Before a foreigner applies for a Thailand retirement visa (http://www.siam-legal.com/Thailand_Service/thailand-retirement.php), also known as the “O-A” visa, he or she has to comply with several prerequisites. These can be categorized as substantive and documentary conditions.
Substantive Conditions
Being a retirement visa, only persons who are 50 years of age or above can apply. However, there are some prohibitions on entry. For example, he or she cannot enter the Kingdom if he or she is suffering from any of the prohibitive diseases specified in the Thai Ministerial Regulation No.14 (B.E. 2535). Some of the prohibitive diseases are Tuberculosis, Elephantiasis, Leprosy, third step of Syphilis, drug addiction and alcoholism.
Moreover, he or she must possess no criminal record in his or her country of nationality, residence or in Thailand. There must also be no intention to engage in any form of employment during the stay in Thailand.
Documentary Conditions
A retirement visa applicant can submit his application before the Royal Thai Consulate designated in his or her permanent residence or country of nationality.
The documentary requirements are enumerated below:
1) Passport with a validity of no less than 18 months
2) Completed visa application forms with the corresponding photograph attached (the photograph must have been taken within the last six months)
3) Accomplished Personal Data Form
4) A copy of a bank statement stating that a deposit equal or greater than 800,000 Thai baht or income statement indicating that his or her monthly salary is no less than 65,000 Thai baht.
5) Original copy of a letter from the bank guaranteeing the sufficiency of funds.
6) Letter certifying that he or she has no criminal record issued by the authorized government agency within 3 months prior the submission of the visa application
7) Medical certificate showing he or she does not suffer from any of the prohibited diseases.
This article was provided by Siam Legal, an international law firm with offices in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Phuket, and Samui. Siam Legal publishes legal guides to obtaining Thailand visas (http://www.siam-legal.com/thailand-visa/thailand-visa.php) on its website.
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