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Applying for Our Thai Retirement Visa
If you had asked us a few months ago what the hardest part of moving to Thailand would be, we’d have said selling the house. Probably.That felt huge. Emotional. Unsettling.As it turned out, it was surprisingly straightforward. We may just have been lucky.The real challenge?Applying for the visa.Not because it was especially complicated.Not because it took forever.But because of what was at stake.This was the point where everything suddenly felt real.If we got it wrong—if one of us was approved and the other wasn’t—then our plans to move to Chiang Mai would unravel before they’d even begun. 🤦♀️And that’s quite a weight to carry while filling in online forms.There’s no shortage of information online about retiring to Thailand.In fact, there’s almost too much—and a lot of it contradicts itself.What I couldn’t find, though, was something simple, all together in one place:“When you’re staring at that box on the form and thinking what on earth do they want here?—this is what we did.”So that’s what this is.Not a definitive guide.Not official advice.Just a real account of how we completed a 90-day Non-Immigrant O (Retirement) visa application from the UK—and got it approved.Before I get into what we actually did, there are a few things worth knowing upfront:Our applications were approved—so this is based on real experience, not theoryWe weren’t always completely sure what every question meant 🙈We didn’t speak to immigration directlyWe hadn’t booked flights when we appliedThe visa is valid for 3 months from issue (you must enter within that time)For our Visa we have to have 800,000 Baht in our bank account and this has to be there for 3 months prior to our application. And not just dumped there the night before the application is made!The cost was £60—and it’s non-refundable, even if you make a small mistakeYou can save your application and come back to itAnd yes… we did use ChatGPT in places (flippin’ useful)Almost everything we read said the same thing:Apply from your home country.So for us, that meant the UK, using the Thai e-Visa system online.The website itself is straightforward enough. There’s even a downloadable manual, which we dutifully opened… and quickly realised something important.It explains where to click.It doesn’t explain what to write.And that, as it turns out, is the tricky part.At first glance, the form looks manageable.Drop-down menus.Upload buttons.Clear sections.But then you hit the small things:What exactly do they mean by flight number ...
Moving to Thailand: A Guide for Expats to Live Here
Moving to Thailand is exciting and nerve wracking all at the same time. Because there’s so much involved with the major life change, our long-term Thailand expat writers put together this guide to help you prepare for and adjust to your new life in the country. ContentsPros and ConsProsConsCost of LivingLiving StandardsMedical CareJob Opportunities LanguageCrime and SafetyAir Pollution and PM2.5Health InsuranceVisaAccommodation Property PurchasesWhere to LiveBangkokChiang MaiPattayaPhuketKoh SamuiHua HinIsanBank AccountPhone and InternetShippingPack the NecessitiesImportant DocumentsImport Your PetSchoolTaxationCultureHierarchy in ThailandYes, No, and Never MindFamilial Living ArrangementsSocial LifeNightlife Moving to Thailand from AmericaMoving to Thailand from the UKMoving to Thailand from AustraliaMoving to Thailand from CanadaHow to Live in Thailand PermanentlyEmergency NumbersChecklistEssential Reading for Expats Living in ThailandLiving Your Life in ThailandLatest Guides for Expats in Thailand Pros and Cons Here’s a quick list of pros and cons of life in Thailand. Pros Living standards: Because of the low cost of living in Thailand, your living standards in Thailand tend to be much better than in your home country. For example, you can easily spend less than US$700 a month while renting a nice place even in Bangkok. Healthcare: Being the top country for medical tourism, Thailand has quality and affordable healthcare, no matter where in the country you are. Food: Thailand is the land of food. You can find plenty of tasty food at affordable prices. You can find food anytime of the day, from street food to fancy restaurants. Travel: There are plenty of travel opportunities once you’re in Thailand, from beautiful beaches in the south to mountains in the north. No matter where you are, you can easily enjoy a weekend getaway. Convenience: It’s easy to live in Thailand. Online shopping has become more popular. So you can buy everything online and have it delivered to your door. Culture: Thailand is full of culture. In fact, each part of Thailand has a different culture for you to explore. Safety: While Thailand’s safety record might not look good in the news, statistically it’s very safe to live here. A young woman can safely walk alone at night. But, of course, it’s still a good idea to use common sense and avoid dangerous areas. Cons Visas: It’s a hassle to get a visa in Thailand because regulations often change. Also, each immigration offi...
American Retirees Moved to Chiang Mai for Slower, More Affordable Life ...
Tye and Chip Pierpont left the US and moved to Chiang Mai to retire. The couple first visited Thailand in 2008 to celebrate Tye's 40th birthday and fell in love with the country.
Chiang Mai information, stories & pictures - Citylife - We are Chiang Mai
Your leading source of English language information on Chiang Mai, Thailand. Information, stories, articles & pictures from Citylife. We are Chiang Mai.
