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What visa options do I have as a 33-year-old expat looking to retire in Thailand?
Thai Visa RulesRetirement Visa ThailandDigital Nomad VisaEducation VisaNon-O VisaVisa Requirements for ExpatsThai Elite VisaLLC and VisaPassive Income Visa
Mar 5, 2024
2 years ago
Eric *******
ORIGINAL POSTER*Alright my "thailand think-tank", ive been discouraged from coming because I havent figured out a way to get a visa there and will be retiring to PH instead if I cant get something in thailand done.... Im 33yrs old, no income, not a millionaire but have enough $ in the bank. I was going to get the 20yr elite back when it was 30k but now that it's gone up 5x im no longer interested as that $ was slated to buy a nice apartment. Could I start a new Trust for myself where the terms are "pays out 8k/mo" (or whatever is required minimum) for a passive income visa? Or if I start a new llc here in usa for 100$ (montana llc) could I have it write me a "remote worker" contract that pays out once a yr 80grand or the minimum for a digital nomad visa? *
*Not going to work in Thailand unless its some sort of "1hr a week and I pay them 100$ a month for being on their payroll" type thing. very serious and really prefer here instead of PH who will take me with no hassles at all. THANKS! *
*Not going to work in Thailand unless its some sort of "1hr a week and I pay them 100$ a month for being on their payroll" type thing. very serious and really prefer here instead of PH who will take me with no hassles at all. THANKS! *
TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster is exploring options for living in Thailand as a 33-year-old expat with limited income and no millionaire status. They considered the costly 20-year elite visa but are now looking for alternative visa solutions, such as creating a trust for passive income or starting an LLC in the USA to obtain a digital nomad visa. Community members suggested viable alternatives, such as the education visa for learning Thai or using a visa agency for assistance, but overall, many comments leaned towards the poster relocating to the Philippines instead due to perceived visa challenges in Thailand.
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Chris ****
Dude. Go to Cambodia and ride the wave there. Thailand is raising the bar and it’s good if you’re established. Cambodia on the other hand is going to be a lot easier for you on visa and costs plus you will be able to thrive there much easier if you want to make it a long term home.
Diane **********
🤯 Having worked till retirement I find your comment offensive. You are lazy and you obviously think you are entitled to bludge off what ever society you live in. What about the people around you who will have to support your vagrant and self serving lifestyle by providing you a place to live or cook and clean for you as I doubt you are capable of putting any real effort into anything other than giving retires a bad name.
Puggs **********
SPAM
John *********
This post reminds me of “mine is bigger than yours “.
Joseph *******
Just border run it
Mark ******
Easy.....start a business here, become the Director, hire a few staff, and you're good to go.
Jacob ********
This seems the latest fade these last few years people as young as their twenties with this fantasy they got off likely some hippy-dippy Khao San Road moocher muppet YouTube give me your money channel. Lived here going on twenty four years and of all the expats I have encountered even in their elder years most in my opinion moved here with some serious flawed ideas. Many gained knowledge from a bar stool , a beer and some alcoholic idiot expat. Just look at some of the Thai women they ended up with. Long story short YOU ARE NOT READY FOR THAILAND!
Corey *******
Is crazy when you deal with some people that can't think. I moved to a new town in Florida to start a new life, and most places require a 1 year lease. A few landlords said because I did not have a job yet, I could not be trusted to pay the rent. I told them I can pay a year's rent UPFRONT in full if they want... They told me I can't... 🙃
Pablo *******
Buy into a structured annuity for a set amount per month. Pacific life is goid
David ********
Why not hop around on tourist visas for a few years
Judy **********
Good luck with that. I think your future is in the Philippines
Galenus ******
You're not made to stay in Thailand. Walk away.
Dennis ***********
$100:00 us a week ,he’ll that should get you a citizenship FFS
Terary **********
I moved to Thailand instead of PH because the job market was better for me. I have toyed with the idea of starting a US business and becoming an employee and try to work-out a visa that way. The US and Thailand have some sort of treaty that gives special treatment to the US business (
As a US citizen (well most people) you can get an METV which gets you 9 months. For the first 9 years that I live in Thailand, I have had a few of those. I would estimate 6 of the 9 years that I have lived here, I have been on short term visa, doing 2 week border runs.
Philippines is good too. If you are unwilling to pay for the elite visa and unwilling to get creative with your thai short term visas and assume that risk, then most definitely you've made the choice to not stay long term Thailand.
**********************************************************
However, most the people I have talked don't know anything about it and it is still a huge amount of paperwork.As a US citizen (well most people) you can get an METV which gets you 9 months. For the first 9 years that I live in Thailand, I have had a few of those. I would estimate 6 of the 9 years that I have lived here, I have been on short term visa, doing 2 week border runs.
Philippines is good too. If you are unwilling to pay for the elite visa and unwilling to get creative with your thai short term visas and assume that risk, then most definitely you've made the choice to not stay long term Thailand.
Zoe ******
There's a reason why so many people dished out $30k for the elite visas before the price went insane. You are not the first or the last to realize to stay in Thailand long term you need to either pay premium for a visa or get married or get old. No the Philippines doesn't charge people for visas because it's not Thailand, in all the ways why people would rather be in Thailand if they "could".
Thomas *******
Don't let the door hit you on the way out
Michael *******
Philippines beckons no language barriers either and they have lots of American food - enjoy🙏
Wayne *****
See ya in the Philippines.
Brandon *****************
The Philippines needs guys like you. Thailand does not. Go to the Philippines and just forget about Thailand. EVERYONE will be happy that you did.
James **********
@Brandon ****************
oh the irony...Eric *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ****************
always open to wise words from an enlightened English teacher named bubbaBrandon *****************
You have no idea how many enlightened people are already here. We don't need another one.
Reply to
Brandon *****************
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Garrett ***********
How much money do you have in the bank?
Judy **********
@Garrett **********
....asked nobody, ever. 😆Reply to
Judy **********
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Nigel **************
Did the OP even reply or say thanks for the advice?
Gareth *********
@Nigel *************
i could barely read what they had written... I doubt they will spend time actually being thankfulReply to
Gareth *********
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Roberto ***********
Use an agency to open a company that will employ you and stay with working visa ... around 3k year
Angelo ************
@Roberto **********
exactly this. I know a guy who did this, opened a small Cafe / Co Working space in Ko Tao.Traveler *****
@Roberto **********
do you have a company you recommended?Roberto ***********
@Traveler ****
can send you contact PMStu***
@Roberto **********
can you PM me details pleaseJulie *******
@Roberto **********
me too please 🙏🏽🌞Reply to
Julie *******
Reply
Martin *****
Just setup a thai company and employe yourself that's it visa done ✅
Tim *********
Go to Philippines to live for now. Come to Thailand on holiday for a month at a time. See how the visa situation here changes. The tax position is becoming more challenging for some of us. And populism/nationalism with racism seems to be growing all over the world. Recent events have shown it may be on the rise here too. Wait to see how that plays out for a couple of years. By which time many of us might join you in PH!
Bart **************
Calm down please.
You seem to expect living in Thailand is your right. Well, it's not. You need to satisfy conditions for that, and if you don't, Thailand prefers to see you go to the Philippines. If the Philippines is happy about that too, and you are as well, then everybody is.
You seem to expect living in Thailand is your right. Well, it's not. You need to satisfy conditions for that, and if you don't, Thailand prefers to see you go to the Philippines. If the Philippines is happy about that too, and you are as well, then everybody is.
Cody *********
@Bart *************
I think a lot of people are unpleasantly surprised to find that Thailand doesn't really want a young person moving there and helping support the local economy.I find it rather counterintuitive as well.
I wonder what the advantage of the current policy is for the Thai people?
Rene ******
@Cody ********
prevention of gentrification?Cody *********
@Rene *****
you overestimate my income.😁I live very modestly in every country.☸️
And if I were rich the Thai government would be more than happy to sell me an elite visa.🤷
It's really just the people who have money to support themselves (food, drinks, entertainment, rent, etc.) but not buy a new Mercedes that are targeted by these policies.
(IMO of course.)
Reply to
Cody *********
Reply
Bart **************
@Cody ********
sir, you seem delusional. Of course countries cannot just allow anyone to just live there unconditionally. No matter how much you could support the local economy. Name one country that allows it, besides The Philippines.There aren't any. What The Philippines allows is really exceptional. Thailand is even quite 'close' to The Philippines in that regard, having quite relaxed conditions on living here. Try this is Europe (where coming by sinking boat gives you all the rights in the world by the looks - but let's disregard that scenario).
Zoe ******
@Bart *************
actually Portugal is quite easy to get a 5 year residency visa which can be turned into a 10 year visa. They call it the D7 visa, like a retirement visa but with no age restriction, one just has to show a certain amount of $$ in the bank. I had it for 5 years before moving to Thailand.Bart **************
@Zoe *****
I don't believe that any Schengen country allows people to reside there that easily. Well, maybe if you go there by sinking boat, and need 'saving', then you're the king.By the way, Thailand does actually allow it. Buy the elite visa and you can stay here without further questions asked.
Cody *********
@Bart *************
just "buy an elite visa" eh?😂 Not everyone who retired early is necessarily rich enough neighbour.That's why the OP was considering the Philippines instead.🤷
Bart **************
@Cody ********
well then he goes there. The conditions are clear enough. The Thais set them and we then decide if we come or not. It's that simple.Zoe ******
@Bart *************
I personally did it. I had a 5 year residency visa which could be turned into a 10 year one. Not as easy with other Schengen counties but easy with Portugal. Portugal also offered a 10 year golden visa program for any foreigner buying a property over 500k. But they took that program away last year because they are in a real housing crisis with all the rich buyers from other countries. Elite visa is the best solution for easy long term stay but it's still a glorified tourist visa.Reply to
Zoe ******
Reply
Zoe ******
@Cody ********
you really think most of those young nomads who can't afford a proper visa are helping the Thai economy... Thailand wants people who can at least afford a proper visa, not someone who thinks they can retire at 30 yet can't afford a 30k visa.🤦🤣Reply to
Zoe ******
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Javier ********
You a get an ED visa for 300$ a year if you do it directly with a school.
Eric *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Javier *******
do you have to actually attend the school or can I just pay the 300$ say im going and not show up? can this be done indefinitely or count towards years spent for naturalization/perm residencyBruce *********
@Eric ******
just go to the Philippines. They speak English and you obviously do not want to learn the language If you move to Thailand. I bet you're the type of American that gets mad at foreigners for not learning English yet you refuse to learn thai if you move to Thailand.Javier ********
@Eric ******
it’s optional to go. You need to work for a Thai company to get permanent residency or nationality.
Reply to
Javier ********
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Wylie *******
Start with the education visa first as others have suggested. Who knows, after a year here you may end up qualifying for the marriage visa🤣
Ernesto ********
Not a millionaire but enough money in bank to retire ? What a joke. You are delusional
Geoff **********
@Ernesto *******
I agree 30 and wants to retire haha blokes dreamingEric *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ernesto *******
delusional huh? im from miami and havent worked in 14yrs already. thanks for the compliment!Pat *****
@Eric ******
so you never worked 😉Reply to
Pat *****
Reply
Gareth ********
@Ernesto *******
depends on the lifestyle you want to live surely? Just under a million sounds more than enough to me.Blade ********
@Ern****
it’s Thailand. Not Miami. 🤦♂️ But I guess you thinking about sexpat things. Of course maybeits not enough to care for the whole family of your beloved bargirl.Wylie *******
@Ernesto *******
not all. I retired at 42 with just under 1 million. I moved here and five years later my net worth is 20% more than when I retired.Ruth *******
You could do an ED visa for learning Thai for starters. If you're open to getting a more advanced education, you could go to college or explore other options. I haven't checked if it's still there, but Cordon Bleu used to have a center in Bangkok. ED visa may be your only option, but, as others have said, it could create issues for other options in the future. The other possibility is a multiple-entry tourist visa. It won't get you a full year, but it gets you a fair amount. I don't know for how long you can do those though. Maybe you could do one first then ED.
Chris *******
At your age it will be a difficult road.
You may get away witha couple years on ED visas but then could cause problems for other visa later.
For example you cannot get an elite visa with an ED visa in your history (at least now anyway).
If Thailand is where you want to be then you will likely have to bite the bullet on an elite visa to get you to retirement age.
You can easily live here well on 3-4k US per month.. so if you are budgeting 8k, you can afford the elite.
Or it's off to PH.
You may get away witha couple years on ED visas but then could cause problems for other visa later.
For example you cannot get an elite visa with an ED visa in your history (at least now anyway).
If Thailand is where you want to be then you will likely have to bite the bullet on an elite visa to get you to retirement age.
You can easily live here well on 3-4k US per month.. so if you are budgeting 8k, you can afford the elite.
Or it's off to PH.
Bruce *********
@Chris ******
I just read your comment. What do you mean you cannot get an elite visa if you had an ED visa in the past? Why is that?Chris *******
@Bruce ********
due to past abuses of the ED visas and volunteer visas , they will not issue an elite visa if you have one in your history. Language schools, Muang Thai etc.
However if it was a 4 year Thai university degree, I would suspect there would be an exception.
Bruce *********
@Chris ******
well there goes me applying for an elite visa when I turn 50 next weekChris *******
@Bruce ********
why would you apply for elite at 50?You should be applying for a Non-o based on retirement.
Cost 2000baht then you apply for the 1yr extension for 1900b.
Just need the 800k in a thai bank.
No health insurance, medical or criminal check needed.
Sooo simple.
Reply to
Chris *******
Reply
Frank **********
Say hello to the Philippines.
Lloyd ****
Go to Thailand apply for education visa learn Thai.
Bruce *********
@Lloyd ***
most foreigners won't even try to learn Thai once they move thereReply to
Bruce *********
Reply
Marty *********
Enjoy the Philippines. When you turn 50 then maybe you can give Thailand another look.
Peter *****************
Good luck dude
THAI ******************************
Have you consulated a visa agency yet?
There are plenty of individuals successfully living in thailand in similar situations as yourself.
Some start on ED, others do visa runs, and some use visa agencies for more stress free options which will cost you less than $100 per week.
As for your idea for the 10 year LTR, while it's creative you must remember that they will need all the company information, and it will be pretty clear what you are attempting to do. We have successfully assisted with hundreds of applications with that visa type, and it is a very thorough review process. So it will not be hard to see that you are still self-employed.
There are plenty of individuals successfully living in thailand in similar situations as yourself.
Some start on ED, others do visa runs, and some use visa agencies for more stress free options which will cost you less than $100 per week.
As for your idea for the 10 year LTR, while it's creative you must remember that they will need all the company information, and it will be pretty clear what you are attempting to do. We have successfully assisted with hundreds of applications with that visa type, and it is a very thorough review process. So it will not be hard to see that you are still self-employed.
Hristo ***********
@THAI *****************************
I've been living on Ed visas 3-4 years as I had to cause of my gf(now wife) and I can just advice u to not do it. It's getting harder and the probability to face problems soon or later is huge. And when it happens your agent will disappear :d. Just choose another country with an easier long term visa for a base and you can still come and visit Thailand or other countries, you can easily live here half year on tourist visas but living all the time here will be a problem. Also keep in mind that bad history could decline your chances to get a privilege visa in the future if you change your mind.THAI ******************************
@Hristo **********
This is why it's important to work with a reliable visa agency that has been around for many years, and can properly provide you a long term plan as well as services.Reply to
THAI ******************************
Reply
Ellis *******
@THAI *****************************
hi. Can u message me directly pleaseTHAI ******************************
@Ellis ******
Please contact our team by email, or line.-
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Reply to
THAI ******************************
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Adriana **********
@THAI *****************************
less than $100 a week ? where are these places that hand you a visa for that price would love to know !!THAI ******************************
@Adriana *********
$100 a week is $5,200 a year, which at todays exchange rate is 185,000 thb.There are many options which cost you much much less than this.
Adriana **********
@THAI *****************************
ah i see, i thought you paid the amount weekly, not lump sum, gotchaTHAI ******************************
@Adriana *********
Most options will range from 10,000 thb a year to 100,000 thb a year depending on how much time you want to put into it.The lower priced options are usually DIY, and require time commitments like school, and the more expensive options are usually more complex, and structured but require much less time involvement to maintain.
If you're looking for agency related advice, or options you can always message our team via line:
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Adriana **********
@THAI *****************************
thank you !! will definitely reach out when the time comes 🙏🏼Reply to
Adriana **********
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Robert ********
As you posted before your answer is the Philippines. Come and visit Thailand!
Darren *******
Looks like you're off to the Philippines
Reply to
Darren *******
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