A SUCCESSFUL RETIREMENT IN THAILAND: WHICH VISA FOR WHICH ACTIVITY?

Did you know that Thailand is one of the most popular destinations for freelancers? Indeed, for someone who can work remotely, why not treat yourself to an ‘office’ with a sea view and year-round sunshine…? And for retirees aged 50 and over, Thailand is also a top choice!!!

OA Retiree Visa

The Thai authorities allow applications for a long-term visa for people wishing to spend their retirement in Thailand; the retiree visa (non-immigrant OA) is available.
Documents and supporting evidence required to apply for a retiree visa:

• OA visa application form in triplicate
• Passport valid for at least 18 months
• 3 recent passport-sized photographs
• Proof of address
• Personal information form

Financial documents:

Copy of a bank statement from a Thai bank showing a balance of THB 800,000 or more (CHF 23,320 / $23,300 / €21,850) for at least 2 months, or a bank guarantee letter, or a certificate of income showing a minimum monthly income of THB 65,000 (CHF 1,900 / $1,900 / €1,800), which is the pension.

If you do not wish to deposit the sum of THB 800,000 into an account in Thailand, and you do not have THB 65,000 available monthly, there is an alternative way to obtain the retiree visa:

1. For example, if you have a pension of CHF 1,310 ($1,310 / €1,220) per month, that is THB 45,000
2. So in one year you have THB 540,000 (THB 45,000 times 12).
3. You then simply need to deposit the remaining THB 260,000 (CHF 7,580 / $7,570 / €7,100) into an account.

This is a basic requirement: you must have THB 800,000 in a bank account or pension scheme.

This proves that you can live in Thailand with sufficient funds for one year.
You must then provide the following documents to the immigration authorities:

• a fixed deposit certificate generating similar income, which comes after you have proven your income a recent, certified clean criminal record
• a medical certificate dated within the last 3 months, certified as a true copy, confirming the absence of serious harmful illnesses.

It is possible that certain documents or supporting evidence may not be required to obtain the O-A visa, except for being over 50 years of age and providing financial proof.

The capital deposited in the bank is not frozen but must remain in the account for 3 months.

The O-A retiree visa is issued for a period of 1 year.

It can be renewed as often as you like; upon renewal, certain conditions do not apply.

There is also a retiree visa valid for two or even three years; Thai immigration can provide you with further information on this.

Is it difficult to obtain a retirement visa?

No, obtaining an O-A visa in Thailand is easy; only 3% of applications are rejected, mainly due to a lack of a medical certificate. You do not have to be a full-time pensioner, as a partial pension, a disability pension or even rental income from property is more than sufficient; the main requirement is being aged 50 or over. This is why many Swiss and other pensioners live in Thailand on an O-A visa

Multiple-entry tourist visa

If you intend to stay in Thailand for more than 60 days as a tourist, you may wish to consider applying for a multiple-entry tourist visa.

1. This visa will allow you 2, 3 or 4 entries into Thailand.
2. Each entry allows you to stay in Thailand for 60 days.

Issuing the multiple-entry tourist visa:

It is important to note that this visa is valid for 6 months from the date of issue by the Thai Embassy. Your final entry into Thailand must take place before your visa expires. For example, you apply for a 3-entry visa on 1 March. The visa is processed on 5 March and will be sent to your home address.

Along with the embassy stamp, there will be a note such as this:

• Visa number "12345"
• Category TR (Tourist visa)
• For three (3) trips to Thailand
• This visa must be used before 1 September
• Date of issue: 5 March

This means you must enter Thailand on your third and final visit before 1 September.

Multiple-entry visas must be extended at the Thai immigration office nearest to where you are staying in Thailand (the extension fee is THB 1,900 / CHF 55 / $55 / €52).

At the end of each 60-day stay, you will be required to leave Thailand. If you have another valid entry on your visa and the visa has not expired, you may re-enter Thailand for another 60-day stay.

At the end of the 60th day of your final extension, you must leave Thailand and obtain another visa or a 15-day extension.

In total, with the multiple-entry tourist visa, you can stay in Thailand for 255 days.

Work Visa B in Thailand

The B Work Visa is for foreigners wishing to work or do business in Thailand.

If you have a Non-Immigrant B visa, you must look for work in Thailand (and once you have found it, you will need to obtain a work permit).

Alternatively, with the B work visa, you can stay in Thailand with the aim of setting up a business. This visa grants you access to a 1-year or 3-year multiple-entry visa, so the holder can visit Thailand for as long as they wish over a 3-year period, but must report to Thai immigration every 90 days.

Where can you apply for a "B" visa?

The application must be submitted to the Royal Thai Embassy or the Royal Thai Consulate in the applicant’s country of residence or elsewhere. However, not all consulates are authorised to issue work visas, though they may accept applications. Only Thai embassies can issue the B non-immigrant visa

Documents required to apply:

• For a 3-year visa application, the basic documents required are:
• An application form, duly completed and signed by the applicant
• A passport valid for travel to Thailand with sufficient validity
• Two passport-sized photographs (4x6cm) taken no more than 6 months ago.
• Additional documents may be requested:
• A valid national identity card or proof of residence.
• A letter from the employer giving details of the applicant’s position
• Copies of correspondence with business partners in Thailand.
• A letter of invitation for negotiations or from partners/associates of companies in Thailand.

Other documents rarely requested:

• Company registration and work permit
• List of shareholders
• Company profile
• Details of business activities
• Company location
• Balance sheet, income tax and business tax (For Ngor -Dor Ngor 50 and par Dor 30) for the last financial year
• Value added tax registration number (Par 20)
• A letter of recommendation from employers’ associations or previous business partners of which the applicant is a member.

Visa fees:

The fee is THB 10,000 (CHF 290 / $290 / €270)
Notes:

1. Additional documents may be required upon request.
2. The issuance of visas is at the discretion of the consular officer.
3. Visa fees are non-refundable

Please note

If you are looking for a job and are offered one, you must apply for a Work Permit. Once granted, the Work Permit takes precedence over your visa; therefore, if your visa expires, you may still remain in Thailand for one year following the issue of the Work Permit. It is prohibited to work on a B visa. This visa does not allow you to live in Thailand, or only on a temporary basis if it is not converted into a work permit.

IB Investor Visa in Thailand

The Non-Immigrant Investor (IB) visa is issued to foreign investors who wish to invest in Thailand in projects approved by the Board of Investment (BOI).

The aim of these projects is:

• To promote Thai exports
• To increase employment
• To encourage Thailand’s development
• Involve provincial projects
• To utilise local raw materials

You must meet at least one of these criteria.

In that case, you can obtain an IB Visa, which will be issued by the Thai Immigration Department along with a letter from the BOI of Thailand approving your application.

Documents required to obtain an IB visa – Investor

• A passport (+ photocopy) valid for at least 6 months for a single-entry visa, or valid for at least 18 months for a multiple-entry IV visa
• 2 recent passport-sized photographs taken within the last 6 months
• 2 copies of the IB visa application form provided by the embassy, duly completed, dated and signed
• A letter from the Thai Board of Investment is required.