Retirement Extension of Stay in Chiang Mai: Money Rules
The retirement extension is for applicants aged 50 or older. Show income of THB 65,000 per month, or THB 800,000 in a Thai bank, or income plus deposits totalling THB 800,000. A one-year extension may be granted at the officer's discretion. The fee is THB 1,900. If the criteria are not met, the foreigner must leave within 7 days.
On this page
A retirement extension rests on age, a non-immigrant visa and money. The deposit route needs THB 800,000 in a Thai bank account, in the account at least 2 months before applying. The income and combined routes are also open.
Who can apply
The retirement extension is for applicants aged 50 or older. A one-year extension may be granted at the discretion of the immigration officer if the requirements are met. Immigration Bureau Order 12/2568 (in force 23 January 2025) sets the criteria and replaced Order 242/2566. Permission is given for no more than 1 year at a time.
If the officer refuses
If the criteria are not met, the officer issues a refusal and the foreigner must leave within 7 days of the permission ending. While the case is pending, the officer can stamp appointments to hear the result, for no more than 30 days in total.
The extension follows a visa. A Non-Immigrant O visa holder is allowed to stay 90 days, and an O-A holder is allowed to stay 1 year. The retirement visa comparison covers which visa fits.
Three money routes and the deposit rule
Order 12/2568, clause 2.22, lists three ways to show money.
| Route | Rule |
|---|---|
| Income | At least THB 65,000 per month |
| Bank deposit | At least THB 800,000 in a Thai bank account |
| Combined | Income during the year plus deposits totalling at least THB 800,000 |
The order gives the income rate per month and no statement period. Ask the counter how many months of income evidence to show.
The deposit rule
The order sets the timing and the amount for the deposit route in one line.
(๔) ก่อนยื่นคำขอไม่น้อยกว่า 2 เดือน และหลังจากได้รับอนุญาตไม่น้อยกว่า 3 เดือน จะต้องมีเงินฝากคงอยู่ในบัญชีธนาคารไม่น้อยกว่า 800,000 บาท
Translation: Not less than 2 months before filing and not less than 3 months after permission is granted, the money must remain in the bank account, not less than 800,000 baht.
Immigration Bureau Order 12/2568, table clause 2.22 (4)
The Thai line is the order’s wording; the English line is this site’s translation, not an official text.
After 3 months the deposit can be withdrawn. At least THB 400,000 must then remain in the account.
For the combined route, income during the year plus a deposit are counted together, and after 3 months at least half of the deposit amount must remain.
The same three routes appear in a provincial copy of the Bureau handbook, in machine-translated wording. The order above is the text to rely on.
Timeline for the deposit route
- At least 2 months before filing: the THB 800,000 is already in the Thai bank account.
- Filing day: apply at Airport Road and pay the THB 1,900 fee.
- Permission: granted for no more than 1 year at a time.
- Month 3 after permission: the deposit can be withdrawn, but at least THB 400,000 must remain.
Documents, insurance and fee
The handbook lists these documents for the retirement extension.
- The TM.7 request form.
- A copy of the applicant’s passport.
- Evidence of income such as pension, interest income or dividends.
- A certificate of deposits from a bank in Thailand and a copy of the bank account.
The fee is THB 1,900, not refunded.
Health insurance
Only holders of a Non-Immigrant O-A visa must have health insurance for the retirement extension. For them the Bureau’s criterion is cover of not less than USD 100,000 or THB 3,000,000, covering the entire period of stay. Thai health insurance is bought online through longstay.tgia.org.
Embassy figures for the O-A visa itself are not the same.
- Oslo: not less than USD 100,000 or THB 3,000,000.
- Pretoria: outpatient cover of not less than THB 40,000 and inpatient cover of not less than THB 400,000.
The extension figure is the higher one. An O-A holder who bought cover on Pretoria’s figures should ask the counter before the extension date. The retirement visa comparison lists the same figures.
Filing at Chiang Mai Immigration
Chiang Mai Immigration (ตรวจคนเข้าเมืองจังหวัดเชียงใหม่) is at 71 Moo 3, Sanam Bin (Airport) Road, Suthep, Mueang, Chiang Mai 50200. The telephone is 053 201 755.
71 ถนนสนามบิน Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
A national handbook, published in November 2019, gives the service as Monday to Friday, except official holidays. It lists counter hours of 08.30 -16.30 with a lunch break. Confirm hours by phone.
Which counter
The Services for Foreigner Section at Airport Road handles applications for and changes to all types of visa. The Central Festival Chiangmai point, on the 2nd floor, lists address reporting, visa re-entry and extensions for short-term tourist visas, teachers and students. Retirement is not named there, so Airport Road is the counter to plan for.
The Central Festival point opens from 09:00 to 17:00. Its telephone is 065-765-7029.
After permission: reports, re-entry and online services
A foreigner permitted to stay temporarily must notify an immigration officer of their address every ninety days. A retirement extension is a permission to stay temporarily under Immigration Bureau Order 12/2568, so the reporting continues after approval. A report can be made from 15 days before until 7 days after the due date.
- Online: Chiang Mai Immigration links an online 90-day report service, form TM.47.
- Late: a late report must be made in person with a THB 2,000 fine.
- Agent: a foreigner can authorize another person to make the report.
Leaving Thailand without a re-entry permit cancels the permitted stay. A single re-entry permit costs THB 1,000 and a multiple one THB 3,800. The application uses form TM.8 with one 4x6 cm photo.
Chiang Mai Immigration runs an online extension service for certain visa types only. It points applicants to thaiextension.vfsevisa.com. The pages found do not name retirement among those visa types. See the address report guide for the Chiang Mai steps.
Overstaying costs THB 500 per day, up to THB 20,000.
Photo credits
- Photos and clips uploaded to Google Maps (Chiang Mai Immigration Office on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)) by Peter Miller (WHY THAI), ben chidgey.
Step by step
- Check the age and visaBe 50 or older. A Non-Immigrant O visa means 90 days on entry and an O-A means 1 year.
- Pick a money routeIncome of THB 65,000 per month, a THB 800,000 deposit, or income plus deposits totalling THB 800,000.
- Start the deposit earlyThe deposit must be in the account at least 2 months before applying.
- Gather the documentsForm TM.7, a passport copy, income evidence and a bank certificate.
- File at Chiang Mai ImmigrationGo to the office on Sanam Bin (Airport) Road and pay the THB 1,900 fee.
Not confirmed: Which extra papers the Chiang Mai counter asks for, such as the bank letter format and photos: ask at the counter. Whether retirement extensions can be filed online.
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Common questions
How much money do I need for a retirement extension?
There are three routes. The income route needs at least THB 65,000 per month. The deposit route needs at least THB 800,000 in a Thai bank account. The combined route needs income plus deposits totalling at least THB 800,000.
How long must the money stay in the bank?
On the deposit route, the money must be in the account at least 2 months before applying and at least 3 months after permission. After 3 months the deposit can be withdrawn, but at least THB 400,000 must remain.
How much does a retirement extension cost?
The Immigration Bureau fee list shows THB 1,900 for an extension of stay, not refunded.
Do I need health insurance for the extension?
Only holders of a Non-Immigrant O-A visa must have health insurance for the retirement extension. For them the Bureau's criterion is cover of at least USD 100,000 or THB 3,000,000 for the whole stay. Embassy figures for the visa differ, so see the next section.
Do I need a re-entry permit if I travel during the extension?
Leaving Thailand without a re-entry permit cancels the permitted stay. A single re-entry permit costs THB 1,000 and a multiple one THB 3,800.
Do I still make 90-day reports on a one-year extension?
Yes, the duty continues. A foreigner permitted to stay temporarily must notify an immigration officer of their address every ninety days. A retirement extension is a permission to stay temporarily under Immigration Bureau Order 12/2568.
What happens if the officer refuses the extension?
The officer issues a refusal order and the foreigner must leave within 7 days of the permission ending. While the case is pending, appointments to hear the result can run for no more than 30 days in total.
Which Chiang Mai counter takes a retirement extension?
The Airport Road office handles applications for and changes to all types of visa. The Central Festival point handles extensions for short-term tourist visas, teachers and students, and does not name retirement.
Where is the Chiang Mai immigration office?
71 Moo 3, Sanam Bin (Airport) Road, Suthep, Mueang, Chiang Mai 50200. The telephone is 053 201 755.
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General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.
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