Retirement Visa (Non-Immigrant O-A)
The O-A Long Stay visa is Thailand's dedicated retirement visa for foreigners aged 50 and over. It grants a one-year stay with straightforward annual renewals, provided financial and health insurance requirements are maintained.
Requirements
- UK passport holder aged 50 or over at the time of applicationCRITICAL
- Proof of finances: 800,000 THB (approx. GBP 18,000) in a Thai bank account, OR monthly income/pension of at least 65,000 THB (approx. GBP 1,450), OR a combination totalling 800,000 THBCRITICAL
- Health insurance with inpatient cover of at least 400,000 THB and outpatient cover of at least 40,000 THB
- Medical certificate confirming you are free from prohibited diseases
- ACRO police certificate (criminal record check) apostilled by the FCDO, issued within the last 3 months
- Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) completed before travel
Application Steps
Confirm your eligibility
Verify you are at least 50 years old and can meet either the 800,000 THB bank deposit or 65,000 THB/month income requirement (or a combination of both). The bank deposit must be maintained for at least 2 months before applying and 3 months after.
Obtain required certificates
Get an ACRO police certificate (allow 2-4 weeks) and have it apostilled by the FCDO. Arrange a medical check with your GP or a Thai-approved clinic.
Arrange qualifying health insurance
Purchase health insurance from a Thai or international insurer on the approved list. The policy must specifically meet the O-A visa inpatient and outpatient minimums.
Apply at the Thai Embassy in London
Submit your complete application at the Royal Thai Embassy. Processing takes approximately 5-10 working days.
Enter Thailand and complete 90-day reporting
On arrival, note your permitted stay date. You must report your address to Immigration every 90 days (can be done online, by post, or in person).
Renew annually
Apply for renewal at your local Thai Immigration office at least 30 days before expiry. You will need to re-demonstrate the financial requirement.
Tips
- 💡Many retirees open a Bangkok Bank or Kasikorn Bank account in the UK branch to establish the 800,000 THB deposit before travelling to Thailand.
- 💡The financial requirement is audited: Immigration may check that the 800,000 THB remains in your account for specified periods. Do not withdraw it prematurely.
- 💡Consider the Non-Immigrant O visa (based on marriage to a Thai national) if applicable — it has a lower financial threshold of 400,000 THB.
Key Facts
- Duration
- 1 year (renewable annually)
- Cost
- 6,500 THB
- Work Permit
- No — not included
- Best For
- UK nationals aged 50+ looking for affordable, sunny retirement with a well-established expat support network