Thailand Retirement Visa For Uk Citizens
Do you want to retire in Thailand? There are a lot of things to consider and one of them is applying for a Thailand retirement visa. However, getting this visa for the UK is not as simple as it seems. In fact, you need to go through a lot of processes such as obtaining health insurance, registering with the Thai Immigration Bureau and learning about your bank accounts in Thailand among other things. The good thing is that this article contains a comprehensive list that you can follow to make sure that you get the visa approved on your first try.
The British Embassy in Bangkok has been inundated with thousands of inquiries regarding the UK government’s plans to introduce a retirement visa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed it is working on a new policy on retirement visas but there is no word when this may be implemented. This makes Thailand an attractive location for Britons looking to retire in the next few months.
Thailand is a popular place for Brits to retire. It has a warm climate, beautiful beaches and a friendly people. A Thailand Retirement Visa for UK citizens is easy to obtain and will give you access to the retirement visa benefits that Thailand has to offer.
It’s easier than ever to get your Thailand Retirement Visa for UK citizens. You don’t have to be retired yet, or even close to retirement age. The law was relaxed in 2018 and now anyone over 50 can apply for a retirement visa in Thailand. All you need is proof of financial stability and an income source.
If you’re planning on retiring at some point in the future, it makes sense to start planning now! You’ll need a bank account with proof of funds, an income source (such as pension payments), as well as proof of accommodation in Thailand.
We’ve put together some useful information on how to get started:
- What is required? What documents do I need? How much does it cost? Is there any way around paying fees? These answers are all answered here!
- How long does it take? This varies from case-to-case but generally speaking it shouldn’t take more than two weeks once everything
Documents Needed for a Thailand Retirement Visa Application
When you apply for a Thailand Retirement Visa, you need several documents to support your application. This includes:
- Your passport, which is valid for at least six more months and has at least one blank visa page. If you’re applying for a one-year visa, your passport should be valid for at least another 18 months.
- Completed and signed Visa Application Form, which can be downloaded from the Embassy or Consulate’s website or you can pick it up when you submit your application in person.
- Additional Retirement Visa Application Form (completed and signed)
- Passport-sized picture of yourself, with the following specifications:
- White background
- Taken within the last six months
- You must have a neutral facial expression, staring straight ahead
- Your entire face must be fully visible
- Headgear is only allowed for religious purposes and even then, only if it does not cover the face
- Glasses are allowed only if they do not cover your eyes and do not have heavy frames
- Proof you meet the financial requirements as detailed above, through one of the following (as is applicable):
- Bank Statements and Letter of Guarantee showing the deposit in the Thai Bank which is no less than detailed above on “Eligibility…”
- Bank statements showing an annual income of no less than what is detailed above on “Eligibility…”
- *Bank Statements have to be certified by a Notary Public.
- Police Certificate issued by the police authorities in your country, showing you do not have a criminal record. The certificate has to be certified by a Notary Public.
- Health Certificate issued in the past three months showing you are not infected with one of the prohibited diseases (Leprosy, Tuberculosis, Elephantiasis, Addiction (Drug/Alcoholism), or Third Phase Syphilis). The certificate has to be certified by a Notary Public.
- Proof of health insurance with annual coverage of at least 40,000 Thai Baht for outpatient treatment and at least 400,000 Thai Baht for inpatient treatment as detailed by the Thai General Insurance Association.
- Thailand Retirement Visa processing fee.
The visa-issuing staff in the Embassy or Consulate you are applying in can ask you to submit any additional documents as they see fit.
Thai retirement visa fee – how much does it cost?
You can expect to be charged an application fee. As of 1st April 2019 the fees are as follows⁴:
| Visa Type | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| O-A Visa | £150 |
| O-X Visa | £300 |
Benefits of Thai Retirement Visa
Legal International offers service to process Retirement Visa to Thailand for UK citizens. This visa provides the following:
- Multiple-entry travel to Thailand.
- Valid for use for a period of 1 calendar year.
- The visa is renewable every year and can be renewed inside Thailand (applicant must meet the requirements for the visa renewal).
- Ability to open bank (savings) account in Thailand.
Conclusion
Thai retirement visa is made possible by the Thailand Immigration Department allowing long time tourist visa holders to apply for permission to work in Thailand and then permanent residence permission.