Answered5 months ago
What are the implications of a proposed snowbird visa for older travelers in Thailand?
"a dedicated six-month “snowbird visa,” aimed at older travelers escaping winter between November and April. According to supporters, these visitors often have substantial pensions and savings but cannot officially reside in Thailand year-round due to tax, pension, or residency restrictions back home." Damn good idea.
Answer summary
The discussion revolves around the proposition of a six-month 'snowbird visa' designed for older travelers looking to escape winter. Supporters believe this visa could benefit both tourists and the Thai economy, allowing financially stable retirees to spend money longer in Thailand without strict residency requirements. Comments highlight concerns regarding financial management (e.g., not wanting to tie up funds in Thai banks), existing visa alternatives, and the complexities of current Thai visa regulations, including the need for health insurance and potential tax impacts based on residency.
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Syed *****************
It’s a multiple visa for 5 years with 180 days validity - tourists will enjoy most who have money
Robert *********
Metv
John ********
What a load of shit. 💩. Follow the rules. Simple
John *********
Get a one year tourist visa
Rich ****
Too hot for snowbirds 🦆🦆
Greg ***********
Myself, I have a yearly 1-year extensionof stay permit based on being over50/retired. Since 17 years. I hibernate in Thailand from October thru March. I NEVER exceed 179 days within a rolling one-year period.
Stephen *********
Greg Alexander and 800,000baht in Thai bank you can't touch
Greg ***********
Stephen Hannant I can touch them whenever I like, this still is my money. I just keep them parked. I enjoy these 800,000 THB enabling me to live in a warm country, where everything costs far less than half the price I would have to pay in my home country
Joe *******
Agreed it makes logical sense and would boost the economy for Thais . I have lots of friends who use the 6 month muti entry visa but they still have to leave and normally go to a different country thus spending money there rather than in Thailand. I have always said this is a no brainer and older people are less likely to cause problems so in the current climate it’s a win win. Let’s hope someone in power picks up on this 🙏
Elías ********
You can already to that in the requirement visa, tho 🤷🏻
Ian ********
Sounds like a very good idea
Bern ******
It is very simple. They don’t want to tie up their money in a bank account in Thailand. Willing to spend substantial money on a rental, travel, food, entertainment, etc but not willing to have money idle in a foreign bank.
John **********
@Bern *****
you can see the problems here I'm sure. Don't want money tied up in a Thai bank
Don't want money tied up in their home bank
Don't want to pay for insurance
What sort of visa do you think fulfills that criteria?
Bern ******
Again, I don’t spend any of my time pondering/thinking about what other people do. I will do what is necessary for me to do to satisfy me or the govt.
Bill *********
Bern Reid The money has to be somewhere. Why not in a Thai bank? I have no concerns which country my account sits. It's still mine.
Sheen ************
@Bill ********
not your concernStephen *********
@Bill ********
800,000 baht is forever in Thailand bank. Can never take out unless permanently leaving Thailand.Greg ***********
Stephen Hannant I can't take it with me should I pass away in Thailand. That's why I made up a Thai Last Will
Bern ******
You do u and I do me and we will both be happy!
Bill *********
Stephen Hannant Exactly. No problem with that at all. When I leave, I'll withdraw, otherwise I'm fine with the money there for fulfilling my visa purposes.
Cris ******
Heres your big problem. "Damn good idea" instantly will be shot down. You need to add in like. "Massively confusing, constantly changing requirements and will be revoked in a few years" haha
Miyamoto *********
I got an idea, why not just let Thais decide what they want for their country!!!!!!!
John **********
Miyamoto Musashi What have got against constructive dialogue?
Glenys ********
Great idea but need all year round as if from the southern hemisphere you need May to October
BC ********
Glenys French Exists already.
There are several types to choose from : the various "retirement" visas.
There are several types to choose from : the various "retirement" visas.
Max ********
BC Farang like what, most retirement visas are for living in Thailand not for just six months each year.
John **********
@Max *******
if that's your problem you should use the Non-OA visa which allows you to use money in your home bankMax ********
@John *********
I am well over 50 and have no intention of working but they still want to to tie up 800k in a Thai bank.John **********
@Max *******
it's actually based on age, so if you're over 50 your good as long as you won't work either in Thailand or remotelyMax ********
@John *********
that applies to any visa, but the visa is for retirement I am not looking to retire in Thailand I just want a visa that allows me to come to Thailand for 130 to 180 odd days a year.John **********
@Max *******
your not held prisoner, you don't have to stay the full 12 months
Graeme *******
So what are the Tax , resident problems. I think USA folk have to pay tax back there but DTA with Thailand takes care of that. Many countries allow you to be a non resident in old country and live in Thailand and pay tax here, which is very miminal.
Petr *********************
Graeme Drake some countries require for government pension to have a permanent residency in their country
Michael ********
Yes it is a good idea money in home country account but insurance for 6 months.
Terry ********
Michael Dawson No to insurance. I prefer 'pay as you go' rather than insurance as it is ridiculously expensive over 70.
Hal ********
@Terry *******
I’m 80 Healthy but can’t get insMichael ********
@Terry *******
snowbird be more at risk so yes should make insurance mandatory. OA visa same
Stuart ***********
@Terry *******
so you want the Tha government to risk you not having money in Thailand and no insurance 🤔
Jill ***********
I’d like a personal choice of the 6 months we don’t all live in the Northern hemisphere
Jack *******
OPJill Ridgewell Sure, why not.
Peter **********
As always with Thailand more and more changes
Charlie *********
They have “substantial pensions and savings”, but apparently cannot afford an elite visa? How substantial are they?
Petr *********************
@Charlie ********
Elite visa is a scam by Thai government, why would I pay them for practically nothing?
Cj ******
@Charlie ********
what? Elite visa you talking about? If they create one that would be great, 6 months single entry with proof of pension or money in foreign bank.Charlie *********
Cj Baas sorry called the Thai privilege visa now. Used to be called the elite visa. Still need to do 90 day reporting, but each entry gets a 1 year stamp, which can be extended. Has access to banking. Other perks as well. And you get picked up at the gate and fast tracked at immigration
Andy **********
@Charlie ********
You don't buy a Rolls Royce to go to the shops for groceries.The Elite Visa is overkill and overpriced.
The answer used to be your home embassy verifying income - no bank deposit nonsense, no real hoops to jump through, etc.
The wealthy pensioner visa needs $80k of passive income but at the same time they say Bt800k is sufficient.
The whole system is a total shambles.
John **********
@Andy *********
you have to blame your home embassy for that one I'm afraidCharlie *********
Andy Johnston A Rolls Royce? Is that what we’re comparing the elite visa to? A million baht for 20 years when you’re not yet at the qualifying age for a retirement visa isn’t really all that awful, and with a lot more stability than the DTV (and with access to banking)
But, I get it, some folks can’t afford it. But if they can’t afford that, one has to naturally ask how they plan to afford life abroad
But, I get it, some folks can’t afford it. But if they can’t afford that, one has to naturally ask how they plan to afford life abroad
Max ********
@Charlie ********
who said anything about a life abroad they were talking about six months.
JJ ***********
@Charlie ********
How long is an elite visa for.Why tie money up .
Many People also dont go away every year.
Some might not have long left.
Charlie *********
JJ O Connor Pretty sure they have 5, 10, and 20 year options. And, if the pension/savings are indeed "substantial" then paying for it really shouldn't be that big of an issue. Same goes for all these supposedly rich digital nomads. But, hey, keep the money, take the options with more hassles, doesn't really affect me :)
Joiner *****
@Charlie ********
more than enough to keep the thais happy How substantial do you need to be for 6 months living here ?
Every 1 000 baht puts food and rent on the table for thais struggling
Jim *********
Joiner Man while a special snow bird visa would be nice, it's really pretty simple. Thailand doesn't want people here that don't meet their requirements to stay and they have made it harder for me over the years. I don't live here full time and I have had a retirement or marriage permission to stay for 20 years, my wife has a US resident Green Card. She can't be out of the US more than 179 days and now if I am in Thailand for more than 180 days, like I might be this year, I have to file income taxes here. The Thai government has a love for paperwork and rubber stamps! Wishful thinking they would make it easier when they are trying to get rid of long stayers who don't meet the present requirements.
Charlie *********
Jim McGowan I mean, I don't get that vibe at all. As for the taxes, the US and Thailand have a dual taxation agreement, don't they? The whole tax situation has seemed like a bunch of needless fretting by people who aren't going to even be that heavily impacted by it. I see you're from Santa Cruz. Used to live in Monterey
Kim **********
Jim McGowan unless you get an ltr then no tax filing
Frances ********
Retired “snow bird”. That would be perfect.
Erik ******
Frances Pulone, so long as you're over 50, a non-O with multi-entry does the trick right now.
Geoff *******
@Erik *****
They stopped the non-O multi-entry a few years ago. Single entry only now. Shame, as multi-entry was perfect for me.
Russell ***********
Geoff Nolan i got my Non-O + multiple entry in March
Geoff *******
@John *********
Yes, and he would still have to jump through the hoops with a thai bank to get the extension.John **********
@Geoff ******
he means a multiple re-entry permitErik ******
Geoff, I've just renewed my stamps a couple of months ago. Multiple re-entry was a couple of thousand baht more than single entry, but it makes it easier in case I need or want to leave the Kingdom.
Kim **********
Or ltr
Shea *******
It’s called a DTV. You can come for 6 months. It’s good for 5 years.
BC ********
Shea April No, it is what the non-OA is, but even better.
JJ ***********
Shea April Except its not targeted for over 50.
DTV has certainly brought a lot of trash in that are causing some of the problems
DTV has certainly brought a lot of trash in that are causing some of the problems
Nick *******
Shea April not if you are retired and don't want to enrol in something. You will not get a DTV 🙄
Frances ********
I thought you had to be enrolled in a course, or doing self employment or sponsored employment to qualify for DTV.
Brad *******
Agreed but Thailand seems to define "living" as anything more than 3-4 weeks
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