Thailand Retirement Visa for Australian Citizens

We spend a large portion of each year in Thailand and are often asked by many of our readers interested in staying for long periods, the process for obtaining a Thailand retirement visa. Read on and we will explain the process from a firsthand account.

Thailand Retirement Visa for Australian Citizens
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Searching for the best quality of life

For many Australians nearing retirement, neighbouring Asian countries, with their low cost of living and high quality of lifestyle have become an attractive option. Top of the most desirable places to live in retirement for expats from a recent leading retirement magazine placed Thailand as the number one choice for retirement overseas.

For an increasing number of Australians getting close to retirement there comes a time when thought is given on how best to enjoy life in the future. Whether that means more travel at home, or abroad or taking the plunge and moving full time to another country. 

While we have met expats that have chosen the path of retiring to Thailand, we have met many that like ourselves, have chosen to live part of the year in Thailand and the rest either back in Australia or travelling further afield.

The Thailand retirement visa allows those that qualify, to reside in Thailand for periods of up to one year, which can be renewed annually providing certain conditions are met. Eligibility requirements can and do change, so it’s a personal choice as to whether this type of visa will suit. However, having said that we know many Australians that have chosen this visa and have been residing in Thailand either full or part time for many years.

We have also met many other likeminded people from countries such as the UK, America and Europe just to name a few, that also reside in Thailand under the Thailand Retirement Visa arrangements.  

Flight time from the eastern states of Australia to Thailand is approximately 9 hours so it’s quite normal for Australians living in Thailand to return to Australia to visit loved ones. Alternatively, friends and relatives often visit those living here.

Our detailed eBook on the process of moving to Thailand from Australia covers everything you need to consider when making the move.

Do you need a visa for Thailand from Australia?

Under Thailand entry requirements the Thailand visa on arrival, as it’s commonly called, allows for stays of up to 30 days. The proper terminology is actually a Thailand visa exemption. Either way the outcome is the same and it allows citizens of various countries to stay for up to 30 days.

The Thailand tourist visa, for stays longer is also an option if visitors wish to stay for longer than the normal visa exemption period. It’s also possible to extend the visa exemption from within Thailand, but as the purpose of this article is specifically concerning the Thailand Retirement Visa we will not go into that option. 

Can you retire in Thailand from Australia?

Yes, many Australians choose to retire in Thailand from Australia each year. Although everybody has their own reasons for doing so, the motivation for many is the low cost of living and high level of services. Providing the Thailand Visa requirements are met Australians are able to stay in Thailand and either purchase property such as a condo or house or rent a residence.

In relation to property ownership as a foreigner some restrictions do apply, especially to house ownership and our advice is to contact one of the many real estate agencies for guidance should this be an option you are considering. Thailand also has many legal firms catering specifically to expats and property ownership.

Many expats in Thailand choose to rent either a condo or house and the prices and style of accommodation vary depending on the location and level of comfort required.

When in Thailand we choose to live in the city of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand and have over the course of our time in Chiang Mai rented many condos. For an example of a modern one-bedroom condo in the heart of the city check our video below.

Video renting a condo in Chiang Mai Thailand

Why Retire in Thailand?

Thailand has much to offer and provides a standard of living comparable to many western countries. From stunning beaches with that small community feel, to large cities with every amenity westerners are familiar with and is home to thousands of nationalities from around the world.

For a comfortable retirement in Thailand the cost is much lower than Australia. To live in a city such as Chiang Mai as a couple with a starting monthly budget of $2500 to $3000 AUD would provide a relaxed lifestyle. This is assuming your renting, not living in your own condo or house.

Bangkok or the tourist beach areas would require more given the higher cost of rent. Although we have heard reports of people advising that it’s possible to live on a much lower income, most expats we meet are requiring a certain level of comfort and monthly entertainment.

It’s possible to live in Thailand and eat out every night of the week at restaurants without breaking the bank. Even cheaper, is the food from markets and street stalls. On the whole it’s a safe country for expats and although not the national language, English is widely understood in the popular expat destinations.

The geographical location of Thailand ensures that for the most part the climate is warm to hot which is appealing to many expats escaping the brutal cold climates of the UK and Europe. The country also has a rich heritage with many temples and significant cultural sites to visit.

Neighbouring Asian countries are easily accessible and it’s not unusual for many expats living in Thailand to visit the countries of Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam etc or even Hong Kong and China for a quick getaway.  

For those looking to Asia for retirement it’s hard to beat and no wonder it’s regularly voted as the top retirement destination for expats.

Thailand visa requirements for Australian citizens

For up to date information on the Thailand visa requirements for Australian citizens the Thai Embassy website has information on the various Visa’s available including the Thai retirement visa, the Thailand work visa and other Thailand visa application forms.

The Thailand retirement visa known as the Non-Immigrant Visa Category “O-A” (Long Stay) visa, has the following conditions which need to be met.

Purpose of Visit: 

This type of visa is issued to applicants aged 50 years and over who wish to stay in Thailand for a period of not exceeding 1 year and employment of any kind is strictly prohibited.

Eligibility as follows:

Must be aged 50 years and over on the date of submitting the application.

Must not be a person prohibited from entering the Kingdom as prescribed by the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979).

Must not have a criminal record in Thailand or in Australia or the country of his or her residence.

Must have the nationality of or permanent residence in the country where the application is submitted.

Must have no prohibitive diseases as indicated in the Ministerial Regulation No. 14 B.E. 2535 (1993) i.e. Leprosy, Tuberculosis, Elephantiasis, drug addiction, alcoholism and third step of Syphilis.

Must have an amount equivalent to at least 800,000 Baht (approx. $35,000 AUD) in a bank account or proof of income with a monthly salary of no less than 65,000 Baht (approx. $2,800 AUD) or a deposit account plus monthly income of no less than 800,000 Baht per year.

When the visa is initially applied for from your home country, the money is probably in your home countries bank account. This is to be expected and is fine. However, when you renew the visa in Thailand you will need to have the 800,000 Baht in a Thai Bank account or be able to provide the proof of income.

The initial visa is issued for a period of 12 months with Multiple entries, which basically means you can leave and return any time within the 12 month period. At the end of the 12 months the visa can be renewed for a further 12 months according to the current eligibility requirements in place at the time of renewal.

How to get a Thailand retirement visa

We obtained our retirement visa for Thailand from Australia in 2015 and chose to apply for the visa for each of us. The process was straight forward and took a couple of months.

We followed the instructions provided on the Thai embassy website by downloading the Thailand visa application form and completing the steps. As well as the application form a doctor’s certificate is required for each applicant which can be obtained by your local GP. You also require official Bank statement as the proof of funds.  A police name check is also needed, and we applied for this document online.

Once all documents for each applicant are gathered you then need to have everything bound together and signed by either a Notary Public or JP. One original set and two copies of everything is needed. In our case we opted to have the documents signed by a Notary Public.

This added additional costs but gave us piece of mind that we had complied. It is however possible to use a JP and if we were to do it again would probably choose that option to save costs.

You are then required to send the completed sets of documents together with your passport, return self addressed envelope with postage paid and application fee (currently $275 AUD per application) to the Thai Embassy in Canberra. In our case the whole process went smoothly, and we received our passports back with the official Visa.

Thailand Non-Immigrant O-A Visa
Passport visa stamp

While the process does appear at first glance a little complicated it’s actually not that difficult providing you follow all the steps in exact accordance with the information on the Thailand embassy website. However, for anyone wanting to use a company to assist there are a number of private Visa firms that can help.

Can I apply for a Retirement Visa when in Thailand?

While this option is technically possible, it would not be our recommendation as the process can be much more complicated. From information we have received it can be done by first obtaining a 90-day visa from your home country prior to arriving in Thailand, then during the last 30 days apply for the visa.

You would then need proof of residence, and funds in a Thai bank account. Both of these steps add a level of complexity, as it can be difficult to open a Thai bank account on a Thai tourist visa or get a long-term lease. It’s not impossible but it certainly would not be as easy as doing it prior to arriving in Thailand.

For anyone considering this option our suggestion would be to contact a visa company within Thailand that specialises in Thai immigration for guidance. 

Last thoughts on Thailand Retirement Visas for Australians

We hope this guide on the retirement visa has been helpful and you now have an understanding on how to apply for Thailand visa and the process involved. Have you visited Thailand? Perhaps you had problems retiring in Thailand. If so, let us know good or bad. We would love to hear from you.

Disclaimer:

The details outlined in this article are based on our experiences obtaining the Thai Retirement Visa. Naturally every applicant has different circumstances so your personal experience may be different.

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How to get a Thailand Retirement Visa for Australian Citizens. Steps needed to obtain the visa and application process. Eligibility requirements for Thailand Retirement Visa #retirement #thaivisa #thailandretirementvisa
Applying for a Thailand Retirement Visa for Australians. Steps needed to obtain the visa and application process explained. Eligibility requirements for Thailand Retirement Visa #thailand #thaivisa #thailandretirementvisa

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16 thoughts on “Thailand Retirement Visa for Australian Citizens”

  1. Hi this was a great read as it is something we are considering!

    Can I ask 2 questions?

    1. Can you be earning income from a blog?
    2. Is the $35k requirement for a couple or individual?

    Thanks

  2. Hi Tracy glad you found it helpful. In relation to your questions. Under the terms of the Thailand Retirement visa you are not allowed to work in Thailand. It does not state that you are unable to earn any income from sources outside of Thailand. The $35k is per application so if both parties were applying they would both need the funds.

  3. Hi,

    Thank you for the great, easy to understand and comprehensive information.
    I am going through the same process right now. Still waiting on Name check from Federal Police, as they say it can take up to 25 days due to high volume of work!!

    The fee on the application form is a bit confusing. There are two tick boxes, one read ‘Non-Immigrant with multiple entries $AUD 275’ and the other says ‘Multiple entries-Retirement only $AUD 550’

    Reading your post, to me the two things non immigrant and retirement are the same thing? But still have two separate fees.

    Are you aware of the difference?

    Also, the embassy told me by phone that just prior to the expiry of the visa in 12 months time, if i leave Thailand and renter prior to the expiry date, I will get another 12 months upon entry which would save me the need to reapply for another year extension. so essentially the retirement visa is a two years visa if one can time his last departure/entry prior to expiry of first year.

    Thank you very much and keep up the good job

  4. Alan Cuthbertson

    Hi Danny

    Thank you for your kind words. Yes the name check can take a while. 25 days seems a long time though so they must be busy. Hopefully it won’t take that long. In relation to the application fee it should be $275 for the Non-Immigrant with multiple entries. The Royal Thai Embassy in Canberra has the same form listed twice on the website with one showing the $550 for the retirement fee and one without so I would contact them direct to clarify if the fees are changing.

    You are right about the extension. If you leave the country and return within the 12 months you get a further 12 months from the re-entry date. This can work well if you plan it correctly and we actually took advantage of that to extend our visa.

    I hope this has been of value. Although there are a few hoops to jump through and the forms can be confusing but in the long term it is worth the effort.

    Alan

  5. Hi Alan,
    I am very keen on retirement in Thailand and have a few questions
    1) I am over 50 but my partner is not so is she still entitled to come with me ?
    2) if so what type of visa should we consider?
    3) how would this situation affect the financial requirements

    thank you and keep up the good work

    alec

  6. Hello Alec, Glad the article was helpful. Yes your partner can accompany you with her own Non-Immigrant Visa O. If you are over 50 you can apply for the Thailand retirement visa and the financial requirements pertain to that person. The visa requirements do change and given the current climate you may also want to make contact with a Thai visa specialist for current rule updates.

  7. Hi Ros & Alan
    Certainly sounds very tempting in terms of lifestyle, but I have to ask how do you cope with that relentless humidity?

    Regs paul

  8. Hi Paul

    It does take a while to adjust to the humidity throughout Asia. Thankfully Aircon helps a lot.

    Regards
    Alan

  9. Hi,
    This is very helpful as I’m looking at spending about half of each year in Thailand, and I’m eligible for the retirement visa as I’ve just turned 50. I’ll be working my on my Australian business while I’m over there – all income derived from my Aus business.

    One question regarding the requirement for 65,000 THB monthly income, at what point did you start transferring this each month to a Thai bank account? …or does having 800,000 THB in your bank account when applying make this monthly income transfer unnecessary?

    Cheers
    Rob

  10. Alan Cuthbertson

    Hi Rob,
    Glad you found the article useful. In relation to you question you either need the 65,000 TBH monthly income deposited into a Thai bank account or the sum of 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account not both. If you are applying for the Visa from Australia my understanding is that you won’t need to have the money in a Thai bank account to apply (as you may not have one yet) but would need to deposit the 800,000 THB once you are in Thailand, or alternatively deposit the 65,000 THB monthly into a Thai bank when you arrive and have opened the account. Opening a Thai bank account is normally done from within Thailand as it’s difficult to do that from outside the country. Hope that helps. You also have other Visa options such as the 6 month tourist visa if you are not staying full time in Thailand which may suit.

  11. Hi Ros and Alan,

    Brilliant and helpful article – thank you.

    I am close to being able to post my retirement visa application from within Australia. Just waiting on the police check to be completed.

    I can’t get these questions answered from the Thai embassy so just thought I’d ask you both:

    1. Question 18 asks for the contact detail for my local guarantor. I’m assuming this does not relate to my visa?
    2. It is stated that I need to have a ‘rubber stamp’ from my doctor for the medical certificate. He has included his medical license number which should be sufficient I believe. Do you believe an actual rubber stamp is required also or is that just another way of saying that it needs to be authorised/validated with a license number?

    Thank you.
    Stuart

  12. Hello Stuart,

    Thank you for your kind words we are glad you found it useful. Sounds like you are well and truly on top of everything. In relation to your questions I’m fairly certain they would be referring to the contact details of the person that certified your documents. In relation to the stamp our doctor at the time stamped the medical certificate with the name of his practice. If your doctor does not have a stamp I would assume his medical licence number would be sufficient.

    Regards
    Alan and Ros

  13. Excellent site and articles! Well done!
    I am looking at retiring overseas in about 3 years and Thailand is in my top 3.
    One question regarding work: I do online work for active/passive income but it would go into an Australian bank account. Does the prohibition apply to that? I assume it is a restriction on getting a job in Thailand.

  14. Alan Cuthbertson

    Thank you Steve for the kind word and glad you found the article helpful. The short answer to your question (with the rules currently in place) is that work is not permitted on the retirement visa. Having said that many people do work online.

  15. Alan Cuthbertson

    Hello Tracey, Our eBook has up to date information on moving to Thailand from Australia. Please note though that it does not cover in-depth Visa information if that is what you are looking for.

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