Changes in the procedure of obtaining a retirement visa

Sensational news about tightening the rules for obtaining retirement visas frightened foreigners in retirement age (50 years +). In Pattaya, the immigration officers cannot answer the questions, how things will happen after the introduction of changes, that will come into force from March 1, 2019.

We remind you that according to the new rules, a foreigner who wants to receive a retirement visa must fulfill the following requirements:

A) Get a non-immigrant visa, here is still no change

B) A foreigner must be 50 years old or more - there are also no changes regarding age

C) A foreigner must present proof of a monthly income of at least 65,000 Baht.

Again, the requirement is old, you can confirm the income by contacting the consulate of your country. Some consulates (UK, USA, Denmark, Australia) stopped issuing affidavits confirming the income of their citizens. Thus, if an affidavit cannot be obtained at the consulate, only the next option remains.

OR

E) Put to the bank in Thailand at least 800,000 Baht 2 months before applying for a visa and keep money in the account for at least 3 months after receiving the visa. All the rest of the time, the balance on the account have to be at least 400,000 Baht.

And this is the main news. There were always demands to keep the money in the bank for some time before applying for a visa, then it was assumed that the pensioner spends this money for life. The meaning of this requirement is to confirm the availability of funds for a stay in Thailand.

Now the entire amount must remain in the bank account for another 3 months (if this is all the money that the pensioner has, which is in principle allowed, the first months of life in Thailand gonna be tough) and the minimum balance on the account during the entire visa period is half the amount .

or

F) A foreigner has to provide evidence of a monthly income and money in a bank in Thailand, the total of which is 800,000 Baht or more. Terms of use of funds are the same as in the previous paragraph.

Thus, if a foreigner is not lucky enough to receive proof of income, 800,000 thousand baht will have to be frozen for 5 months and 400,000 thousand for the entire visa period. The control mechanism is unclear whether there will be random inspections with inquiries of foreigners accounts condition with retirement visa or they just will take a promise do not spend money. It will be visible after entry into force of new rules. Although until March 1, everything can change ...

If there is a desire to resolve issues with a visa once and for a long time (well, at least for the next 20 years), do not worry about re-entry visas and renewals, we remind you that you can buy a visa to Thailand. A multi-visa for 20 years will cost 1 million baht, without any additional requirements for the frozen funds in the accounts, without the age limit, without annual renewals, without having to explain the purpose of staying in the country.

For all questions on obtaining a long-term visa to Thailand, please call:

+ 6694-886-74-92 (WhatsApp, Viber).