What Visa Options Are Available for a Retiree Under 50 Moving to Bangkok?

Jan 10, 2020

5 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I’ll be moving to Bangkok in March and it is not clear to me what my best options are for a Visa.  I’m retiring, but am not 50 years old.  I do not plan on working, volunteering (at least for a while), or going to school.  My fiancé is Thai but for reasons I won’t get into we will not be getting married for at least a year.  I’m not sure I want to spend the money for the elite Visa if I plan on getting married in a year or two.

From what I have seen from other posts it seems my only option is to apply for a 60 day tourist visa and apply for the 30 day extension and then just do Visa runs for a while?  I see there is a 6 month visa but it seems I would still have to do the visa runs?  Which one is better, or is there another option I’m missing?  I saw on another post it suggested entering on a visa exemption and then extending that before applying for the 60 day tourist visa.  Why not apply for the tourist visa right from the start and how do you apply for the visa exemption?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The individual moving to Bangkok at 43 years old is exploring visa options given they do not meet the 50-year age requirement for retirement visas. They are considering applying for a 60-day tourist visa with a possible extension and subsequent visa runs or a shorter visa option coupled with extensions, but want to avoid costly elite visas unless necessary. Comments highlight the limited options available for those under 50 who are not married or engaged in work, volunteering, or education, predominantly leading back to the elite visa or short-term tourist visas.

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Robert *******

And all the visa options came by and are discussed. The list is easy:

for people less then 50 year, not married, not having Thai children, not willing to work, volunteer, study or invest there is only one visa available. The Thai Elite Visa. Or (ab)use the short times visa options, like tourist visa, visa exempt and/or ED visa until you hit an Immigration Officer who does not agree with your usage of these visa's.

Get the Thai Elite Visa for 5 years. If you have any additional visa questions about the visa of your choice you can open a new topic.

I close this topic, enough ideas are given and it is now on you to decide. Good luck.

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5 years ago

Marty *********

How old are you? That might help getting you a useful answer.

5 years ago

Wylie *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Marty ********

I will turn 43 just before moving

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

He's less then 50. I don't think there's a visa for people who are explicitly less then 50.

5 years ago

Reply to

Benjamin ******

Here's my opinion (written as a point-by-point)

>I’m retiring, but am not 50 years old.

In Thailand, you can only retire if you're 50 years old or older.

> I see there is a 6 month visa but it seems I would still have to do the visa runs?

Yes, you'd have to border bounce every 60 days, and get a new single entry visa at the end of the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa

>I saw on another post it suggested entering on a visa exemption and then extending that before applying for the 60 day tourist visa.

I wouldn't recommend it. I would recommend saving your visa exempts incase your tourist visas are denied.

>I can support myself and put all that money into the Thai economy without taking a job away from a citizen

You'll be putting very little money in the Thai economy

(If you have a business, you can get a treaty of amity business, just transfer your business license from the USA to Thailand, very very easy)

5 years ago

Kevin *************

If you are going to live there, and do not already know the Thai language, you could look into an education visa.

5 years ago

Kevin *************

Have a look at the requirements:

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5 years ago

Wylie *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Kevin ************

that seems like a possibility. Can a person get that by just being enrolled in a language course?

5 years ago

Reply to

Wylie *******

Robert *******

Why you did not tell that directly? Contact the BOI, they really help people who put money into the Thai economy. The Investment Visa, the way to go in your situation:

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5 years ago

Wayne **********

Seems to me you have an idea for a plan. But you need to look at your options before making that plan, And be aware that here in Thailand one plan is never enough. So plan for Plan A and Plan B not meeting yours or your Thai partners' expectations...But same as for 😏everywhere right?

5 years ago

Wylie *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Wayne *********

yeah, somewhat of a plan but looking for advice to make sure I'm understanding my options correctly. I'm not sure why they make it so easy to come, but so difficult to stay. I think I would be the ideal person they would try to attract. I want to retire, I can support myself and put all that money into the Thai economy without taking a job away from a citizen.

5 years ago

Reply to

Wylie *******

Robert *******

Thanks for cutting the list for long term options short.

The only long term you have is the Thai Elite Visa.

Alternative is using short time visa for short time visits and wait for the day that an Immigration Officer tells you, get a proper visa and with luck you may enter or without luck you are denied entry.

5 years ago

Reply to

Robert *******

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