This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What is the best retirement visa option for expats looking to retire in Thailand in 3 years?
Aug 8, 2023
3 years ago
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTERI'm retiring in 3 years.
Which is the most sensible
Retirement visa.
1 year Retirement visa
Or 20 year elite visa
Which is the most sensible
Retirement visa.
1 year Retirement visa
Or 20 year elite visa
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.
LONG TERM RESIDENT (LTR) VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic LTR Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Long Term Resident (LTR) Visa.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Long Term Resident (LTR) 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.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted DTV Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Jim ********
LTR
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 .
Brown ********
If you can afford the 20 year. Do it
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
Michael **************
@Tom *******
90 day O visa get extended than changed to annual O visaPaul *******
@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.Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Kat ******
Where are you from ?
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kat *****
AustraliaChris ****
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.
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.
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.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.
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.Craig ********
@Paul ******
i especially like how they can give you the death penalty for smoking some weed. Wonderful, lol.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.Chris ****
@Paul ******
yes I feel the same way. Koh Rong is unspoiled.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.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. /shrugGio *****
@Paul ******
what about the food and religionReply to
Gio *****
Reply
Craig ********
@Chris ********
Thailand is so much better than those other options, it's not even close.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 momentJames *******
@Craig *******
Discounting Malaysia that much?Alex *******
@James ******
Malaysia long-term visa is very expensive in comparison with ThailandReply to
Alex *******
Reply
Steve **********
1 year.
But will change a dozen times during you're wait
But will change a dozen times during you're wait
Bob **********
The way things are going over here now you might change your mind in a few years
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
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
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.Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Jo **********
The LTR is by far the best
Charles **********
@Jo *********
yes, but almost impossible to get with all the logistical issues 🤦🏻♂️. Believe me, I tried 😝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.Alex *******
@Charles *********
What logistical issues?Jo **********
@Alex ******
if I could do it anyone can do it. It’s not easy just a lot of documents and very irritatingReply to
Jo **********
Reply
Graham *******
join for all the answers
***********************************************
**********
*****
*****
*****
Peter *******
Are you 50 in 3 years? you don't say, if so the non imm O is easily the best option
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Peter ******
I'm 63 in 3 years timePeter *******
@Greg ********
then a non imm O is a no brainer. Elite makes sense if early 40s or youngerSuzanne ******
@Peter ******
questionThe 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?
Peter *******
@Suzanne ******
LTR is something different, for retirement extension non imm O it's 800k or 65k a monthKees **********
@Peter ******
you don't think he is going to live for another 20 years? 🙃Peter *******
@Kees *********
Just a massive waste of money, up to youReply to
Peter *******
Reply
John ********
Don’t worry about it now, it will change many times in 3 years.lol
Carlos *********
If money is not an object, the upgrade is always better. I wonder if you get your monies worth with it.
Phil ******
@Greg ********
I agree with @Steve *******
but as both visas are rumoured to have changes soon wait until you retireFrank **********
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.
Steve ********
If you're Australian, the best is the OX
Dave **********
If you quailify in my opinion, the LTR
Paul *******
@Dave *********
If you can qualify for the LTR, fine. However, the 20 year Thai elite is easier to get, just it costs more.Paul *******
@Dave *********
The 20 year Thai elite is just as good.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.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 approvalsJo **********
@Todd ********
and there quite flexible in how you show that incomeTodd *********
@Jo *********
agreedReply to
Todd *********
Reply
Brian ********
@Dave *********
very few will have the funds to qualify for that.Dave **********
@Brian *******
busy when I did mine however mostly Asian.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 🤔🤔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 👍
Reply to
Rob **********
Reply
31 comments
2 years ago
64 comments
2 years ago
63 comments
2 years ago
115 comments
2 years ago
21 comments
3 years ago
21 comments
3 years ago
56 comments
3 years ago
33 comments
3 years ago
15 comments
3 years ago
15 comments
3 years ago
30 comments
3 years ago
47 comments
3 years ago
109 comments
3 years ago
42 comments
3 years ago
35 comments
3 years ago
9 comments
4 years ago
3 comments
4 years ago
22 comments
4 years ago
14 comments
4 years ago
43 comments
4 years ago
31 comments
5 years ago
249 comments
6 years ago
49 comments
6 years ago
16 comments
7 years ago
57 comments
8 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask: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.