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Will the retirement visa age requirement in Thailand increase after the changes to the Elite visa?

Thai Retirement VisaElite VisaVisa RequirementsThailand ImmigrationExpat Visa Rules
Aug 9, 2023
a year ago
Jarek ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
With the Elite visa most likely becoming more expensive after September 15th what are the chances that the retirement visa age requirement will be increased? Heard couple of people mention that it could go up to 55 or even more. Thoughts?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The community discusses the possibility of the retirement visa age requirement increasing from 50 to 55 or more in light of the upcoming changes to the Elite visa. While some believe rumors may be unfounded, there is speculation about potential financial criterion adjustments rather than age requirement changes. Most comments suggest an increase in the age limit would deter foreign retirees and could be counterproductive, as Thailand benefits economically from retirees.
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.
Dirk **************
Farang ru mak 😂
a year ago
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Bob **********
Had my neighbor just say the new age for non-o is going up to 60 but unconfirmed
a year ago
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Brook ********
@Bob *********
 Ask your neighbor who Parliament will approve as next Prime Minister.

SMH
a year ago
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Bob **********
@Brook *******
 Thaksin
a year ago
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Bob **********
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Terry **********
Been told by a guy in a bar in Udon that you can only get a retirement visa if you meet all the existing criteria. In addition you need to have the ability to

recite the Quran in Hebrew, whilst sitting in a bath of cold beans. Of course, its only a rumour.
a year ago
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Terry **********
@Bob *********
 all rumours that's all
a year ago
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Terry **********
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Brook ********
All Big Joke would have to do is to root out the corrupt immigration agents in Phuket. The ones who permit fake ฿800,000 bank balances.

This would immediately accomplish 3 goals:

1. Reduce corruption

2. Reduce criminal biker gangs, Chinese, etc.

3. Result in a massive bank boost
a year ago
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Jarek ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brook *******
 you think the criminals cannot afford 800k? Sure they can, it's the regular guys that might find it difficult to park that kind of money in a local account.
a year ago
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Steve ********
@Jarek ***********
 But it's the usual way. Throwing a net for the big fish will always catch a lot more small fish.
a year ago
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Steve ********
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Terry **********
What ever happens, happens. Don't need the rumours mongering 555
a year ago
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Jarek ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terry *********
 sure, but if it was know one could just lockin the 20 yr elite visa and be done.
a year ago
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Terry **********
@Jarek ***********
 would be nice to have funds to waste on 20 Yr elite
a year ago
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Jarek ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terry *********
 that's the thing, I am 48 and so waiting to 50 in my opinion is better than paying for elite, but if they were to change the retirement age to 55 then that would make me reconsider it.
a year ago
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Terry **********
@Jarek ***********
 ah now I understand what you mean
a year ago
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Terry **********
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Jae *******
I doubt they would increase the age, they would get fewer applicants and less money.
a year ago
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Stephen *******************
@Jae ******
They look at quick short term situations

Example: A guy on a 2 week vacation spends on average 150,000 baht

A guy on a retirement visa spends 60,000 baht over the same period

We all know Thai immigration cannot see the Wood for the Trees 🤣
a year ago
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Stephen *******************
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Stephen *******************
This will probably be another knee jerk reaction due to the bad publicity the nation has been receiving lately.

A lot of neighbouring countries are eyeing the situation closely and if the Thai immigration dept make things even more difficult then it’s their loss and other countries gain.
a year ago
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Dave **********
@Jarek ***********
 it was 55 when I retired but my guess the age will not change.
a year ago
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Steve ********
Rumours so far:-

Lump sum increase to 1.2 million

Monthly increase to 100k

Scrutiny of agent "loans"

There was speculation from Big Joke a few years ago after he said the 800k had been at that level for some years and needed "reviewing". I doubt the age will change, but it wouldn't surprise me if the financial criteria is nudged upwards. However, I think that would only apply to new applications, and that existing "over 50" visas/extensions would remain the same
a year ago
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Darren *******
@Steve *******
 I doubt the Thai systems would be able to cope with "grandfathering" existing visas.

I don't see anything wrong with killing off the agent loans mind.
a year ago
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Andy ********
@Darren ******
 that is exactly what happened when they upped the financial requirements to 800k. They grandfathered all existing holders. It was only new applicants who needed to meet the new requirements.

Nothing is guaranteed obviously. I suspect the new Government will have other priorities once they get into office.

Remember non of the political parties had reform of immigration in their manifestos.
a year ago
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Steve ********
@Andy *******
 Manifestos target the voting population "Look what we're going to do for you" type of thing. Immigration matters only affect non-voters, so it's not a subject they're particularly interested in advertising. If Big Joke gets his way I think there will be massive reform. It certainly needs streamlining.
a year ago
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Andy ********
@Steve *******
 I still strongly suspect that nothing will happen for quite some time.
a year ago
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Andy ********
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Steve ********
@Darren ******
 True. If they did do this it would create immense headaches for immigration officers, who would happily pass those headaches onto the applicants! Whatever they decide I'm sure we'll cope, but yeah, I think the agent "gravy train" is over - or it's certainly approaching the last station on the line!
a year ago
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Darren *******
@Steve *******
 definitely or the bribes will get much larger to use the agents.

As you say, I honestly dread to think just how badly implemented grandfathering would be if they did it. It would work it they paid for a decent system and trained their staff...but...
a year ago
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Darren *******
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Gio *****
For sure not, the need money, ur money
a year ago
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Rob **********
Just rumors at the moment but when “big Joke” says there should be changes a lot of people listen.
a year ago
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Frank **********
Raising it to 55 would not accomplish anything but to exclude people from a visa defeating the purpose of the retirement visa, which is to lure in foreigners and their money.
a year ago
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Stuart *********
Not heard anything like that on any of the forums.
a year ago
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Martyn ***********
@Stuart ********
 it's coming from a recent news report on the Tim Newton Today daily channel on YouTube.. He was repeating what big joke said recently about it being to easy to get? Referring to Chinese businesses etc...
a year ago
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Martyn ***********
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Nivant ******
Nobody knows, rumors are just that, rumors.. Anymore thought on this will confuse you further..
a year ago
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Nivant ******
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