What are the options and costs for retirement visas in Thailand for expats over 50?

@Dave *********

Not sure which one you go to but at HH main immigration if you get there late morning OR late afternoon you're looking at 30 mins max (extension). A couple of times for a 90 day I've walked in and just walked straight to a desk, no ticket required. Get there first thing and it's usually a scrum with people who had the same idea. Years of experimenting.

@Jeff ******

Bangkok mate! Can be a nightmare sometimes!

@Dave *********

ah ok - I've heard of nightmare places. So the answer is move to gods waiting room! 😄

@Jeff ******

haha! You may be right!

@Jan *****************

Thanks I've already got the retirement visa, but was just interested in the differences. When I applied for the LTR I was told I probably have more than most applicants in terms of wealth but it isn't in the right places. Cash doesn't count and there is no way on earth I'm leaving 250k in Thai stocks, way from western markets, when they couldn't tell me where it would be invested and by whom. Given I've read they are 995,000 short of their projections, someone needs to actually accurately assess who qualifies and the easiest way for them to get it as right now very wealthy people can't tick their boxes.

@Jeff ******

If you could provide proof of minimum $80K USD in passive income, you don’t need to invest $250K USD.

—>“Minimum unearned or passive income* of USD 80,000 / year at the time of application

(Note that earned income and salaries WILL NOT be considered for the personal income requirement for wealthy pensioners)

OR

—>In the case that unearned or passive income is lower than USD 80,000 but not lower than USD , the applicant is required to make additional investments of USD 250,000 combined in Thai government bonds OR direct investment in companies registered in Thailand OR Thai property”.

“unearned or passive income includes, but are not limited to pension, rental, capital gain, dividend, and interest payments”

@Jan *****************

I can't. I'm retired having more than enough money to live on, BUT when I need cash I just send it to myself from various cash piles (from property sales etc) or from investments. I don't need 80k a year to live on (most years) as I already own everything here so I only need 'general living money' I told them I could prove my investments were growing by more than 80k a year but they said that would not be applicable as it would have to be in thai stocks. I've given up now. Doesn't seem fit for purpose if I can't get it, and others with less wealth can.

@Jeff ******

understand 👍

@Jan *****************

Hey can I ask you for LTR visa requirement if is it ok I Can show my current job contract and last 2 years job offer and payslips that meet criteria of income greater than 80k USD per year in last 2 years. My doubt is I will show salary slips of different companies since I switched my Job.

Also I have other stock investments and Fixed deposit returns that also adds extra as passive income on top of 80k USD

@Daniel *******

I don’t have a complete overview but if you check this link from the BOI who will approve your application all options and requirements are well specified.

@Lester ********

It’s ok to use an agent just to help you with the paperwork, and you might need to get an agent to help you opening a bank account if you come without a Non immigrant visa anyway, just be sure you fulfil all formal requirements and everything is done legally.

You’ll need the initial 90 days Non O visa anyway, because your future stay is just an extension of this. But you can come on a regular visa exemption and if it’s 60 days you’ll have better time.

You’ll need the 800K baht in your bank in Thailand at date when you apply for the initial 90 days Non O visa. For your first year extension of stay the 800K baht has to be seasoned for two months before you apply and three months after the extension is issued and it can never drop below 400K at any point for the first year. For your second year extension you’ll just repeat this.

If you want to switch to the income method for your second year, you’ll need to show proof of twelve months consecutive transfers of min 65k baht and the 800K baht is again free to use.

Be aware of if you plan to stay in Pattaya/Jomtien, the immigration in Jomtien also requires two months seasoning of the 800K baht for the initial 90 days Non O. This is as I’m aware of the only immigration with this requirement and for the others it’s sufficient with the funds in your account at date when you apply. (Best to apply for the Non O at home anyway if you plan to stay in Jomtien)

@Lester ********

No, but it might come in effect quite soon now. Anyway you still get 30 + 30 days on a visa exemption and 16-21 days is required for the application process.

@Jan *****************

actually it's pretty locatipn specific. Some places can be easy but other places can make your life impossible. So it all depends on you know how fast you want to get things done and how much ease to get going... .. like I said, I did it when it was convenient for me but now would probably not do it

@Jan *****************

agree100%..... I did it a few times like that when it was just simply more convenient due to being all over the globe and having a million things going on at the same time but I now do it to myself