
The Ultimate Guide to Thailand Retirement Visas: Who Qualifies & How to Apply
By: Nahla ElKazak / Sarah Stone
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Travelers 50 and up: you can retire abroad to Thailand! With sunny beaches, amazing weather, delicious food, and friendly people—plus a very affordable cost of living for retirees—Thailand is an incredibly attractive option for those who want to live abroad longer-term.
Thailand offers three main visa options for retirees: a one-year retirement visa (Visa O-A), a 10-year retirement visa (Visa O-X), and the newer 5-year retirement visa. Additionally, there’s a retirement category under the Long Term Resident (LTR) visa program.
Thailand 1-Year Retirement Visa (NON O-A)
You can apply for a one-year Thailand Retirement Visa if you want to stay in Thailand for more than 180 days—it’s valid for one year, and you can renew annually. As with most other visa types, you must report your residential address every 90 days to your immigration office (by mail, online, or in person) or have a service do this for you.
To be eligible for this visa type of Thailand Retirement Visa, you must:
- Be at least 50 years old as of your application date
- Meet certain financial requirements, such as a security deposit of 800,000 Baht to a Thai bank account (funds must be seasoned for at least 2 months before application), a monthly income of 65,000 Baht, or a combination of the two
- Have no criminal record anywhere
- Obtain Thai health insurance with an annual coverage of at least 40,000 Baht for outpatient treatment and 400,000 Baht for inpatient
- New as of 2021: Health insurance must also cover COVID-19 with a total sum insured of no less than 3,000,000 THB
- Be free of certain diseases (Leprosy, Tuberculosis, Elephantiasis, drug addiction, third stage of Syphilis)
- Not have any type of employment while in Thailand on this visa
Thailand 10-Year Retirement Visa (NON O-X)
Thailand offers a 10-year retirement visa to nationals of select countries. This is a five-year visa with the option to extend an additional five years.
Eligible countries: Japan, Australia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Canada, and United States.
To qualify, you must:
- Be at least 50 years old as of your application date
- Be from one of the approved 14 countries listed above
- Meet certain financial requirements:
- Option 1: Security deposit of 3 million Baht to a Thai bank account, OR
- Option 2: Security deposit of 1.8 million Baht AND annual income of 1.2 million Baht (must accumulate 3 million THB within first year in Thailand)
- Funds must be kept in bank account at least 1 year before withdrawing, and minimum 1.5 million THB must remain in following year
- Money can only be spent in Thailand
- Obtain Thai health insurance with an annual coverage of at least 40,000 Baht for outpatient treatment and 400,000 Baht for inpatient
- Health insurance must cover COVID-19 with minimum 3,000,000 THB coverage
- Be free of certain diseases
- Not have any type of employment while in Thailand on this visa (though volunteer work approved by Department of Employment is allowed)
Thailand 5-Year Retirement Visa
This newer option is available to nationals from the same 14 countries as the O-X visa. Requirements include:
- Be at least 50 years old
- Have either:
- 3,000,000 THB deposit in bank account, OR
- 1,800,000 THB deposit plus 1,200,000 THB annual income
- Meet health insurance requirements
- This is a multiple-entry visa valid for 5 years
Important Updates for 2025
Digital Systems
- Thailand e-Visa system launched in 2025 – applications can now be submitted online at www.thaievisa.go.th
- Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) – All travelers must complete within 72 hours of arrival starting May 2025
For US Citizens
- As of July 15, 2024, US citizens now receive 60 days visa-free entry for tourism (not 30 days)
- Can extend for additional 30 days for 1,900 Baht
Other Visa Options for Retirees
Long Term Resident (LTR) Visa – Wealthy Pensioner Category:
- For those 50+ with passive income of $80,000/year
- Or $40,000/year plus $250,000 investment in Thai property/bonds
- 10-year visa (5+5 years)
- Only annual reporting required (not 90-day)
- 17% tax rate on Thai-sourced income
Thailand Privilege Visa:
- Various packages from 5-20 years
- Includes VIP services and benefits
- No age requirement
Application Process
For O-A Visa:
- Can apply at Thai Embassy/Consulate in home country
- Or apply for 90-day Non-O visa first, then convert to O-A in Thailand
- Need police clearance, medical certificate, and proof of health insurance if applying outside Thailand
For O-X Visa:
- Must apply at Thai Embassy/Consulate in country of nationality or permanent residence
- Cannot apply from within Thailand
- More stringent financial requirements but longer validity
Key Reminders
- 90-day reporting is mandatory for O-A and O-X visas
- Re-entry permits required if you plan to leave and return to Thailand
- Health insurance is mandatory and must be from approved Thai insurance companies
- Cannot work on retirement visas (remote work for foreign companies exists in gray area)
- Financial requirements must be maintained throughout your stay
Other Thailand Visa Options
- Comprehensive Guide to Thailand Tourist & Resident Visas: Digital Nomads, Semi-Retired, Investors & More
- Thailand Tourist Visa: How to Apply and How to Extend Your Stay
- Thailand SMART Visa: Requirements & How to Apply
- Thailand Elite Visa: Cost, Requirements & Benefits
- Thailand Long Term Resident Visa (Digital Nomad Visa): Live and Work Remotely in Thailand
- Thailand Permanent Residency: Qualifications & How to Apply
Featured image via Unsplash.
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