ThailandRetirementLimited

Retirement visa in Thailand

A long-stay programme for nationals of selected countries above a certain age who wish to live in Thailand. The visa is initially valid for several years and can be extended. Applicants have to prove their financial standing and obtain medical insurance. The permission may be withdrawn if the conditions are not met or in the event of unacceptable conduct.

Source: Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand (consular.mfa.go.th)

Who can obtain the retirement visa

The programme is intended for nationals of certain countries who meet the age and financial requirements.

Nationals of selected countries

Japan, Australia, Denmark
Finland, France, Germany
Other selected countries on the list

Financial standing

A deposit in a Thai bank or an annual income
Medical insurance in place
The absence of prohibited diseases

Applicants' families

A spouse, with no age restrictions
Younger children
Where the necessary documents are available

When the programme is not suitable

The applicant has not reached the required age

A business visa (Non-Immigrant Visa B) or a visa for medical services

Nationality of a country outside the selected list

A consultation at the Thai embassy about alternative visas

Insufficient funds

A tourist visa or a student visa

What it costs

Consular fee on filingCharged when filing at an embassy or consulate	10 000 THB
Bank deposit — option 1The minimum balance in the account; it must be held in Thailand	3 000 000 THB
Bank deposit — option 2Plus an annual income; the balance must be built up to three million during the first year	1 800 000 THB
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. the “Bank deposit — option 2” branch replaces the “Bank deposit — option 1” line — 1 810 000 THB. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.	3 010 000 THB

Paid separately

Insurance from unauthorised providers — Only a policy approved by the Office of Insurance Commission of Thailand is accepted

Documents to gather

The following documents are required for filing, in the number set by the consulate:

A passport valid for the minimum period
The applicant's application forms in English
Colour photographs of the prescribed size and age
A curriculum vitae in English
A bank statement or a certificate of deposit
A criminal record certificate
A medical certificate of the prescribed age
Proof of approved medical insurance

How the process runs

Obtaining the retirement visa involves several stages, starting with filing the documents at a consular office.

1
Preparing and filing the documents at the consulate
during working hours
Collect all the required documents and file them at a Thai diplomatic mission. Check that they are complete and correct before filing.
2
Checking of the documents by the consulate
several working days
Consulate staff check that the documents meet the requirements and are complete. Clarification or additional documents may be requested.
3
Obtaining the visa in the passport
according to the consulate's schedule
If approved, you receive the visa in your passport. The visa permits multiple entries into Thailand for the set period.
4
Arrival in Thailand and registration
on first entry
On arrival, apply to the immigration service for permission to stay. The authorities will check the conditions and issue the permission to stay.
5
Periodic notification of immigration
regularly throughout the stay
Notify the local immigration office of your place of residence within the set periods of stay.
6
Annual check of continued compliance
once a year
Attend the immigration office in person for a check of compliance with the requirements on finances, insurance and health.

Timelines and rights

Work

Work is prohibited; voluntary activity from the list approved by the Department of Employment is permitted.

Who you can bring with you

The applicant's family members may accompany them or join them later on the appropriate visas.

A spouse

No age restrictions. They must provide a marriage certificate and the standard documents. If the spouse does not meet the conditions in their own right, they may rely on the principal applicant's funds.

Younger children

They must provide a birth certificate, a passport, the necessary documents and proof of insurance. They live with the principal applicant, who is responsible for them.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

Notification of the place of residence every 90 days and attendance in person at the immigration office once a year to check continued compliance with the requirements. Buying a car and a condominium is permitted.

The permission to stay obtained on the retirement visa is valid for several years. Once it expires the applicant may apply for an extension at a Thai immigration office. The extension requires a fresh check of compliance with all the conditions: the deposit or income in place, valid medical insurance, the absence of prohibited conduct and the prescribed state of health. The extension may be granted once, allowing the holder to remain in the country for a further period.

How it differs from the routes next to it

The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.

	Retirement visa	Digital nomad visa	Thailand Privilege Card
Visa term	A visa for 5 years, extendable for a further 5 years, up to 10 years in total	A multiple-entry visa for up to 5 years, stays of up to 180 days with an extension of a further 180	The term depends on the package (5-20 years), multiple entry; renewal is through a new membership fee
Money	Option 1: a deposit in a Thai bank of at least 3 million baht	Funds in the account of about THB 500,000 (or the equivalent); a state fee of about THB 10,000	A membership fee depending on the package (from about THB 900,000); there are no other thresholds
Work	Work is prohibited; voluntary activity from the list approved by the Department of Employment is permitted	Not a work visa; working for a Thai employer without a work permit is prohibited	There is no right to work; a separate B visa and a work permit are required

Frequently asked questions about Retirement visa

Which countries are on the list of selected nationalities for this programme?

The programme is open to nationals of fourteen countries, including developed economies in Europe, Asia and North America. The full list is set out in the official consular requirements.

What happens to my deposit if I want to leave Thailand?

The funds remain your property. However, during the initial period they must stay in the account without being withdrawn. After that you may make withdrawals, but the set minimum sum must remain in the account. When the permission ends you will be free to dispose of your funds in full.

Is paid activity in Thailand allowed on this visa?

Paid work is prohibited. However, you may take part in voluntary activity included on the list approved by the Department of Employment. Working without a permit is grounds for cancellation.

Which diseases are an obstacle to obtaining the visa?

Applicants must not have certain infectious and social diseases set out in the Ministerial Regulation. A medical certificate from a licensed doctor confirms the absence of these conditions.

Other ways to move to Thailand

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Thailand.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.