Thailand Retirement Visa (O-A/O-X): Complete Requirements

Overview of Thailand Retirement Visas

Thailand offers dedicated retirement visa options for foreigners aged 50 and above who wish to spend their retirement years in the country. The two main retirement visa categories are:

Non-Immigrant O-A Visa: A 1-year visa obtained from Thai embassies abroad, renewable annually within Thailand
Non-Immigrant O-X Visa: A 10-year visa for nationals of specific countries with higher financial requirements

Additionally, many retirees enter Thailand on a standard Non-Immigrant O visa (for purposes other than work) and then convert to retirement extensions within the country. This guide covers all pathways.

                Key Distinction: The O-A visa is specifically designated for retirement purposes and requires health insurance. The O-X is a premium 10-year option with stricter requirements but longer validity. Both require you to be at least 50 years old.
            

Age Requirement

The fundamental eligibility requirement for Thailand retirement visas is straightforward:

Minimum Age

50 Years Old

You must be at least 50 years of age at the time of application. There is no maximum age limit.

This age requirement applies to both the O-A and O-X retirement visas, as well as retirement extensions based on Non-Immigrant O status. Your passport must show you are 50 or older when you apply.

Financial Requirements

Thailand requires retirees to demonstrate financial self-sufficiency. You must meet one of the following criteria:

Option 1: Thai Bank Deposit

800,000 THB

Approximately $22,000-$24,000 USD deposited in a Thai bank account in your name only.

Option 2: Monthly Income

65,000 THB/month

Approximately $1,800-$2,000 USD per month in pension, retirement income, or other verifiable income.

Option 3: Combination

800,000 THB Total

Bank deposit plus annual income (12x monthly income) must equal at least 800,000 THB combined.

Bank Deposit Details

Funds must be in a Thai bank account in your name only (not joint)
Money must be "seasoned" - deposited for 2-3 months before application (varies by immigration office)
Funds must remain in the account for at least 3 months after visa extension is granted
After 3 months, balance must not drop below 400,000 THB for the remainder of the year
You will need a bank letter and updated bankbook as proof

Income Verification

Income must be verified by your embassy/consulate in Thailand (income affidavit)
Some immigration offices no longer accept embassy letters alone and require bank transfer proof
Pension statements, Social Security letters, or other official documents support your claim
Money must be transferred into Thailand and shown in Thai bank statements

Verification Changes: In recent years, many Thai immigration offices have become stricter about income verification. Some now require you to actually transfer your monthly income into Thailand and show 12 months of bank statements proving the transfers. Check with your local immigration office for current requirements.

O-A Visa: 1-Year Retirement Visa

The Non-Immigrant O-A visa is the standard retirement visa issued by Thai embassies and consulates abroad.

Feature	Details
Validity	1 year from date of issue
Stay Per Entry	Up to 1 year (continuous)
Entries	Multiple entry (with re-entry permit)
Where to Apply	Thai embassy/consulate in your home country
Renewability	Extendable annually within Thailand
Health Insurance	Required (mandatory since 2019)

O-A Application Documents

Passport valid for at least 18 months
Completed visa application form
Recent passport photographs
Proof of financial requirements (bank statement or income verification)
Health insurance policy meeting Thai requirements
Police clearance certificate from your country (some embassies)
Medical certificate (some embassies)
Application fee (varies by embassy, typically $50-200)

O-X Visa: 10-Year Retirement Visa

The Non-Immigrant O-X visa is a premium long-term option with higher financial thresholds but offering up to 10 years of stay.

Feature	Details
Validity	5 years initially, extendable for 5 more years (total 10 years)
Stay Per Entry	Up to 5 years continuously
Entries	Multiple entry
Eligible Nationalities	14 countries including Australia, USA, UK, Canada, Japan, Germany, France, etc.
Bank Deposit	3,000,000 THB (~$85,000 USD)
Health Insurance	Required

O-X Financial Requirements

Option 1: 3,000,000 THB bank deposit in Thailand, OR
Option 2: 1,800,000 THB bank deposit + 1,200,000 THB annual income (100,000/month)

Eligible Countries for O-X

As of 2025, nationals of these 14 countries can apply for the O-X visa:

Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States

                Consider Alternatives: Given the high financial threshold (3M THB), many eligible retirees opt for the standard O-A visa with annual extensions instead. The O-X is best for those wanting minimal paperwork over a 10-year period who can meet the higher deposit requirement.
            

Health Insurance Requirements

Since October 2019, health insurance has been mandatory for O-A retirement visa holders. Requirements continue to evolve.

Minimum Coverage Requirements

Coverage Type	Minimum Amount
Outpatient Treatment	40,000 THB (~$1,100 USD)
Inpatient Treatment	400,000 THB (~$11,000 USD)

Insurance Policy Requirements

Must be valid for at least 1 year (covering entire visa period)
Must cover treatment in Thailand specifically
Policy can be from Thai insurance company or international insurer
Must cover pre-existing conditions (check policy carefully)
Policy document should be in English or Thai

Approved Insurance Providers

The Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) maintains a list of approved insurance providers for retirement visa purposes. Major Thai insurers like AXA Thailand, Bangkok Insurance, and others offer compliant policies. International providers may also qualify if coverage meets requirements.

Age Limitations: Many insurance policies have age limits (often 70-75 years) or significantly higher premiums for older applicants. If you are over 70, finding affordable compliant insurance can be challenging. Some retirees over certain ages find it difficult to meet this requirement.

90-Day Reporting

All foreigners staying in Thailand on long-term visas, including retirees, must report their address to Thai Immigration every 90 days.

How 90-Day Reporting Works

Report due every 90 days from your last entry or last report
Can report 15 days before or 7 days after the due date
Reporting methods: in person, by mail, or online
Late reporting incurs a 2,000 THB fine

Reporting Methods

In Person: Visit your local Immigration office with passport and TM.30 receipt
Online: Use the Immigration Bureau website (when system is operational)
By Mail: Send documents to Immigration (allow extra time)
Through Agent: Visa agents can handle this for a fee

                90-Day Counter Resets: Every time you leave and re-enter Thailand, the 90-day counter resets. If you travel internationally frequently, you may rarely need to do 90-day reporting.
            

Re-Entry Permit Requirements

If you leave Thailand during your visa validity without a re-entry permit, your visa becomes void and you must start over. Re-entry permits preserve your visa status.

Types of Re-Entry Permits

Type	Cost	Details
Single Re-Entry	1,000 THB	Valid for one exit and return
Multiple Re-Entry	3,800 THB	Unlimited exits/entries during visa validity

Where to Obtain

Immigration offices throughout Thailand
International airport immigration counters (before departure)

Critical: If you forget to get a re-entry permit before leaving Thailand, your retirement visa extension becomes invalid. You would need to apply for a new visa from outside Thailand. Always obtain a re-entry permit before any international travel.

Annual Extension Process

Most retirees renew their stay through annual extensions at Thai Immigration rather than obtaining new visas abroad each year.

Extension Timeline

Apply 30-45 days before your current permission expires
Extension granted for an additional 1 year from expiry date
Process completed at local Immigration office
Same financial requirements apply each year

Documents for Annual Extension

Passport with current visa/extension
TM.7 application form
Recent passport photographs (4x6 cm)
Copy of passport pages (data page, visa, stamps, TM.6)
Updated Thai bank book showing 800,000 THB (or income proof)
Bank letter confirming balance
Proof of address (TM.30 receipt)
Health insurance policy (if applicable)
Extension fee: 1,900 THB

Processing

Most Immigration offices process retirement extensions within the same day, though some may require you to return to collect your passport. Processing times vary by location and workload.

O-A vs. O-X Comparison

Feature	O-A Visa	O-X Visa
Duration	1 year (renewable)	5+5 years (10 total)
Bank Deposit	800,000 THB	3,000,000 THB
Annual Extension	Required each year	Every 5 years
Nationality Restriction	Any nationality	14 countries only
Health Insurance	Required	Required
90-Day Reporting	Required	Required
Re-Entry Permit	Required for travel	Included (multiple entry)
Best For	Most retirees	High-net-worth, minimal paperwork

Tax Implications for Retirees

Understanding Thai tax rules is important for retirees, especially regarding foreign income.

Tax Residency

You become a Thai tax resident if you stay 180+ days in a calendar year
Tax residents are subject to Thai tax on worldwide income (with important exceptions)

Pension and Retirement Income

Foreign pension income was historically only taxable if remitted to Thailand in the same year earned
2024 changes: Foreign income remitted to Thailand is now potentially taxable regardless of when earned (subject to certain exemptions)
Many countries have Double Tax Agreements (DTAs) with Thailand that may provide relief
US Social Security, UK State Pension, Australian Age Pension - check your specific DTA

                Tax Planning: Retirement income taxation is complex and evolving. Consult with a tax professional familiar with both Thai tax law and your home country's treaty provisions. The 2024 changes to foreign income taxation may affect how you structure your finances.
            

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work on a retirement visa?

No. Retirement visas do not permit any form of employment in Thailand. You cannot obtain a work permit on a retirement visa extension. Working illegally can result in visa revocation and deportation.

Can my spouse get a retirement visa?

If your spouse is 50+ and meets the financial requirements independently, yes. If your spouse is under 50 or dependent on your finances, they would need a different visa category (such as O visa based on marriage to you, then dependent extension).

What if I cannot afford health insurance at age 75+?

This is a genuine challenge. Some options include: seeking specialized insurance for seniors, considering the LTR visa for Wealthy Pensioners (which has different insurance provisions), or making annual visa runs if insurance becomes impossible to obtain at reasonable cost.

Can I buy property in Thailand on retirement visa?

Your visa type does not directly affect property ownership rules. Foreigners generally cannot own land in Thailand regardless of visa status. You may purchase condominium units (within foreign quota) or lease land. See our property guides for details.

What happens if my bank balance drops below 800,000 THB?

Your next extension may be denied. Immigration typically checks that you maintained at least 400,000 THB throughout the year and have 800,000 THB at extension time. Some offices are stricter than others.