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Can expats in Thailand on a retirement visa remain if they require full-time care?

LTR retirement visa Wealthy Pensioner Visa assisted living in Thailand visa extension expat health care elderly care facilities

Keith ******

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asked Jan 19, 2026

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Questions about last phase of life issues for expats in Thailand. 

Assuming I come to Thailand on an LTR retirement visa from the US and don't plan to ever return. 

I've looked into assisted living centers in Thailand and when that time comes it looks like where I'd want to spend my last time.

Question is will I be able to stay in Thailand when I'm at the point of needing care, or even unable to take care of myself anymore? Would I be able to get visa extensions while in that condition and poor health?

I would have funds to take care of my health issues

Update: 

For my situation I would most likely be on a Wealthy Pensioner Visa and have a Thai lawyer in the loop for estate planning. Currently don't have a Thai lawyer as I haven't made the move yet. 

What has motivated my thoughts is a friend has just found to be incompetent and placed in assisted facility and a parent is looking at having to go from in home care to a facility. 

The question I'm attempting to resolve is will Thailand continue to allow expats to live there if things like Alzheimer, dementia, or being bedridden occur requiring fulltime care

Answer summary

This post discusses the considerations of expats in Thailand, particularly those on an LTR retirement visa, regarding their ability to stay in the country if they require long-term care due to health issues like dementia or being bedridden. The author inquires about the possibility of visa extensions in such cases and cites interest in assisted living facilities that cater to expats. Comments share experiences and suggest that many care homes are familiar with assisting clients with visa matters and that legal support can be beneficial.

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Alison *******

Alison *******

There are a number of Youtube videos on this topic

0

Sylvia ********

Sylvia ********

I regularly visit a carehome nearby which currently has about 15 expats, the oldest being an American lady over 100. There are more and more homes opening all the time around the country as so many expats like myself have already been here over 20 years. They range from simple shared wards to private bungalows with basic cooking facilities therapy room and pool, doctor on site every week etc etc. They also help with outside food deliver should you want your favourite meal! Best to have some contacts available like next of kin, bank details, an appointed lawyer and a Will prepared and some medical history would help. They welcome all nationalities for short term recovery from surgery to permanent residents, some having already stayed for 10 years! You can view their Facebook page to see events held there too.

@YooDee ******************************************

4

Keith ******

Keith ******

OP

Sylvia Corley thank you. This is super helpful

1

Sylvia ********

Sylvia ********

Keith Wood if in the area it is family run and the owners would be happy to show you around, just message them

0

Keith ******

Keith ******

OP

Sylvia Corley I will be back in Thailand on March. I may do that.

1

Peter ********

Peter ********

There is a place in Chiang Mai, run by a nurse from Australia that handles these situations. I believe it's bansabai, but there are a few different similar places. I would contact them for advice.

5

Joe **********

Joe **********

Peter Miller agreed. There is also a an - I believe - Swiss run resort that also does this

2

CaringJa********

CaringJa********

You can hire a 'housekeeper' who would take care of all your wishes. Just don't be a cheap charlie!

1

Mike ********

Mike ********

What about if you are on a Non O Retirement visa and go into palliative care?

1

Donald **********

Donald **********

Mike Kewley Choose the Swiss one!

0

Sylvia ********

Sylvia ********

Mike Kewley the home contact visa agents to resolve all renewals, they also do online TM30 and 90 days at

@YooDee ******************************************

1

Deslea ********

Deslea ********

I believe assisted living places have support for this and can arrange medical visas, or you could buy an elite visa long enough to cover your remaining lifespan if you have the means. Either way you will still need some support from the assisted living place to keep filing your 90 day or one year reports of where you’re living, but from what I’ve read they’re used to that.

4

Todd *********

Todd *********

Deslea Selmes he is coming on LTR. Far better than Elite. And no 90 day reports

0

Brandon ************

Brandon ************

Are you asking about the LTR visa from the BOI, or a regular retirement visa?

I believe many long term care places might offer visa/extension assistance for their residents. But only for regular retirement visas. They wouldn't even be able to try to do anything with an LTR.

4

Colin *******

Colin *******

@Brandon ***********

LTR - why not. They are in business and to help contain a 10 year visa is a lot less effort than doing this every year? I'm curious if your comment is based on fact or just a thought process.

0

Brandon ************

Brandon ************

I'm not sure what your comment is based on. The LTR requires a lot of intricate paperwork, and re-qualification after 5 years. If someone is in poor health or completely debilitated due to old age, they certainly will not be able to manage that process. Whereas the non-O and subsequent extensions require very little to process, and the staff at such a facility would be well versed in how to do it effortlessly. You think the staff knows the ins and outs of someone's full financial life and would be able to generate the paperwork involved for that?

2

Sylvia ********

Sylvia ********

Colin Faith maybe need to appoint a lawyer giving power of Attorney to be able to research/provide private information, but transfer to an O maybe be easier and possible.

0

Brandon ************

Brandon ************

they would not and should not have access to the full financial details of their clients

0

Colin *******

Colin *******

@Brandon ***********

assume you had challenges, lots do. I got rejected, more than once, and then a major accountancy mob put the exact same data in and the LTR was granted, as if by magic. Cost about 60,000, but for the 10 year visa that works out at 6000 a year. I'm really not seeing why a professional care home is not capable of arranging the appropriate help in renewing a LTR visa. Anyway, your thought is as valid as mine, and I guess time will tell.

0

Brandon ************

Brandon ************

I have LTR Remote Worker

1

Colin *******

Colin *******

@Brandon ***********

thanks Brandon. Do you have, or been rejected for the LTR visa?

0

Colin *******

Colin *******

Chris Ed yes indeed, a competent law firm, or accountants (Bangkok based and not small one man band operations) will deal with this no problem, assuming the passive income bar is still met.

0

Chris ****

Chris ****

@Brandon ***********

exactly. The LTR requires active participation. I suggest OP make arrangements with a law firm etc. well in advance of the renewals.

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