Straight answers before you contact us

Most foreigners aged 50 or over can apply for a retirement visa or a long-stay extension, provided they meet the financial and documentary requirements. Younger applicants and other situations have different routes. A free consultation confirms which applies to you.

No. We support people planning from overseas as well as people already in Thailand who need clearer long-stay guidance. Planning can begin before arrival and continue through moving and settling in.

Early enough to compare locations, prepare documents and understand your visa route before travel pressure builds. Six to twelve months is comfortable; if money needs to sit in a Thai bank before you apply, earlier is better. See the planning timeline.

A planning visit is often helpful. It lets you test daily routines, neighbourhoods and healthcare access before a permanent move.

Nationality, age range, current country, target move date, preferred location, current visa status and your main question or concern. That is enough for a useful first conversation. Please do not send passport or financial documents until we ask for them.

Foreigners aged 50 or over on the date of application who can meet the financial requirement and do not intend to work in Thailand.

Because they are set by immigration, they have changed before, and how you meet them (and for how long the money must be in place before you apply) depends on your route. We confirm the current thresholds in your consultation, in writing.

Often, yes. If you are already here on a tourist entry or another status, it is frequently possible to change to a long-stay status at immigration without leaving the country. Timing matters, because each step has a window.

Some retirement routes require insurance that meets immigration's criteria; others do not. We explain what applies to your route. Whatever the visa rule, we recommend cover you understand before you move.

No. The retirement route does not permit employment in Thailand.

If you are legally married to a Thai citizen, you can generally apply for a long-stay extension on the basis of the marriage, subject to financial and documentary requirements. There is no minimum age.

A marriage registered abroad is recognised, but the certificate usually needs to be legalised, translated into Thai and registered with the Thai authorities before it can support a visa application. This can take several weeks, so it is the first thing we check.

They are generally lower than the retirement route and can be met through a deposit or income. The current figures are confirmed in your consultation.

Yes, and it is often useful, because some documents and signatures are theirs.

Working is possible on this route with the appropriate work permit.

No. It is a separate long-stay administrative requirement: foreigners staying long term confirm their address with immigration every 90 days. Your extension of stay is renewed once a year. PDC tracks both.

As early as possible before your current permission ends, especially if documents need to be gathered or money needs to be in place for a set period. We diarise renewal dates months ahead for clients.

Leaving Thailand without a re-entry permit cancels your extension of stay. Anyone holding an extension who travels, even briefly, needs a single or multiple re-entry permit obtained before departure.

Overstaying carries daily fines and, beyond certain thresholds, bans on re-entering Thailand. If you think you have overstayed or are about to, contact us straight away so we can advise on the least damaging way forward.

No. Costs vary by location, lifestyle, exchange rates and personal needs. We help you plan categories and compare realistic scenarios, and we will tell you honestly if a plan looks too tight.

Yes. Financial preparation, timing and documentation all affect the route you choose and when you can apply.

Banks apply their own rules, which vary by branch and change over time. It is sometimes possible with the right supporting documents and sometimes not. We know which branches and which documents; see banking support.

We help you identify the practical questions and organise the next steps. Insurance recommendations and coverage decisions should be confirmed with a licensed provider.

Yes. Proximity to suitable healthcare is an important location decision for retirees, and it is one of the questions we ask when helping you compare places.

Most common medicines are available, though brand names and availability differ. Bring a written list with generic names and plan to find a doctor here before your supply runs out.

Many retirees choose to rent while they learn the area. Buying property is a significant legal and financial decision, so independent professional advice is recommended.

Housing assistance varies by location and timing. Tell us your preferred area, budget and requirements and we will explain what we can arrange, and agree the scope before any arrangements are made.

It can be a separate need or part of a broader plan. Many clients take the visa work and relocation support together; others only need one. You choose only the help you need.

Yes, especially if you want help with administration and practical set-up rather than general travel advice.

No. Decisions remain with the relevant Thai authorities and no agent can guarantee an outcome. We help you understand the process and prepare your case carefully, and we tell you honestly if we see a problem before you apply.

No. PDC Visa International is a private service provider and is not part of the Thai government or the Immigration Bureau.

The work required varies with your visa route, documents, location and timing. After a free case review you receive one written quotation with the agreed scope and fee. Government and third-party fees are shown separately.

Yes. The agreed services, fees and relevant exclusions are set out in writing before work begins.

We use the details you provide to respond to your enquiry and manage any service you request. Please read our Privacy Policy for more information.

A member of the PDC team in Thailand reviews your details and follows up through your preferred contact method, usually within one working day.

Please contact us first. We will explain which documents are needed and the appropriate way to send them.