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What are the best long-term visa options for living and working in Thailand for a 51-year-old expat on a tourist visa?

Thai Visa OptionsLong-Term Visa in ThailandWork Permit ThailandNon-B VisaNon-O VisaRetirement VisaDTV VisaExpat Life in Thailand
Dec 4, 2024
14 days ago
Ronnie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Im 51 years old abd here currently from UK on 60 day tourist visa excemption and plan to extend soon for 30 days.

However, i wish to apply for longer term 5 years visa, or 1 - 2 year visa with work permit, as I would like to live and work here.

When is best for me to apply? Should I do so now during this current tourist visa period?

Also what's the easiest longer term visa for me to apply for?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is currently in Thailand on a 60-day tourist visa and wishes to apply for a long-term visa to live and work in Thailand. There are suggestions about the best times to apply for visas and what types of visas are available. The most feasible options mentioned include the Non-O Marriage visa (for those married to a Thai citizen) and the Non-B Work visa (requiring a job offer from a Thai company). A retirement visa is also highlighted as the easiest option but does not allow for work. Additionally, users noted that working as a DJ in Thailand might not be possible for foreigners.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Neil *********
Hi ronnie getting a retirement visa isn’t an issue. The challenge is you said about working here which is very unlikely to say the least, it requires a lot of paperwork from an employer so it does depend on the type of work you want to do or are qualified to do here. It is very limited and even more so with age unfortunately. But getting a retirement visa no issue at all
14 days ago
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Ronnie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
got you, okay - thanks Neil
14 days ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Ronnie **********
 you can't work on a "retirement visa"
14 days ago
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Kool *******
@Ronnie **********
 as long as you can meet the financial requirements lots of visas are possible, but to do any work, for pay, or for free, you must have a work permit, and to get that you first must have a job. That employer must also meet the financial requirement to sponsor a work permit, meaning they must have at least bt2million in registered capital, and have at least 4 Thai employees on payroll for each work permit. You can't get a work permit then find a job. It doesn't work that way legally. For the retirement visa extension you must have at least bt800,000 in the bank, and the DTV visa requires at least bt500,000 in the bank. Just a side note, if you are caught working illegally you will be deported at your expense, and banned from returning for a number of years, and people are busted all the time for working illegally. Last month 3 DJs working illegally on Koh panghon island were busted. It only takes a single complaint filed to end your dream if doing something illegal. Keep that in mind. Thailand is not cheap to be in long term. It takes a reasonable amount of money.
14 days ago
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Ronnie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
 good info, thank you for taking the time
14 days ago
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Ronnie ***********
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Nongnuch ********
@Ronnie **********
 your chances for getting a work permit as a DJ in Thailand are zero. This job is forbidden for foreigners
14 days ago
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Ronnie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ive been to many music events and haven't seen a single Thai dj yet
14 days ago
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Vinn *********
@Nongnuch *******
 Real? I did see some farang DJ in Thailand. All illegal? Even in 'my' city they DJ us from Africa.
14 days ago
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Vinn *********
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John **********
There's really only 2 long term visas that allow you to work inside Thailand unless you're very wealthy

1. Non-O Marriage visa. You need to be married to a Thai and then have a company apply for a work permit for you.

2. Non-B work visa. You need paperwork from a company to apply for the visa and then have them apply for a work permit for you
14 days ago
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Martyn ***********
@John *********
 he clearly says he's 51...retirement visa.
14 days ago
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John **********
@Martyn **********
 work prohibited
14 days ago
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Martyn ***********
@John *********
 like all other visas.. And he isn't getting work permit.
14 days ago
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Martyn ***********
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Stuart ***********
You can only work at a few occupations in Thailand, like teaching.

If you are wanting to work as a DJ here, I do not think this is possible.

Retirement visa and DTV are probably your best visa options without work.
14 days ago
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Paul *******
Easiest is a retirement visa. 12 months for 1,900 baht if you meet the financial requirements.

You can't work with this visa.

What type of work are you looking for?
14 days ago
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Gardar ***************************
You should look into DTV visa if you have the funds, 5 years validity and gives you 180 days each entry can be extended another 180 before you have to do a border run. Working is difficult to find a company that want to hire a farrang since alot of red tape but possible.
14 days ago
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John **********
@Gardar **************************
 but can't work in Thailand
14 days ago
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Gardar ***************************
@John *********
 of course him can if he sponsorship by a Thai company. And convert his visa
14 days ago
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John **********
@Gardar **************************
 yes he'd have to convert
14 days ago
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Lynnette *******
@Gardar **************************
 he says he's a DJ.
14 days ago
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Lynnette *******
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Lynnette *******
@Gardar **************************
 he wants to work in Thailand, according to his post, so DTV won't suit.
14 days ago
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Gardar ***************************
Yes you are right about that but him can still ask around if someone wants to take him in then he can covert his DTV visa to work visa.

Him also asked what's the easiest long term visa is I just provided an answer.
14 days ago
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Gardar ***************************
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Ronnie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gardar **************************
 thanks
14 days ago
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Ronnie ***********
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Willem ****
In a recent post of yourself you mention you are a DJ and wanting to do so in Thailand.

Now you forgot to mention that. Meaning you want to take a risk illegally working here?
14 days ago
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Willem ****
14 days ago
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Ronnie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Happy to relate with those more respectful in their communication, thank you
14 days ago
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Willem ****
@Ronnie **********
Knowing your previous post we ask you respectfull what is your intention for getting a longstay visa.
14 days ago
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Ronnie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Willem ***
 Thats better, thanks. I appreciate too that you don't copy paste screenshots of my previous posts made.

I am seeking a work visa including long term stay visa, evenutally living here if it's possible. I am not just a Dj, I do many things.
14 days ago
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Willem ****
@Ronnie **********
Then just tell so when asked. Saying its non of our business is not very trustworthy. You want a good advise.
14 days ago
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Ronnie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Willem ***
 as i said, i will happily relate with anyone respecting
14 days ago
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Ronnie ***********
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Lynnette *******
@Willem ***
 oops. Telling everyone it's none of their business after telling everyone his plans. 🙄
14 days ago
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Lynnette *******
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Ronnie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Willem ***
 such a snooty unhelpful comment from you sir.
14 days ago
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Lynnette *******
@Ronnie **********
 but is he right? Or guessing
14 days ago
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Ronnie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lynnette ******
 it's of no business to either of you
14 days ago
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Willem ****
@Ronnie **********
If you ask advise in this respected group then you need to be honest and open.
14 days ago
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Lynnette *******
@Ronnie **********
 wow. . it was a question about was he guessing. Cos guessing isn't a good idea. I was expecting you to say yea, he's just making stuff up. But your rude reaction suggests otherwise.
14 days ago
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Nick *******
@Ronnie **********
 you sort of have to give people the facts if you want their advice mate 🤷🏻‍♂️
14 days ago
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Lynnette *******
@Nick ******
 he says he's on a 60 day visa, so don't tell him he can enter for 60 days without a visa. 😉.
14 days ago
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Lynnette *******
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