What are the requirements for obtaining a permanent visa in Thailand after purchasing an apartment?

@James ***********

quite possibly, no issues her. But the O visa and retirement extension will cost her in and around 40,000 baht.. ..15 months total......thereafter, 14 to 16,000 yearly for renewal. Jus' saying. .... Peace of mind for sure and seamless.

@Rene *******

didn't realize it's that expensive. I used an agent to open a bank account, and for a divorce, they were both fairly cheap. Just assumed it would be maybe 10k baht.

@Harry ********

that’s also a fair assessment. Especially with DTV

@Mark *******

I think there is a medical check for particular diseases which must be undertaken and a form filled out..AXA is reputable firm

@Andi **********

yes but there are age limits. For Thai medical insurance.

@Andi **********

Yeah its a piece of a4 paper with about 6 diseases written on it. Any Doctor will tick it and sign it. Pretty straightforward. You get it from the Thai embassy in your country along with the other visa paperwork to fill in.

@Todd ********

do you min sharing agent name? Thanks

@Kevin *****

I didn’t use an agent. Application process is simple, online and 20 business day response time. Unless you have a complicated income or asset situation to prove the income, no need for agent at all

@Todd ********

- oh, I’m struggling because I’m just a stupid Irishman. I get it now -

the (out of reach) LTR is not the best visa for the vast majority of people.

It’s the best for the elitists that like to brag about their self worth money 💸 🙄 - haha

@Jet *******

you have to forgive Todd and understand he’s a Canadian. What more would you expect.

@Jet *******

did I say I had it lol? Obviously the stupid Irishman self assessment is based on experience. Out of reach for you isn’t out of reach for everybody.

@Todd ********

Probably more people of working age might be dragged into it than you might think. Overall, 37% of the US population has a college degree. But that includes pensioners, of which about 10% have college education. Of the UK working population, over 40% have a degree. That's likely similar or a bit lower than the US. But that proportion varies by age group. Those aged 50 and under, representing the cohort who had access to student loans, during the Great Education Expansion, probably approaches 60%. Likely about 20% gained a postgraduate qualification. Median professional income is £38,000, plenty more than the us$40,000 threshold for LTR work from Thailand professionals. If the western expatriate population is representative of their countries, then 1 in 10 of them might qualify. But the expatriate is not representative of the home population, because there is a skewing in favour of professionals who worked in the oil and shipping industries, for the airlines, for financial services and IT. Not many binmen decide to retire to Thailand, mainly because they never had the money to go see a country like that. Why aren't more applying? Probably because they are happy with the present arrangements, unaware of the scheme or egregiously ignorant.

@Todd ********

baiting you is like catching fish with dynamite 🧨 lol.

Do you always like to have the last say in everything? I think so my Irish friend 🍀🤣🍀

@Jet *******

trolling simpletons is pure comedy. Absolute bottom feeder IQ. But it won’t stop you from having the last word will it ‘Jet’ 😂😂😂😂

@Jet *******

haha! Very good point but a little bit personal 👍

@Ellen ************

If I only have 50,000thb - can I get an LTR? It’s a simple yes or no answer.

I believe Edna’s point is that the financial criteria to qualify for a “50,000thb LTR visa” are out of reach of most people coming to Thailand

If all that was needed was 50,000thb - then everyone would have an LTR 👍

@Jet *******

If you have sold a property in, say Dublin, after paying off the 25 year mortgage, plus a typical pension pot fir a professional worker, you will easily meet the requirements.$40k US isn't that much really. You're getting $15k just in Irish state pension, let alone the pension from the job. And right now, there will a lot of people coming up to retirement on final salary pensions. Of course, if you've never held down a job, and spent all your time on the dole, it's a different matter.

@Jet *******

None if what you say has a basis in fact, and you are out of touch with western incomes.

@Jet *******

why are you talking to me? An OP asked a question and everyone chucked out their experience and you decided to pounce on the comment that wasn’t even directed at you, to try to disprove the validity of his suggestion and you’re still doing it 😂

All this upset because someone has a visa that works for them and mentioned it to someone beginning their research.

I’m embarrassed for you tbh, it’s top notch goofy.

@Nongnuch *******

dirt cheap? Let me help you with the very basic math. Your lousy visa with stand in line at the bank and immigration office every year like a wretch, cost 1900 measly baht annually. LTR is multiple entry as the vast majority of people travel a bit while in Southeast Asia. To make the pathetic and annoying non-o multi entry costs an additional 3800 annually. Making annual cost for the right to stand in line every year 😂 5700 baht. Almost 15% MORE than LTR. 😂😂😂 and NONE of the benefits of LTR. sort yourself out mate

@Todd ********

it's 20 minutes on my bank, and 25 minutes on Immigration. You just have to live in the most perfect place to use this Immigration. they actually fill out all forms for me, I only need to sign them

@Nongnuch *******

and every year 😂😂 sounds like you have a lot of time on your hands and not much to do with it. Enjoy

@Todd ********

based on the law of probability, there’s a 99% chance that the OP does not meet the criteria for an LTR. But you will argue with this point - go ahead.

A person that is not an elitist would be in touch with reality and accept and understand this.

And regarding your point about tax free status for some - there is significant speculation that this will change through Thai government taxation law changes

@Jet *******

Have you got data to share of average westerner retiree in Thailand by nationality. I suspect US and Canadian citizens will be near the top. You are very certain of this 99% number, so I suppose you will have data to support this. Anecdotally, most of the expatriate property in somewhere like Samui seems very expensive by western standards, and it's not Thais or Chinese living there (a lot of French and Germans it seems). The ltr retirees requirement of $40k income and $250k in thai property seems pretty modest. The median us retirement income is $50k, and average is $70k, so I am surprised at your view that 99% of ameri an retirees living in Thailand would fail to meet the threshold. Even for professionals with advanced qualifications, the salary requirement is far below the median salary. The catch with LTR besides Permanent Establishment questions, is what happens in 8-10 years .

@Andy *********

where did I say @99% of American retirees would fail to meet the threshold? Please show me…

This has turned into a long thread of people “pissing in the wind”

The fact is the significant majority of all people wanting a “longer term Thailand visa” cannot afford AND do not meet the financial requirements of the LTR. Therefore the Thailand LTR is not the best visa for the vast majority of people.

@Jet *******

someone asked for advice. Advice was offered. Other pewsumptious and rude advice was offered why that advice was bad advice, based on bias and made up stats. I take it 99% is made up. Everyone I know would meet the threshold of working professional based on qualification and modest salary. Is it vast or significant? There is a difference. You are just doubling down after you and a few others decided to be spoilers because of your own financial circumstances. The average house in the UK is about £350,000. $250,000 us is pretty cheap. Rather than being argumentative and putting people down, and making false assumptions, just accept the OP has a range of options. There are lots of disadvantages to the DTV that you are purposely not bringing up. For instance, you can't open a local bank account up. Obvious and huge disadvantage. Obviously since you are speaking as an impoverished pensioner barely getting by, you haven't a pot to piss in, let alone money to deposit. There is great uncertainty whether it's possible to get or renew a Thai driving licence while on a tourist visa such as the DTV that you presumably have. And not everyone has a long term medical condition that needs long term treatment in Thsiland, or wants to train as a chef for 5 years or works on computers, or has an online business. A lot of people using this visa, maybe 98%, or have I made that up, are scammers and will get found out. Your experience may vary.

@Olivia *******

Maybe you have Freehold.

@Wayne *******

send us some pics of you standing in line for grovelling at the bank and immigration every year to remind us how ‘simple’ it is 😂😂

@Todd ********

I hate to burst your bubble Todd, but we have a new Immigration office in Phichit i’ve been in there countless numbers of time and there has never been more than four people in the waiting room. And if you need me to send a picture, I actually can. 

@Todd ********

😂😄😂 again, it takes me 20 minutes in my bank and 25 minutes on my immigration, for the 90-days report, for the new 1-year extension of stay plus a single re-entry permit. A gentle breeze it is, and it only costs 1900.- THB plus 1000.- THB each time, not 50.000.- THB

@Nongnuch *******

again if one wishes to live in lousy village, that sounds delightful. Take pics. I don’t need to bother with any of that dog 💩. But sounds fun for you 🥂. Pathetic way to spend retirement overall, but what the heck

@Todd ********

I won't pay one Satang of tax to Thailand on my assets. I sold all my property back between 2015 and 2019, and this money they won't ever taxate, it is protected by the Double Taxation Treaty, and I am very well informed on that matter, despite your blunder

@Nongnuch *******

😂 nobody with low income will pay tax. So congrats. But you clearly don’t even understand how the numerous tax treaties function. But for people having LTR , the far superior visa, they truly won’t pay one satang of tax, regardless of how high the income. Educate yourself. Because you really have absolutely no clue

@Todd ********

. . . and I don't expect to pay any tax on my half a million Euros, since they are not classified as "income". These are savings I had BEFORE January 1st, 2024. They are excluded from taxation. Simple and easy

@Todd ********

lousy village?😜😎 I live like a king . . .surrounded by a fruit garden and two large fishponds

@Wa***

I’m not misunderstanding anything. The first response to his comment - and the same person doubled down in following comments- - directly about the cost- so for that guy, it is about money- he pounced on the cost- in an effort to discount the comment.

A suggestion was made- which is what OP asked for. Someone responded snarky and even with misinformation and that’s never been addressed. This person explained it was the best advice he had and that it was the option that worked for him. Every negative response to that has been a reach, envy - and implying that he said it was easy and available to anyone. He never said that. I look at words- I respond to words. I understood the words and the obvious salty self pity, trying to act like he said something outrageous or inappropriate- he didn’t 🤷🏻‍♀️

Is 50k really that much when you look at the value there? Is 50k honestly that much at all?? For a person with any employment at all?

It may be within reach of this OP who has the means to buy property and travel with regularity… she asked and he made a suggestion based on his experience, which is exactly what everyone else that answered did. He isn’t some villain because people want to read into it and claim it’s an oversimplification 🙄 we don’t know her status or resources. People need to grow up- he answered OP, why do people feel the need to comment on the suggestions of others? It’s inappropriate behavior and being defended 🤣

@Ellen ************

I can tell you understand words as soon as you said the word misinformation. You’re probably American and you’re probably voted for Kamala Harris. 

@Wayne *******

well that shows what a dumb dumb you are. Something’s wrong with the word misnformation? Using this word somehow exposes the secrets of my soul to you? 🤣 it would be impossible for someone like you, hasty and immature, to understand what my vote might have been. You better get checked because you seem to be full of misinformation. Or else you think you’re psychic. Your best response was to come back with a petty insult that isn’t even anywhere in the vicinity of accuracy??? The member made a comment as a direct response to the question OP asked. He never said it was the best. He never said it was the cheapest. He never said she would qualify. It’s the people worried about beer money that got their backs up and felt so self-conscious about someone spending ฿50,000 that they’ve made a fool of themselves and brought you right along with them. They say women are emotional, but in here it constantly seems that men are the ones that cannot stand to be confronted with logic. Good gawd man. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Wayne and whoever else deleting their comments 🤣

🚫 ⚽️ 🏀

@Jane **********

it's 5ok baht or 5k per year per year, includes tax free status for some, FastTrack at all airports and no 90 day reporting requirement, and never visit immigration again. It's extremely cheap

@Todd ********

okay

@Malcolm ****

That's less than the price of a 2.5 year UK partner visa, which the UK government believes is affordable for those on the median income of £38,000.

@Andy *********

the whole thing is ridiculous- thank you for a sensible response.

@Malcolm ****

you left out an important fact. I’m correct. And I didn’t leave out anything. If anyone had asked that question, I would have also given them the correct answer.

@Malcolm ****

do i live in Thailand? Are you drunk or stupid?

@Todd ********

why can’t it be both? 🤭 drunk, and stupid aren’t mutually exclusive.

@Ellen ************

haha. True enough

@Todd ********

I figured I better circle back and clarify since there was so much static passed since the original remark.

Are we really talking baht? 50k baht?

@Ellen ************

yes, wasn't sure which point you were talking about... yes the cost of 10 year LTR is only 50k baht. But the qualifying levels are generally the harder part

@Todd ********

"better" and "best" are relative terms . . . . . . . . the "Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa" is the better visa. Each 1-year extension of stay permit costs only 1900.- Baht. So for 10 years the costs would be only 19.000.- THB, compared to the 50,000.- THB for a LTR visa. Which one is "better"? It depends. You only need 800.000.- THB on an account (23.000.- USD) to quaily for a Non-Imm-O retirement, compared to the requirement of earning 80.000.- US Dollars per year to qualify for a LTR visa. What is "better"? Again, it depends

@Nongnuch *******

The Non-Imm-O visa is very definitely far from being a better visa. Cmon man. Each 1 year extension is not multi entry which costs an additional 3800 baht to the cost. (just so we can compare apples to apples as LTR is multiple entry). LTR for retirees is TAX FREE. Obviously Non-O fails there. LTR has no 90 day reporting requirement. Non-O doesn't. LTR has fastTrack at all airports. Non-O leaves you standing in long lines. Non-O requires annual banking info and immigration visit for application. LTR requires neither. Which one is 'better"? The answer is crystal clear. There is no comparison.

@Todd ********

yes, ABSOLUTELY incomparable to the CHEAP CHEAP requirements for a Non-Imm-O Retirement visa 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣 seriously, are you joking? Nobody needs a multi entry permit. I get along with one exit per year on my Retirement extension, the single entry permit is 1000.- THB, which results in 10-year costs over 29.000.- THB. Still cheaper than the LTR 50,000.- THB

@Nongnuch *******

lol are YOU joking?? Or you just can't grasp what the LTR is? Can you wrap your head around value of the TAX FREE situation? Spend a little time with some coherent thought and get back to me about the value of that. You understand that TEN years is more than ONE year right? And you grasp that NO bank or immigration visits are required? And you understand that LTR is multi entry NOT single entry right? Because it doesn't seem like you are really sorting through these crucial details very well

@Todd ********

In Thailand, I am living off my savings, and my savings are tax free. I got proof I have had them pre January 1st, 2024. Why would you say I need to pay taxes on my savings? I don't need an LTR to remain tax-free in Thailand in the future 😎

@Nongnuch *******

what’s clear is that you ‘think’ you understand the Thai tax regulations for Jan 1, 2024. What also clear is that you don’t understand at all how global income will be taxed. Nobody gives a 💩 what you live off. Every retiree lives off some form of passive income. And I didn’t say you need to pay tax did I? Everyone with low income as you can be tax free if they know what to do. As you are not well off financially, you have no clue about the implication of taxation of global income, and never need to worry about qualifying for LTR, why not just shuffle on?

@Todd ********

WEALTHY INDIVIDUALS HOLDING AT LEAST USD 1 MILLION IN ASSETS

Owning at least USD 1 million in assets under the applicant’s name

Minimum average personal income of USD 80,000 / year in the past two years

Combined investment in Thai government bonds OR direct investment in companies registered in Thailand OR Thai property of at least USD 500,000

Insured under a health insurance covering a minimum of USD 50,000 OR receiving social security benefits in Thailand OR deposit and maintain at least USD 100,000 in bank account balance under the applicant’s name during the past 12 months

@Nongnuch *******

happy you are here for the cut and paste portion. Thx. Yes for over 50 only requirement is $80k annual income and $100k in the bank. Very simple, clear and easy application process it seems

Please check your eligibility to apply for e-visa and submit the following documents via

Biodata page of Passport or Travel Document

Declaration

Photograph * taken within the last six months. If the photograph does not reflect your current appearance, you may be refused to enter the Kingdom of Thailand

Letter from BOI

Other documents as required

E-visa will be issued and be notified via email and your e-Visa account

Visa Fee * LTR visa processing fee at each Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate-General is based on the fee in Thailand (50,000 THB per person per 10 years), but may vary and is usually more than the fee in Thailand, depending on the currency rate and the additional fee which might be applied in some countries.

Please note that the processing fee for the e-Visa application is non-refundable. In case the e-Visa application is rejected due to incorrect information, mistyped letters, etc., a new e-Visa application shall require the applicant to withdraw and re-submit and the applicant has to pay for the processing fee again in full.

It is advisable that you contact Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate-General, who is the main responsible organization of the e-Visa, for further advice and suggestion prior to applying for the e-Visa

Visa period and staying permission

According to the annoucement of the Ministry of Interior Affairs, the applicant who passed the qualifications endorsement for LTR visa (and has had the visa issued in the period within 60 days from the date of qualifications endorsement letter issuance) will receive the 10-year visa stamp from the Immigration/Thai Embassy on the date of your LTR Visa issuance. However, the immigrantion will grant the permission to stay in Thailand with unlimited accesses to the Royal Thai Kingdom (multiple re-entry) for no more than 5 years. This means that you will get a 5-year visa stamp first. And, before the expiration of your first staying permission, your qualifications and criteria will be verified again (you will be required to submit documents and proof via the system). If your qualifications and criteria do not meet the requirement e.g. for Wealthy Global Citizens catagory, if the value of your investment in Thailand is less than USD 500,000 because you sold your property, or have canceled your health insurance and did not have a proof of the health insurance for the past years* etc., in such cases, the LTR visa shall be revoked.

* Remarks:

* You are required to report to LTR Visa unit if your purpose of staying in Thailand is different to the purpose you applied for the LTR visa i.e. For LTR : W and LTR- H as staying in Thailand with an incorrect type of visa might be against the law.

@Todd ********

The LTR Visa processing fee of 50,000 THB per person per 10 years and the Digital Work Permit processing fee (for applicants who applied for Digital Work Permit only). The total work permit fee can be seen on the work permit payment form. The total fee is calculated base on the annual fee of 3,000 THB per person per 1 year)

@Nongnuch *******

the poster is 65.... don't think she is looking for a work permit

@Todd ********

LTR Visa holders are required to report to Thai Immigration once a year, rather than every 90 days as required for other visa types

@Nongnuch *******

once a yr from entry. You could leave the country once a year and never report to immigration.

@Jim *******

on a LTR, yes. On an EOS from a Non-Imm-O, only on a re-entry permit

@Nong****

thx for the tip. Which means if you travel annually (who doesn't) you are never required to report. Again, just a far superior visa

@Todd ********

I need to do only ONE 90-days report every year, and I will always do it on the same day when I apply for another 1-Year Extension of Stay Permit and the single re-entry permit. It saves me from having to do the 90 days report online 😃😄 LTR? Complete and utter bo...cks

@Nongnuch *******

oh another visit to immigration to stand in line for non-O holders who are too cheap to need a multi entry passport. 😂😂😂

@Todd ********

At the end of the day, anyone that doesn’t have 50 K baht- (which was what was challenged as being incorrect info/amount and also ‘not accessible to most people’) to set themselves safe and legal in a country, shouldn’t be there at all. Ridiculous.

Only people wanting to hang out in SEA would be crying about that amount of money. It’s embarrassing. Now you’re a 1 percenter?

I feel so special to be in your orbit 🤑 🤣

I’ll just rest here and wait for the backpedaling…

I don’t know why this group is so argumentative. It’s so childish but then again as I mentioned, SEA. Most and yes, I mean most, western men in the region have a deep need to be ‘correct’. I can’t imagine that it’s not exhausting because it’s exhausting even to witness.

@Ellen ************

be both what?

@Malcolm ****

A Bangkok apartment has to be worth $250,000 at least. Job done. She is obviously of means to be able to own holiday property

@Andy *********

I think she doesn't own the apartment, because she doesn't have a blue housebook for it. I think she just paid 1.5 mill for a 30-years lease

@Nongnuch *******

She would own the apartment for the duration of the lease. That counts as investing in Thai property.

@Andy *********

correct. And the maximum legal lease period is 30 years. And any renewal guarantee written into the lease is unlawful as well

@Nongnuch *******

The Thai government is considering 99 year leases. Not sure when that will come, if ever.

@Andy *********

considering as long as it not gets published in the Royal Gazette, is just hot air

@Todd ********

1.5 million baht for 10 years; unfortunately myself and most people aren’t as wealthy as you 💰 💰

@Malcolm ****

it’s 50k baht for 10 years…. Time to get caught up

@Todd ********

+ one year of Thai purchased health insurance.

@Brian *********

not a requirement. Just show $100k in the bank

@Todd ********

I’d never park 100k in the bank earning next to nothing. So I choose the 1 yr health insurance option when I received my LTR last year.

I agree, it’s the best visa out there for anyone who qualifies.

@Brian *********

nobody would I hope. But luckily, you don’t need to. It can be in an investment account. No parked cash required

@Todd ********

they wouldn’t accept equity investments they were only interested in seeing a straight up cash balance for their requirements. At least in my case. 

@Brian *********

interesting. They accepted an all equity account statement from me. All I did was take a screenshot. Not exactly onerous.

@Todd ********

please tell us the website to get a 10 year LTR visa for 50k ? I think you’re not mentioning a few key requirements to qualify. I would suggest most people would not qualify

@Malcolm ****

please tell you how to use google? Ok Malcolm, let's assume the obvious is answer to my question is the latter. Try entering this phrase in your google search 'what is the cost of LTR visa thailand'. I didn't say a thing about what you need to qualify. I told you what it costs. And the answer is 50k baht. The best deal going. Like any global visa, you have to qualify for it.

@Todd ********

give up - you’re technically correct but realistically incorrect about the best visa. Is the best car for most people a Bugatti?

@Jet *******

it’s the best visa. By a wide margin. It’s the Bugatti. If you can only afford a Chevy, but want a high end car… best get to work so you can afford it. Same for the visa

@Todd ********

When did the price change?

@Andi **********

never

@Olivia *******

Foreigners can only buy freehold on certain condos where 51% of the units are Thai owned. Otherwise, it is a 30 year lease.

@Lion ****************************

you realize this is Thailand Visa Advice right?

@Lion ****************************

don't you worry, she will receive a lot of correct information here in this group, from the experts of the group

@Nongnuch *******

5....you are joking right...

@Lion ****************************

you could not be more wrong. What is immigrations going to do then? They're not consultants. Agents can give advice, at best. But they want to sell you something and can also not be trusted with anything.

And why do you think nobody in this group gives proper advice? A kid would say: you're living in "upside down world".

@Bart *************

up to you. and when you get wrong advice from someone who is the one with the problem... Get tge information from the right people.

@Lion ****************************

but immigrations, they're not consultants you know. You can ask them the list of requirements for his visa x, y or z, but how to approach the matter in one's personal situation is not the type of question they deal with. True, you must be able to filter a few bad repliers out in this group, but the established crew is generally always right and you can tell easily by going through their answers.

@Bart *************

correct answer, agree. 👍

@Bart *************

Welk sorry..but IMO abd 35 years experience Immifration id the only one who can deal with each persons individual situation. Only they know your situation. 1. Agents want money..dont kud your self they are helping you

2. Each person is responsible for yourvisa being correct - NOT the agent.. If there is a problem - its your problem...

3.In the past agents have been arrested for a) providing false information and b) using fake stamps to provide (illegal) visas.

So..like i said..its up to you. if you want to take the risk..Good luck.

@Lion ****************************

35 years of standing in line at local immigration and you never learned a thing about agents?

@Todd ********

Oh try again...i learned a lot about agents who rip people off... Oh..and i dont stand in line..

@Aake *********

OA retirement visa requires medical check, police cert and insurance and applied for outside of Thailand. Non O retirement does not require all those and can be applied for inside or outside of Thailand.

@Andi **********

still not permanent, you must report every 90 days and renew every year.

@Edna ******

Not permanent but you can stay as long as you like following the renewal conditions.

@Brandon ***********

You seemed very informed thats why I asked, but yes I'll look into it

@Bruce ***

, for me, retirement visa is the most benefit visa, save cost, save problem, just need yearly renewal

@Brandon ***********

, thanks