What is the best visa option for semi-retirement in Thailand while working remotely?

Is it much easier and more convenient to use an Agent for a retirement visa or would most consider it too expensive?

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stickmanbangkok.com

Get the METV to start. Make sure you can tolerate oppressive heat everyday with a 40°+ heat index.

I would ask as to the type of business you have, and about your business partner, your reliance on that income and any other incomes. Some reality checks might be useful. I speak from first hand experience and I am still here by the skin of my teeth after having every possible problem blow up in my face and all at once. But I hear some peoples financial planning and I shudder. As my dad said to me, "halve your forecast income, double your forecast expenses and if the numbers still add up, then you can afford it". Of course we all want to roll into our graves having just spent our last few baht, but you don't want to be waiting to roll into your grave, having already spent your last bahts months ago.

I'm a bit in the same situation. I'm over 50 as well and I'm currently in Thailand on a Visa exemption , just arrived overland today from Cambodia. I would like to set up residency in Thailand without having to fly back to Europe but I'm not quite sure where to start.

A few months ago I was in Bangkok for a couple of months and I tried to open the bank account. But it has been impossible because no bank including Bangkok bank accepted to open an account with a tourist visa.

I'd be grateful for any advice. I could transfer or even deposit the 800k to a bank if necessary.

I have been 'working from home' for yeas while living in Thailand. I have a legit employer in the USA but nobody has every asked me about it. Because you're not quite 50 you won't be eligible for the retirement visa. There are few other visa options and do mean 'few' Get married, enroll in classes, adopt a kid, drop a large chunk of change on Elite visa (They've announced a rebranding and price increase).

You may be able to get a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV). They still require visa runs, of sorts but it's a little less hassle. An immigration officer once told me if I was going to do visa runs I should spend a couple of weeks in the other country, so I usually do that 2+ weeks.

The cost and hassle of visa runs far outweighs the hassle and cost of living in the USA. Probably the same is true for England.

I’m doing the same have business in uk on retirement visa pop back when I fee like it have a house here etc and same in uk

Very easy life 👍🏻

Get a retire ment visa

And keep the rest to yourself simples

I would keep an eye on the news. Sounds like the new government going to change the visa system. Making things easier. 👍

Most people who've replied have replied with sound advice that I won't repeat but I will say never worry about those the information is out there trolls. These people reply like this because they are just Shi+ people and need to boost their ego thinking they're legends in their own minds. Good luck with your pursuit

What we don’t know is when you would start coming to Thailand or how much experience you have here.

Start simple.

Come for 30 days visa exempt and visit a few different locations.

Extend for 30 days if you like.

Go home for a while.

Then come back on a 60 day visa and extend another 30 days.

This will give you a better understanding how you like Thailand.

Try visiting in different seasons also…winter, hot and wet seasons are not the same.

If you really like living here, then establish a bank account, make some Thai friends, talk to expats and begin to make plans.

Good luck!

Retirement visa. No one needs to know you are working.

Hi Jim, what you dont say how familiar you are with Thailand. I see lots of moans and bad advice from individuals who had too many expectations based on no knowledge. I assume you are familiar with Thailand so I would suggest you first get a 90 day visa, make your self a list of what you want, eg. seaside or inland, City or rural, clubbing or quiet, food styles, then go there and tick off the items. again do you have a partner, yes make sure they are happy as well, I have seen heaps of breakups over time. Are you a British Club member or a Soi Cowboy supporter. Social levels are different here. Are you a golf player. Fees can kill you, doing your homework is great, learn a bit of the language before you go, you will get a lot more appreciation if you are polite and have a bit of knowledge. As others say the paperwork can be complicated, but thousands do manage to do it and enjoy the rewards

Get elite visa prior to the 15th of September after which it becomes way more expensive. While what others say about work permit is true, reality is that if you're working remotely once a while then you will be fine just like tons of others who are doing it. Just don't talk about it so that th expat Nazis don't give you shit and for extra layer of security use a VPN.

Buy the elite visa now before Sept 15. efore prices go up 200%,Good for 5 year or 20 years

@Sharon ******

you have to be 50 years old before you can apply for either the O or OA visa for retirement but these are your 2 best options . Obtaining the Non-O inside Thailand is the easiest option but does require a minimum of 800k in the bank, also required for the first annual extension. If during that year you transfer a minimum of 65k per month every month for the full 12 months you can use monthly transfers from the 2nd year onwards

Get an OA visa, come and go as you wish for one year, second year just get a multiple reentry permit and you have up to 2 years of hassle free come and go. Then do it again. After that, do it again or settle in Thailand. Each entry is 1 year, so go out and come back the day before your actual visa expires and you are good to go for the second year.

If u come to TH, just get non im o and then apply for 12 month extension of stay. no police record or medical! Simple! Then get re-entry permit!

If you qualify for the LTR then great otherwise you have 2 real opions, either an O or an OA visa.

The OA is multi entry & is applied for in the uk, needs health insurance & proof of funds in uk account along with police check & doctors cert. All the information is on the Thai embassy website & it's not as complicated as it 1st seems. To extend you will need Thai bank deposit or 12 monthly deposits & health insurance.

The O visa can be obtained in the Uk or in thailand valid for 90 days. You would then go to your nearest Immigration office to get a years extension based on retirement at which point you need to show 800k in a Thai account which has been seasoned for months. You don't have to have health Insurance but it's still a good idea. Both of these can be extended 12 months at a time & it is possible to have a multi reentry permit or to buy a single re entry permit.

You can use the monthly income route but only on your second year extension as you must show a deposit of 65k every month for the previous year.

You are not allowed to work here on a retirement visa but if you're really just answering emails then it shouldn't be an issue.

Hope this helps

Retirement visa mate and your not really working on your laptop in Thailand right? But to start with I would come on a holiday visa. Not everyone can adapt to living in Thailand

Technically you would require work permit or visa and iam not one for breaking laws of other countries but in your case I would just apply for retirement visa and not inform or tell anyone what your doing what the authorities don't know don't hurt them not doing anything wrong by looking at a laptop everyday but like thai girls say upto you same same but different Chohk di

Thaivisacentre

Look at thai embassy website..

You need an agent. Been doing it for years.

You would technically be working without a work permit even though it’s foreign work on a laptop. If you qualify for LTR visa you get a digital work permit where you wouldn’t be breaking any laws.