Thai Retirement Visa
It used to be that retirement was seen as that stage of life when one becomes officially useless with nothing much to look forward to because the best years of one’s life have already come to pass. Not anymore. Retirees these days are raring to plunge into the exciting new life ahead of them. There is probably no other place in the world where you can do exactly this but Thailand. Exploring an exotic country and experiencing its rich culture, warm people and beautiful tropical environment is certainly as” unrat” race as you could possibly get. Living in paradise makes retirement truly something to look forward to.
A Thai Retirement Visa is your key to making this happen. Obtaining it begins with the non-immigrant O visa, which will be your pass to Thailand. Once you get there, you should have it converted into an O-A (long stay) type visa which will enable you to reside in Thailand as a retiree.
With your Retirement Visa Thailand, you will be allowed to bring in your personal items into the country tax free as long as it is done within six months from its issue. You can also take along your spouse on a Non-Immigrant “O” dependent visa. Although a One Year Thailand Retirement Visa does not allow for travel outside Thailand, you may apply for a “multiple re-entry permit” on the day it is issued so that you can leave and enter the country anytime as long as your visa remains valid.
To be eligible for the Thai Retirement Visa:
1. You have to be age 50 years-old and above.
2. You have to have a bank account that contains any one of the following:
-the equivalent of 800,000 baht
-receiving a monthly pension equivalent to at least 65,000 baht
-a combination of the amounts of both your bank account and pension (if the money you have does not meet the minimum requirements for each)
How to Obtain a Retirement Visa in Thailand
There are two ways by which you can obtain a Thai Retirement Visa. You can do it in your home country or in Thailand. The rules are less stringent in Thailand than in other Thai Embassies outside of the Royal Kingdom; thus, if you want to go through the process with ease, it is better to apply in Thailand. Enlisting the services of a legal firm that specializes in visa processing to assist you is even better.
Before flying to Thailand in your non-immigrant O visa, make sure to obtain a Health Certificate and Police Record which you will need to submit when you apply for your Retirement Visa. Once you get there, you open a Thai bank account which is the most important requirement you need to submit to be granted a retirement visa. After you have completed all the requirements and your application has been approved, you have to make a personal appearance for the signing of the visa document.
The requirements for a Thai Retirement Visa include the following:
passport with the non-immigrant O visa
departure care
proof of meeting financial requirement (Thailand Bank Book and letter from the bank where you have the account)
certificate stating your monthly pension from your home country issued by your Embassy
3 pieces recent photos
Why Retire in Thailand?
Aside from its terrific tropical climate, rich exotic culture and friendly people, Thailand is also highly urbanized with modern shopping centers, a good public transport system and world class health services. Best of all, the cost of living in Thailand is low and you can easily get a home in a nice community, have a very comfortable lifestyle and still be able to explore the rest of the country and the world or simply engage in activities you enjoy.
Retirement can be the start of the most fulfilling time of your life. With all that Thailand has to offer it is the perhaps the best place on earth where you can spend those precious years.
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