thailand
Ask question

What is the best retirement visa option for expats looking to retire in Thailand in 3 years?

Retirement VisaNon-O VisaElite VisaLTR VisaVisa ChangesExpats in ThailandLong-Term Residency
Aug 8, 2023
a year ago
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm retiring in 3 years.

Which is the most sensible

Retirement visa.

1 year Retirement visa

Or 20 year elite visa
5,501
views
9
likes
147
all likes
59
replies
2
images
26
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user is considering retirement in Thailand in three years and is debating between a 1-year retirement visa or a 20-year elite visa. Several commenters suggest that waiting a few years may be wise, as visa regulations may change. The Non-O retirement visa is recommended as a strong option, particularly since the user will be over 50 at that time. The LTR visa is also mentioned as a good choice, though potential logistical issues are noted. Overall, many advise patience and suggest staying updated on any forthcoming changes before making a decision.
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.
Jim ********
LTR
a year ago
Like
Reply
David *********
Forget Elite , it's changing and you are 3 years away , like anything ' worry about it in 3 years ' a lot will change by then .
a year ago
Like
Reply
Brown ********
If you can afford the 20 year. Do it
a year ago
Like
Reply
Tom ********
There is alot of talk going on now about the O-Visa changing, but as usually it's just "talk", this country doesn't even have a government and is being administered by a caretaker PM. What ever changes take place with the O-Visa will be minimal if at all. Go for it
a year ago
Like
Reply
Michael **************
@Tom *******
 90 day O visa get extended than changed to annual O visa
a year ago
Like
Reply
Paul *******
@Tom *******
True, though you never know. It does sound like there's going to be a shake up of sorts. Of course it could all just be talk, but there's a good chance of some changes occurring, sometime in the next 12-18 months. All remains to be seen.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Kat ******
Where are you from ?
a year ago
Like
Reply
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kat *****
 Australia
a year ago
Like
Reply
Graham ******
@Greg ********
 The OX is popular with Aussies
a year ago
Like
Reply
Kat ******
@Graham *****
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Kat ******
Reply
Chris ****
Congrats on your upcoming retirement. Suggest you also look into Cambodia, Phils, Indonesia and Malaysia. In the meantime tourist visa to start. But once you finally decide Thailand then LTR if you can or Elite.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Paul *******
@Craig *******
Well, maybe it's not a great country for potheads like you. There's always Cambodia, where expats were smoking weed in public when Thailand was still arresting people for doing the same.

Actually, Laos and Cambodia are generally better places for drinkers than Thailand. There are no sales restrictions. No silly 2-5pm or overnight sales bans. No silly advertising bans like in Thailand. Beer Lao and Cambodia beer signs all over the country, respectively, unlike in Thailand. Also, in nanny state Thailand, online liquor sales are banned now.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Craig ********
@Paul ******
 I give zero fucks about if people can advertise alcohol, lol... if this is the kind of argument you want to make against a place then you have lost the argument. And then "potheads like you", just trying to be a dick and insulting. And why, because I have a different opinion about what country in SE asia is best? LOL, nice. You're a piece of work man. Also weird that you like other places better but clearly spend a lot of time talking in a Thailand visa channel. Just one of those guys who loves to fight and argue I guess, shrug. Have a great day man.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Craig ********
Reply
Paul *******
@Gio ****
Firstly, in the large west coast cities, there's a lot of diversity. You'd struggle in Bangkok if you don't like Muslims too, since there are so many living there. Eastern Bangkok is home to hundreds of mosques.

The food - it's good. I wouldn't say it's better than Thai food but it's equally good. However, no one except the poor survives solely on Thai food. Both Bangkok and KL offer good western, Asian and even Middle Eastern cuisine.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Paul *******
@Craig *******
OH you bet you it's WAY better than Bangkok. Kuala Lumpur is a futuristic, well planned city. Bangkok is a 3rd world joke by comparison.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Craig ********
@Paul ******
 i especially like how they can give you the death penalty for smoking some weed. Wonderful, lol.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Craig ********
Reply
Paul *******
@Chris ********
Cambodia is quite similar to Thailand 25 years ago. Infrastructure improving, similar culture to Thailand, visas not an issue for most.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Chris ****
@Paul ******
 yes I feel the same way. Koh Rong is unspoiled.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Chris ****
Reply
Paul *******
@Craig *******
No it isn't. In Malaysia, foreigners can own land and houses. In Thailand they can't. The infrastructure there is better too and most people can speak English.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Craig ********
@Paul ******
 infrastructure is certainly not better than bkk. And owning property is a terrible idea, exposes you to all kinds of political risk, interest rate risk, regulatory risk, and so on. The English is nice. /shrug
a year ago
Like
Reply
Gio *****
@Paul ******
 what about the food and religion
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Gio *****
Reply
Craig ********
@Chris ********
 Thailand is so much better than those other options, it's not even close.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Gio *****
@Craig *******
 you right but if you like and can surf Indonesia it's the best, I'm 64 and won't give up surfing at the moment
a year ago
Like
Reply
James *******
@Craig *******
 Discounting Malaysia that much?
a year ago
Like
Reply
Alex *******
@James ******
 Malaysia long-term visa is very expensive in comparison with Thailand
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Alex *******
Reply
Steve **********
1 year.

But will change a dozen times during you're wait
a year ago
Like
Reply
Bob **********
The way things are going over here now you might change your mind in a few years
a year ago
Like
Reply
John ********
Waiting is the best thing to do at the moment Until the new government is formed and see what happens next with the rules for the xpats if anything is changed

But I would advise you don't give any thing up in your home country until you are 100% sure that your happy to give it up
a year ago
Like
Reply
Paul *******
@John *******
See what big joke does. He's the one to watch. After all, immigration still works even without a new government having been formed yet.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Jo **********
The LTR is by far the best
a year ago
Like
Reply
Charles **********
@Jo *********
 yes, but almost impossible to get with all the logistical issues 🤦🏻‍♂️. Believe me, I tried 😝
a year ago
Like
Reply
Marty *********
@Charles *********
 He is coming as a retiree. The pensioner LTR is about as simple as it gets. A couple of tax returns, proof of insurance, and some copies of your passport. I got my pensioner LTR in January. The BOI office in Bangkok is incredibly helpful. I don’t know about the details of applying for an LTR from overseas though.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Alex *******
@Charles *********
 What logistical issues?
a year ago
Like
Reply
Jo **********
@Alex ******
 if I could do it anyone can do it. It’s not easy just a lot of documents and very irritating
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Jo **********
Reply
Graham *******
join for all the answers
***********************************************
**********
*****
*****
*****
a year ago
Like
Reply
Peter *******
Are you 50 in 3 years? you don't say, if so the non imm O is easily the best option
a year ago
Like
Reply
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Peter ******
 I'm 63 in 3 years time
a year ago
Like
Reply
Peter *******
@Greg ********
 then a non imm O is a no brainer. Elite makes sense if early 40s or younger
a year ago
Like
Reply
Suzanne ******
@Peter ******
 question

The LTR requires 800 000 baht

But does it also require a monthly income?

And is that money in a thai account able to be taken out if ever u leave the country?
a year ago
Like
Reply
Peter *******
@Suzanne ******
 LTR is something different, for retirement extension non imm O it's 800k or 65k a month
a year ago
Like
Reply
Kees **********
@Peter ******
 you don't think he is going to live for another 20 years? 🙃
a year ago
Like
Reply
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kees *********
a year ago
Like
Reply
Peter *******
@Kees *********
 Just a massive waste of money, up to you
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Peter *******
Reply
John ********
Don’t worry about it now, it will change many times in 3 years.lol
a year ago
Like
Reply
Carlos *********
If money is not an object, the upgrade is always better. I wonder if you get your monies worth with it.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Phil ******
@Greg ********
 I agree with
@Steve *******
 but as both visas are rumoured to have changes soon wait until you retire
a year ago
Like
Reply
Frank **********
I agree with Rob. Three years in Thailand can be many many changes. Just save up your money for now, research an area in Thailand you would like to settle in.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Steve ********
If you're Australian, the best is the OX
a year ago
Like
Reply
Dave **********
If you quailify in my opinion, the LTR
a year ago
Like
Reply
Paul *******
@Dave *********
If you can qualify for the LTR, fine. However, the 20 year Thai elite is easier to get, just it costs more.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Paul *******
@Dave *********
The 20 year Thai elite is just as good.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Dave **********
@Paul ******
 maybe in some cases however at my age not likely I will use all of my 10 year LTR and I only invested 50,000 Baht. Each of us must do our research and then pick what we think best fits our situation.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Dave **********
Reply
Todd *********
@Dave *********
 is definitely right, the best visa by far is LTR. As long as you qualify with the $80k income, it’s very easy and fast approvals
a year ago
Like
Reply
Jo **********
@Todd ********
 and there quite flexible in how you show that income
a year ago
Like
Reply
Todd *********
@Jo *********
 agreed
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Todd *********
Reply
Brian ********
@Dave *********
 very few will have the funds to qualify for that.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Dave **********
@Brian *******
 busy when I did mine however mostly Asian.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Rob **********
@Dave *********
 yes nearly 30,000 Chinese have taken the option of the Elite visa. But after 20 years in operation, be interesting to see what the new packages will look like 🤔🤔
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Rob **********
Reply
Rob **********
You are still 3 years away, and there are going to be changes coming up soon, with the Elite visa program, and there is a lot of talk about OA and Non O retirement visa requirements changing as well. Just sit back and see what changes if any are made, 3 years is a while and a lot of things can change in that time, be patient 👍
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Rob **********
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
What visa options are available for expats planning to move to Thailand in 2026?
31 comments
3 months ago
Which visa is better for retirement in Thailand: Elite visa, retirement visa, or spouse visa?
64 comments
4 months ago
What are the best visa options for living in Thailand before retirement at age 50?
63 comments
5 months ago
What are the best long-term visa options for an American expat wishing to live in Thailand?
115 comments
9 months ago
What visa type is the best fit for a 44-year-old planning a long-term stay in Thailand?
21 comments
a year ago
What are the best visa options for long-term stay in Thailand for a US citizen under 50?
21 comments
a year ago
What visa options should I consider as a retired expat in Thailand with a Thai spouse and when should I renew?
56 comments
a year ago
What are the details about the 5 and 10 year retiree visas in Thailand?
33 comments
a year ago
What is the best visa option for a 54-year-old planning to retire in Thailand?
15 comments
a year ago
What is the best visa option for UK retirees planning to stay in Thailand for an extended period?
15 comments
a year ago
What are the best visa options for expats in Thailand after an ED visa?
30 comments
a year ago
What is the best long-term visa option for a 63-year-old US citizen married to a Thai citizen?
47 comments
2 years ago
What is the best visa option for retiring in Thailand for UK citizens?
109 comments
2 years ago
What are the best visa options for retirees in Thailand who prefer minimal paperwork and self-insurance?
42 comments
2 years ago
How can I best utilize a retiree visa for long stays in Thailand?
35 comments
2 years ago
What are the easiest visa options for retiring in Thailand, and how do they compare?
9 comments
2 years ago
What type of visa should I apply for to stay in Thailand for three months and later transition to a retirement visa?
3 comments
2 years ago
What is the best long-term visa option for expats under 50 in Thailand?
22 comments
3 years ago
What is the best visa option for a retired couple wanting to spend 3-4 months in Thailand?
14 comments
3 years ago
What are the best long-stay visa options in Thailand for someone who is 60 years old?
43 comments
3 years ago
What visa options are available for expats in Thailand under 50 waiting for a retirement visa?
31 comments
4 years ago
Should I choose a 5-year or a 20-year Thailand Elite visa when planning to stay long term?
249 comments
4 years ago
What are the best options and steps for retirees to obtain a visa for living in Thailand?
49 comments
5 years ago
Should I apply for a retirement visa or continue using a 60-day tourist visa to stay in Thailand?
16 comments
6 years ago
What are the different types of retirement visas available for expats in Thailand?
57 comments
6 years ago
Data protection policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimerPrivacy policyRefund policy
The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.