Thailand Retirement Visa: Non-O, O-A or LTR? Requirements Compared
Updated Mon, 12 October 2026
Check which retirement visa you qualify for →If you are 50 or older, Thailand offers three main ways to retire there. They differ mostly in how much money you need, whether health insurance is required, and where you apply.
The three options compared
| Non-O + yearly extension | O-A | LTR Wealthy Pensioner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Money | 800,000 THB in a Thai bank, or 65,000 THB a month, or a mix | Same as Non-O | USD 80,000 a year (or USD 40,000 + USD 250,000 Thai investment) |
| Health insurance | Not required | 3,000,000 THB cover | USD 50,000 cover, or USD 100,000 savings |
| Where to apply | Thai embassy abroad, sometimes inside Thailand | Home country only | Online (BOI) |
| Length | 90 days, then 1-year extensions | 1 year | Up to 10 years |
| Cost | Visa fee + 1,900 THB per extension | Visa fee | 50,000 THB |
Option 1: Non-O and a yearly extension (most popular)
This is what most retirees use because it does not require health insurance.
- Get a Non-Immigrant O visa for retirement from a Thai embassy, or in some cases convert a tourist entry at an immigration office in Thailand. This gives you 90 days.
- Before the 90 days end, apply at your local immigration office for a 1-year extension of stay (1,900 THB).
- Renew the extension every year.
The money rule
You need one of:
- 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account in your name, or
- Income of at least 65,000 THB a month, proved with an embassy income letter or 12 months of transfers from abroad, or
- A combination: your yearly income plus your Thai bank balance must add up to at least 800,000 THB.
If you use the bank deposit, the money must be in the account 2 months before your first extension (3 months before later ones), stay there 3 months after approval, and never fall below 400,000 THB for the rest of the year.
Option 2: O-A (one-year visa from home)
The O-A gives you a full year from your first entry, so you skip the 90-day step. The trade-off is paperwork: you apply in your home country with a police clearance, a medical certificate, and Thai-approved health insurance with at least 3,000,000 THB of cover for the whole stay.
Option 3: LTR Wealthy Pensioner (10 years)
The Long-Term Resident visa is for wealthier retirees. You need a pension or passive income of at least USD 80,000 a year, or USD 40,000 plus USD 250,000 invested in Thai government bonds, property or a Thai company. You also need health insurance of USD 50,000, or USD 100,000 in savings. In return you get up to 10 years, annual reporting instead of every 90 days, and fast-track at airports.
Which one should you choose?
- Want the simplest, cheapest route and have 800,000 THB or 65,000 THB a month: Non-O + extension.
- Want a full year from day one and already have good insurance: O-A.
- High pension income and want 10 years with less paperwork: LTR.
Retirement visas never allow work in Thailand, paid or unpaid.
Check which retirement visa you qualify for →This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change, so confirm with Thai Immigration, the Revenue Department or a professional.