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What are my options for obtaining a Thai O Visa if I'm under 50 years old and currently retired?
O VisaVisa RulesRetirement VisaElite VisaNon-Immigrant VisaInvestment VisaAge RequirementsExpat Life in Thailand
Mar 9, 2021
5 years ago
Alexander *****
ORIGINAL POSTERI’m 42 and retired. I hit all the requirements of an O Visa aside from the “+50 years old” thing. Is there nothing I can do to get the O visa? Can I write a letter to the government calling them reverse-ageists?
Do you see this age/retirement connection disappearing anytime soon?
(Technically, I work for fun, but I can stop if they want me to!)
Do you see this age/retirement connection disappearing anytime soon?
(Technically, I work for fun, but I can stop if they want me to!)
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user inquires about obtaining a Thai O Visa despite being retired but under 50 years old. The community suggests alternatives such as the Elite Visa, which caters to younger retirees, and mentions other visa options like the Non-Immigrant Investment Visa or education-related visas. The consensus is that current regulations are unlikely to change soon, and the retirement requirement may not accommodate younger applicants.
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.
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Tony ********
The SRRV was suspended in October 2020 with no date for its return stated. The 35 years seemed to be the issue particularly with the Chinese flooding in. One critical difference for some people is/was that the money you need to have is a $20,000 bond and kept by the government permanently until you leave or die.
Tony ********
Yes\
Carlo **********
You have to give them £20,000?
Reply to
Carlo **********
Reply
Carlo **********
Can you get the retirement visa over there?
Alexander *****
ORIGINAL POSTERFYI I was asking if you foresee retirement visas coming down in age since age isn’t an indicator of retirement anymore. For instance, Philippines’ retirement visa starts at 35 years old. I wonder if Thailand will someday recognize that some of us fast-tracked to the good times?!
Bobby ********
Alexander Joo. The difference is the Thailand "retirement" visa is not officially classified as a retirement visa. It's a non-O based on being over 50 years of age. For all intents and purposes therefore it is generally called a retirement visa. However, knowing foreigners have money to burn, Thailand introduced the Elite Visa, for youngsters who have already quit the workforce. This can have a lifespan of 20 years, so it suits those 30 and above whilst they're waiting to get old. 🤣
Reply to
Bobby ********
Reply
Arthur ************
The only way is an education visa which you can extend until you’re 50.
Thai authorities are very strict with these issues, there is no space for individual solutions.
Thai authorities are very strict with these issues, there is no space for individual solutions.
Sammy *******
I'm sure your suggested letter will do the trick.
Jorge ****
It used to be 55... 😣
Ronald *****
Just buy a passport in thailand very easy
Michael ********
@Ronald ****
ok tell us how you buy a legitimate passport easily as you say.Match your statement with proof.
Carlo **********
How?A dodgy one?
Michael ********
@Ronald ****
BullshitRonald *****
Michael Dawson it's just show that you know too little about thailand
Michael ********
@Ronald ****
probably been here (in /Thailand) longer than you have been on planet, talking mega money to get passport same as every country thats how Taksin can travel. But the general population the non billionaires nope.Reply to
Michael ********
Reply
Terry **********
When you say you work for fun, are you a circus clown or some sort of comedian? Asking for a friend.
Sorry, just joking but needed to be asked. Stay safe
Sorry, just joking but needed to be asked. Stay safe
Steve *******
Technically it's not a retirement visa, you dont have to be retired to get it. It's a Non Imm O visa and being 50 or over is just one of many different criteria it's issued for.
Oliver *************
@Steve ******
You on it Good Information Reply to
Oliver *************
Reply
Bob **********
Get an elite visa simple
Lindsey **********
Where in Thailand are you heading to, May I ask ?
Floss ******
I retired to Thailand when I was 42 in 2014. Volunteer, education visas or enrolling in a university could get you by for a few years.
Stéfan ********
Yes, writing a complain letter should do the trick. I’ve known people who actually glued their letter in their passport and wrote « Visa » on it with a red crayon. Works like a charm.
Chulala **********
Get marry with thai girl lol for non "O"
Or choose for elite visa
Or choose for elite visa
Keith ******
Your age problem for this visa will disappear in 8 years...
Richard ***********
The Thai elite visa program
*****************************
Tomnoi *********
Volunteer visa
Narelle ************
I bought the 20 year elite.
Voytek ***
Yup just confirmed it’s correct!
Alexander *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Narelle ***********
this looked like the best route — $2,500USD/year for no worries. But then I have only 8 years before I can get the legit O Visa. Then again, the airport treatment sounds nice...Ivan ************
@Alex*****
you can get the five year for 600k. Then you have the option, at any point before the last year, to upgrade it to 20 years for 400k. Also, the five years is maybe, six years. Elite say no, but immigration will give a 1 year stamp if you arrive on the last day of the visa. So 42+6=48 and then you only have two years, which you could occupy with the general visa messing around, (not really viable for 8 years, but could be for 2) or maybe you spend half the year travelling somewhere else nice for those two years and just use tourist visas and then you are 50. Alexander *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ivan ***********
This seems like the best option — 600k for 5 years. But now I’m looking at the value of only 400k more for a whopping 20 years, which I don’t need. Ugh, now it’s me versus my brain trying to get the best deal. 😭😭Voytek ***
@Ivan ***********
Thought it cost 1.5mln to upgrade to 20?Ivan ************
@Voy***
this changed just recently, there's still the 1.5m upgrade option to the 20y with all the perks, but now you can also do 400k/500k to the 20y without the perks, the one that costs 1m on its own.Voytek ***
@Ivan ***********
Wow. That’s a gamechanger. And this applies to pre-2021 Thail Elite Easy access (500,000 THB ones)?Ivan ************
Voytek W my understanding is yes, it's 500k then. Have to do before the final year. Check with Elite for confirmation.
Reply to
Ivan ************
Reply
Narelle ************
@Alexander ****
I had less than 8 years when I bought it- my logic was: the retirement visa rules change all the time and I’m sick of justifying my life every 12 months. And, one of the 20 year options is the same price as the 10 year - minus some perks (hence the cheap price). No regrets so far I love it. Reply to
Narelle ************
Reply
Milo ****
Get Elite Visa or look into ED and Non O one year visas via a language school or an agent. That might be a good option as a way to see if you like it here before committing for a 5 year Elite at almost twenty grand
Benjamin ******
My advice: contact the BOI and buy a non-immigrant investment visa. I believe those are 10M THB. You can get an extension of stay on them. I believe after three years, you can ask the government to give you a PR, allowing you to stay in Thailand without any visa. You can use the PR as a pathway to citizenship
Kool *******
Seriously consider an actual Investment visa, and be happy the retirement visa age is 50, and not 60, that is the official government employee forced retirement age...lolol. You have a few options, with the Elite visa the most expensive.
Bobby ********
Elite Visa made for you. If you can retire at 42, you can afford the price of an Elite Visa. Too easy!
Christophe **********
Panama will allow you to get the retirement visa and treat you far better than Thailand with the same climate
Ulrik *********
Technically the elite visa is what you seek. Bigger chance of shooting fireballs out ur arse than to get a visa designed for people 50+
Darren ******
Ur asking Thailand to change a ruling Haha no.. never going to happen
Greg ********
They have the Elite Visa for these cases.
Steve **********
Not a shot.
Carlo **********
How are you retired at 42?Won the lottery?
Warrena ******
@Carlo *********
- it can be done thru a combo of FIRE lifestyle, passive real estate ($500/month+ cash flow), and location arbitration.****************************
Alexander *****
ORIGINAL POSTERIf you have the mindset that you can’t achieve financial success without these keywords you’re sprinkling around (“lottery” “luck” “trust fund” “rich family”) — you’re doing yourself an enormous disservice.
Carlo **********
@Alexander ****
I don't know what the answer is and it wasn't me that said you had a trust fund.Reply to
Carlo **********
Reply
Stephenie **********
@Carlo *********
trust fund Carlo **********
@Stephenie *********
Lucky guy.Stephenie **********
@Carlo *********
or BS. Very few people can work for 20 years and retire for 40 yearsCarlo **********
@Stephenie *********
Well,if he's got rich family/parents good luck to him,wish i had lol.Stephenie **********
@Carlo *********
no one likes a ponce, be grateful you've earned the place where you are at nowCarlo **********
@Stephenie *********
Would be nice though wouldn't it,endless cash,no worries.Stephenie **********
@Carlo *********
call BS Reply to
Stephenie **********
Reply
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