Answered2 years ago
What are the best visa options for living in Thailand before retirement at age 50?
Hello group. I am 39/retired/American, and would like some advice on how to live in Thailand until I can get a retirement visa, at age 50. I was looking at the Elite/Privilege visa to bridge the gap, but with the recent price increase, Im interested to learn if there are any other, more cost effective options. Is it true you can only receive 2 eVisa/tourist visas per year, and stay a maximum of 6 months of any 12 month period? I could split my time between Thailand and other countries, if needed. Also thinking about the ED-visa for Thai language, but isn't that a maximum of about a year? Do people set up a small business in order to stay? Or at that point, is the Elite/Privilege visa better? Ideally, I'd like to stay in Thailand, get a vehicle, and a longer term lease/buy. I don't necessarily need work, but it could be an interesting project to start a small business and employ some people. Thanks in advance for your helpful information 🙏
Answer summary
An American retiree, aged 39, seeks advice on how to reside in Thailand until qualifying for a retirement visa at age 50. He considers the Thai Elite/Privilege visa but is inquiring about more affordable alternatives due to recent price hikes. Discussions include the restrictions of using tourist visas, exploring the ED visa for Thai language studies, and the feasibility of starting a business for visa purposes. Options such as the METV for extended stays and the rules surrounding eVisas are also mentioned, reflecting the group's varied experiences and suggestions.
63 repliesnewest first
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Dennis ************
You can do a ED visa for Thai for 3 years. After that do chinese or kickboxing
Galenus ******
Wait until you're 50. Easy as that 🤗
Andrew *******
OP@Galenus *****
I think that is what I'm going to do haha 🍻
Lee ***********
@Galenus *****
and it won't feel like long at all winkBeverly **********
@Lee **********
well...it might feel like eternity! But, it gives a person time to save money too. I've been putting aside about 85 bucks per two week/pay period. 2210 per year times 7 years is *****
dollars. That's a hefty chunk of cash...566k Thai baht.Beverly **********
I am 59 and eligible to grab my Social Security (with decent money) at around age 64. My 401K and IRA will also have been invested well and growing all that time. The 7 years that I am sending $$$ to Kasikorn will easily fund my retirement visa, plus my flight and all the various moving expenses and deposits.
I am blessed to be a widow. Sucks that my husband died, but it means that for social security purposes, I can take HIS s.s. benefit first, then flip it over to my own at age 70 and get a hefty "pay raise" at that time. In Thailand, as we know, 2K a month for someone who doesn't drink alcohol and doesn't have a significant other is a small fortune.
I am blessed to be a widow. Sucks that my husband died, but it means that for social security purposes, I can take HIS s.s. benefit first, then flip it over to my own at age 70 and get a hefty "pay raise" at that time. In Thailand, as we know, 2K a month for someone who doesn't drink alcohol and doesn't have a significant other is a small fortune.
Beverly **********
@Lee **********
Well, I am guessing that a retiree has a pension that will cover the majority of expenses in Thailand, such as social security, right?Lee ***********
@Beverly *********
after 7 years, that maybe will help you for one year living if your frugal, what about the next 10 years?
Terary **********
I came when I was 40. I have been here 9 years I will be eligible for the retirement visa in a few months (yippie).
Basically to stay in Thailand long term you will need to
- get rich
- get married
- get a job
- get a kid
- be a volunteer
They've recently expanded the 'get a job' category to include technical people. I almost fit into the SMART category except the company work for is not publicly traded and it's unlikely they'll provide all the paperwork the Thai government requires.
So far I have had a few marriage visas (same wife 1.5 years), volunteer visa (1 year), work visa (1 year), a few covid extensions. The rest of the time (5.5 years) has been tourist visas.
You can only do two land border bounces per calendar year, but you can do as many by air as you like.
An immigration officer once told me an ED visa looks suspicious for a person 40+.. I think its a culture thing.
If I were in your shoes I would look at spending
Basically to stay in Thailand long term you will need to
- get rich
- get married
- get a job
- get a kid
- be a volunteer
They've recently expanded the 'get a job' category to include technical people. I almost fit into the SMART category except the company work for is not publicly traded and it's unlikely they'll provide all the paperwork the Thai government requires.
So far I have had a few marriage visas (same wife 1.5 years), volunteer visa (1 year), work visa (1 year), a few covid extensions. The rest of the time (5.5 years) has been tourist visas.
You can only do two land border bounces per calendar year, but you can do as many by air as you like.
An immigration officer once told me an ED visa looks suspicious for a person 40+.. I think its a culture thing.
If I were in your shoes I would look at spending
***
my time in Indonesia (Bali) and ***
my time in Thailand. I am fond of Bali, but you may like any other city.
Jack ****************
@Terary *********
I had an Ed visa 2 years ago and I routinely get fucked with about it. I think some provinces have different attitudes.Brad *******
@Terary *********
that makes a lot of sense but living out of suitcase is never the same as settling down and can actually get quite dull after awhile
Helpful ********
@Andrew ******
Retired at 39? Possibly military retirement?
Hara ********
I have a great agent I used for my Elite Visa and can share their info if you're interested!
Steve ******
2 times per calender year for visa exempt (walk in) or (up to) 6 times for tourist visa. Its at the discretion of the I.O
Andrew *******
OP@Steve *****
thanks for that clarification 🙏 I think I was confusing the visa exempt and the tourist visaSteve ******
@Andrew ******
no worries dude
Craig *******
I'm assuming you have a Thai GF? If not, why do you want to settle in one place? Thailand is decent but 5 months is enough for me. If I were in the same situation, I'd use Thailand as a base, but would spend as much time elsewhere as in Thailand.
Andrew *******
OP@Craig ******
No Thai GF. I am strongly considering returning to my semi-nomadic lifestyle until I'm 50+ 😅. There are lots of great options in SEA to spend time, that's for sure
Neil ******
If you don’t need income, Elite is going to be cheaper and a whole less stressful than starting a new business.
Justin *****
Do the elite. My girlfriend and I just got ours and it was super easy and took about a month and a half from start to finish. And they affix your visa at the airport upon arrival.
Brandon ************
Do you qualify for the global wealthy citizen LTR visa? If you do, the LTR is one of the best visas available currently.
**********************
Lien ******
@Brandon ***********
don't you have to be 50 to qualify as well?
John **********
@Lien *****
not for the global wealthy citizen option
Tony ********
@Lien *****
50 is required for ltr wealthy pensioner (not citizen). **********************
Lien ******
@John *********
thanksJohn **********
@Lien *****
see Brandon's link aboveLien ******
@John *********
oh really, could you please provide more info? Cause I was told you need to be 50 to be eligibleAndrew *******
OP@Brandon ***********
interesting, I had never heard of this one, thank youBrad *******
What's the longest you've spent in Thailand so far?
My advice is stick with tourist visas for a year to see if you're still enamored enough to want to stay and shell out $25k for the privilege.
My advice is stick with tourist visas for a year to see if you're still enamored enough to want to stay and shell out $25k for the privilege.
Marc *********
@Brad ******
good advice because i shelled out 25 k and wonder why i did at times 😏Brad *******
@Marc ********
yes I wouldn't pay that much unless I'd lived in Thailand a good long time, not bored, and still liking most things about it.
Ryan ********
@Brad ******
ok, sure.Brad *******
@Ryan *******
evidently the concept of having an opinion eludes your pea brainRyan ********
@Brad ******
🤣🤣🤣 dickweed? did I throw a nonsensical insult at you? No I’m not spokesman but damn, what are you doing there if you hate everything about it? The chairs, beer, food, and their own language? You’re the dickweed…
Brad *******
@Ryan *******
are you the PR spokesman for Thailand? Otherwise, keep scrolling dickweedRyan ********
@Brad ******
here he is again, complaining about Thailand. And the fact they don’t speak English? Get a grip, man.Brad *******
@Rich ***
and boring beer, traffic jams, monotonous diet, nobody speaking English.
Rich ****
@Brad ******
And can handle the extreme heat and pollution.Andrew *******
OP@Brad ******
the longest continuous stretch is 90 days for me. I have some good points of comparison, I have PR and lived in Mexico 4 years. I'm id just like to hear more about options for the money. I know some people form a company for a few thousand usd, sponsor thier own visa, pay someone to do all the maintenance/reporting/accounting and remain in thailand under that premise. If it's the same/cheaper than the Elite visa, I'd go this route, to have a side project, some earning potential, and employ some folks in the process, win-win 🍻
Robert *****
900,000 isn’t bad for 5 years. But wouldn’t he have to tie up 800,000 baht for the retirement visa, as well. ?
Andrew *******
OP@Rob***
yes my understanding is 800k needs to remain in a Thai bankBeverly **********
@Andrew ******
Not necessarily. An O-A can have funds in an American bank or IRA (mine was in my IRA). A few extra steps of course, such as the FBI clearance, health certificate (can't have elephantiasis or syphillis!) and health insurance. But my funds stayed in America, earning interest.Jan ******************
@Beverly *********
Good, so if you at one point decided you’d like to stay more permanently in Thailand, you just enter on a regular Non O visa and do extension of stay in Thailand. You’ll just need to tie up 800K baht for one year in Thailand before you switch to the monthly transfer method.Beverly **********
@Jan *****************
BINGO! That is EXACTLY what I plan to do! hahaha Thinking strategically is the key to success!
Jan ******************
@Beverly *********
Non O-A visa would be good if you apply and renew every second year at home. The first year gives you multiple entries and for your second year you can purchase a multiple re-entry permit. If you also update your insurance for the second year, you can come and go as you wish.Beverly **********
@Nongnuch *******
I was 54 years old at the time. A widow. Did it all by myself, no help from anyone. It was super easy.Beverly **********
@Jan *****************
Of course! But I plan to travel alot back home, and all around SE Asia. I have no specific ties to a specific place. But for those who are stuck in Thailand, for sure the O visa is best.Jan ******************
@Beverly *********
Non O-A is an option if you want to spend up to two years in Thailand. If you want to retire permanently and do yearly Extension of Stays in Thailand a regular Non O is the best option.
Nongnuch ********
@Beverly *********
for a Non-O/A visa you need to be 50 years up
Julane *******
@Andrew ******
OA visa is only for 50+ retirees.
Ruth *******
@Beverly *********
yeah, the electronic weren’t working…very costly, because I didn’t get refunded for each of those.Beverly **********
@Ruth ******
Oh yeah, paper takes much longer. I've been a teacher for years and for much of that time it was paper. I was pleasantly surprised when they switched to electronic versions.Ruth *******
@Beverly *********
nice! I was doing construction on my house, so I think it was messing with my prints. 🤣 That doesn’t explain the month once they got the clean prints, but the paper process probably takes longer.Beverly **********
I think it ran me close to 80 bucks as I recall. It wasn't cheap. But obviously well worth the price for the speed and efficiency.
Beverly **********
@Ruth ******
WHOA! I went to a special office to do them. Electronically. That's literally ALL this office does, everyday, so they were experts. I didn't even have time to get back home before I got the notification.Ruth *******
@Beverly *********
wow! I needed to do mine multiple times before it went through at all. They had trouble reading my prints, even though I did it at the post office and the machine said it cleared. Then, I had a police station take the prints on paper, which went through, but it took a month.Beverly **********
@Andrew ******
I remember being very surprised at how INSTANTLY the FBI Fingerprint Clearance came back. Literally within less than 45 minutes, I was notified by email. Of course, my record is clean, no arrests, but still very fast.Andrew *******
OP@Beverly *********
oh interesting, thanks for that detail !Nongnuch ********
buy a 5 year Elite for 900.000.- THB . . .then after spending 5 years inThailand, ask yourself if it's the place you want to live. If the answer is YES, spend another 900.000.- THB for another 5-year Elite. As soon as it expires, you are close to apply for the retirement Extension which will only cost you 1900.- THB every year
Andrew *******
OP@Nongnuch *******
thanks, ive spent a good while in Thailand already so Im certain. I nearly purchased an elite visa right before covid, the new price tag of nearly double has made me think to reconsider the options. I appreciate your reply 🙏Jan ******************
Seems like you know quite a lot yourself regarding visa and possibility for stay long time in Thailand. Thai privilege visa (Elite) is probably your best option because it’s not easy to fill up the 11 year gap until you can apply for a retirement visa with short stay visas.
The options you already know;
You can’t expect to go back to back on tourist visa for a longer period, but you can apply for a METV in the first place. This is a six months multiple entries tourist visa which gives you used the right way possibility for stay up to nine months in Thailand.
ED visa for studying is also an option for a period of time.
If you want to start a business and get a visa you’ll need to invest minimum 2 million baht and employ 4 thais.
As an alternative I think it could be more easy for you to spend some time in a surrounding country for a period of time. Cambodia is more liberal regarding longer stays for foreigners as I understand.
The options you already know;
You can’t expect to go back to back on tourist visa for a longer period, but you can apply for a METV in the first place. This is a six months multiple entries tourist visa which gives you used the right way possibility for stay up to nine months in Thailand.
ED visa for studying is also an option for a period of time.
If you want to start a business and get a visa you’ll need to invest minimum 2 million baht and employ 4 thais.
As an alternative I think it could be more easy for you to spend some time in a surrounding country for a period of time. Cambodia is more liberal regarding longer stays for foreigners as I understand.
Mark **********
@Jan *****************
if youre American the treaty of amity makes certain things easier but more hoops. Worth looking into thoughAndrew *******
OP@Jan *****************
thank you for the detailed response! The more I weight all the options, I think splitting my time between multiple countries might make the most sense for me at the moment 🍻Activity
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