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What are the residency options for Bulgarian citizens in Thailand, especially for those over 50?

Thai ResidencyVisa OptionsBulgarian CitizensNON-O VisaLTR VisaElite VisaRetirement VisaPermanent ResidencyExpat Life in ThailandVisa Renewal Process
Feb 17, 2023
2 years ago
Tom **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
My question is for Bulgarians. For Bulgarian citizens, what are the options to get a Thai residency. 1 year, 5 year, 10 year , 20 year? And what if you are over 50 years old?

Thailand seems to have relegated it to visa on arrival.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Bulgarian citizens looking for residency options in Thailand face limited choices. Options include the LTR (Long-Term Resident) visa if financial criteria are met, and the Elite Visa for affluent individuals. Those over 50 can apply for a NON-O visa based on their age and need to meet specific financial requirements, which allows for yearly extensions. Permanent residency is challenging, requiring several years of non-immigrant visa status, employment in Thailand, and other legal requirements. Overall, while there is some flexibility, especially with financial means, the opportunities for residency are quite limited.
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.
Tom **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I just want to spend 3-5 months a year in Thailand every year. I have no intention of living in the country ore than that or having a job. I am considering giving up US citizenship. But the Bulgarian citizenship by investment program ended last year. Turkey and Mexico have 45 day visa free (same as USA) and a 30 day visa on arrival, respectively. it looks like practically any decent country can get a Thai elite visa. But that’s expensive. OX visa which is only for specific countries and my new passports would not apply. OA however which is three months would apply. That’s seems like a lot of work. I wonder how much work it is to do OA every year? Am I right about this? Thanks!
2 years ago
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Michael ********
To get PR you need to be working here x amount of years at x amount of salary
2 years ago
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Richard *********
@Michael *******
In order to apply to become a Thai Permanent Resident, you must meet the following criteria:

You must have had a Thai non-immigrant visa for at least three years prior to the submission of your application. Holders of multiple NON-Immigrant visas can not apply. You must have 3 consecutive yearly extensions in order to qualify.

You must be a holder of a non-immigrant visa at the time of submitting your application.

You must be able to meet one of these categories to apply for PR status in Thailand:

Investment category (minimum 3 – 10 Mil. Baht investment in Thailand)

Working/ Business category

Support a family or Humanity Reasons category: In this category, you must have a relationship with a Thai citizen or an alien who already posses a residence permit as a husband or wife; father or mother; or a guardian of a Thai child under 20 years of age.

Expert / academic category

Other categories as determined by Thai Immigration

PLUS:

You have to be at least 18 years old

You must have a clean criminal record

You must be employed in the country

It is compulsory that you know how to speak and write in Thai

You must know how to recite the Thai National Anthem

It is required that you get 50 points in the Points Based System

VERY VERY few get it
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Richard ********
 Quite a few foreigners do get PR. Not many, though at least several hundred, if not a couple of thousand a year.
2 years ago
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Richard *********
Updated yesterday:

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2 years ago
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Michael ********
@Richard ********
 uhmm you are wrong about language and Thai national anthem, suggest if you are interested visit the Thai citizenship group for updated rules about PR.
2 years ago
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Michael ********
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John **********
If you're over 50 I'd just apply for a Non-O visa for being over 50 if you can meet the financial criteria and renew it every year
2 years ago
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Tom **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 I wouldn’t qualify for O-x if I renounced American Citizenship. Which one visa are you referring to. Do you have a website link?
2 years ago
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John **********
@Tom *********
 just a plain Non-O, nothing after the 0, based on being over 50. It's the only one that can be obtained inside Thailand.
2 years ago
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John **********
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Ruud ***************
Elite visa
2 years ago
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David **********
Retirement visa
2 years ago
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Alan ******
Forget about 5 year and especially 10 year Visa, unless you are a very wealthy man
2 years ago
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Alan ******
?
2 years ago
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Alan ******
Explain this???
2 years ago
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Jo **********
@Alan *****
 not true I got the 10 LTR I am not wealthy. Just had show my income
2 years ago
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Jo **********
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John ********
Over 50 I am sorry to till you that you have very little chance to no chance
2 years ago
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Iliyan ***********
The conditions are the same as everyone else. We are only lucky for the 100 people per country quota thing because there's almost no Bulgarians here living long term. It's been me and 1 more retired guy that i know of for the last 3 years.
2 years ago
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Tom **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Iliyan **********
it’s turns out I won’t be Bulgarian. Bulgaria ended their citizenship by investment program. What are referring to? Maybe it applies if I had a Costa Rican passport. My intention is to renounce American citizenship. I am very over it
2 years ago
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Hristo ***********
@Iliyan **********
 +1 😜
2 years ago
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Hristo ***********
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Todd *********
You have little or no options for Thai residency. But can apply for LTR if you have the income. Or just buy an ‘Elite’ visa
2 years ago
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Richard *********
very hard for anyone to get residency , regardless of ur nationality.,
2 years ago
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Richard *********
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