa rules. I think the key difference between the retirement visa and the Non Immigrant O visa based on marriage is that a retirement visa is a yearly extension that can be renewed every year without you having to return to your home country, whereas the Non O isn’t. So effectively the retirement visa really does allow you to stay in Thailand for the foreseeable future.

      In answer to your question, you won’t have any trouble opening a bank account because prior to getting your retirement visa you will arrive on a 90-day Non-Immigrant visa issued by the Thai embassy or consulate in your home country. If you go to a branch of Bangkok Bank you won’t have any problem opening an account on that visa.

      I had no idea that hiring a domestic helper was a rule for getting a retirement visa in Indonesia. That is really forcing your hand, but perhaps they see that as an unconventional way to tackle unemployment.

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