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What are the different visa options for moving to Thailand as an expat?
ThailandVisa TypesNon-Immigrant VisaRetirement VisaExpat LifeVisa CategoriesCost of Living in ThailandBeach Lifestyle
Feb 13, 2025
a year ago
Rich *******
ORIGINAL POSTERHow many different visa are there for Thailand. I’m thinking of moving out there later this year
47 year old British male ex army 50k+ in the bank 1k monthly income just want to lay on a beach all day and chill out. Don’t want to work happy to rent somewhere
47 year old British male ex army 50k+ in the bank 1k monthly income just want to lay on a beach all day and chill out. Don’t want to work happy to rent somewhere
TLDR : Answer Summary
Thailand offers a variety of visas for expats, with approximately 8 main visa classes and numerous subcategories. Popular types include Tourist, Non-Immigrant, and Retirement visas. The Non-Immigrant visa class has the most subcategories, ideal for longer stays. Expats considering moving to Thailand should also be aware of financial considerations, as living expenses can vary significantly depending on lifestyle choices.
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.
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Gary ***********
1K a month, good luck with that unless you are loving on the beach chasing crabs to eat. Seriously you better have money banked for sure, a lot to retire as 1K is not going to do much at all.
Rich *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gary **********
£1000 a month and £50,000 uk pounds in bank not bahtRich *******
ORIGINAL POSTER*****
baht a month isn’t enough to live in Thailand. I’ve heard that’s enoughKevin **********
@Rich ******
You could do it with Isaan village life. The "beach life" is what drives the price upReply to
Kevin **********
Reply
Gary ***********
@Rich ******
With respect man that is NOT ENOUGH to retire at 47 in Thailand and not trying to sound offensive or condescending to you at all. You will be cutting into your 50K buffer right away. Think, you want a bike or car, BOOM it drops. meet a girl, it happens, drop more, get sick drop more and GOD forbid have any decent lifestyle 1K a month is NOTHING I would want to live on there. You need a LOT more savings with that income, not even double as I see it, MUCH more to live your life out unless you are terminal. That's the reality as that is all you get with 1K a month, lay on a beach and eat, occasionally buy a beer. Meet a girl and treat her like a girl, what are you going to say "I really love you baby girl, so much, I will save up and next month supersize McDonalds for you" I say that tongue in cheek, but I am very good with money and it doesn't take an MBA to extrapolate that you will be crawling back home, perhaps with a smile within a 2-4 years as you will be out of money.Reply to
Gary ***********
Reply
Rene ********
Lol, fuck off somewhere else, and strangle your core values along the way
Randy ******
London Tower wants to chill on the beach Windsurfing on Mount Baldy
Rich *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rene *******
WTF why would I be ashamedRene ********
@Rich ******
, because you're a tool of empire you f****** moron.... mercenary.... Sick core values, self-importance obsessed, and have done nothing to help humanity along your personal journey except kill kill all for someone else, in exchange for a f****** paycheckAndy **********
@Rene *******
What a way to win friends and be added to an ignore list.Rich *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rene *******
Really. Thanks for your opinion.Reply to
Rich *******
Reply
Rene ********
Ex military!!!!!!!be ashamed
Reply to
Rene ********
Reply
Gregory ********
Too many too mention🙈🙈
Erik *******
42
William *****
@Erik ******
List them…Erik *******
@William ****
42 is the answer to Life the Universe and Everything.Reply to
Erik *******
Reply
SteBu ******
That’s not relevant. You need a Visa that fits you. Ex. You are 40 years old, the retirement NON-O doesn’t apply to you
Greg ***********
Okay, got it
***There are 65 subcategories of a total of 8 visaclasses
*** plus the rather new DTV which can be issued for a handful of subcategories
The 8 visaclasses are:
Tourist
Transit
Diplomatic
Official
Courtesy
LTR
SMART
Non Immigrant
*** the Non Immigrant visa-class has the highest number of subcategories . . . . . . .My list does not include the
*** visa exempt entry
*** visa-on-arrival
*** visa waiver (bilateral agreement)
***There are 65 subcategories of a total of 8 visaclasses
*** plus the rather new DTV which can be issued for a handful of subcategories
The 8 visaclasses are:
Tourist
Transit
Diplomatic
Official
Courtesy
LTR
SMART
Non Immigrant
*** the Non Immigrant visa-class has the highest number of subcategories . . . . . . .My list does not include the
*** visa exempt entry
*** visa-on-arrival
*** visa waiver (bilateral agreement)
Greg ***********
I got a complete list on my computer. Gonna count all visaclasses and their sub-categories. Give me a moment
Bill ********
Incorrect,....17 or 18 as I remember......
John ******
Long time or short time?
Vicky *********
No one knows for certain
Blake ********
69
Paul ***********
Many
Stuart *********
Lots. 15 or so categories with sub types. Some are available to some passport holders and some not.
If you want specific details then you probably need to give a bit more information about nationality and age at least.
If you want specific details then you probably need to give a bit more information about nationality and age at least.
Rich *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
47 year old British male ex army 50k British money in the bank and 1k monthly income not moving over there to work just want to lay on a beach all dayStuart *********
@Rich ******
Not too many options open for under 50. You’ve got the education visa for stuff like Muay Thai or Thai language that will work for a year perhaps two. Probably better to look at the DTV which is a 5 year visa. That would take you over the threshold of 50 where you could look at a retirement visa.Rich *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
what’s the criteria for the DTVReply to
Stuart *********
Reply
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