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What long-stay visa options are available for a retiree under 50 wishing to live in Thailand?

Visa Options Thailand Retirement Visa Long-Stay Visa DTV Visa LTR Visa Elite Visa Passive Income Expat Life Immigration

Mar 13, 2025

20 days ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Greetings from moldy, damp, highly overrated Portugal! 🤣

Been doing a bunch of research and I’m struggling to figure out the right type of (long-stay) visa since we don’t fall neatly into any category. 

Basically, I’m retired with a pension and some other passive income, but not yet 50 so the retirement visa isn’t an option. I don’t have a business, don’t plan to work for someone remotely, and ain’t about to put this beat up body through Muay Thai — so I don’t know if DTV is the right option either. 

Any insights into what would work best for someone who just wants to live in Thailand until age-eligible for the retiement visa would be greatly appreciated! 🙏🏽

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is seeking advice on long-stay visa options for living in Thailand before they are eligible for a retirement visa. They have passive income but are not yet 50 and do not fall into specific categories like retirement or working remotely. Commenters suggest various alternatives, including looking into the LTR visa, the Elite visa, and a Muay Thai visa. Others mention options like taking cooking or language classes, and some highlight the possibility of applying for a Thailand visa based on participating in programs like Discover Thai Nature Course.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the DTV 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.

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Cole *********

What about cooking? Or language?

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Steve *******

Easy. Go to the Philippines. You can stay up to 3 years at a time on tourist visa stamp extensions. And you can apply for a retirement visa there if you're older than 35, which you won't need since you can stay with tourist visas.

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Christopher ********

Fight EVO360 Thailand - Thepprasit Boxing Stadium has good course for DTV ... Had mine for a few months and i drop by every once in a while drink a beer and learn by watching. Lol

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Stefani ********

I highly recommend private classes at fever muay thai

They will completely look after you

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Erik *******

Dude: if you don’t like moldy and damp , do yourself a favor and don’t come here : you won’t survive the monsoon (rainy season) !! 🌧️

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Rain doesn’t bother me. Cold, damp and mold does.

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Anonymous *************

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Derry *********

We have a 91 year old doing muay thai on a dtv. He actually attended, finished the course and now still training in our regular course.

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Ko *******

What’s so wrong in Portugal? I’m thinking about to relocate there after spending many years in SEA?

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Without going into details, it’s marketed in western press and online as some utopia, but it’s essentially a developing country that happens to be in Europe. Plus, the food sucks lol.

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Ko *******

Anonymer Teilnehmer ok thx…for me it had a lot advantages…no visa needed as European and short flights and same currency and included healthcare…

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

As with any place, there are pros and cons. Everyone has different circumstances, tolerances and expectations for their quality of life. It works for some folks, but it’s a terrible fit for me.

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Anonymous *************

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Simon ********

Btw why is Portugal overrated?

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Without going into details, it’s marketed in western press and online as some utopia, but it’s essentially a developing country that happens to be in Europe. Plus, the food sucks lol.

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Anonymous *************

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Alex *********

I applied with the 5 year seminar

@Discover *************

Course. Some people have gotten accepted and some who are in south east asia denied. But it seems it has a pretty high acceptance rate from western countries. You can also study cooking or get certain types of on going medical treatments.

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing!

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Alex *********

Anonymous participant I think they are good folks the last class they made their own herb yadom inhalers in Bangkok out of a concoction of plants 🪴 and magic 🪄 😂

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Alex *********

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Simon ********

how long is the seminar, theres very few details listed??

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Alex *********

I would follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and website to learn more. There is information ℹ️ they also have a Line contact, and they have been very helpful in answering my questions

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Alex *********

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Nina ********

Definitely consider the Muay Thai visa through a reputable gym endorsed by the Thai education division and just attend for the strength and cardio conditioning. You’ll feel amazing!

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Sascha **********

Depending on how much money you have in the bank, LTR could be a suitable option for you, or otherwise the Elite visa, although it’s grossly overpriced compared to DTV

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Julie ********************

Hello sweaty amigo! Look into the soft powers..there’s quite a few options..you don’t really need to LOVE the said activities..& scroll through the posts, several activities were mentioned..

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Julie ********************

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