@Will ***********

Definitely the best option. You’ll get in some days and you can open a bank account yourself in Thailand with a long stay visa.

@Jeff ******

If you could provide proof of minimum $80K USD in passive income, you don’t need to invest $250K USD.

—>“Minimum unearned or passive income* of USD 80,000 / year at the time of application

(Note that earned income and salaries WILL NOT be considered for the personal income requirement for wealthy pensioners)

OR

—>In the case that unearned or passive income is lower than USD 80,000 but not lower than USD , the applicant is required to make additional investments of USD 250,000 combined in Thai government bonds OR direct investment in companies registered in Thailand OR Thai property”.

“unearned or passive income includes, but are not limited to pension, rental, capital gain, dividend, and interest payments”

Most branches now require minimum Non immigrant or long stay visa anyway.

@Jeff ******

Thai privilege visa is basically an option for people who don’t qualify for a retirement visa as there’s no age requirement. LTR is probably the best and most convenient Visa, but the requirements are quite stiff. If you’re lazy but still want to do tings the legal way, an option is just regular retirement visa -Non O and yearly extension of stay- and get an agent to do just the yearly paperwork for you.😉

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

I guess you mean Thai Privilege Visa, previously called Elite visa? LTR =🏆

@Lester ********

No, but it might come in effect quite soon now. Anyway you still get 30 + 30 days on a visa exemption and 16-21 days is required for the application process.

@Lester ********

It’s ok to use an agent just to help you with the paperwork, and you might need to get an agent to help you opening a bank account if you come without a Non immigrant visa anyway, just be sure you fulfil all formal requirements and everything is done legally.

You’ll need the initial 90 days Non O visa anyway, because your future stay is just an extension of this. But you can come on a regular visa exemption and if it’s 60 days you’ll have better time.

You’ll need the 800K baht in your bank in Thailand at date when you apply for the initial 90 days Non O visa. For your first year extension of stay the 800K baht has to be seasoned for two months before you apply and three months after the extension is issued and it can never drop below 400K at any point for the first year. For your second year extension you’ll just repeat this.

If you want to switch to the income method for your second year, you’ll need to show proof of twelve months consecutive transfers of min 65k baht and the 800K baht is again free to use.

Be aware of if you plan to stay in Pattaya/Jomtien, the immigration in Jomtien also requires two months seasoning of the 800K baht for the initial 90 days Non O. This is as I’m aware of the only immigration with this requirement and for the others it’s sufficient with the funds in your account at date when you apply. (Best to apply for the Non O at home anyway if you plan to stay in Jomtien)

@Lester ********

I Agree with

@Ken ******

.

If you are ABLE to deposit the required 800K baht in a Thai bank for a year, I would advise you not to use an agent to bypass formal requirements for retiring in Thailand.

The easiest and most convenient is to apply for regular Non O visa at your embassy at home before you go. It’s done online in just some days and you can use income/pension min 65K baht a month or funds 800K baht to apply.

This gives you 90 days in Thailand and you can apply for your first year extension of stay with 800K baht in a Thai bank. After a year you can apply for your second extension of stay with income (if you can meet 65k baht a month) and the 800K baht is again free to use.

If you use an agent to bypass formal and legal requirements for stay in Thailand you’ll also get stuck with an agent for the future as they need to bypass each other’s bypass of formal requirements also for your future extensions of stay.

You can apply for a Non O also in Thailand on both visa exemption and a tourist visa. You’ll just need 15-21 days left on your current stamp.

@Peter *********

Great, take care.

@Peter *********

yes I understand. I know one agent in Pattaya I once have used. She charges 3500 baht for opening in Bangkok Bank without any mandatory insurance.

Are you from the NL? If so and if you have a regular income/pension I believe your embassy also offers to give you an affidavit letter as our Norwegian if you can meet the required 65K baht a month. Or else you’re sadly stuck with the deposit alternative.