Retirement visa
For anyone 50 or over who can show the money.
By Shane RuddleRules as of October 2026- How long
- 1 year at a time, renewed here
- Money to show
- ฿800,000 in a Thai bank, ฿65,000 a month income, or a mix
- Cost
- ฿1,900 for each yearly extension
- Can you work?
- No
Retirees use a retirement visa. The two most people use are the Non-Immigrant O, which you get and then extend every year here in Pattaya, and the O-A, which you apply for from your home country.
You need to be 50 or over and prove you have enough money: ฿800,000 in a Thai bank account, an income of ฿65,000 a month, or a combination of the two.
"As Thai visas go, it's relatively simple. Once you can prove the money, it's pretty straightforward. Even so, I'd always use an agent. There are plenty around the city, and they make the whole experience a lot less painful."
Who it suits
- You're 50 or over and plan to live here most of the year
- You have savings or a pension you can show
- You don't need to work in Thailand
Watch out for
- Leaving Thailand without a re-entry permit cancels your extension
- Don't pay for Thailand Privilege if you already qualify for a retirement visa
- You can't work on a retirement visa. If you might start a business, plan for a Non-B later
- There's also the O-X, a 10-year retirement visa for some nationalities with much higher money requirements (check before applying)
What you'll need
- Aged 50 or over
- ฿800,000 in a Thai bank account, or ฿65,000 a month income, or a combination of the two
- The deposit usually has to be in the account 2 months before you apply and stay there 3 months after, then not drop below ฿400,000 (check before applying)
- Passport with at least 6 months left, photos and proof of your Pattaya address
- For the O-A only: health insurance meeting the embassy's minimum cover, a police check and a medical certificate (check before applying)
How it works from Pattaya
- 1Get a Non-Immigrant O visa from a Thai embassy, or apply for the O-A from home
- 2Open a Thai bank account and move the money in early, so it has been there long enough
- 3Apply for the one-year extension at the immigration office in Jomtien (฿1,900)
- 4Report your address every 90 days (in person, by post or online)
- 5Get a re-entry permit before you travel: ฿1,000 single or ฿3,800 multiple
- 6Repeat the extension every year
Visa rules in Thailand change often, so treat this as a guide, not a rulebook, and check the current requirements before you apply. Thai e-Visa (official)
Short answers
How much money do I need for a Thai retirement visa?
฿800,000 in a Thai bank account, or an income of ฿65,000 a month, or a combination of the two (as of October 2026). You also need to be 50 or over.
What's the difference between the Non-O and the O-A?
You apply for the O-A from your home country, and it needs health insurance and more paperwork up front. With the Non-O you come here, then extend it for a year at a time at immigration in Pattaya.
Should I use a visa agent for my retirement visa?
I would. There are plenty around Pattaya, and they make the whole experience a lot less painful.
Read more
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Ask Shane