10 Countries Where Americans Can Retire Abroad

Anyone 50 years of age or older can apply for one of Thailand’s two non-immigrant visas, which are intended for expat retirees. This Southeast Asian country has a ton to offer its residents, including warm temperatures, white sand beaches, thriving cities, and a superb healthcare system. Add to this a relatively low cost of living (expect to spend around $2,000 a month to live comfortably) and a strong expat community, and it’s no wonder that Thailand makes our list.

Successful applicants of the country’s Non-Immigrant “O-A” visa can stay in the country for up to one year—with another year-long extension—while the Non-Immigrant “O-X” visa is good for five years, with a possible five-year extension, resulting in a 10-year maximum. What’s especially enticing about the “O-X" visa is that any person in possession of one is free to leave and re-enter Thailand whenever they like. On the other hand, “O-A” visa holders have to apply for a multiple re-entry permit before departing the country, and then put in for a visa extension afterwards.

Requirements: To apply for the Non-Immigrant “O-A” visa, you need to have a minimum of THB 800,000 Baht ($23,296) in a bank account within the country at least two months in advance, or show a monthly income of 65,000 Baht (approximately $2,000). The Non-Immigrant “O-X” visa requires no less than 3 million Baht in a local bank account, or at least 1.8 million Baht ($52,432) in the bank and an annual income of 1.2 million Baht ($34,955). With both visas, working is prohibited, and the visa holder must have health insurance that covers Covid-19. Both “O-X” and “O-A” visa holders are also required to report to Immigration every 90 days.