The retirement age for visa purposes in Thailand is 50. Once you reach this age, the range of available visa options expands.
Let’s compare two of the most popular visas for those over 50: the retirement visa and the LTR visa for Wealthy Pensioners.
What Does Each Visa Offer?
Validity Period
Retirement visa: 1 year, renewable annually.
LTR: 10 years, with an extension required once after the first five years.
Ability to Work in Thailand
Retirement visa: You are not permitted to work in Thailand.
LTR: You can obtain a work permit valid for 5 years. A Thai employer is still required, but the standard quota of four Thai employees per one foreign employee does not apply.
Tax Benefits
Retirement visa: No specific tax benefits.
LTR: Exemption from Thai tax on foreign-source income remitted to Thailand.
Stay Reporting
Retirement visa: Every 90 days.
LTR: Once a year.
Re-entry Permit
Retirement visa: The visa is single-entry. If you plan to leave Thailand, you need to obtain a re-entry permit — either single or multiple.
LTR: Multiple-entry visa; no re-entry permit is required.
Immigration on Arrival
Retirement visa: Regular immigration queue.
LTR: Fast-track immigration service at airports.
Family Members
Retirement visa: In certain cases, a spouse under the age of 50 may be able to join the main applicant.
LTR: Spouse and children under 20 years old.
Both visas allow you to open bank accounts in Thailand.
Requirements for Applicants and Supporting Documents
Proof of Funds
Retirement visa: THB 800,000 held in a bank account in Thailand or abroad for the previous three months.
LTR: Proof of passive income of at least USD 80,000 for the previous year, OR passive income of at least USD 40,000 for the previous year combined with investments in Thailand of at least USD 250,000.
If you are 50 or older and want an LTR visa but do not have passive income, you may consider another LTR category — Wealthy Global Citizen — provided you meet the applicable investment requirements.
Where Can You Obtain the Visa?
Retirement visa: At an immigration office in Thailand if you already have a Thai bank account and the required funds are held in it. If the funds are held abroad, you can apply through a Thai consulate outside Thailand.
LTR: In Thailand through the Thailand Investment and Expat Services Center in Bangkok, or abroad through a Thai consulate.
How to Choose a Visa?
If you meet the passive income requirement or the combined income and investment requirements, you can consider the LTR visa.
If you do not qualify for LTR but have THB 800,000, a retirement visa may be an option.
If you have neither the passive income or investments required for LTR nor THB 800,000 for a retirement visa, you will need to consider other visa types that are not age-dependent.
Ultimately, the choice between a retirement visa and LTR depends primarily on your financial circumstances, plans to work in Thailand, need for tax benefits, intended length of stay, and family requirements.
Author: Aleksandra Agapitova.
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