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Why doesn't Thailand offer a permanent retirement visa?

Apr 2, 2025
a day ago
John ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is there a reason why Thailand do not have a permanent retirement visa?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Thailand does not offer a permanent retirement visa primarily to ensure that retirees can support themselves financially and do not become a burden on the state. The requirement for ongoing financial proof helps maintain control over the expatriate population, ensuring that individuals can sustain themselves without relying on Thai resources. Additionally, the temporary visa system allows Thailand to keep track of expats more effectively and manage their cultural and economic interests.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Chang ******
Dose any other country has ? Not in japan or USA no retirement visa at all
Sam ******
Thailand prefers an endless subscription service, more profitable
Shane ************
Because it's a backwards toilet that never progresses
Lester *********
They simply don’t want you to become destitute and a ward of the State. US is now doing kinda the same thing, except there you buy a US Citizenship for a mere $5,000,000. Be happy Thailand only requires you show proof of income and have 800,000 THB in a Thai bank.
Bill **********
A part of what we see with Imm paper work is to help more Thais have jobs. Thailand goes out of their way to create as many jobs for their citizens as possible.
Erhan *******
If you had done half an hour of research on the internet, you would have found the answer to this question. Thailand wants to preserve the pure Thai race. It wants to preserve the pure Thai culture.
Darren ******
@Erhan ******
Amen 🙏
Rob ******
Thai divorce death ☠️
Rob **********
Do some homework.
Luigi ***********
You still have a lot to learn about Thailand...🤔
Todd *********
Same valid reason your own shitty country doesn’t have one. Embarrassing right?
Greg *******
All about the $$$
Ruud ******************
Try to get a permanent residence in Europe or America 😂😂😂
Ingvar *******
How many officers snd agents should be unemployed in such Thailand?
Dave *********
The UK could learn a lot from Thailand
Scott **********
@Dave ********
lol Canada as well
Paulo **********
Well I guess it would govern Westerners fleeing there expensive countries to then buy up everything somewhere else , maybe ?
Johnie *********
Because it probably would allow you to be more free and have a lot less bank and government fees, 555.
Tu *****
Some of negative comments here about how Thai suck your money dry etc.. It’s not like the Thailanders forcing you to come to Thailand and forcing you to go bankrupt,broke ,or got con by a ladyboy,woman or whatever. If you can’t budget yourself in Thailand ,you sure ain’t doing in your own country. Here in the U.S.,you can’t even get a travel Visa If you a normal citizen of a Thailanders. Whether the comment is sarcasm or facetious,it ain’t funny.

Thailand does have retirement visa,called LTR.
Lee ********
Because they look after their own,which they should get praise for!!
Lee ***********
@Lee *******
Power to the people 😉
Mary ********
Most countries do - it's called citizenship. Otherwise, all but 3 countries require check ins and updates to visa's. It's to ensure their continued legal status and to verify their compliance with visa conditions, including maintaining adequate financial resources and not engaging in prohibited activities.
Christopher ********
Bc they wanna suck all the money dry then send you home genius.
Kenny ******
@Christopher *******
it's 1900 thb a year...
Christopher ********
@Kenny *****
what is ? I’m not exactly looking up retirement visas
Wayne *****
@Christopher *******
No mate, it's because if you're an idiot and use up all your money, they don't have to take care of you like a child.
Christopher ********
@Wayne ****
huh ? I barely spend anything in Thailand and I don’t date anyone there.
Wayne *****
@Christopher *******
Never said you did buddy 🤔
Lynnette *******
@Christopher *******
do other countries provide a permanent retirement visa?
Christopher ********
@Lynnette ******
they have permanent residence or even citizenship
Brandon ************
@Christopher *******
What other countries just hand those out without having to do anything?
Dennis *********
@Brandon ***********
Panama you can get a retirement visa with proof of retirement income and once you have it you are free to stay
Christopher ********
@Brandon ***********
you can get a non lucrative visa from Spain or Portugal and live off retirement fairly easily you just apply.
Jim ********
@Christopher *******
Kind of. Thailand doesn't need to "suck" the money out of stupid expats. They willingly give their life savings to Thai rice farmer girls from Isaan, building them and their families houses, and then getting dumped! 😂
Christopher ********
@Jim *******
I think you got the point
Said *******
@Jim *******
and then thru complain that thai people ripped them off, even though, they were the ones chasing the Thai women and enjoying their oral skills 😋🤣
Lili ********
@Said ******
what does oral skills mean? Good talkers
Porky ******
@Lili *******
Multilingual
Jassen *********
So if you run out of money they can return you to the country that owes it to you to take care of you, as it should be
Kool *******
@Jassen ********
actually if you run out of money it is your responsibility to pay for your return to wherever you are going. If you overstay you are in jail until you can pay for your plane ticket, and fine.
Glenn *****
LTR is close if you meet the requirements
Jason ***********
@Glenn ****
got to be rich for that
Graham ******
@Glenn ****
can you explain 'LTR' please. I am an 59 yo Aussie ready to retire this year and want to move permanently to Thailand.
Brandon ************
@Graham *****
Long Term Residence Visa from the Board of Investment
Graham ******
@Brandon ***********
Cheers mate, l guessed that was the meaning of LTR. Do you apply for that in an Australian Thai embassy or in country?
Jack ******
@Gra***
, both options exist. Download the Line phone App then once you have the App running search for “Smart Visa Thailand” All information is there but it takes some digging!
Jeff *********
@Graham *****
following 😳
Jim ********
@Glenn ****
Still have to check in once a year
Brandon ************
Because they want to make sure they know where you are, and they want to make sure you have the financial means to support yourself annually, so you don't become their problem to take care of.
Braulio *********
@Brandon ***********
It might also be a means of limiting the number or retirement visas. Just a thought
Brandon ************
@Braulio ********
There is no limit so that doesn't make sense. Everyone who qualifies can get one.
John ***************
@Brandon ***********
they want your money, if you don't have any and we're dying on the side of the road you'd be left there
Andrew **********
@John **************
No, they’ll treat you very well in America and then bankrupt you with a bill for $800,000.
Gail **********
@John **************
sounds like America!!
Porky ******
@John **************
As a foreigner No you wouldn’t and you know that. 🙄
Malcolm *******
@Brandon ***********
that's it in a nut shell mate , spot on .
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