Answered6 years ago
What visa options are available for expats in Thailand under 50 waiting for a retirement visa?
For those of us who are near 50 but not there yet, is there some way to bridge the gap before getting the retirement visa at 50? If you’re 47-48, like me, it doesn’t make sense to pay $15,000 or so for the 5 year Elite visa... maybe a 1-year Educational visa can act as a bridge part way to 50? Anything else? Thanks in advance for any helpful tips 😊
Answer summary
Expats in Thailand who are approaching 50 and looking for alternatives to the retirement visa may consider options such as the Non-Immigrant Education Visa, which allows for studying Thai language or attending college until they reach the required age. Others mentioned using Educational visas or back-to-back Tourist visas. Some expats have successfully transitioned from an Education Visa to a Retirement Extension once they turn 50. Others debated the costs and benefits of the Thai Elite Visa as a more convenient but expensive option. Suggestions also included marrying a Thai citizen for visa purposes. The conversation highlights various personal experiences and advice regarding visa options for those under 50.
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Ken ******
don't see any reason for the rush, esp when there is third wave covid
Ken ******
it is safe to come after third wave and the covid come under control or subside, well, unless one come from worse affected countries which is unlikely now
Frank ******
@Ken *****
what thread are you on?Steve **********
Barry ********
I’ll swap the birth certificate yours for mine don’t wish your life away it starts to get expensive the older you get
Steve **********
Barry ********
@Steve *********
thank you made me feel much better 555
Darren *******
Get Married 😁
Carsten *********
Its called taking one for the team
Derek *******
OP@Darren ******
my Indonesian girlfriend says I can’t marry a Thai girl 😉
Frédéric ******************
@Derek ******
Well, teach your girlfriend to be more pragmatic.Derek *******
OP@Frédéric ****************
“come on babe, I don’t want to marry a young Thai hottie, but I need to do it to get residency!” Darren *******
@Derek ******
is she moving to thailand as well. ????Derek *******
OP@Darren ******
yep 👍🏻 Rich ********
I bought the Thai elite visa and I am happy with the decision. It makes getting bank accounts and other things you need easy
Steve **********
Rich ********
@Steve *********
ok. It's a huge hassle. Have to try Multiple banks, no internet access, many other things. I tried before elite and was denied every time. Elite sends a letter and it's magically easy. Rich ********
@Steve *********
you tooSteve **********
@Rich *******
well good luck.Derek *******
OP@Rich *******
I would consider it too, if I was a different age, but to buy it now (almost 48) means that I would really only need it for 2 years because I can get a retirement visa at 50. Rich ********
@Derek ******
I am 48.. it works for me, you may have other experiences
Kuan ******
Hahaha .. guys I wish I am below 50... 🤣
Terary **********
Same boat. Currently on Volunteer visa. That will expired sometime early next year. I will see what is available then. I have been doing back-to-back tourist visas that worked for a few years.
Wayne ********
tee money mite be a lot more now as not many to play the same scam
on anymore there use to be hordes of russians and illegals they could get money out of but now there is next to no one as they all left or kicked out but good luck ...
on anymore there use to be hordes of russians and illegals they could get money out of but now there is next to no one as they all left or kicked out but good luck ...
Lea *****
Going the ed visa way and waiting for the ripe age of 50 too 🙂
Greg ******
Go to college on an education visa.
George *************
I came to live in Phuket at age 48 on a Non-Immigrant Education Visa, and as soon as I reached 50 I applied in Thailand at the immigration office to go from an education extension to a retirement extension. I had to get my Thai language school to write me a letter saying my Thai language studies finished on a certain date and then went to immigration where they changed the reason for my extension of stay from education to retirement. They asked me how much I wanted to pay for this service and I thought 2,000 baht was a fair price (would have cost me a lot more than that to leave Thailand and obtain a Non-O Visa from a neighboring country not to mention the inconvenience). Been here on Retirement Extensions ever since.
It was very clear to me at the time that the Retirement Extension was in every particular a better long-term solution to staying in Thailand than the Education Extension, however, at first, I did not qualify for the Retirement Extension because I was under age 50.
Learning Thai if you are going to live here is a very good idea and the classes were helpful. While I am very far from being able to speak and understand Thai in anything beyond the most basic degree I did manage to learn to read and write a little.
It was very clear to me at the time that the Retirement Extension was in every particular a better long-term solution to staying in Thailand than the Education Extension, however, at first, I did not qualify for the Retirement Extension because I was under age 50.
Learning Thai if you are going to live here is a very good idea and the classes were helpful. While I am very far from being able to speak and understand Thai in anything beyond the most basic degree I did manage to learn to read and write a little.
Jonas *************
On the note of tea n money...
Has anyone found any good store for imported Chinese teas? The old one I've been to in China Town only had old stale teas...
Has anyone found any good store for imported Chinese teas? The old one I've been to in China Town only had old stale teas...
Gemma ************
@George ************
soooo true !!!!!!!! What it looks unduable it happens and the simplest things it takesssss sooooo long 😉
Blake ******
@George ************
, thanks for the stories. I really enjoy hearing “how it works” in Thailand. Spent a small amount of time there a few years ago and would love to retire there eventually. I had a small run in with Thai police because I had been pickpocketed during Songkran. Turns out, it was a Cambodian ring stealing cell phones. The thieves were caught with a bunch of cell phones, and I eventually got everything back except a small amount of cash. I really needed the cell phone because I was expecting a phone call the next day and had no other way to contact this person. I left the police station in frustration because they weren’t going to release my phone for another week or so. There was a tourist liaison in front of the station that asked how everything went. I explained my frustration to him and he said hold on a sec. He went into the station and came back about 2 min later and handed me the SIM card. That was all I needed because I had an extra phone at my hotel. I was able to connect with the person the next day and all worked out fine. Such a simple solution to a huge problem. It just goes to show you how we tend to make things so much more difficult than is necessary, and the Thai people have the most easy, direct solution - it’s just almost impossible to get there with the western thinking mind.Derek *******
OP@George ************
fantastic, thanks! 😊🙏🏻Activity
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