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What are the best visa options for retirees married to a Thai national who want to live in Thailand?

LTR visa retirement visa non-O visa marriage visa visa options for expats Thailand immigration long-term stay in Thailand financial requirements for visas

Feb 25, 2025

6 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I'm looking for a bit of visa advice.  My wife is Thai (dual Thai/US citizenship and dual passports).  We own a condo in Hua Hin and a few pieces of land, all of which are in her name since she's Thai.  We visit occasionally (just returned from a 6 week visit) and plan to return to our condo for about 6 months starting next January.  After that, we plan to visit more frequently and eventually we will probably want to live there permanently.  Oh yes, I'm retired and neither of us is concerned about employment in Thailand; we just want to live there.  Any suggestions regarding my visa?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is seeking visa advice as a retired expat married to a Thai national, planning to stay in Thailand long-term. Community members suggest considering the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa for a five-year stay and extensions, or the retirement visa if over 50 years old, which ties up 800,000 THB in a bank account annually and requires annual paperwork. The marriage visa is also an option but may involve similar financial commitments.

LONG TERM RESIDENT (LTR) VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Take the basic LTR Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Long Term Resident (LTR) Visa.
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the Long Term Resident (LTR) 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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Sean **********

Non O convert to Extension of Stay based on Retirement if you are over 50

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Us *****

Just pay an agent for a dtv. Makes life easy and you won't have to deal with it for 5 years.

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Bob **********

Non-o based on marriage

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Ernesto ********

So you have a Thai wife with a condo and land but don’t know what visa is best for you ? Cart before the horse

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Kent ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ernesto *******

Thai wife and US residency came long before the condo and land. Until Trump, thought we would probably just spend a few months in Thailand each year.

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Ernesto ********

I have been drinking.

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Sean **********

@Ernesto *******

of course you have been drinking. Kool Aid

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Ernesto ********

@Sean *********

glad you left.

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Sean **********

@Ernesto *******

I have not left. I will be back in the US to pay my taxes and apply for my Social Security and take care of my parents for 6-7 months and vote.

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Sean **********

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Ernesto ********

I actually am enjoying what Trumps doing. Great president

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Kent ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ernesto *******

You are obviously a moron. Or, possibly Russian?

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Ernesto ********

Russian

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Kent ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ernesto *******

Small difference. Russian is usually just a drunk moron.

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Sean **********

@Ernesto *******

he has destroyed America.

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Ernesto ********

@Sean *********

. You have your own self to blame for how your life turned out

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Sean **********

@Ernesto *******

My life is great. I have a wonderful wife and a wonderful son. Great Parents. Great family.

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Sean **********

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Craig ********

You must have a Thai bank account in your name only

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Nick **********

IF you qualify, then definitely apply for the LTR visa. Gives you 5 years, with 5 years extension if you still qualify and several benefits (tax, etc..)

If not, then "retirement" visa, yearly extensions.

If based on marriage (yearly extensions), there is a lower "money tied up in the bank" requirement, but more hassle with the paperwork.

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Kent ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Nick *********

Thanks. Oh, do I need the bank account in my name? My wife has a long standing account where I transfer money periodically, but would that account qualify me?

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Joseph *******

Not for LTR visa, yes for most others. Marriage visa may work with joint accounts.

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David *****

bank account must be in your name and they've recently been making it harder to get one for those on a tourist visa

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David *****

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Martyn ***********

I'm assuming your over 50...? retirement visa is far less hassle than spouse visa. Though does tie up 800k in the bank.

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Michael ********

@Martyn **********

400, married to a Thai citizen.

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Kent ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Also, is it necessary to maintain the 800k in the Thai bank permanently?

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Graham ******

800k before applying for your extension and for 3 months after the extension was granted i.e. up to first 90 day report. Then it cannot drop below 400k for the remaining 9 months of the 12 month extension. If using the 800k method again for the subsequent extension then back to 800k 2 months before applying but many use the 65k monthly transfers from year 2 onwards by starting these monthly transfers the same time the 800k seasoning started for the first extension.

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Stuart ***********

if you start depositing 65,000 baht every month into your Thai account, for the second extension you should be able to extend using that as proof of funds and then withdraw the 800,000k.

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Martyn ***********

No it can used, but balance needs to 800k 2 months before extension of the visa.. Search the group for loads of info on the retirement visa.

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Kent ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Martyn **********

Thanks

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David *****

and 3 months after. You should be asking someone you know who is currently doing it

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David *****

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Kent ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I saw that the retirement visa is for one year. Is it difficult to renew?

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Stuart ***********

easy to renew, takes me on average less than 1 hour.

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Stuart ***********

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Paul ***********

A marriage visa

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Paul ***********

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