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What long-term visa options are available for a disabled U.S. veteran and spouse moving to Thailand under 50?

long-term visadisabled veteransThailand immigrationNON-O visaremote workMETVtourist visaLTR visaElite visaeducation visawork permitPattaya
Jul 10, 2024
6 months ago
Sha ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey Everyone. I'm a disabled U.S. veteran planning to move to Thailand on January 7th, 2025 with my wife. I was wondering since we're both under 50, what would be the best long term visa option for us? I plan on working remotely but my wife will be retiring. Also, we plan on getting a tourist visa before departing. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A U.S. veteran plans to move to Thailand with their wife but is uncertain about the best long-term visa options, especially since they are both under 50. The discussions emphasize starting with a tourist visa, considering the METV for longer stays, or possibly the LTR visa designed for remote workers, although its eligibility requirements are highly stringent. Participants suggest investigating local living conditions before fully committing, highlighting that working remotely without proper authorization can be problematic. Additionally, community members provide insights into alternatives like an education visa and advise caution regarding working remotely.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
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Rena *********
Sha

No visa advise. I was actually searching the same question you asked and found your post. We are in our 40s and we have plenty of monthly income but are not finding a good long term visa option.

My wife and I are moving to Pattaya in February. My wife is a veteran too. We are always looking for new friends. Hopefully we can connect once we are all there.
3 months ago
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Det *******
Use your education benefits to attend college and use an education visa.
6 months ago
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Sha ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gray *****
 great idea💡
6 months ago
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Det *******
@Sha *****
 If planned out, then the benefits and education visa can last 6 years or so.
6 months ago
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Det *******
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Mike *******
Your age won’t allow you to do a retirement visa.

Also, laws for retirement has changed when it comes to taxes. So you if are approved please check into the tax changes. But in your status you should check into 60 day, then 90 day visas to ease your way into staying. So you can learn more about your disabled veteran status.
6 months ago
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Achanster ******
Get an education visa by enrolling in Thai classes
6 months ago
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Sha ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Achanster *****
 my wife| and I both want to learn Thai, so I was thinking about going the Education visa route after our tourism visa is up, but I still want to be able to work.
6 months ago
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Achanster ******
@Sha *****
 if you want to work the only way is work visa, or you need to assess the risk of being found out if u c what I mean ...
6 months ago
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Achanster ******
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Shannon ********
Lot of thai and visa experts on this post. Just come and have fun man.
6 months ago
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Henrik *****
When you call it work ( even remotely or voluntary ) the Thai authorities will also call it work, and for working in Thailand, a workpermit is necessary.
6 months ago
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Dena *********
Hi, it’s me, HER wife. Lol
6 months ago
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James ***********
There is a racist, sick punk 👺on this thread, talking about the lovely person whom made the post being “from the ghetto”, etc.… Who made this little brat a top contributor? He should be banned
6 months ago
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Dena *********
@James **********
 Glad I missed it. Hope he got banned!
6 months ago
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James ***********
@Dena ********
 “ can we all get along? “ Rodney King (RIP)

Los Angeles 1992 Summertime

 Ebony and Ivory, Michael Jackson /Paul McCartney 1980s 🎹📿

“I am Honoured ,Sometimes it takes a cracker to ……..

…… bust a cracker” 🙊

Jim Aplington Kathmandu 🇳🇵 summertime 2024 😎
6 months ago
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Dena *********
It’s also kind of hilarious. We’re both well educated. But we’re black, so I guess that equals ghetto to the ignorant.
6 months ago
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Dena *********
Thank you for standing up for us. ❤️
6 months ago
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James ***********
@Dena ********
 my father Thomas Aplington taught me to confront bullies and racism 👺🤺 growing up in Peoria Illinois…

 I reported him 40 minutes ago and he’s been removed ☺️

he 2 times called the two of you ,(not in a good way) ..

“ people from the ghetto”
6 months ago
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James ***********
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Neil ******
@James **********
 nobody makes anyone a top contributor. Facebook puts that badge on comments for people who have a certain amount of comments in a group.
6 months ago
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James ***********
@Neil *****
 I know, part of my point anybody who reads this thread, they should like me report him to the group moderator
6 months ago
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Neil ******
@James **********
 I would have reported, but didn't see the comment. This shouldn't be tolerated, but sadly, Thailand FB groups run rampant with bigotry.
6 months ago
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Neil ******
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Max *************
If not 50 years old, you can't apply for a retirement visa. A 60 days tourist visa from back home is extendable another 30 days at the local immigration office. That gives you at least 90 days. You can also do a so called border run to a neighbouring country and get another 30 days on return. Then extend it another 30 days. That's a total of 150 days.
6 months ago
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Neil ******
Everyone here is ignoring the truth. Working remotely is illegal unless you have LTR or a work permit. Guess why that is? Because they are likely working illegally. Yet, the same people constantly complain about all the corruption and lack of enforcement of laws. If you love hypocritical expats, Thailand is the place for you.
6 months ago
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David *******
It really depends how much money you have. There are long term options for under 50s but none are cheap.

Look at the LTR Visa and the Elite Visa.

If you try to stay long term on Tourist Visas then you’d have to leave the country regularly and it’s quite likely you’ll eventually be flagged at immigration.

In terms of Remote working, if you keep it quiet then it’s not likely to be an issue. It definitely won’t be an issue if you get a LTR visa.
6 months ago
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John **********
The LTR for Remote Workers was made for exactly that
6 months ago
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Bart **************
@John *********
 it doesn't have realistic requirements though. It's only an option for an exceptional 1% or so of the people it was originally meant for.
6 months ago
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Neil ******
@Bart *************
 just like any other visa. If you don’t qualify, you don’t qualify. No different for retired people under 50.
6 months ago
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Bart **************
@Neil *****
 but many people reach 50. Not everyone works for Google or Apple. If they say they have a visa for remote workers, but in reality only a dozen people can get it, then they don't really have a visa for remote workers.
6 months ago
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Neil ******
@Bart *************
 Not everyone gets married to a Thai either. Not everyone works for Thai company either. Thems the breaks.

Also, neither Apple nor Google will permit their employees to work from Thailand while employed with a foreign entity.

Also, that’s not the only way to get it. If you have an annual income of $80k a year, a net worth of $1 million, and invest $500k here in property, you can get LTR without employment and under 50.
6 months ago
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Bart **************
@Neil *****
 but you can work for any Thai company that satisfies reasonable requirements. Not every company qualifies, but most do. If you are married to a Thai, you need to have some money in the bank, but you must be really broke to not satisfy that. But here with the visa that is supposedly for remote workers, if you don't work for Amazon or Microsoft, you can't get the visa. So do they have a visa for remote workers then? No they don't, they have a visa for maybe 1% of the group that normal people would identify as "remote workers".
6 months ago
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Neil ******
@Bart *************
 the government decided on the criteria. These are the people they want here working remotely. It’s pretty obvious why. They are high earners with verified employment, in which the employers are aware and have consented to their work from Thailand. They aren’t 20-something “digital marketing” or “life coaches” spending little money here, offering no real benefit to the economy. Relationships need to be symbiotic and those who only want to take from the country weren’t included in the eligible. Just because you don’t like it doesn’t make it any less valid.
6 months ago
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Bart **************
@Neil *****
 it's fine that they only allow people from Tesla and Nvidia to work here, but we can't then say that Thailand has a visa for remote workers. They do not.
6 months ago
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Bart **************
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John **********
@Bart *************
 requirements are difficult to meet but it's still what it was intended for
6 months ago
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John **********
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Franklin ***********
What everyone else is saying, you should really come here first. I cant stand being here more than 60 days (never even been here that long tbh)

Let the rose colored glasses come off and get a real feel for the land and see if its what you ACTUALLY want. Ill tell you for certain you dont want pattaya as a black married couple. Enjoy your trip.
6 months ago
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Sha ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Franklin **********
 if you knew me, you'd know I'm all about making extreme changes. Also, I was stationed in Japan, so this wouldn't be my first time living in SE Asia. Also, we have friends already out there that are married, black, and lesbian in Pattaya.
6 months ago
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Duvee *******
@Sha *****
 thailand never gets old to me. I'm a army vet to, I never lived in pattaya but I know a guy I box with that did and he was married and his wife and him loved it. I think its a good choice moving to Thailand.
6 months ago
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Sha ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Duvee ******
 thank you for the positivity ☺️
6 months ago
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Duvee *******
@Sha *****
 yeah I am in the philippines and headed back soon
6 months ago
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Duvee *******
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Franklin ***********
@Sha *****
 lol bet have fun
6 months ago
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John ********
@Sha *****
 Japan isn’t SE Asia
6 months ago
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Franklin ***********
@John *******
 yea thats where they lost me. Enjoy 😂
6 months ago
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Franklin ***********
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Alan ******
@Franklin **********
 yep sound advice. 6 times in fact, just to make sure.
6 months ago
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Alan ******
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Bonnie *********
Have you looked at the Thai Embassy website?

Your status is irrelevant, your age is relevant.
6 months ago
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Sha ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bonnie ********
 yes I looked at the embassy site before posting here. Just figured it wouldn't hurt to ask in case I missed something.
6 months ago
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Bonnie *********
@Sha *****
 It always helps to clarify that and ask for clarification. You would believe how many people never look, just ask.
6 months ago
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Sha ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bonnie ********
 totally understandable
6 months ago
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Sha ******
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Damo ******
Apply for METV before you travel. Gives you upto 9 months in Thailand but you must leave and return every 90 days
6 months ago
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ฉันเป็นทางของประชาชน *********
Pattaya is not for married couples. Unless you’re swingers.
6 months ago
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Tim *******
@ฉันเป็นทางของประชาชน ********
 oh no does that mean we have to move??
6 months ago
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Max *************
@ฉันเป็นทางของประชาชน ********
A totally clueless comment.
6 months ago
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ฉันเป็นทางของประชาชน *********
@Max ************
🤣🤣🤣you must be square or have ED
6 months ago
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ฉันเป็นทางของประชาชน *********
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Vin *********
@ฉันเป็นทางของประชาชน ********
 Pattaya is just fine for all.

You choose where you go and what you do.

Just as going to a restaurant you do not have to drink alcohol...
6 months ago
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Michael ********
@ฉันเป็นทางของประชาชน ********
 Its a big place you obviously only been to the seedy area
6 months ago
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ฉันเป็นทางของประชาชน *********
@Michael *******
I’m not Farang
6 months ago
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Michael ********
@ฉันเป็นทางของประชาชน ********
 Makes your original comment even stranger then
6 months ago
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Michael ********
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ฉันเป็นทางของประชาชน *********
@Michael *******
I’m Thai. I live here in Pattaya.
6 months ago
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ฉันเป็นทางของประชาชน *********
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ฉันเป็นทางของประชาชน *********
@Bradley ********
tell him the TRUTH. I’m trying to save his marriage 👊🏽
6 months ago
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ฉันเป็นทางของประชาชน *********
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Sha ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you for the info. ☺️ We haven't explored for than a month out there, but we know we want to stay in Pattaya.
6 months ago
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Aaron *******
@Sha *****
 Pattaya wouldn't be my first choice for a long term stay, but it's great for a week or so. And good place to explore Thailand's Eastern Coastal Area. There are many options to consider near Pattaya. Na Jomtien, Hauy Yai, Ban Amphur, Bangsaray, Rayong, Sattahip... All of these are less than an hour from Pattaya, and less than 2 hours from Bangkok. Just 30 minutes outside of Pattaya, you can find peaceful places, ok beaches, nice local markets, local restaurants.... Yet, you're still close enough to Pattaya for the malls, shopping, medical facilities, movies, concerts, Muay Thai, gyms, restaurants, entertainment, trip to Koh Larn or Koh Samet, and yes the occasional night out.
6 months ago
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Stephen *******
@Sha *****
 p a t t a y a is a s******* look further that is not Thailand
6 months ago
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Linhof *********
@Sha *****
 why Pattaya? Just curious
6 months ago
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Stacey ****************
@Sha *****
 lots of places that are more affordable 10-20% cheaper on most things when you get away from the tourist trap areas.

Check into filing for your visas in the USA before you come over, makes things a lot easier. They will have a list of visas you can consider.

They are very quick and it makes things so much easier when you come to Thailand.

Drop a note if I can be of any assistance. God bless

************************************************************
6 months ago
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Huy ******
@Sha *****
 so many better places than pattaya as a retired couple than pattaya... consider hua hin for example, cleaner and cheaper.
6 months ago
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Huy ******
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Henrik *****
Have you ever stayed more than a couple of weeks in Thailand ?

If not you have to start by doing a testrun ex. 60 day touristvisa + 30 day extension, to figure out where to stay, and if can you live on the budget you will have avaiable.

Everyday life may be very different from holiday life, so don’t burn your bridges yet.

Tourist visa is strictly no work, including online.

After that you can start figuring out which long term visa is possibel, and how to get a workpermit.
6 months ago
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Henrik *****
But what “he” and everybody else wanting to move to Thailand need to know / consider.

Furthermore “he” liked my post.

But your post is of no value for anybody.
6 months ago
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Ken ***********
@Henrik ****
 good advice
6 months ago
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Ken ***********
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