What long-term visa options are available for those under 50 in Thailand?

Jul 26, 2024
4 months ago
Jolene ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
If I am not 50 how do I stay long term in Thailand? I am retired and I have monthly pension. Thank you for your help!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
For individuals under 50 seeking to stay long-term in Thailand, the primary options discussed are the DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) and the Thai Privilege Visa. The DTV can be acquired for a period of 5 years with extensions available but must be obtained outside of Thailand. The Thai Privilege Visa, though expensive, offers extended stays of 5, 10, or 15 years with additional benefits. Suggestions also include considering an ED (student) visa for younger expats, as well as securing an embassy affidavit for proof of income to meet requirements for long-term stay.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Mitch **********
Student visa easy 35.000bht
Wolfgang *******
For people who are younger than 50 y.o. I recommend an ED visa (student visa).

Contact:
@Easy **********************
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David *******
Easiest way, though not cheap, is to buy an Elite visa for however many years you need to get you to 50. After that switch to a Non O.
Zeki ********
No matter which way you look at it DTV is your best and cheapest way and this DTV can only be obtained whilst you are out of Thailand.
Andy ************
@Colin ******
He can probably get the embassy affidavit. With that there's no value in getting the DTV, unless he plans to travel a lot
Jolene ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andy ***********
what is the embassy affidavit?
Graham ******
@Jolene **************
Proof of regular income verified by your Embassy to meet the financial requirements of a long term Visa or Extension of stay (65l per month for Retirement but you're not 50+)
Andy ************
@Graham *****
Correct. My error. I misread the OP as already being 50. In his case the DTV is best
Duncan **********
I came in my 40s and did a 5 year Elite to get me past 50
Khaled ************
@Duncan *********
Did you have to file for taxes being there for a long time?
Duncan **********
@Khaled ***********
I haven't done anything on that yet but have been told already I won't need to pay any taxes here on money I bring in as already taxed in the UK but I may still need to file a return
Khaled ************
@Duncan *********
What about wealth tax?
Duncan **********
@Khaled ***********
every person is different so get your own tax advice if concerned
Peter ***********
I love it how some people don't read the post he already states she is not 50 yet 🤣
Conny **********
@Peter **********
yup. I am pretty sure she doesn't identify herself as a he....
Peter ***********
@Conny *********
bloody auto correct 🤣
Neil *********
Retirement visa easiest way if you’re over 50. Either do yourself or if you don’t want to show the money needed in the bank use an agent you’ll pay more but jsut depends on your circumstances. If not then dtv visa is the easiest however with the new 60 day exemption you could play the game as there’s no limits on number of times currently you can do that
Henrik *****
At some point you will get a serious talk with a Immigration Officer, if you stay in Thailand on tourist visas back to back, even if the limits are not official any more.
Danny *******
@Neil ********
He's not 50+!!!
Colin *********
Danny *******
Colin *********
@Danny ******
I'm sure you'd be happy is someone referred to you as 'she'. Ohh Danny... I guess that could be Danielle
Danny *******
@Colin ********
If she was offended I apologize, but the point was she was not 50 or more, which she had mentioned, but a number of people seemed to miss that and kept suggesting the retirement visa despite all the other posts that pointed it out. And if you want to call me Danielle that fine. I don’t care. 🙂
John **********
You really only have 2 options at your age if you're not looking to work.

The DTV will give you 180 days when you enter and is for 5 years, you can also extend it for 180 days

The Thai Privilege visa although expensive can be bought for 5, 10, 15 years and comes with a range of benefits
Curtis *******
@John *********
isn't a DTV for people working in Thailand or married?
John **********
@Curtis ******
nope. Not for either demographic. It's a kind of special tourist visa. You can't work for a Thai entity and being married to a Thai is immaterial
Jeffrey ************
Thai privilege visa..
Colin *******
DTV VISA
Colin *******
Podcast from the Bangkok Post today has a lot of detail.
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Jolene ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin ******
I can apply for this one even though I am no longer working?
Jolene ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin ******
if you take cooking classes you qualify that’s very weird!
Colin *******
@Jolene **************
yes, most of the soft options are a little weird. Guess they want to throw the gates open and get people there to spend money
Stephan ***********
@Colin ******
So... do I have to show that I booked cooking classes (or sports or whatever) for 5 years or is it just for the first application and after that nobody cares? What about extensions and reentries? Have to prove the purpose again?
Colin *******
@Stephan **********
no idea. All very new I guess.
Stephan ***********
@Colin ******
Yep... time will tell. So many open questions... probably the answers from the authorities will start "growing" with the demand... ;-)
Colin *******
@Jolene **************
soft options. Check out the web site in your country. Cooking classes 🤗
Andy ********
@Colin ******
doing cookery courses may get you the initial visa but I very much doubt it will allow you to maintain a legal status in the Kingdom.
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