Answered3 years ago
What is the best visa option for relocating to Thailand as a type 1 diabetic on SSDI?
Hello group. New guy here. I'm looking at possibly relocating to Thailand as I hear the healthcare system is orders of magnitude better than the Philippines. That is a huge motivating factor considering I'm a type 1 diabetic. I also hear Thailand is cleaner and infrastructure in general is better as well. So I'm here seeking advice on how to go about relocating there. I'm 35 so I won't have a retirement pension. But I will be on SSDI. I'm wondering what would be the best visa type for my situation. I'm looking into either Pattya or Chiang Mai. Thanks in advance and a happy New Year!
Answer summary
A new expat considering relocating to Thailand, particularly to Pattaya or Chiang Mai, is seeking advice on the best visa type suitable for their situation as a 35-year-old type 1 diabetic receiving SSDI. The conversation highlights the advantages of Thailand's healthcare system over the Philippines, discusses potential visa pathways including marriage to a Thai national and the costly Thai Elite visa, and shares insights about living expenses, healthcare affordability, and general living conditions for expats in Thailand.
25 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Mitchell *******
Your 2 true options are marriage or Elite visa.
Ken ******
guess you need to choose region carefully esp with regard to air pollution (there are many apps to download and check real time air quality). private hospital care of course very good but at a cost
Vic *********
@Ken *****
True that healthcare here is not free - nor is it anywhere - but the pricing is open and way more affordable and available than many countries in the west. Most notably the US.Ken ******
@Vic ********
you can actually write to hospitals for price quotation and comparison if you like, there are also youtube videos on these topics, at your young age health insurance is not so expensive (i'd say v expensive after sixty or so) but as general rule preconditions are all excluded
James *********
Marry a Thai gal, and you can get to live there fairly easily.
Adam ******
OP@James ********
Shoot, I'd love to 😅 Thai women are beautiful and age like wineSam *********
Good luck my fellow Rhode Islander…
Adam ******
OP@Sam ********
Thanks!
Alex *******
Only Thai Elite which costs big money
Klee **************
bring cash or stay in your home country
Frank **********
Unless you have major money, it will be hard for you to stay long term.
Joey ***********
True... i am a Filipino living here. The hospitals are better and the system are better too.
Sei *****
True that Thailand hospital service is better the the Philippines. But the living cost is much more higher. contact an agent about your options for visa.
Bonnie *********
Your income from another country is irrelevant.
I suggest you read about visa options from the Royal Thai Embassy in your home country and ask questions after you have a decent overview.
You can't just move to countries without meeting specific requirements.
Have you ever visited Thailand?
I suggest you read about visa options from the Royal Thai Embassy in your home country and ask questions after you have a decent overview.
You can't just move to countries without meeting specific requirements.
Have you ever visited Thailand?
Sam *********
@Bonnie ********
plenty of people move to Thailand and don't "meet visa requirements" to be honest. I have figured out that "where there is a will, there is a way" applies to the Thai visa situation too...If he really wants it to happen, he can make it happen, only thing that might get in the way is not having the right funds, but he could get a job, get married, get an education visa. There are ways. But he should certainly come and visit before he does anything else.Adam ******
OP@Bonnie ********
I understand I can't just move here without meeting certain requirements. That's why I'm here asking questions. I have not been to Thailand yet as I've actually been doing research on the Philippines then I mentioned in a Philippines group that I was diabetic and a commenter said I'd have a better quality of life in ThailandBonnie *********
@Adam *****
Again, I’m recommending that you visit the official Thai Embassy site for official information with all of the requirements.Adam ******
OP@Bob *******
Yeah, that's what it seems like to me also. Which is a shame because the Philippines gives you a 6 month extension.
Bob ********
@Adam *****
You can enter Thailand visa exempt for 30 days if your passport qualifies, then you can extend another 30 days at immigration for 1900 baht. After that you would need to leave the country. You can then fly back bad start again but can not live in Thailand long term under those conditions, eventually immigration will refuse you entry.Adam ******
OP@Bonnie ********
I was just looking on there and it's confusing because I don't qualify for a LTR visa, nor a retirement visa since I'm only 35. It looks as if I'd have to go on a tourist visa and keep renewing every 3 months or so.
Jo **********
What is SSDI
Adam ******
OP@Jo *********
Social security disabilityJo **********
it’s health care is better than most of the world
Activity
14 joined14
people
Related
25Welke documenten heb ik nodig om te emigreren naar Thailand?
3.5k157914d
How quickly can a non-O retirement visa be approved at the Thai embassy in Los Angeles?
1.7k12215mo
What are the best long-term visa options for moving to Thailand at age 46?
1.4k9195mo
What are the best visa options for a US citizen currently in Thailand, and how can I apply for them?
11.4k482345mo
What is the best way to present my employment situation when applying for a DTV visa in Thailand?
600419mo
What are the best options and agencies for applying for a Non-O retirement visa in Udon Thani, Thailand?
11.1k991061y
Can my wife apply for a Non-O visa as a dependant while I apply for a Non-OA visa in the UK?
1.5k12121y
What is the best visa option for retirees planning to move to Chiang Mai, Thailand, and how can I open a bank account there?
776372y
What is the best visa option for a 50-year-old German traveler with a condo in Pattaya making multiple trips to Thailand each year?
2.7k22222y
Can I switch from a tourist visa to an extended yearly visa in Thailand?
5.6k55252y
What are some less smoky places to stay in Thailand during March and April for someone moving to Chiang Mai?
4k17242y
What visa options are available for my 19-year-old daughter currently in Thailand on a tourist visa, and can she apply without leaving the country?
6.8k59632y
How can I find an agent for my O-A visa application in Bangkok or Hua Hin, and is it easy to renew without an agent after the first year?
2.7k24153y
What options are available for an expat husband whose B visa is expiring due to allocation limits?
10.3k681543y
Where do most retired Americans live in Thailand?
10.4k811143y
What are the best ways for my family to stay in Phuket, Thailand for a year while training in Muay Thai?
6.1k311123y
What are the best visa options for a family of six from the UK to stay in Thailand for one year?
2.7k21233y
What is the best visa option for retirees planning to stay in Thailand for six months?
2.4k16253y
Is it possible to live comfortably in Thailand on a very modest income?
12.7k612494y
What are the current options for obtaining a Non-B visa while in Thailand?
1.3k1064y
What is the best visa option for a retired couple wanting to spend 3-4 months in Thailand?
3.2k14565y
Can I do my 90-day reporting in Pattaya if I live in Chiang Mai?
1.9k11196y
What are my options for obtaining a new ED visa in Thailand after my previous one expired in August 2020?
3.1k30146y
What are the best visa options for returning to Thailand when your tourist visa expires?
2k17107y
What visa should a Canadian consider for opening a coffee shop in Thailand?
1.6k1478y
Resources
Need help with your Thai visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served