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

@Steve *********

eh?

@Jeff ******

you only have to show proof of income.

@Wallace *****

yes but I was told by the LTR office it has to be in the form of a tax return.

@Jeff ******

You are correct. Thanks. I recently checked into the requirements. I will apply some time next year when we return to Thailand.

@Max ************

trying to be helpful Max...you have short fuse long ?

If you knew answer, why ask. Lonely eh, get a dog

@Steve *********

I haven't asked anything. I answered a guy who wanted to know the cheapest option. Get it??

@Max ************

bye Max, take a pill....or maybe you've taken one.

@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

Other people doing things wrong, doesn’t mean that you should make the same mistake.

@Henrik ****

exactly if everyone jumped off a bridge would you do it to? This concept is taught in kindergarten in most countries

@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

@Randy *******

seriously how much time have you spent here?

@Henrik ****

is right. You’re likely over your head with regards to everything

@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

@Randy *******

its 800k baht it’s peanuts

@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).

@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

@John *******

Maybe you should just jog on John. Stop being such a dick.

@Mark *******

what does this have to do with you boy?

@Terry *********

You can switch from marriage visa to retirement in a day providing you meet the criteria. No biggie

@Randy *******

where will you be based?

@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

@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 🙏

@Randy *******

all the best bud