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Is the Thailand Privilege Card worth the cost for retirees?

Mar 16, 2025
16 days ago
Adam ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
What does this group think about the Thailand Privilege Card? Is it worth the cost? Or overpriced and not worth it?

Iโ€™m 50, retired, and pensioned. I want to apply for a Visa in Thailand but Iโ€™m not sure of the best route to take. The plan is to retire in Thailand and live long-term. Any informed advice is appreciated. Thank you! ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿผ
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion evaluates the worthiness of the Thailand Privilege Card for expats planning to retire in Thailand. Participants express skepticism about its value, claiming it is overpriced and offers little benefit compared to traditional options like the NON-O retirement visa or the newer LTR visa, particularly for those over 50. Many recommend alternative visas that require lower financial commitments and provide practical benefits, emphasizing that the Privilege Card doesnโ€™t provide the expected perks. Overall, the consensus leans towards opting for more cost-effective visa alternatives.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Adam ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you all! ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿผ

After doing some research the 10 year LTR Visa is the best option for those who qualify.
Terary **********
Most people in your situation choose the retirement visa.
Adam ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terary *********
there are several different retirements visas. ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿผ
Rod *********
Marry a Thai and its only 400,000 in the bank for 3 months then you can take it all out. The same evety year but have only 1 wife.You can have many girlfriends just dont get caught. Thats the way to do it you'll have a blast
Adam ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rod ********
๐Ÿ˜Š
Kane *******
Just do what most retirees are now doing... retire somewhere else!
Nick ************
All the people that I know with Elite visa now regret getting it especially after what has happened recently. I have no issues with having the non O based on being over 50 based on monthly payments into a Thai bank account. It also means I can choose whatever health insurance I like. Get the 90 day visa before you co.e to Thailand as it will make it easier to open a bank account. Then do the necessary to get a 12 month extension.
Sean **********
@Nick ***********
what happened recently?
Pui *****
Join the groups for that visa, where you'll find plenty of advice about it Thailand Elite Visa Q&A Group and Thailand Privilege Members Group (formerly Elite Visa)
Tohksic ******
Unless they throw in tax exemptions, to most folks it has zero value anymore compared to a few years before.
Deborah *******
I highly recommend the 10 year LTR visa
Neil ********
Normal retirement or OX visa if you want a longer period (5+5) but donโ€™t pay the stupid fees for any privilege visa or an agent
Matthew *********
You are not treated privilege for having it. It makes no real sense. You really get nothing for the money that you couldn't just have paid for. How interest do you think your giving up by not having a real bank that gives real interest. That's a lot money over time
Julian *******
Not worth it at all and overpriced.
Alexei ****************
Do the O visa retirement for you! Nothing better..!
Sean **********
Tony *********
Retirement visa is the best value for money i think . Just have 800,000thb in bank and extend every year for 1900 baht a yr . Can't go wrong. Yes you have 800k tied up but you don't have fork up to 2million baht for a Thailand elite visa for 20 yr
Johnson ****
@Tony ********
Is insurance required per that retirement plan?
Nick **********
@Johnson ***
depends in the visa. With LTR you can choose having an insurance or proving enough money on the bank. Non-immigrant O no insurance needed. Etc...
Johnson ****
@Nick *********
๐Ÿ™
Neil ********
@Tony ********
are there any accounts where you can secure interest?
Sean **********
@Neil *******
yes. My account gets interest.
Nick **********
@Neil *******
yes, you get some intrest. Very little though.
Tony *********
@Neil *******
i don't think so
Adam ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony ********
thank you!

Which Retirement Visa do you have? Is it the Non-Immigrant O Visa?
Nick **********
@Adam **********
the LTR is by far the best visa for "retirement" (over 50).

NOT the non-immigrant O.
Sean **********
@Nick *********
why is that? It seems to me it is for the extreme wealthy. Not for the everyday common folk.
Nick **********
@Sean *********
because it IS the best retirement visa. It is for wealthy people, but that doesn't mean we should keep quiet about the best retirement visa option.

Nine of us know someone else's finances, so we shouldn't assume someone doesn't qualify.

And i disagree with "extreme" wealthy... : wealthy ? Yes. But definitely not "extreme" wealthy.

Some foreigner sitting on a non-air bangkok bus could have or qualify for an LTR visa without you knowing it.
Sean **********
@Nick *********
Is it the best for most people probably not. And with his information given in his post he is most likely someone that has worked hard for his money that plans on staying around awhile and wants to enjoy a comfortable living for the rest of his days.
Nick **********
@Sean *********
it gives 5 years in which you don't have to deal with extensions anymore,nwhich also means that at "that time of the year" you don't have te be in Thailand It is multiple re-entry, no 90 day reporting (only once a year reporting) and no taxation on money you bring into Thailand (depending on one's situation you may not have to pay tax anyway, but with this visa it gives you a huge privilege)

It may not be the best for some people, but the typical non-immigrant O based on 50+ is also not the best for many people. In fact, it is just a generic option which fits most, many non-immigrant O holders would rather have the LTR if they could qualify.

Nothing in his post suggests that he can't qualify for LTR, he even is considering paying for the privilege visa. Which is more costly than an LTR visa. Working hard or not having had to work for someone's money is also completely irrelevant. Either you qualify or not, and if you want to save money than LTR beats the privilege he is willing to buy.

The point is : saying the non-immigrant O based on over 50 is the best option (which what I reacted to) is not correct. If you qualify for LTR, that may probably a far better option.
Adam ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nick *********
๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿผ

Thanks!
Tony *********
Brandon ************
The only time it made sense in my opinion before was if you were under 50 and had limited long-term options for Thailand. But now that the DTV is here, I can't see it making sense for anyone. There's a reason they had to lower the price after the DTV visa was released, as no one is buying it anymore.

If you're over 50, then if you qualify for the LTR visa I still think that's the best option with the most benefits. Otherwise standard non-O retirement visa will do. But even some people on a non-O are switching to the DTV now.
Vicki ****
@Brandon ***********
if you have requirements for non-o what would be reason to switch to DTV? What are your thoughts if later you want to start some remote working?
Brandon ************
@Vicki ***
maybe they don't want to keep 800,000 in the bank, or deal with immigration at all
Adam ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
thanks so much!!! ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿผ
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