Thailand Retirement Visa 2026: O-A vs O-X Requirements

Thailand is one of the most popular retirement destinations in the world, and the numbers back it up. Warm weather year-round, world-class healthcare at a fraction of Western costs, incredible food, and a cost of living that lets you live well on a moderate budget. The retirement visa, officially the Non-Immigrant O-A (1-year) and O-X (10-year), lets anyone aged 50 or older live here long-term. It is the most common path for retirees, and for good reason.

This guide is a deep dive on the retirement visa specifically. I am not on a retirement visa myself. I am under 50 and living in Bangkok on a Thailand Privilege visa. But I have spent months researching this topic for this site, spoken with dozens of retirees living in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and Hua Hin, and gathered their real experiences with the O-A and O-X process. If you are looking for a broader overview of all Thai visa types, start with my general visa guide.

For an overview of every visa option available in Thailand, including tourist visas, the DTV, Privilege, and more, see the Thailand visa guide.

Who Qualifies for Thailand's Retirement Visa

The retirement visa is officially called the Non-Immigrant O-A Long Stay visa. Despite the bureaucratic name, it is designed specifically for retirees. The core eligibility requirement is straightforward: you must be 50 years of age or older at the time of application. There is no upper age limit. I have met retirees in their 80s who renew every year without issues.

You do not need to prove that you are actually retired. There is no requirement to show a pension, Social Security income, or any specific retirement documentation. You just need to be 50+ and meet the financial and health requirements. That said, the visa explicitly prohibits working in Thailand. This means no employment, no freelancing, no consulting, and no running a Thai business. If immigration discovers you are working on a retirement visa, it can be revoked.

• Age: 50 years or older at the time of application. No upper age limit.
• Nationality: The O-A visa is available to citizens of any country. The O-X (10-year) visa is limited to citizens of 14 specific countries.
• Criminal record: You must have a clean criminal background. A police clearance certificate from your home country is required, and it must be recent (typically issued within the last 3 months).
• Health: You must not have any of the prohibited diseases listed by Thai immigration (leprosy, tuberculosis, drug addiction, elephantiasis, third-stage syphilis). A medical certificate is required as part of the application.
• No employment: You cannot work in any capacity while on a retirement visa. If you need to work remotely, the DTV or LTR visa are better options.

O-A vs O-X: Which Retirement Visa Should You Get

Thailand offers two retirement visa options, and the choice between them comes down to three things: your nationality, how much money you can park in a Thai bank, and how much you dislike annual paperwork. Here is the full comparison.

O-A Visa (1-Year, Any Nationality)

The O-A is the standard retirement visa. It is available to citizens of any country and grants a 1-year stay that you can renew annually at your local immigration office in Thailand. The initial application must be done at a Thai embassy or consulate in your home country (or country of residence). After the first year, you renew in-country without leaving.

Most retirees I have spoken with started on the O-A. The financial bar is lower than the O-X, the process is well-established, and every Thai embassy knows how to handle it. The downside is the annual renewal at the immigration office. It is not difficult, but it means a trip to immigration every year with a stack of documents, a handful of passport photos, and 2-4 hours of waiting. Several retirees have described it as "the annual chore."

O-X Visa (10-Year, 14 Countries Only)

The O-X is the premium retirement visa. It grants a 10-year stay, issued as two consecutive 5-year periods. The tradeoff is a significantly higher financial requirement and limited nationality eligibility. Only citizens of 14 specific countries can apply. But if you qualify and can afford the larger deposit, the convenience is substantial.

One Australian retiree I know in Bangkok went the O-X route specifically because he did not want to deal with annual immigration visits. He told me the higher deposit was worth every baht because his time is more valuable than sitting in a waiting room at Chaeng Wattana every year. With the O-X, he renews his stamp every 5 years instead of annually. He still does 90-day address reporting, but that can be done online in a few minutes.

Financial Requirements

The financial requirements are where most retirement visa applicants get tripped up. The amounts are specific, and the timing of when money needs to be in your account matters just as much as the amount itself. I have heard multiple stories of retirees who had plenty of money but got rejected because they did not plan the transfer early enough.

O-A Financial Requirements

For the O-A visa, you need to meet one of three financial conditions. You do not need to meet all three. Just one is sufficient.

• Option 1: Bank deposit. 800,000 THB (~$25,800) deposited in a Thai bank account. This is the most common method and the one most immigration officers are accustomed to processing.
• Option 2: Monthly income. 65,000 THB/month (~$2,100/month) in verifiable income. This can be pension, Social Security, investment distributions, or any regular income source. You will need an income verification letter, which can be tricky depending on your embassy.
• Option 3: Combination. A combination of bank deposit plus annual income totaling at least 800,000 THB. For example, if your monthly income is 40,000 THB (480,000 THB/year), you would need at least 320,000 THB in your Thai bank account to reach the threshold.

O-X Financial Requirements

The O-X has steeper financial requirements. At the time of application, you need 3,000,000 THB (~$96,800) deposited in a Thai bank account. After the first year, you can reduce the balance to 1,800,000 THB, but it must remain at or above that level for the rest of the visa period.

• Option 1: Full deposit. 3,000,000 THB in a Thai bank account at the time of application.
• Option 2: Combination. 1,800,000 THB in a Thai bank account plus annual income of at least 1,200,000 THB (~$38,700/year).
• After year one: Maintain at least 1,800,000 THB in the account for the remainder of the visa period.

Transferring Your Deposit to Thailand

You will need a Thai bank account to hold the deposit. Transferring a large sum like 800,000 or 3,000,000 THB from your home country is one of the first practical steps, and how you send it matters. Traditional bank wire transfers charge 3-5% in hidden exchange rate markups. On an 800,000 THB transfer, that can mean $750-1,250 lost to your bank before the money even arrives.

Several retirees I know use Wise for every transfer to their Thai bank account. It uses the real mid-market exchange rate with a small, transparent fee. No hidden markups. Transfers typically arrive in 1-2 business days. When you are moving $25,000+ for a retirement visa deposit, the savings add up fast.

Health Insurance Requirements

Since 2019, the O-A retirement visa requires health insurance from a Thai government-approved insurer. This is not optional and it is not flexible. Without valid insurance documentation meeting the specific coverage minimums, your application will be rejected. The O-X also requires insurance, though specific requirements can vary slightly depending on the issuing embassy.

This requirement catches many applicants by surprise, especially those who already have international health insurance through a provider that is not on the Thai approved list. Your excellent Blue Cross plan from the US or BUPA plan from the UK may not qualify. The insurance must meet Thailand-specific minimums.

Minimum Coverage Requirements

• Inpatient coverage: 400,000 THB minimum (~$12,900). This covers hospitalization, surgery, ICU stays, and extended treatment at Thai hospitals.
• Outpatient coverage: 40,000 THB minimum (~$1,290). This covers doctor visits, prescriptions, lab work, and non-hospitalization treatments.

The insurance must be from an insurer on the Thai government's approved list, or an international insurer that Thai immigration accepts. Thai insurers like Muang Thai, Dhipaya, and AIA Thailand are commonly used. Some international providers also qualify if they have partnerships with Thai insurers or are specifically recognized by immigration.

Cost varies significantly by age. A 55-year-old might pay 20,000-35,000 THB/year for a basic plan meeting the minimums. A 70-year-old could pay 60,000-150,000 THB/year or more. This is a recurring annual cost that you need to budget for alongside the bank deposit.

If you want comprehensive coverage that exceeds the Thai minimums, especially if you travel outside Thailand regularly, Allianz Care offers international health insurance plans that meet the O-A requirements while also covering you globally. Their plans include coverage at top Thai hospitals like Bumrungrad and Bangkok Hospital, plus dental, vision, and wellness benefits that local Thai insurers typically do not include.

For a complete breakdown of health insurance options in Thailand, including cost comparisons by age and coverage level, see my Thailand health insurance guide.

How to Apply (Step by Step)

The initial O-A application must be done at a Thai embassy or consulate abroad. You cannot apply for the O-A from inside Thailand on your first application. After the first year, renewals are done in-country at your local immigration office. Here is the step-by-step process for your first application.

1. Gather your documents. You will need your passport (valid for at least 18 months), passport-size photos (4x6 cm), a completed application form, a police clearance certificate from your home country (must be recent), a medical certificate confirming no prohibited diseases, financial proof (bank statements or income verification), and a health insurance certificate from an approved provider.
2. Complete the application at your nearest Thai embassy or consulate. Some consulates allow walk-ins, others require appointments. Check the specific consulate's website for their process. Bring originals and copies of everything.
3. Submit your application with all supporting documents. The officer will review your paperwork and may ask clarifying questions. Make sure every form is signed and every document is current.
4. Wait for processing. Processing time varies by consulate, but expect 5-10 business days. Some consulates in high-demand areas may take longer. You can usually check status by phone or email.
5. Pick up your passport with the visa sticker. Once approved, you will be notified to collect your passport. The O-A visa sticker is placed in your passport. Pay the application fee (2,000 THB or local currency equivalent) if not already paid at submission.
6. Enter Thailand within the validity period. You typically have 90 days from the visa issue date to enter Thailand. Your 1-year stay begins on the date of entry, not the date of issue. Plan your entry accordingly.
7. Report your address at immigration within 24 hours (TM30). After arriving, your landlord or hotel is technically responsible for the TM30 address report, but verify it has been done. Then set a reminder for your first 90-day report, which is due 90 days after your entry date.

I recommend Siam Legal for retirement visa applications. They are one of the most established legal firms in Thailand, with thousands of retirement visa cases under their belt. They handle the entire process from document preparation through submission and can also help with Thai bank account setup and insurance selection.

The 14 Countries Eligible for O-X (10-Year Visa)

The O-X 10-year retirement visa is not available to everyone. Only citizens holding a passport from one of the following 14 countries can apply. This list has remained unchanged since the O-X was introduced.

• Japan
• Australia
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Canada

If your country is not on this list, the O-A is your path. The O-A offers the same core benefit, a long-term stay in Thailand for retirees, but requires annual renewal. Several nationalities that you might expect to be on the list (New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore) are not included, and Thailand has not indicated plans to expand it.

Annual Renewal Process

For O-A holders, the annual renewal is the biggest recurring administrative task of living in Thailand on a retirement visa. It is manageable once you know the process, but the first time can be confusing. Here is what to expect based on what retirees I know have told me.

What You Need for Renewal

• TM.7 application form: Completed and signed. Available at the immigration office or downloadable from the Thai immigration website.
• Passport: Original plus photocopies of your photo page, current visa page, most recent entry stamp, and TM.6 departure card.
• Passport photos: Two 4x6 cm photos taken within the last 6 months.
• Updated bank statement: A bank letter and updated passbook showing the 800,000 THB balance has been maintained for the required period.
• Health insurance certificate: Current insurance meeting the minimum coverage requirements. Must be valid for the upcoming year, not just the current one.
• Extension fee: 1,900 THB, usually paid in cash at the immigration office.

Apply at least 30 days before your current visa expires. Immigration offices can get backed up, especially during peak renewal seasons. Processing is usually same-day. You hand in your documents, wait for your number to be called, the officer reviews everything, and you get a new stamp in your passport. Expect to spend 2-4 hours at the office depending on how busy it is. Bangkok's Chaeng Wattana immigration center is notoriously crowded. Get there early.

90-Day Reporting

90-day reporting is a separate requirement from your annual visa renewal. Every person staying in Thailand on a long-term visa must report their current address to immigration every 90 days. You can do it in person, by mail, or online through the Thai immigration website. The online system works most of the time, though it goes down periodically for maintenance.

For a complete walkthrough of the 90-day reporting process, including how to use the online system, see my 90-day reporting guide. Missing your 90-day report can cause problems at your annual renewal, so set a calendar reminder.

Common Mistakes and Rejection Reasons

Based on conversations with retirees and visa agents across Thailand, these are the most common reasons retirement visa applications and renewals get delayed or rejected.

• Withdrawing the bank deposit too early. The 800,000 THB must remain in your account for 3 months after your extension is granted. After that, you can draw down to 400,000 THB minimum. But you must return to 800,000 THB at least 2 months before your next renewal. Many people withdraw too much, too soon, and get caught at renewal time.
• Wrong insurance coverage. Having health insurance is not enough. It must meet the specific Thai minimums: 400,000 THB inpatient and 40,000 THB outpatient. Insurance from a non-approved provider will be rejected even if the coverage amounts are higher.
• Expired criminal background check. The police clearance certificate must be recent, typically issued within the last 3 months. If yours is older, the embassy may reject it. Getting a new one takes time, so plan ahead.
• Working on a retirement visa. Even occasional freelance work or remote consulting is technically prohibited. If immigration discovers you are earning income while on a retirement visa, it can be revoked. This includes teaching English on the side, a common temptation for retirees looking to stay busy.
• Missing 90-day reports. While a single missed report usually results in just a fine (2,000 THB), repeated misses can cause problems at your annual renewal. Some immigration officers view it as a sign of non-compliance.
• Not enough blank passport pages. You need blank pages for the visa sticker and subsequent entry/exit stamps. If your passport is getting full, renew it before your visa renewal. Getting a new passport mid-visa creates additional paperwork to transfer your visa to the new document.

Retirement Visa vs Thailand Privilege

This is the comparison I get asked about the most, especially from people over 50 who have the budget for either option. I went through the Privilege process myself (I am on the Bronze 5-year membership), so I can speak to that side directly. The retirement visa side comes from extensive conversations with retirees who chose that route.

• Upfront cost: The O-A retirement visa costs about 2,000 THB to apply plus 1,900 THB/year to renew. The 800,000 THB deposit is your money, sitting in your Thai bank account. Thailand Privilege Bronze costs 600,000 THB (~$19,300) as a non-refundable membership fee. Over 5 years, the retirement visa is dramatically cheaper in terms of money you will not get back.
• Convenience: Privilege wins by a wide margin. No annual renewals at immigration, no insurance requirements from the visa side, no financial proof needed after the initial payment. You pay once and your visa runs for 5 years with no visits to immigration except 90-day reporting (which can be done online).
• Locked funds: With the retirement visa, your 800,000 THB is essentially frozen in your Thai bank account. You own it, but you cannot access most of it without risking your visa status. With Privilege, the 600,000 THB fee is gone, but there are no ongoing financial restrictions on your accounts.
• Insurance: The retirement visa requires government-approved health insurance (20,000-60,000+ THB/year). Privilege has no insurance requirement. You should still get health insurance, but it is your choice of provider and coverage level.
• Airport VIP: Privilege includes a personal liaison who meets you at the aircraft, a golf cart ride through the terminal, and a dedicated immigration booth. The retirement visa gets you the standard immigration line, which can run 30-60 minutes at BKK during peak hours.
• Age requirement: The retirement visa requires age 50+. Privilege has no age requirement. For people under 50, this comparison does not apply.

For the 50+ demographic who qualifies for both, the decision usually comes down to whether the annual renewal hassle plus locked bank funds plus mandatory insurance is worth saving compared to the Privilege fee. People who value their time and hate bureaucracy tend to choose Privilege. People who are more cost-conscious and do not mind the annual trip to immigration tend to choose the retirement visa.

I wrote a detailed review of my Thailand Privilege experience including application timeline, costs, and the VIP airport activation process. Read the full Thailand Privilege visa guide if you are weighing the two options.