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What are the best visa options for retirees in Thailand who prefer minimal paperwork and self-insurance?

Thai retirement visaNON-O VisaThailand visa optionsexpat visaself-insurance90-day reportingbank requirementsLong Term Resident (LTR) visaElite visamultiple reentrydependents visa
Dec 29, 2022
3 years ago
Linz ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Been reading through more of the posts in this group, May I say you lot are amazing, sound advice (ok, sometimes misguided) usually in a polite way

Someone earlier asked about the 5yr elite visa and the responses you gave were very interesting, the elite visa was going to be our ticket to Thailand but a lot of you on here have kinda suggested it might not be the best way for us

So, May I ask which visa you would recommend based on the below requirements

We will be retirees

We do not want to have to have private medical insurance (we will be self insuring ourselves)

We want to be able to leave Thailand whenever we want and return whenever we want (purely to visit our children in Australia and New Zealand)

Putting a quantity of cash into an leaving it in a Thai Bank is absolutely fine

We will both be over 55

As little admin/ paperwork/ reporting as possible

Thank you as always for views

๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿผ
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user in a community discussion seeks advice on the best visa options for retirees looking to move to Thailand. Key factors include no requirement for private medical insurance (as they plan to self-insure), the ability to travel to Australia and New Zealand freely, and a desire for minimal administrative tasks. The majority of responses recommend the NON-O (Retirement) Visa, emphasizing its affordability and lower paperwork requirements compared to the Elite Visa, which, while offering full services, tends to be more expensive. Alternatives such as the Long Term Resident (LTR) and the use of agents for assistance with paperwork were also discussed.
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Andy *********
When you get your Retirement Extension, purchase the Multiple Reentry stamp.

Or, if will only be entering/returning via air, you can get a single reentry at the airport each time.
3 years ago
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Terary **********
Hire an agent to do Retirement + Dependent visa.

You can do the paperwork yourself and save a few dollars.
3 years ago
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Cliff *********
As a 62 year old Physician I am asking if you really think itโ€™s wise to have no health insurance?

Perhaps you donโ€™t want to buy the minimalist Thai insurance, but there are other types of international health insurance policies.
3 years ago
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Kyong ****
@Cliff ********
 Agree, and while still in their 50โ€™s, the international health insurance rates should be moderate if no health issues exist. And should pre existing issues be of concern, health insurance will cover all non-related health care requirements. Pls do the research to be sure before moving forward. When it comes to healthcare in a foreign country, the rule of thumb is safety first ๐Ÿ™
3 years ago
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Linz ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Cliff ********
 under my circumstances, yes, I do feel it is wise, we can put a reasonable lump sum of money into an account, we can add to the amount every month, our credit card can take the initial โ€˜hitโ€™ if needed, I have blood pressure issues since suffering from a spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection a number of years ago ( no stroke, no stent, no aneurysm, no medical intervention) so I am under the impression health insurance either would not cover me for my pre-existing issues or would involve such a high excess or high additional costs to render it unfeasible hence going down the self insure route
3 years ago
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Fran *****
@Cliff ********
 age 72 policy harder to get at price that is not exhorbitant
3 years ago
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Linz ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Fran ****
 exactly ๐Ÿ™
3 years ago
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Linz ************
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Helen ********
We both entered on Non O's obtained in our home countries, then on our first retirement extension I changed to trailing spouse. If you can produce a marriage certificate/license, your spouse can be added as a trailing spouse so only one of you has to provide a 800K THB bank account or pension.

We are CAD so were still able to get an affidavit of income and verification of our marriage license. Not sure if you need to get the marriage verified another way if the embassy doesn't. We did it ourselves and found it quite easy, just some paperwork and an hour at immigration for the extension.
3 years ago
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Todd *********
The gold standard for Visa is LTR. You just have to meet the income requirement. Option B from Aus would be 10 year O/X.

Failing those using the 65k deposit method is good. If no, use an agent like Thai Visa Centre is great with no hassles
3 years ago
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Lisa ****
10 year LTR visa if you meet the requirements.
3 years ago
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Dawn **********
10 year LTV with in and out privileges. requires a 80k annual income in home country. They also want to see your taxes statements . No bank requirement in Thailand. They allowed my European medical policy of major medical /emergencies/accidents. Meaning I have to self fund regular appointments. The fee was less than $1400 fee for 10 years.
3 years ago
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Dawn **********
I donโ€™t understand your tariff question.
3 years ago
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Alex *******
@Dawn *********
 May I ask what insurer the policy is with and what your tariff is called, please?
3 years ago
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Dawn **********
@Alex ******
*********************************
3 years ago
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Alex *******
@Dawn *********
 Thank you. And do I understand it correctly: The fee was 1400 USD, but this is per annum, not for the entire 10 years together?
3 years ago
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Dawn **********
@Alex ******
 1400 was for the 10 year visa. Insurance premiums are typically based on your age/gender.
3 years ago
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Dawn **********
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James **************
What's best way to xfer the 800k into Thai account? Any issues with xfer? Thx
3 years ago
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Brook ********
@James *************
Wise, carry & declare it or bank wire.
3 years ago
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Johan ********
@James *************
 TransferWise is a good method. Good rates and fast.
3 years ago
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Johan ********
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James **************
How long are you allowed out of thailand beforr you must return on a multi-entry retirement visa?
3 years ago
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Robert **********
@James *************
 you donโ€™t ever have to leave. Extension each year for non OA (required health insurance, visa gotten in your home country) each leaving and reentry gets you a yearโ€™s stay, for the first year. For non O, usually obtained in Thailand by first entering on tourist visaโ€“then get 90-day retirement visa, which you then extend each year. You donโ€™t have to leave the country, but if you do, get a reentry permit to preserve your visa. ๏ฟผ
3 years ago
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Andy *********
Robert Gerchalk

There is NO Retirement Visa, it is a 1 year (NOT 90 Day) Retirement Extension of a Non O or Non OA Visa.
3 years ago
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Andy *********
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Ivan ************
@James *************
 you would need to enter before the expiry date on the visa, or if on an extension with reentry, before the end of the extension, to extend again for another year.
3 years ago
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Ivan ************
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Fran *****
I have non -o retirement visa with required Bht in bank

Can I put in a lump sum in bank : Ex:$10,000. To spend downvs 2,500USD( 86,000 thai Bht) monthly?
3 years ago
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Ivan ************
@Fran ****
 you can either do 800k lump sum in bank OR transfer in 65k monthly. If you do the latter you have to show 12 months of transfers but you can spend it all immediately, there are no holding periods like the lump sum.

If doing this, you need to keep it outside Thailand and move it in monthly. Can't transfer in in one lump and spend it down.
3 years ago
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Ivan ************
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Brook ********
I have the Non O with multiple reentry, and I used an agent.

I spent all of 1 minute at immigration.

Although I maintain เธฟ800k in a Thai interest bearing account, I think the Non O is much less expensive than an Elite Visa.

Both must do 90 day reporting and some of the Elite benefits are limited to one time, or once a year if you read the fine print.
3 years ago
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Johan ********
@Brook *******
 Agree.
3 years ago
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Johan ********
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Teresa ***********
Retirement visa is a good option.
3 years ago
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Charles ********
Asked on your requirements, elite is a good choice, but again still at a higher cost than an non o.

The least amount of admin/paperwork. They help you with everything immigration related and 90 days reports. Elite can assist you with even non-immigration matters too, like drivers license, banking, atc.

You get vip entry at airport into the country and on the 5 year get private car to and from your hotel or home.

Never have to worry reentry permits. Each time you enter you get one year stamp. But if you stay continously can extend at immigration.. But if you travel a few times a year then never have to worry.

Elite doesn't require health insurance either. So you are free to do what you want.
3 years ago
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Paulus *********
Non O visa based on retirement,no need for an agent, do it yourself it's easy
3 years ago
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Linz ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paulus ********
 easy? Good to know, thank you
3 years ago
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Linz ************
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Steve **********
As said already Non O based on retirement. No insurance required. Dump money in the bank. Do your 90 day reports (required by everyone) and thatโ€™s it. Renew/extend next year for 1900 baht. Or hire an agent and not have to do anything. They go to immigration for you for the extensions and the 90 day report.
3 years ago
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Linz ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *********
 seriously? Non O, Money into Thai Bank, Find a reputable and decent agent and for a nominal fee, they can take care of everything else ongoing?

Would we have to leave the country every 90 days or so?
3 years ago
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Steve **********
@Li**
 serious as can be. Thatโ€™s exactly as I do for three years now. And no, you do not have to leave. I have a friend that hasnโ€™t left in 14 years.
3 years ago
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Linz ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *********
 awesome ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ˜Š
3 years ago
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Linz ************
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Sidd ********
The elite visa also has its perks your customer rep you get assigned handles most of the things bank accounts and literally anything you need they are very well connected
3 years ago
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Chris *****
Yes I've pointed out that their website says unlimited, but they just repeat that you only get one assist for free. They claim to assist with driving license, but charge 3000 if you want them to get the residence certificate as well as using up your free assist presenting it to driving authority. I find it dishonest, and petty given how much Elites cost - we paid 1,100,000 Baht, and they want to charge another 2-3,000 to bring an additional document. That said they do give good instructions and these things are mostly pretty easy, eg, banks recognize the Elite card. Airport service is really nice, golf cart from plane to the visa fast lane, escorted through, while baggage is collected, to a plush car waiting.
3 years ago
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Chris *****
Elite do also charge for most of those, you only get one assist for free, then it's 2000 baht plus each time.
3 years ago
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Linz ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris ***************
 oh wow, didnโ€™t know that ๐Ÿ˜ฒ
3 years ago
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Linz ************
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Ivan ************
@Sidd *******
 you can do that yourself, it's not a big deal IMO. If you want help with something like the bank account, you can just pay an agent for that one thing. Not necessarily a bad idea, if you want to save time and paperwork. But not necessary to get Elite for this.
3 years ago
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Ivan ************
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Johan ********
A Non-O visa based on retirement is my choice. Having a good agent helps with all the paperwork.
3 years ago
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Quinton ******
@Johan *******
 agree. 800K Thai Baht deposit in an account and can speak to the agent about the trailing spouse
3 years ago
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Quinton ******
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