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If you're already in Thailand on a tourist visa or visa exemption and you're over 50, you might not need to leave the country to get your retirement visa. Thailand's immigration system allows eligible foreigners to convert their current status to a Non-O retirement visa directly at immigration offices inside the country. This guide walks you through the entire conversion process step by step: who qualifies, what financial requirements you need to meet, what documents to prepare, when to apply, and what happens after conversion. We cover the difference between getting your initial Non-O conversion and then extending it to a full one-year retirement visa. We also explain common mistakes that cause applications to be rejected and how to avoid them. Whether you're in Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket, or anywhere else in Thailand, the process is largely the same—and Thai Kru can help you through it.
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Thailand allows eligible retirees to convert their tourist visa or visa exemption status to a Non-O retirement visa directly at immigration offices inside the country. No flights home. No embassy visit abroad. Just a trip to your local immigration office.
Here's exactly how it works.
Before anything else, let's confirm you're eligible for this conversion.
Age requirement: You must be 50 years of age or older. This is non-negotiable—Thailand's retirement visa is strictly for those who have reached this milestone.
Current visa status: You need to currently be in Thailand legally with valid permission to stay. This means:
Financial requirement: You need to meet one of Thailand's financial requirements for retirement visa holders (more on this shortly).
No criminal record: You should have a clean record. A criminal background check is occasionally requested, though not always required at every immigration office.
Health: A medical certificate may be requested at some immigration offices, though this is not universally required. Check with your specific office or a visa service.
This is critical timing. You generally need a reasonable number of days remaining on your current stamp to complete the conversion process successfully.
The exact minimum varies by immigration office, but a general rule: the more days remaining when you apply, the smoother the process. Don't wait until your last few days to apply—if there are any issues with your documents, you need time to correct them without overstaying.
If your current stamp is expiring very soon: Consider getting a 30-day extension first (available at immigration for a fee), which buys you additional time to prepare your conversion properly.
Thailand's retirement visa has financial requirements designed to ensure retirees can support themselves without needing to work.
Show a specific amount of money sitting in a Thai bank account.
The key details:
Important: The exact amounts are set by Thai immigration policy. We intentionally don't specify amounts here as these can change. Verify the current requirement through Thai immigration's official channels or consult a visa service.
Show regular monthly income (pension, social security, retirement fund distributions, investment income) meeting a threshold set by immigration.
What counts as income:
Documentation for income method:
Combine monthly income with a Thai bank deposit so the total meets the annual threshold.
How it works:
Example logic (without specific numbers): If your pension is less than the monthly income threshold but you have savings, the combination method lets both contribute toward the requirement.
Gathering your documents before visiting immigration saves you repeat trips and frustration.
Your passport (original): Bring the original. Immigration will review your entire passport history, current visa, and entry stamps.
Passport photographs: Bring several recent photos meeting Thai immigration standards (specific size requirements—check current standards).
Proof of Thai address: This is required. Acceptable forms typically include:
Financial documents (based on your chosen method):
For bank deposit method:
For income method:
For combination method:
Copies: Thai immigration requires copies of everything. Bring copies of your passport photo page, all visa stamps, entry stamp, departure card (TM6), and your financial documents. If you're not sure how many copies to bring, bring more than you think you need. There are usually copy shops near major immigration offices.
TM87 form: This is the application form for non-immigrant visa extension/conversion. You can often get this at the immigration office, but downloading and completing it in advance saves time.
Before anything else, make sure your current address has been properly registered with immigration through the TM30 system.
Your landlord or hotel is legally required to file the TM30 when you stay at their property. If they haven't done this, you need to ask them to file it. Some immigration offices are strict about requiring a valid TM30 before processing any applications.
If you're planning to use the bank deposit method, you need a Thai bank account. You cannot use a foreign bank account for this purpose.
Opening a Thai bank account as a retiree is generally easier than opening one on a tourist visa—but it still takes time. Do this early in your process rather than leaving it to the last minute.
Once your account is open, deposit the required funds and let them begin the seasoning period. The seasoning requirement is most strictly enforced for the one-year extension, not the initial conversion, but starting early gives you flexibility.
Before visiting immigration, review your document checklist:
✅ Original passport
✅ Multiple copies of all passport pages, stamps, and visa
✅ Recent passport photographs
✅ TM30 receipt or proof of address
✅ Financial documents (bank letter, statements, pension letters)
✅ Completed TM87 application form
✅ Fees (bring cash—Thai immigration offices typically accept only cash)
Review everything carefully. Missing documents are the most common reason for same-day rejection.
Find the immigration office serving your area:
Timing advice:
Dress appropriately: Conservative business-casual clothing is expected at immigration offices. Avoid shorts, sleeveless tops, or overly casual attire.
Take a queue number and wait your turn. When called:
Processing time: Many offices process same-day, meaning you'll wait at the office and collect your passport later that day. Some offices keep passports overnight and ask you to return the next day.
Once processed, you'll receive a 90-day Non-O (Retirement) visa stamp in your passport. This is your starting point—not your final destination.
The 90-day Non-O you receive through conversion is your entry point. The goal is to convert this into a full one-year extension before those 90 days expire.
If using bank deposit method:
If using income method:
If using combination method:
When to apply: Apply before your 90-day Non-O expires. Many people apply 30 days before expiry to allow buffer time for any issues.
Where to apply: Same immigration office where you did your conversion.
Documents needed: Similar to your conversion application, plus:
After approval: You'll receive a one-year extension stamp, allowing you to stay in Thailand for one year from the date of your previous entry. This is then renewable annually.
One critical point many retirees miss: your retirement visa extension is tied to your current entry. If you leave Thailand without a re-entry permit, your retirement visa extension is cancelled when you exit.
Single re-entry permit: Allows you to leave and return to Thailand once without losing your visa extension.
Multiple re-entry permit: Allows unlimited exits and re-entries during your extension period.
Where to get them:
When to get them: Get a multiple re-entry permit if you plan to travel at all. Don't risk leaving Thailand without one—you'll lose your retirement visa extension and need to start over.
Once you have your retirement visa extension, you're required to report your address to immigration every 90 days.
Online: Thailand's immigration department has an online reporting system. When it's working properly, it's the easiest method.
By mail: Some offices accept 90-day reports by mail (check your specific office's procedures).
In person: Visit your immigration office and submit the TM30 form showing your current address.
Timing: Report before the 90-day deadline. Late reporting results in a fine. The clock starts from your last entry into Thailand or your last report, whichever is more recent.
Many people wait until they're almost out of days before starting the conversion process. Then they discover they need a Thai bank account, need to deposit funds, need to wait for seasoning, and suddenly they're out of time. Start this process well before your current stamp expires.
Forgetting to ensure your TM30 is filed is a surprisingly common issue. If your landlord hasn't filed it, immigration may refuse to process your application. Check this before you go.
Your bank letter needs to be current—usually dated within a very short window of your application date. Don't use an old bank letter. Get a fresh one just before your immigration visit.
Thai immigration wants copies of everything. Running out of copies means a trip to the copy shop mid-process, wasting your queue position and time. Bring more copies than you think you need.
People who get their retirement extension sorted and then plan a trip abroad sometimes forget they need a re-entry permit. Leaving without one means losing your extension. If you plan to travel, get a multiple re-entry permit when you do your extension.
If your current visa expires while you're gathering documents or waiting to apply, you've technically overstayed. Overstaying carries daily fines and can affect future visa applications. Track your days carefully and apply well before expiry.
Both options are legitimate, but which is better depends on your situation.
For most people already living comfortably in Thailand, converting inside the country is simpler, cheaper, and perfectly effective.
Navigating the retirement visa conversion process involves careful timing, specific documentation, and understanding immigration office procedures.
Thai Kru helps foreigners with their visa applications in Thailand, including the Non-O retirement visa conversion and one-year extension process.
If you're unsure about any part of the process, would prefer to have an expert handle the details, or have a complex situation, we're here to assist.
Contact Thai Kru to discuss your retirement visa needs.
Converting your tourist visa to a retirement visa inside Thailand is genuinely achievable for eligible retirees. Thousands of people do it successfully every year.
The keys to success:
Thailand wants retirees to stay. The retirement visa system is designed to welcome you. Once your conversion is complete and your one-year extension is in hand, you can relax knowing your life in Thailand is properly settled—and simply renew once a year going forward.
Welcome to retirement in Thailand. You've earned this.
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