Answered2 years ago
What are the advantages of a retirement visa compared to a tourist visa and its extensions in Thailand?
What are the benefits of a retirement visa over tourist visa and extensions?
Answer summary
A retirement visa offers numerous benefits over a tourist visa, particularly for those wishing to stay in Thailand long-term. Advantages include reduced risk of denial of entry, the ability to open a local bank account, peace of mind from not worrying about visa renewals, and compliance with Thai law which can prevent arbitrary immigration issues. It also allows for longer stays without the constant need for visa extensions or trips to immigration. Additionally, having a retirement visa is viewed positively by immigration authorities, potentially aiding future retirement plans in Thailand.
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Dave ********
What are the financial requirements for an LTR?
Terry ********
Drivers license, bank account, yellow book. Legal.
Glyn **********
@Terry *******
you can get a drivers license and a bank account on a tourist visa.
Bob **********
The time your allowed to stay in the kingdom
Michael *******
folks will help you cross the road 🤔
Roy *********
I thought that was obvious
JD *******
@Roy ********
My Your Smart !
Albert *******
Because in the future if you decide to actually retire in Thailand, you would have already built up an honest history with the immigration authorities. THATS the best reason. And they like that.
Jimmy *********
OPJD *******
A Retirement Visa "Erases" The Gray Area And Definitely Reduces The STRESS Of Never-Ending Trips To Immigration...Also Takes Away The "Immigration Officers Ability To Arbitrarily Deny Entry.
Chris ***********
Interesting question and answers thank you. I have a follow up. What if I were to spend alternate 3 month slots in Malaysia and Thailand as a tourist in both places? So enter Thailand (and Malaysia) twice a year. Would that be acceptable to immigration? My home is Malaysia, but the MM2H scheme is fraught with problems currently.
Mike *******
@Chris **********
there is no answer to this as it’s down to immigration to accept or decline your entry on the day. If they think you’re using tourist visas to stay here in Thailand, you will be spoken to and could be denied entry.Chris ***********
Thanks Mike.
Rini *********
but if you have a long-term Visa, what effect does that have on the assets you have? How much tax do you pay in Thailand?
Magnus ***********
@Rini ********
Get a LTR Visa if you can or avoid staying 180 days or more the year you sell your house. The following channel have some good videos about Thai taxes and DTA's too though, listen to some of them: ************************************************
Brian ********
@Rini ********
the same amount as if you stayed 180 days in any year on a tourist visa. It isn't the visa type that triggers taxes, it's the 180 days.Magnus ***********
@Brian *******
Actually there is a difference, the LTR visa have an explicit tex exempt for foreign based incomes. See **********************
Brian ********
@Magnus **********
I assumed he was talking about any long term visa. Sorry, I forgot about the LTR.Rini *********
@Brian *******
so if i understand it well, i can take a long term visa but stays 179 days in Thailand and i dont pay income tax. Than i have to take a multi entree long term visa. ? Is this correct.? I want to pay tax but if you will sell your house and the cash money on your bank i have to pay very lot of tax. Is this correctRini *********
@Brian *******
yes they have a agreement thanks Brain 💪Brian ********
@Rini ********
I wouldn't cut it that close, but yes. You also have to check to see if there is a dual tax agreement with your home country if you pay taxes there.
Mark *******
No stress worrying if you will or won't get in, peace of mind, and it's the law, not worth the risk. Love my retirement visa, health insurance, thai bank, feels great to be 'Legal'
Bart **************
It allows you to stay long term, and the conditions for instance on entering Thailand are better suited to your circumstances (onward ticket, etc.). It also allows you to open a bank account.
Henrik *****
Cannot stay long term on a tourist visa, sooner or later the Immigration will have a serious talk with you.
Lee ***********
Alot of choice 👌
Jim ********
@LTR **************************
good for ten years, multiple entry, yearly check in vs 90 days, etc.Jim ********
@Pascal *******
don’t be a hater 😉
Pascal ********
@Jim *******
bey bey
Duncanc **********
None
Craig ********
length of stay
Tim **********
Thai bank account no atm fees
Prince******
@Tim *********
that’s handy sure but RV requires local Thai health insurance & I have my own better one already 😢
Jim ********
@Tim *********
easy to obtain with an agent anyway
Marcel *******
@Jim *******
with a TV, not with the 60 day stamp
Steve *******
@Dror ********
Like I said pretty much impossible to open a bank account on a tourist visa or visa exemption WITHOUT using an agent.Dror *********
@Steve ******
if you use agent and pay 5k better go open it yourself abd buy the insurance from the bank at least you get a lil something in returnSteve *******
@Dror ********
Depends how badly you need the account, almost impossible with a tourist visa or visa exemption.Dror *********
@Steve ******
and add about 3-5000 bht to the mix instead of 300 bht you wouldnpay for issuing a debit by the bank so yea no thanksSteve *******
@Marcel ******
Easy with any stamp if you use an agentJim ********
@Marcel ******
Absolutely anything can be achieved with an agent and cash 😂Marcel *******
@Jim *******
ok, I don't know that . For my agent in Pattaya I need a TV to open an bank account and the 2 driving licensesJim ********
@Marcel ******
don’t need a visa at all to open a bank with an agent. Visa exempt stamp is fine. I can’t speak for every agent but 2 I use in Pattaya don’t require a visa
Henk *********
@Tim *********
But also no interest on your savings account.
Paul ********
@Henk ********
Depends where you are from. Some countries can get an affidavit of income from their embassy/consulate in Thailand instead of transferring $ for the Non-O retirement extension. Canada is an example of a country still doing this. US, UK and OZ stopped it a few years ago.
John **********
Before too long your going to get refused entry if you try and live inside Thailand on tourist visas
Manfred **********
Peace of mind
Pascal ********
Why want a tourist visa when you get 60 days visa exempt?
Wayne *********
Eventually the IO will say no if they think you come to often with out proper visa so retirement visa reduces the risk of the big No and go home
Jimmy *********
OP@Wayne ********
when that happens I will get a retirement visa...or go to another place.Wayne *********
@Jimmy ********
That's of course another option. I did 2 weeks into Thailand every month for about 5 years and never got questioned but always had return flight booked. One never knows when they will say enoughWayne *********
@Jimmy ********
Suzuki Jimmy ?Wayne *********
Wayne *********
@Jimmy ********
correct rarely but they can and do. I arrived every 2 weeks exempt and did for about 6 years never stopped on arrival but decided to go the 5 plus 5 visa to be safeJimmy *********
OP@Wayne ********
rarely...never to me...usually to undesirables.Wayne *********
@Jimmy ********
because they can and doJimmy *********
OP@Wayne ********
...why would they say enough though? They are desperate for any foreign income they can get.Dror *********
@Wayne ********
he asked retirement VS the other kinds ie extensions.So it is not entierly true. If you have a work permitno IO will ask questions and even if they do just know what you should and done
Wayne *********
@Dror ********
he will not have a work permit. Where did you pluck that from ? As I said with the retirement 0 visa risk is less. Coming in with our a proper visa the IO can ask eventually. No mention of any Work Permit you made that upDror *********
@Wayne ********
yea ok i cant read good day sirWayne *********
@Dror ********
you can not read I said if you come without a proper visa NO mention of ALL. Again your making up words I did not say. It's correct they can ask on exempt they can ask on a TV if you come to often so a retirement visa reduces the risk of being asked anythingDror *********
@Wayne ********
exactly and your answer was generalised that on other visas IO will ask and on retirment he wouldnt. Anyway no beed to argue maybe misunderstandingWayne *********
@Dror ********
Wayne Roberts "what is the advantage between retirment visa to the other visas" That includes work permit and such
Wayne *********
@Dror ********
go and read what YOU wroteDror *********
@Wayne ********
no you said that ALL other visas IO will be asking after few times you generalised all other visas in same space with TV and such so no i def disnt thi k retirment visa allows work thank youWayne *********
@Dror ********
but you stated it was one advantage of retirement was a work permit so you did think you could obviously.Dror *********
@Wayne ********
it doesnt metter he was asking in general i didnt think you can work on retirment visa anywayWayne *********
@Dror ********
read the last bit. Can not workWayne *********
@Dror ********
I have the.retirement visa it does not allow a work permitWayne *********
@Dror ********
retirement visa does not mean work permitDror *********
@Wayne ********
"what is the advantage between retirment visa to the other visas" That includes work permit and such
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