Comparing between Retirement Visa & Thailand Elite Card

Thailand Retirement Visa

Qualifications
  • Applicant must be 50 years of age or over
  • Must meet the financial requirements
    • Security deposit of THB 800,000 in a Thai Bank Account for 2 months prior to the visa application.
    • Monthly income or pension of at least THB 65,000. An affidavit from the foreign embassy or consulate has to be obtained as proof of the income.
    • Combination of the Thai bank account and yearly income with the total of 800,000 THB.
    Supporting documents as proof of the security deposit in a Thai bank are as follows:
    • Updated bank book or passbook
    • Bank letter stating that the money had been deposited to the account from an oversea source for not less than 2 months.
  • Other documents that may be required to be presented:*
    • Police Clearance
    • Medical Certificate
* These are not usually required if the visa application is submitted inside Thailand, though there are rare cases, however, when an official from the Thai embassy or consulate may ask for them before issuance of the visa.

In the case of a retirement visa, permission will be granted for a period of not more than one year at a time.  You will have to re-apply for this type of visa  by re-submitting all of the required documentation on a yearly basis, renewal of retirement visa is not guaranteed.


Advantages of Thailand Elite Card

  • Being a retiree, occupying your time with activities are critical, free access to Golf & Spa is a good options to enhance your lifestyle while retiring.
  • Should one day you are leaving Thailand for good, you may choose to sell your membership.
  • Elite Visa is multiple entry visa i.e. no need to pay for re-entry when you leave Thailand.
  • For Thailand Retirement Visa, you will not be allowed to engage in business or generating an income in the Kingdom. This is not the case for Thailand Elite member, your contribution to the economy of Thailand is the main reason why Thai government is supporting this project.
  • No requirement for yearly re-application required.

*Above information are to be use as a guide and subject to changes from the authority.