Ask question
This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

What are the details and eligibility for the new 10-year Thai visa?

Aug 16, 2017
9 years ago
Frank **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
10-YEAR VISAS NOW AVAILABLE: THAI IMMIGRATION
5,108
views
133
all likes
39
replies
17
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The new 10-year visa for Thailand has created a mix of curiosity and confusion among expats. This visa is primarily aimed at retirees aged 50 and above from specific countries, such as the US, UK, Canada, and various European nations. To qualify, applicants must have a substantial bank balance, reportedly 3 million THB, maintained for the duration of the visa, which raises concerns about affordability for many expats. Despite some positive views about the visa, there are cautions regarding its complexities and the need for a direct application process at Thai consulates, rather than through agencies. Overall, the conversation highlights the challenges and considerations involved in obtaining this long-term visa.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement 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.
Tod *********
Unfortunately this thread lived up to my original comment about it. It is not a fun, share information thread, it's gone wildly off topic and after reading all of the comments on it I can say it does NOTHING to further discussion of the 10 year visa.

I also went thru and deleted ANY comment not directly related to the topic the new 10 year visa.

I'm even tempted to delete other posts about this visa as soon as they're posted, because there is NO hard information about it.
Like
Reply
Francesco **********
alright i've just come back. at the immigration BKK (not DMK) on METV, swiss passport and priority lane due to business class and ticket to HKG for next monday (plus 25k thb cash which they didnt even check and 2 visa gold and a platinum amex), well, they didnt wanna let me in!!! 30 mins talking with a boss there........ i think it's the first time somebody had troubles with that kind of requisites!!! what do u think tod? now im really worried!!!
Like
Reply
Francesco **********
let's see what's gonna happen next thursday night when i'll be back from HK...

tomorrow night i must go to drink here in bkk, maybe it's the last time of my life..............
Like
Reply
Declan *****************
they are the keepers to the gate my friend , the first people you see when you arrive, they should be representative of the country , 70% OF THE TIME I find them rude , yes manotonius job , fully understand that bit , but the simple fact they are front line should be somewhat different , money spends everywhere as they are beginning to see ,,

Never mind just notches up another negative mark I guess enjoy your stay lol
Like
Reply
Francesco **********
@Declan ****************
i really love thailand and thai ppl.... and i always accept without complaining also bad (for me) decisions such the early closure of clubs... but the immigration is NOT how thai ppl are.... immigration is just an institution... i mean, im on a valid visa which is valid for 6 months, i'm not breaking any rule!! i'm really disappointed today... i think i will start to make a research about living in taipei... if here they don't want my 1'200'000 thb / year + at least another 5-700'000 brought by my friends who regularely come here to visit me.....
Like
Reply
Declan *****************
Land of smiles eh ?

, thai people great but when your confronted with , a jobs worth who earns less in a year than a

Macdonalds worker does in a year . the in the real world ,, well I guess there gonna have a hang up
Like
Reply
Francesco **********
@Declan ****************
yes man thx, but only after having found an e-mail with an attachment showing all incorporation docs of my company in HK, where it's clearely stated that im the director.... and i showed her the ticket (business class...) to go to HK for business on 21-24th (next monday!!!) but still she kept saying "i don't believe u".......... i mean, i spend more than 100k thb / month here in thailand.... it's clear that they wanna have only "rich" ppl here instead of backpapers and therefore they started to make life difficult for those who wanna stay here without any working permit (or retirement visa).... and all easy visas are only for retired ppl (who i respect, of course), but i mean... how many retired ppl earn 100'000 thb / month net???? so wtf.... i'm bringing money to the country, i have never got into troubles and i was never a problem for anybody.... and i always respected thai ppl, thai laws and thai culture!!! i'm here just to enjoy life on a REGULAR/LEGAL visa!!!! i left a job in switzerland with a salary of about 140'000 USD / year in order to live in bkk, do they really think i did it in order to come here to earn 40'000 thb / month????????? ahah ridiculous!!!

so yes u r right, i start to think the same: depends on their mood, that's it.......
Like
Reply
Declan *****************
Hope you through buddy , goes back to what I say simply not welcomed depending on the clown who has the two stamps and what mood he is in FACT , cazy
Like
Reply
Reply to
Declan *****************
Reply
Robert ********
Sounds like the old 3MB investment visa from years ago...
Like
Reply
Lloyd ********
There still is a 10 million investment extension.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Lloyd ********
Reply
Zachery **********
"if you dont like it, leave" comments are always a good laugh.
Like
Reply
Philippe *********
Do not forget to get also an insurance from a Thai Cy which seems to be "under construction".
Like
Reply
Richard *********
@Tod ********
. I joined this group in the hope that it would be less cynical, less negative and less anti Thai than Thai Visa. I am afraid I beginning to have doubts. Keep up the good work anyway. Remember people, if you don't like it here, the exit doors are never closed....
Like
Reply
Umair *********
Money is honey 😁
Like
Reply
Richard *********
Seems very fair to me. Also should be stipulated that it must be done in person and not via an "Agency".
Like
Reply
Richard *********
That makes it a bit complicated if you forgot a document and left it in your Thai home !!!
Like
Reply
Tod *********
when they first started talkin' about it you had to apply for this visa at a thai consulate in the country your passport comes from or one you hold legal residence in. The visa was issued for 5 years, and you applied for a 5 year extension of stay after that.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Tod *********
Reply
Lance *********
not me
Like
Reply
Alex *********
Who has 3 mil baht to spare?
Like
Reply
Alex *********
Lucky them
Like
Reply
Zachery **********
many.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Zachery **********
Reply
Francesco **********
why only for retired 50+??? i retired when i was 33 and i want it too... 😞
Like
Reply
Robert ********
Huh???
Like
Reply
Francesco **********
@Robert ***********
i know but.......
Like
Reply
Robert ********
5 years goes by very quickly here ;-)
Like
Reply
Francesco **********
@Jan *********
im not millionaire... i could afford the TEV, yes, but my concern is if i'd have to move back to switzerland for any reason... i mean, if i was sure to stay 5 years i'd do it immediately, but honestly i wouldn't be happy to waste 13'000 eur for nothing......
Like
Reply
Jan **********
If you're retired at 33 you surely can afford it
Like
Reply
Francesco **********
@Tod ********
i know, and i knew it already before... I'm considering the TEV indeed but there is a big difference between 10k and 500k THB........ that's why i'm sad about.....
Like
Reply
Tod *********
If you're not over 50 this visa is not for you. Your option would be a thai elite visa
Like
Reply
Reply to
Tod *********
Reply
Tod *********
remember it's only good for people from these countries; Japan, Australia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Canada and United States of America.
Like
Reply
Vincent *************
3 million in the bank for the duration of the 5 years plus 5 years? And what is the cost?
Like
Reply
Tod *********
Andy, nope you need to have the money in your account for the full 5 years you have the visa and if you get the 5 year extension you need it in there for that whole time too. There is some clause that lets' you pull some of the money out after a while but I think that's in case you're going to buy a condo or something. I couldn't find where it's spelled out
Like
Reply
Tod *********
the visa is 10,000 baht ;)
Like
Reply
Reply to
Tod *********
Reply
Tod *********
PLEASE NOTE: This new "10 year wonder visa" (because no one really knows how it really works yet) in no way affects ANY other type of visa issued at the thai consulates around the world or the extensions of stays issued at the thai immigration offices inside the country.
Like
Reply
Tod *********
This is just gonna be a nightmare of a thread :/

I'm tempted to close it now :(
Like
Reply
Valère *************************
I think you should sell popcorn and soda.... get something positive out of it too 😎😎😎
Like
Reply
Julia ************
Same. Visa is not relevant to me but I don't wanna miss out on the comments 🀣
Like
Reply
Barry ******
I'm just here to read the comments πŸ˜†
Like
Reply
Frank **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Tod come on let's have a bit af fun . You can close ist later.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Frank **************
Reply
Thai Visa Advice
... members Β· 40% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.