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What is the best visa option for retiring in Thailand?
Retirement VisaNon-O VisaNon-OA VisaLTR VisaThailand Visa OptionsVisa RequirementsExpat Life in ThailandLong-Term Stay Visa
Nov 26, 2024
a year ago
Maggie *********
ORIGINAL POSTERWhat’s the best visa to retire on there please thanks
TLDR : Answer Summary
For retirees looking to live in Thailand, several visa options are available. The most cited options include the Non-Immigrant O (Non-O), Non-Immigrant OA (Non-OA), and the new LTR (Long-Term Resident) visa. The Non-O visa allows those over 50 to apply for a 90-day stay, which can be extended annually provided certain financial requirements are met, such as maintaining 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account. The Non-OA also caters to retirees but typically requires more stringent conditions. The LTR visa, aimed at wealthy pensioners, provides benefits like a 10-year stay without frequent reporting obligations, though it has higher income qualification criteria. It is suggested that potential applicants conduct thorough research and assess their financial situation to choose the best option.
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- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Chrisna **********
Retirement visa...
Gregory ********
Non O if you have the 800k
Rudi *********
@Gregory *******
800k USD or Baht?Gregory ********
@Rudi ********
bhtReply to
Gregory ********
Reply
Martin *********
@Gregory *******
unless you make it through a agentReply to
Martin *********
Reply
RJ ***********
Retirement visa
Nigel ********
Non 0 or Non A visa based on retirement
Bucky ********
the best one you can get
Marty *********
I switched from an OA to a 10 year pensioner LTR. A lot of people don’t know where to read about this visa. Here is the link to the Thailand Board of Investment website
*********************
David ******
@Marty ********
so the $100k is that an actual bank account or could it be a brokerage account holding. What is the cost for LTR?Marty *********
@David *****
The fee for the LTR IS 50,000 baht ($1,440) for 10 years. Your question about the $100,000 I assume refers to the insurance coverage. That money can be in a bank account in any country. I don’t know about brokerage accounts. I needed Thai health insurance for my previous OA visa. I then used it to satisfy the LTR requirement.David ******
@Marty ********
sure was not quite clear of all the requirements needed to be met or just one requirement to be declared a wealthy individual. The 500k invested in Thailand would be a challenge.Reply to
David ******
Reply
Rando ******
4 things to answer. Your age? Whether you plan to work some in Thailand? Whether you have a Thai spouse? Do you have enough money to get an Elite Visa (in other words, is money an issue)?
John **********
There's a number of different retirement visas each with their own advantages and disadvantages with the LTR option giving you an exemption on tax for overseas income. Do a bit of research, they're all easy to do yourself if you meet the criteria
Non-O
Non-OA
Non-OX
LTR Wealthy Pensioner
Non-O
Non-OA
Non-OX
LTR Wealthy Pensioner
Jo **********
The LTR 10 years no 90 day reporting
John ******
@Jo *********
That will save you about 5 minutes every 90 days. Do it online.Marty *********
@John *****
Something about my records was screwed up in their database and I had to do 90 day reports in person for nearly 3 years. I finally got an LTR.Jo **********
@John *****
well I read about people all the time be hassled and fined about it. Also the LTR is for 10 years so need for extending every year. Also many other benefitsReply to
Jo **********
Reply
Rob **********
There are multiple options, it is best to do some research and see what visa best suits your needs and which financial requirements you can qualify for, as they all have different requirements.
Graham *******
if over 50 you can put 800k in a thai bank or LTR which is very expensive. You will now have to pay income to subject to allowances and DTA. Many people plan to leave.
Marty *********
@Graham ******
The LTR is 50,000 baht for 10 years. Hardly expensive. You may be thinking of the Elite visa which is pretty pricey. While the LTR isn’t expensive to obtain you must have $80,000/ yr passive income to qualify for.Graham *******
@Marty ********
Essential that's what i meant, for me I would have to change asset classes and that would result in a large drop in income for me.Reply to
Graham *******
Reply
Tim *******
while there are a few "retirement" visas but the best one (IMO) is the "LTR visa" have a look to see if you can qualify, it has advantages. DTV works as well but as others said have a look at the qualifications.
Willem ****
@Tim ******
The DTV is a tourist visa. Not a visa i would advise for retirementMalcolm *****
@Tim ******
the vast majority of foreigners cannot qualify for the LTR; good for the wealthy elite 👍Reply to
Malcolm *****
Reply
Malcolm *****
You should do some research yourself - not hard to find useful information
Jo **********
@Malcolm ****
what a stupid response this group exists for a reasonMalcolm *****
@Jo *********
It appears you don’t research anything at all yourself, rather turn to facebook forums for your information 🤔 lol. Good luck with that. I was merely suggesting someone should at least try and do some of their own research on an important matter such as this 👍
Jo - just to let you know here’s this new gadget called Google and also a newer ChatGPT that does quite a good job in providing a lot of fact based information, not just opinions. 🤣🤣
Jo **********
@Malcolm ****
I google everything but realize the basic objective of this group to provide insight and experience. Any moron can google and find a list of visas. I guess that’s a big deal and achievement for you. But understanding through experience what visa maybe best takes some cognitive skills.Reply to
Jo **********
Reply
Jordi ********
@Jo *********
But if you can't even find the most basic answers yourself online...This person also doesn't give any background information whatsoever, e.g. age, financial situation and origin. I agree with Malcolm, at least try first and then if you do have questions, try a bit harder to make it easy to answer. This is just lazy.Jo **********
@Jordi *******
yes you can google and you will get a list of visas but with no insights. When you ask this group you get actual experience and insight.Roberto *******
@Jo *********
nope, you will get misinformation and nonsense.Jordi ********
@Jo *********
Yes, you can start by asking 76k strangers on facebook. Or you start at the embassy website of your home country;). And I hope you agree that a question like this is just a nonsense question? How can anyone answer if we don't know anything about this person? Anyway, hope he finds his answers.Malcolm *****
@Jordi *******
Thanks Jordi - I think you understand where I’m coming from 🙏Reply to
Malcolm *****
Reply
Steve *******
Non Immigrant O or Non Immigrant OA.
Jo **********
@Steve ******
no LTRSteve *******
@Jo *********
Another possibility. O and OA easier route.Reply to
Steve *******
Reply
Nongnuch ********
@Maggie ********
If you are over 50 years old, you can get the 90-days single entry Non-imm-O retirement/over 50 visa by the e-visa online system in Australia.You enter Thailand and receive a 90-days stay permit. You then need to open a Thai bank account and transfer a minimum of 800,000.- THB onto it.
Then after the deposit has seasoned for two months, and before the 90-days stay permit is expired, you can apply on Immigration for the 1-year Extension of the Stay Permit
There is no mandatory health insurance required for this visa.
Other options are the LTR wealthy pensioner’s visa, the ELITE Privilege visa and the Non-Imm-O/A Longstay visa
Maggie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nongnuch *******
thank uReply to
Maggie *********
Reply
Will ************
Same answer as yesterday
Christian ***********
I’ve been pondering this myself for quite a while. I’ve read quite a bit, including the Thai embassy website, and I’m still not certain which one is right for me. I guess it depends on your resources and ultimately what you intend to do down the line. Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Maggie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Christian **********
we are In Thailand in aprial and going to see a visa agent called Anna on Soi 94 and get all the info from her and pick the right one that suits us I believe there are only 2 options for us I’m told xxChristian ***********
@Maggie ********
i’ve heard of Anna soi 94. Best of luck and hopefully she can get everything sorted out.Reply to
Christian ***********
Reply
Dieter *******
Check this one out online
maneerat pattaya
and inquire for retirement visa, including Non-O also available. No financial requirements.
This company very popular in Pattaya.
maneerat pattaya
and inquire for retirement visa, including Non-O also available. No financial requirements.
This company very popular in Pattaya.
Scooter *****
Retirement visa ?
Frank **********
The one that you would qualify for. Check the Thai Embassy website in your country.
Reply to
Frank **********
Reply
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