| Thai Embassy offers Non-immigrant Visa "O-A" (Long | | | | apply within Thailand the rules are less strict as |
| Stay) for retirees intending to reside in Thailand. The | | | | opposed to apply within a Thai Embassy outside of |
| holder of a visa under this category may take | | | | the Kingdom. |
| advantage of some unique benefits offered specially | | | | Along with the application form, the applicant must |
| for retiring in Thailand. | | | | have a passport with at least 12 months validity on the |
| The "O-A" visa serves as an entry visa (single or | | | | applying date. Recent passport size photographs are |
| multiple entry). The allowable period of stay is for up to | | | | also necessary. As supporting documents, a copy of |
| a year and may even be extended after a year of | | | | bank statement and criminal record must also be |
| stay. The spouse may also be authorized to | | | | produced (if applying outside of Thailand). It is |
| accompany the retiree in Thailand. The embassy may | | | | recommended to first apply for a 90 day |
| grant in favor of the retiree's spouse a Non-Immigrant | | | | non-immigrant visa outside of Thailand and then extend |
| "O" dependent visa. | | | | it to a one year "O-A" type visa within Thailand at the |
| Visa Eligibility Requirements | | | | Thai Immigration office. This eliminates the need for a |
| The conditions to be complied with to have the "O-A" | | | | comprehensive medical exam and criminal records |
| visa is as follows: | | | | check from your local police. The financial requirements |
| · at least 50 years of age | | | | and documents from your pension or bank accounts |
| · not been in conflict with the law of Thailand, | | | | are most important in the application process. These |
| country of your nationality and country of permanent | | | | are essential to the approval of the visa by the Thai |
| residence · not suffering nor had been | | | | consular office and will serve as a basis for the |
| previously inflicted with a contagious disease | | | | issuance of the Thai Retirement Visa. |
| · no intention and permit to work | | | | Upon receipt of the retirement visa for Thailand, the |
| · Annual pension income equivalent to at least | | | | holder is already allowed to travel to Thailand and |
| THB 65,000.00 monthly income or THB 800,000.00 in | | | | request for entry at the Thai Immigration checkpoint. |
| Thai baht in a Thai bank. | | | | The visa does not promise entry. The immigration |
| Thai Retirement Visa Application Procedure | | | | inspector at the port of entry has the final say on the |
| The process for the application is commenced through | | | | matter. He shall first determine the holder's eligibility to |
| the submission of application to the Royal Thai | | | | be admitted. If allowed entry, the initial period granted to |
| Embassy in London or the Royal Thai Consulates in | | | | the holder is normally up to 90 days. It may |
| Hull, Liverpool, and Birmingham. | | | | subsequently extended by the Office of Thai |
| The application can be done personally or through a | | | | Immigration Bureau. |
| Thailand visa agency. However, if the applicant will | | | | |