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Which visa is better for retirement in Thailand: Elite visa, retirement visa, or spouse visa?

Elite VisaRetirement VisaSpouse VisaThai ImmigrationNon-O VisaLTR VisaFinancial Requirements for VisaThai Bank AccountExpat Advice
Jul 6, 2024
a year ago
Randy ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'll be retiring full-time next year with my fiance soon to be 60. Is it better to have an elite visa, retirement visa, or spouse visa? TIA

Edit: My fiance is Thai, We will be getting married towards the end of next year. I want to get my visa ready before this year, when I come in November.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation discusses the best visa options for retiring in Thailand, highlighting the elite visa, retirement visa (Non-O), and spouse visa. The general consensus leans towards the retirement visa as being the most cost-effective choice, especially for those over 50. Commenters emphasize the importance of understanding the financial requirements for each visa type, such as having a certain amount of money in a Thai bank account. The dialogue also briefly touches on the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa as an option for financially qualified retirees and the necessity of handling immigration processes independently to avoid complications with agents.
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Wallace ******
If you have income of $80,000 per year this is a good option. Wealthy pensioner

**********************
a year ago
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Steve **********
Retirement by far !
a year ago
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Jeff *******
@Steve *********
why is it far better than a marriage visa?
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Jeff ******
 This posses three issues.

* visa

* marriage

* type of marriage
a year ago
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Jeff *******
@Steve *********
 eh?
a year ago
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Jeff *******
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Max *************
Get married in Thailand and apply for extensions based on marriage. That's by far the cheapest way. You just need ฿400k in a thai bank account instead of ฿800k as a retiree. Don't even think about an Elite visa. The cheapest 5 year option cost ฿900k. You don't need to use an agent.
a year ago
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Wallace ******
@Max ************
 the LTR is by far a better option, but you need to have income over $80,000 US to qualify.
a year ago
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Jeff *******
@Wallace *****
and it has to be on a tax return which most retirees, regardless of wealth won’t have as they’re retired! Badly thought out as always. Less than 5k have taken it up and the target was a million! 😄
a year ago
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Wallace ******
@Jeff ******
 you only have to show proof of income.
a year ago
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Jeff *******
@Wallace *****
yes but I was told by the LTR office it has to be in the form of a tax return.
a year ago
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Wallace ******
@Jeff ******
 You are correct. Thanks. I recently checked into the requirements. I will apply some time next year when we return to Thailand.
a year ago
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Wallace ******
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Steve **********
@Max ************
 As retired, your pension and SS brings you beyond the 65k / month required w.o. nesting.

If you have Thai account , start transferring to it now, do it shows from abroad. Not joint acct !
a year ago
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Max *************
@Steve *********
 I mentioned the cheapest option which is based on marriage. You just need ฿40k/month or ฿400k in a bank account. I live in Thailand as a retiree since many years. I don't need any advice about financial requirements.
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Max ************
 trying to be helpful Max...you have short fuse long ?

If you knew answer, why ask. Lonely eh, get a dog
a year ago
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Max *************
@Steve *********
 I haven't asked anything. I answered a guy who wanted to know the cheapest option. Get it??
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Max ************
 bye Max, take a pill....or maybe you've taken one.
a year ago
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Steve **********
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Ken *****
The elite . Is probably the easiest.

And if you can afford.

But that’s good advice above. 100%.

When you are in a different land.

Things change,

Be very careful.
a year ago
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Henrik *****
Have you ever stayed longer than a few weeks holiday.

That will not be sufficient knowlegde about everyday life , which are far from holiday life.

Make a testrun before making any decisions, at least 60 day touristvisa + 30 day extension.

But it will not qualify you for opening a bankaccount, since you need to have stayed at least 3 month on a long term visa ( not tourist) to get a residence certificat from the Immigration.

Take control of your new life, and never use a agent, you may never get rid of the agent again.

Scroll back in the group, to see the many answers to this question.
a year ago
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Randy ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ****
 planning on doing 90 days. I'm coming in the middle of November, and staying until the middle of January and then I'll be back in August.

I don't want to put my money in the bank and not draw interest. I'd rather have an agent do the leg work for me. I'll pay the agent to do it every year. Thanks anyway.
a year ago
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John **********
@Randy *******
 if you don't want to put money in a Thai bank then the OA visa is for you but you can only get it in your home country. Gives you 12 months stamp entry for the validity of the visa but you need insurance for the duration as well.
a year ago
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Randy ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 I've decided to put the money in the bank in Thailand but I wonder if I could transfer from a bank in the United States to that bank for my pension. I'm doing more research. Thanks for your help. I don't think I want to go that route, but I will have to get health insurance in Thailand anyway. I have great insurance here.
a year ago
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John **********
@Randy *******
 as you're American your embassy won't provide an income affidavit. Therefore to apply for the initial non-o viss or the first extension of that (for either marriage or retirement) you need to put the money in a Thai bank. During that period you can transfer the required money each and every month for a full 12 months prior to applying for your 2nd extension and use that. The good news is you can spend the monthly transfers as they come in. The bad news is you need to honour the terms of the 1st extension or you won't get the 2nd
a year ago
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Randy ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 okay that's starting to make sense. I'm going to do the retirement Visa but I will be getting married within a year more than likely. Thanks sir.
a year ago
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Randy ********
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John ********
@Randy *******
 so you plan on committing fraud against the government by not fulfilling the requirements of the 800K in the bank? Great way to start retirement
a year ago
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Randy ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
 I'm doing what a lot of people do. Let the agent take care of it, and use their money instead of letting my money sit in the bank and not draw interest and then maybe later have to pay taxes on it. I wouldn't say committing fraud. I'd say using my sources.
a year ago
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Henrik *****
Other people doing things wrong, doesn’t mean that you should make the same mistake.
a year ago
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John ********
@Henrik ****
 exactly if everyone jumped off a bridge would you do it to? This concept is taught in kindergarten in most countries
a year ago
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John ********
@Henrik ****
 exactly. He is getting married to a Thai woman he will have other issues to deal with. The fact that he mentioned her age says he knows nothing about Thai visas. You are spot on boss with your recommendation
a year ago
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Randy ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
 I could care less about Spousal Thai Visa. I only care about mine. I don't want to use a spouse visa.
a year ago
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John ********
@Randy *******
 seriously how much time have you spent here?
@Henrik ****
 is right. You’re likely over your head with regards to everything
a year ago
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Randy ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
 We'll soon find out 😄
a year ago
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John ********
@Randy *******
 using your sources? What does that mean? It’s fraud clear and simple because the money isn’t seasoned. It’s breaking the law and committing fraud against the government and people of Thailand
a year ago
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Randy ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
 I wonder what the percentage rate of people that are doing the exact same thing I'm going to do.
a year ago
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Randy ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
 oh so you're telling me leaving my money in a bank so the bank can loan it to people buying houses, businesses, vehicles, and misc. at a high interest rate are okay and then charging me interest for my money being in their bank. That's not fraud. That's government fraud at your finest. I'm using my resources just like a lot of people are trying to get a Visa. Don't act like a hero John. Are you mad because you're not an agent and benefiting from other people's resources like the government? Move along 😎
a year ago
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John ********
@Randy *******
 its 800k baht it’s peanuts
a year ago
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Randy ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
 That's not drawing interest.
a year ago
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Graham ******
@Randy *******
 It's 800k for 5 months minimum and 400k for about 9 months so not a fortune lost in interest (much less than an agent would get over the first couple of years).
a year ago
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John ********
@Randy *******
 if you’re worried about interest on 800K baht maybe you should reconsider your retirement plans. Can you really afford to retire ? 800K is a good weekend in Vegas. Keep paying agents and be another fool that goes back home broke because they can’t afford it
a year ago
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Mark ********
@John *******
 Maybe you should just jog on John. Stop being such a dick.
a year ago
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John ********
@Mark *******
 what does this have to do with you boy?
a year ago
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Randy ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
 I definitely can afford it. I'd rather give my money to an agent. Let him do all of the legwork. But thanks for your advice anyway.
a year ago
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Randy ********
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Marty *********
There is also the 10 year pensioner LTR visa if you meet the financial requirements.
a year ago
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Marvin *********
@Marty ********
 Yes i think it make only with the 80.000 income sense.
a year ago
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Marvin *********
@Marty ********
 yes but if you only can go for the 40.000 income you have to invest 250.000 usd in Thailand. If you invest this in good US stocks the Privilege Visa is cheaper...
a year ago
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Jeff *******
@Marvin ********
does the privilege visa have the same taxation benefits?
a year ago
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Marty *********
@Marvin ********
 The LTR is not for everyone
a year ago
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Marty *********
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Graham ******
You cannot get a Trailing Spouse Visa if you are not married. The other choices depends on your circumstances and ages.
a year ago
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Randy ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
 we're getting married next year. I'm trying to get everything ready for my Visa this year and for next year. Just trying to figure out which is a better option to go with.
a year ago
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Graham ******
@Randy *******
 It looks like you need a retirement Visa until you are married and that option is available to you
a year ago
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Randy ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
 ok thanks 👍
a year ago
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Randy ********
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Michael ********
Retirement is cheaper,than elite and spouse visa you need to be married but less money required in Bank.
a year ago
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Terry **********
In my opinion, if you both over the age of 50 then go for Non (O) based on retirement. Obviously you need to drill down for the requirements etc. But, it's a lot cheaper than the elite visa when you get it all set up and running etc
a year ago
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Randy ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
That's her Province where she's lived all of her life and her family lives there. Nice quiet little city. Just what I'm looking for.
a year ago
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Randy ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terry *********
 she's Thai and will be 50 this September.
a year ago
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Terry **********
@Randy *******
 if she's Thai then just go for Non(O) based on retirement for yourself. You need to do your own research wrt the details etc. Information gained on here maybe incorrect due to various things such as provinces etc. In my honest opinion, come out on 60 VISA and speak to agent. Let them set you up for Non(O) based on retirement. Reason why I say Non(O) based on retirement is because of a couple of things.

1: if it all goes south (God forbid) then you don't have to worry about changing from Non(O) based on marriage to Non(O) based on retirement. I'm sorry if this sounds negative, but I'm basing this on information gained from very close friends and not my own personal experiences
a year ago
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Jeff *******
@Terry *********
You can switch from marriage visa to retirement in a day providing you meet the criteria. No biggie
a year ago
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Randy ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terry *********
 Do you happen to have an agent that I can use, or should I use one in the Province that I will be living at?
a year ago
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Terry **********
@Randy *******
 where will you be based?
a year ago
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Terry **********
@Randy *******
 best look for agents in your own area. I can suggest a company here. But best to do your own due diligence. That way, I can't expect a kick in the bollocks later. If you get my drift
a year ago
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Randy ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terry *********
 gotcha, Thanks again for the advice. I'll definitely look into it.✌️
a year ago
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Peter ****************
@Randy *******
 Ofcourse an Agent is possible. But I never used one.

If I where you, I would come in on a Non imm O based on retirement from your home country. Then walk quite some bank brances with your girlfriend, to open a bank account on your name, best in y'r home area. I read the Kasikorn- and Bangkok bank are the bit less difficult ones when you have a non O visa. If you managed that, start transfering more than 65k฿ every month on that Thai bank account as international transfer from your home country, starting e.g. 1 december. You need money in Thailand anyway.

With your timing it's a bit difficult to come to 12 months transfering that 65k฿ but possible.

Put 800k฿ as international transfer on your Thai bank account (I understand you not like that, but it should only be for 1 year) and after 60 days stay or so, ask for a year extension with re-entry permit half january, so when you come back, the year extension is still valid till half january 2026. Keep transfering that 65k฿. When asking for the second year extension e.g. end of december 2025 or beginning of january 2026, take care you already have transfered that 65k฿ for 12 months (from 1 december 2024 to 1 december 2025 should do it) and you can go for that and take the 800k฿ from the Thai bank again. (If you want, even transfer it back to your home country bank).

Just an idea. Good luck 🙏
a year ago
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Randy ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terry *********
 great advice. I always put my negatives and positives together. You never know what can happen down the road. Thanks
a year ago
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Terry **********
@Randy *******
 all the best bud
a year ago
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Terry **********
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Jan ******************
@Randy *******
 Then it’s up to you if you just want to apply for a Non O visa based on retirement for your self or as married to a Thai. It’s less paperwork just for yourself. You probably fulfils the requirements for both. Elite visa or Thai privilege visa as its now it’s called it’s quite expensive and basically an option if you don’t fulfil the requirements for a Non O visa (over 50 years or married thai) as you do.
a year ago
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Jan ******************
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