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Step-by-step plan: From the Netherlands, Belgium to long term stay in Thailand.
In this article we will give you a roadmap to obtain a visa for long term stay and a bank account to live a relaxed life in Thailand, perhaps even immigration to Thailand. What visa, how to get a Thai bank account are the basic needs to stay and relax in Thailand.
We have based this on an age of 50+ years for anyone who ultimately wants a permit to stay as a residence permit in Thailand.
1. Choose your way of entry into Thailand
You have four options to enter Thailand from the Netherlands or Belgium:
- Visa-free: You get a 30-day right of residence when you arrive by air. You can usually extend this once for 30 days at immigration.
- With a tourist visa: Apply for this in advance at the Thai embassy (60 days, extendable by 30 days). This will give you more time for your retirement visa application.
- With a Non-Immigrant O visa: You apply for this directly at the Thai embassy in the Netherlands. The best option if you want security and want to apply for a retirement visa immediately. This will give you a 90-day residence permit
- With a Non-Immigrant O-A visa that immediately gives you 1 year residence permit.
For the requirements per type of visa, please see:
https://hague.thaiembassy.org/th/publicservice/42922-general-information of
https://brussels.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visa-informations.
Applications for a visa can only be made online at:
Caution: These links may be subject to change, so please check them constantly.
We will not consider the Long Term Resident (LTR) visa here, but it is certainly an option for those who already have experience and are absolutely sure of emigrating and are willing to pay the money for it (investing USD 500,000 in e.g. real estate in Thailand and having a solid health insurance).
2. Open a Thai bank account
Needed for your retirement visa (financial proof).
Supplies:
– Passport with valid visa or stamp of visa exemption
– TM6 Arrival Card (or electronic arrival registration)
– TM30 form (address registration)
– Proof of address (rental contract, hotel letter, or immigration statement)
– Sometimes a reference letter (from embassy or consulate)
– A long-term visa, visa for working in Thailand or an already issued one-year extension thereof.
Tip: Head to banks like Bangkok Bank or Krungsri in expat-friendly areas.
It is normal in Thailand for a bank to take facial recognition picture/video and fingerprints to open and keep a bank account open. Always continue to use the same office for adjustments in their services.
For example, in the event of a move: go to the branch where the bank account was opened and then inform the bank branch near the new place of residence.
Make sure your name is registered as in your passport. This prevents future problems at all kinds of institutions.
3. Deposit at least 800,000 THB into your Thai account
Leave the amount in your account for at least 2 months before your visa application and 3 months after that (first 90 days of notification) After that, the amount may not fall below 400,000 THB unless you are going to use the method of transferring at least 65,000 THB every month for the extension of your stay or a combination method that must result in at least 800,000 THB demonstrably entering Thailand in a year.
4. Register your address (TM30)
The landlord or hotel must report this to immigration within 24 hours of entry. It is advisable to monitor this, because if the landlord/hotel is in default, you have a problem
Ask for proof (copy TM30), needed for bank and visa.
5. Gather Documents for Retirement Visa
– Passport with visa/stamp
– Bankbook + bank statement clearly indicating what is brought in per month or 3 months before application is 800,000 THB as balance.
– TM30-formulator
– Rental contract, proof of residence if you have registered with a municipality (e.g. with partner).
– Passport photos, pay attention to the specific size, posture, etc. that the photo must meet.
– Optional pension certificate or income statement
6. Apply for the Retirement Visa (Non-O)
- When entering with a tourist visa or visa exemption: Request a ‘change of visa’ at immigration (can be difficult with visa exemption, not always allowed).
- When entering with a Non-O visa: Apply for a one-year extension immediately.
7. Apply for your 1-year extension
– Do this well before your visa or temporary approval expires. Check with the local immigration office in advance. Both this far in advance and which documents you need to use to apply for the annual grant.
– Show your financial proof again. Please note when using the 65,000 THB per month deposit into your Thai bank account that this actually happens every month, so take into account the time a money transfer can take as well as the exchange rates.
8. Keep your stay up to date
– Every 90 days: Report your address to immigration. Every first time you enter Thailand, you have to do so in person at the immigration office, after that there is an online option, where the office has the right to let you visit in person. You should keep a close eye on your online application. You are and remain responsible for reporting on time. So no message from the online system, please visit in person.
– Annual: renew your retirement visa, formally renew your residence permit based on your approved visa. Please note that conditions can change from year to year
Summary
– 1. Choose your entry option: visa-free, tourist visa, or Non-O(-A) visa
– 2. Open a Thai bank account (with proper documents)
– 3. Deposit 800,000 THB and wait 2 months
– 4. Register your address (TM30)
– 5. Collect documents
– 6. Apply for Retirement Visa or Change of Status at Immigration
– 7. Apply for a 1-year extension
– 8. Report your address every 90 days
Note: in case you have a multiple entry right on your visa that right will not be transferred to your one year extension of stay. Before leaving Thailand purchase a re-entry at immigration office or international airport. Be aware when travelling by car, buses, trains the facility of purchasing a re-entry does not exists at customs at border control.
