Advice on best visa route

[Swall101]

Hi All

 

Just found this forum and my first post. I’ve always dreamed about retiring in Thailand ever since my first holiday 20 years ago. That time is nearly here! My situation as follows:

 

• 55 years old this year (live in UK)
• My partner is 56 this year (not married but been together 16 years)
• We have an 11 year old daughter who we will look to put in an International School
• I am lucky enough to have a decent final salary pension which I can take at 55
• Home owner in UK with small mortgage left on it

 

I’ve written to a couple of well known visa agents to ask the same thing, what would be the best option for me visa wise, Elite, Non O retirement, ED, Guardian etc…. They have not been overly engaging and have pushed the elite visa as I mentioned the 10 year platinum (like the idea of the most hassle free, but comes at a cost). I asked them if that would be best in my circumstance and they said yes inc my daughter which would be 3.5m in total. I mentioned that could you mix and match eg. ED for my daughter and guardian for her mum as an option (understand it’s 1x child, 1x guardian) but never really answered the question. I’d love to hear your thoughts on potential routes you think I could take….

 

In regards to location, albeit I love Bangkok, I don’t think I’d want to live there full time, moreover weekend trips. So with this in mind and thinking about the other locations I have visited over the years we’ll probably look at, Krabi, Koh Samui, Phuket, Hua Hin or Jomtien. Had a look at International schools in those areas and all look pretty good (prices do vary with Krabi being quite a bit lower overall). My daughters education is important and think going to school here could open up many doors in this part of the world. Has anyone got an opinion on schools in these areas they could share?

 

Thanks so much in advance and look forward to your replies….

[Ben Zioner]

BOI/LTR could be good for you

[ukrules]

 

51 minutes ago, Swall101 said:

They have not been overly engaging and have pushed the elite visa as I mentioned the 10 year platinum

 

Yes, I bet they're eager. You know they're sales agents earning a big chunk of commission from the Elite package sales whereas they would make nothing or almost nothing on the other options - this is why Elite is 'best for you' according to them.

 

I have an Elite visa and it's great but I got it when I was early 40's so there was no other option.

 

You're both over 50, get a 'retirement' visa and don't bother with agents and if you're really interested in the Elite visa go direct to them.

Edited March 31 by ukrules

[sungod]

Reach out to the (decent) international schools. They should be able to advise you and support a visa application.

[Lite Beer]

One of you can get a Retirement (Visa/Extension)

The other can also get the same or a Visa/Extension based on your child at school.

 

2.22 In the case of retirement: Each permission shall be granted for no more than one year.

The alien: (1) Must have been granted a non-immigrant visa (NON-IM). (2) Must be 50 years of age or over. (3) Must have evidence of having income of no less than Baht 65,000 per month: or (4) On the filing date, the applicant must have funds deposited in a bank in Thailand of no less than Baht 800,000 for the past three months. For the first year only, the applicant must have proof of a deposit account in which said amount of funds has been maintained for no less than 60 days prior to the filing date: or (5) Must have an annual earning and fluids deposited with a bank totalling no less than Baht 800,0000 as of the filing date.

 

2.11 In the case of being a family member of an alien who has been permitted a temporary stay in the Kingdom for study in an educational institution according to Clauses 2.8 or 2.9 hereof (applicable only to parents, spouse, children, adopted children, or spouse’s children): Each permission shall be granted for no more than one year.

1) The alien must have been granted a non-immigrant visa (NON-IM). (2) The alien must have proof of relationship. (3) In the case of spouse, the relationship must be de jure and de facto: or (4) In the case of children, adopted children, or spouse's children, said children, adopted children, and spouse's children must not be married, must live with the alien as part of the family, and must not be over 20 years of age: or (5) In the case of parents, funds must be deposited in a bank in Thailand, under the father's or the mother's name, of no less than Baht 500,000 for the past three months. For the first year only, the applicant must have proof of a deposit account in which said amount of funds has been maintained for no less than 30 days prior to the filing date

 

Edited March 31 by Lite Beer

[DrJack54]

7 hours ago, Swall101 said:

I mentioned that could you mix and match eg. ED for my daughter and guardian for her mum as an option (understand it’s 1x child, 1x guardian) but never really answered the question. I’d love to hear your thoughts on potential routes you think I could take….

You have done your research. Thinking this is your best option rather than PE visa.

The details outlined in post by @Lite Beer

[Misty]

10 hours ago, Ben Zioner said:

BOI/LTR could be good for you

 

Definitely suggest checking out the WP LTR visa. It's a 10 year visa and there are many advantages if you qualify, including up to 4 related visas for spouse and children.

[Presnock]

I retired here 20 years ago on a retirement  O visa and yearly extended the stay for anther year, at some point we began having to do regular reports  to immigration every 90 days, tm30 reared their head after  being dormant for years while the tm28 died.  Anyway, retirement visas with yearly extensions are one way to go, but I just changed to a "wealthy pensioner" LTR (there are 4 categories under this LTR)

which is a 10-year visa, check in for location once a year, no 90-day reports, can get a work permit if wanted, etc and now only costs 50,000 baht, (less than 1500 USD) ...one can google LTR Board of Investment and see the benefits and requirements.  The change from retirement O to LTR was about 3 weeks in processing and the people in the BOI office are extremely helpful and patient.  There are some

tax benefits also since this is an issue that began 1 January 2024 but has not yet been finalized.  Plenty of stories on this forum about that.

[khunPer]

19 hours ago, Swall101 said:

Hi All

 

Just found this forum and my first post. I’ve always dreamed about retiring in Thailand ever since my first holiday 20 years ago. That time is nearly here! My situation as follows:

 

• 55 years old this year (live in UK)
• My partner is 56 this year (not married but been together 16 years)
• We have an 11 year old daughter who we will look to put in an International School
• I am lucky enough to have a decent final salary pension which I can take at 55
• Home owner in UK with small mortgage left on it

 

I’ve written to a couple of well known visa agents to ask the same thing, what would be the best option for me visa wise, Elite, Non O retirement, ED, Guardian etc…. They have not been overly engaging and have pushed the elite visa as I mentioned the 10 year platinum (like the idea of the most hassle free, but comes at a cost). I asked them if that would be best in my circumstance and they said yes inc my daughter which would be 3.5m in total. I mentioned that could you mix and match eg. ED for my daughter and guardian for her mum as an option (understand it’s 1x child, 1x guardian) but never really answered the question. I’d love to hear your thoughts on potential routes you think I could take….

 

In regards to location, albeit I love Bangkok, I don’t think I’d want to live there full time, moreover weekend trips. So with this in mind and thinking about the other locations I have visited over the years we’ll probably look at, Krabi, Koh Samui, Phuket, Hua Hin or Jomtien. Had a look at International schools in those areas and all look pretty good (prices do vary with Krabi being quite a bit lower overall). My daughters education is important and think going to school here could open up many doors in this part of the world. Has anyone got an opinion on schools in these areas they could share?

 

Thanks so much in advance and look forward to your replies….

I've been living here for 18 years – Koh Samui – since I was 56, and I had my daughter in an international school.

 

IMO you best choice would be a non-immigrant O-visa based on retirement for you – 50+ years old – with annual extensions of stay. It requires either a cash bank deposit of 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account – which is the easiest solution – or a monthly transferred income of not less than 65,000 baht. The paperwork is not more complicated than you can do it yourself.

 

For your partner and child's mother, a dependent visa for her daughter studying, attending a Thai international school. Most, if not all, international schools will help with details and paperwork. To my knowledge a capital or deposit of 500,000 baht is necessary.

 

There can be huge price differences for international schools, ranging from around 150,000 baht per year and up to more than one million baht per year. So the number of schools and their prices within an area of interest might be important for the overall living costs; also distance from home to school and availability of school bus service.

 

As you mention Koh Samui as a potential destination I can reply my experience living here with a child in international school. There are at the moment four English-Cambridge curriculum (IGCSE) international schools and one French. The most expensive (Bo Phut) is in the range around 450,000 baht for a year (some extra payments might apply); while the others (Chaweng Noi and Lamai) are in the range around 250,000 baht per year (also with some extras payments). Only two of the schools offers the higher levels, IGCSE-certificate and Cambridge A-level. One on the schools "PBISS, Panyadee British International School Samui) furthermore offers Cambridge STEM.

 

It's possible and easy to change school – we did that that, as by that time there was one more international school on the island, which is now only bi-lingual (EP, English Program) with Cambridge curriculum and native English.language teachers, but not international certificate. EP with Cambridge-curriculum is a possibility for Thai P1-P6, which equals international Y2-Y7, as you don't need a certificate for primary school, but the Thai school year (May to April) is different from the international school year (September to July), so there will be some long holidays when changing.

 

We chose to do Cambridge IGCSE and then my daughter continued – at the moment – in a foreign European boarding school for IB (International Baccalaureate), as that diploma should give better possibilities for studying than a Cambridge A-level.

 

You are welcome, if you have questions.

[Swall101]

Thanks for all the great replies and sharing your experience it is much appreciated. Definately other options which seemed logical to me and you guys have reinforced that. Real shame that the visa specialists are not this transparent, especially as you are putting your faith in them to do the right thing by you (would be good to get your recommendations on specialists if allowed on open forum should I decide to take that route for ease).

 

 @khunPer really surprised at how reasonable the fees for IS on Samui are, being an island you would of thought they could name their price! Lot cheaper than some of the other areas I mentioned. Would you say that would be offset by higher property rental prices on Samui? eg. higher there than say Hua Hin? (any local rental sites you would recommend to do a bit of research?)

 

Out of interest I've always wanted to learn a second language but never really had the time or need (shamefully), but this is something I aim to do in retirement to better integrate into Thai society should I be lucky enough to be granted a visa. Being there 18 years any tips?

Edited April 1 by Swall101

[Presnock]

3 hours ago, Swall101 said:

Thanks for all the great replies and sharing your experience it is much appreciated. Definately other options which seemed logical to me and you guys have reinforced that. Real shame that the visa specialists are not this transparent, especially as you are putting your faith in them to do the right thing by you (would be good to get your recommendations on specialists if allowed on open forum should I decide to take that route for ease).

 

 @khunPer really surprised at how reasonable the fees for IS on Samui are, being an island you would of thought they could name their price! Lot cheaper than some of the other areas I mentioned. Would you say that would be offset by higher property rental prices on Samui? eg. higher there than say Hua Hin? (any local rental sites you would recommend to do a bit of research?)

 

Out of interest I've always wanted to learn a second language but never really had the time or need (shamefully), but this is something I aim to do in retirement to better integrate into Thai society should I be lucky enough to be granted a visa. Being there 18 years any tips?

Huahin properties based on the news media and this forum are overrun with Russians and Ukrainians fleeing the war.  That has driven up the prices too.  Times have changed in Thailand over the past years and some things are changing today.  The new income tax program began in earnest on 1 Jan 2024 so after 180 days here, an ex-pat become a tax resident.  You need to be aware of that too. This is still better than anywhere that has cold weather in my opinion.  Food is great!

[Swall101]

1 hour ago, Presnock said:

Huahin properties based on the news media and this forum are overrun with Russians and Ukrainians fleeing the war.  That has driven up the prices too.  Times have changed in Thailand over the past years and some things are changing today.  The new income tax program began in earnest on 1 Jan 2024 so after 180 days here, an ex-pat become a tax resident.  You need to be aware of that too. This is still better than anywhere that has cold weather in my opinion.  Food is great!

I’ve been reading a bit about the tax situation. Seems to be quite murky still in regards to exactly what could be taxed. Looking at the LTR retirement it says exempt from tax for monies abroad. I presume this would mean my pension would be taxed at source and not in Thailand too? Guessing same would apply to savings? 

[Presnock]

Yes so far we are just waiting for the "FINAL" word on the tax situation.  As  govt pensioner, I am not concerned with this new interpretation of the tax laws but, TIT.  I think you and anyone else wondering about the taxes here, should read the Double Taxation Agreement with your country.  I know where I stand as an American govt Pensioner but like I said TIT.  No one really knows how it will end up, how we may have to provide paper trail on monies or what.  All of us just need to wait. Other countries too are amending/or not changing their taxes on ex-pats because of the OECD July 2023 signing.  Good luck to all.  Have a good one

 

[Presnock]

9 hours ago, Swall101 said:

Thanks for all the great replies and sharing your experience it is much appreciated. Definately other options which seemed logical to me and you guys have reinforced that. Real shame that the visa specialists are not this transparent, especially as you are putting your faith in them to do the right thing by you (would be good to get your recommendations on specialists if allowed on open forum should I decide to take that route for ease).

 

 @khunPer really surprised at how reasonable the fees for IS on Samui are, being an island you would of thought they could name their price! Lot cheaper than some of the other areas I mentioned. Would you say that would be offset by higher property rental prices on Samui? eg. higher there than say Hua Hin? (any local rental sites you would recommend to do a bit of research?)

 

Out of interest I've always wanted to learn a second language but never really had the time or need (shamefully), but this is something I aim to do in retirement to better integrate into Thai society should I be lucky enough to be granted a visa. Being there 18 years any tips?

Studied it for a year before being assigned here.  Then went to many more language schools and assigments elsewhere so when I returned for another tour here, I had forgotten the language but it came back.  A lot of the schools here teach classes as do private individuals too.  I don't really know where a good instruction is as I never studied it here.  But immersion into the local society definitely is the way to go.  International schools all depend on where one's children might got to college as they are geared towards that area.  I have ignored agents at every step since I came here.  Nothing was really too difficult, one just needs patience but I also speak the language.  Again, as long as one has patience explanations not only from immigration but from the forum can help too.  Just about every possible scenario has been faced over the years many times over.  Take care

 

[Pouatchee]

just a question...i am on marriage extension, and i am wondering why/why not change over to ltr for spouses and dependents. maybe i am reading this wrong:

 

Quote

SPOUSE AND CHILDREN UNDER 20 YEARS OLD OF LTR VISA HOLDERS
(MAXIMUM 4 DEPENDENTS IN TOTAL PER ONE LTR VISA HOLDER)

Insured under a health insurance covering a minimum of USD 50,000 OR currently receiving social security benefits in Thailand OR deposit and maintain at least USD 25,000 per one dependent in bank account balance under the applicant or the dependent’s name for no less than 12 months.

Dependents must be legal spouse or children of one LTR visa holder. (Note that same-sex marriage and partnerships are currently not recognized by law in the kingdom of Thailand)

 

couldnt this replace a marriage extension to a thai? or does the dependent need to be foreign?

 

seems to me this would be a better option not needing the annual renewal? 

 

i know i am likely reading this wrong, but on paper it looks as if it is a viable option

[khunPer]

15 hours ago, Swall101 said:

 @khunPer really surprised at how reasonable the fees for IS on Samui are, being an island you would of thought they could name their price! Lot cheaper than some of the other areas I mentioned. Would you say that would be offset by higher property rental prices on Samui? eg. higher there than say Hua Hin? (any local rental sites you would recommend to do a bit of research?)

School fees might well be due to competition, as it's a fairly small island with 4-5 international schools, and a really good bi-lingual EP-school. It's worth to look at PBISS, and ISS (International School Samui in Bo Phut), if you wish the most expensive. The schools had football competitions (before Covid), changing between the leading international schools as host – at that time the EP-school also had an international section – so we got around and had a close look all the leading ones.

 

Property prices are as always based on the three important factors: Location, location and location. It's a small island, so many properties on Samui have a good location and therefore relative high price both for buying and for rental. However, you can find reasonable priced properties both on sale and for rent, but not as many as in Hua Hin-area. In Hua Hin you might see reasonable priced property advertised as close to the sea, only 5 kilometers, on Samui it's 500 meters. Sea view-homes are also in high value, even that a beach is not within walking distance.

 

Property prices are depending of life style and preferences for location; i.e., for example beach, shopping or view. You can find nice 2-bed homes – bungalows or villas – from around 25,000-30,000 baht per month in rent; or a small 1-bed apartment with sea-view for 70,000+ baht per month. However, it's possible to rent a small 2-bed beachfront pool-villa in the area of around 60,000 baht per month, when it's a long term agreement. At many locations some daily needs shopping is within walking distance; but not when it's with sea view up in the hills, there you need to include some kind of transportation in the budget, and the school bus might also not drive up there.

 

Good sites for research, depending of choice of school, is Bo Phut-area (ISS), Chaweng Noi area (PBISS), and Lamai (Lamai International School (LIS) and Windfield International School / L’Ecole Française Internationale de Koh Samui. But I've recently seen a PBISS school bus as far away as Maenam, which might widen your choices for ISS/PBISS to include Maenam. However, I normally recommend to check anything physically before accepting a rental agreement and pay a deposit, even that Google Street View is a good help to get an impression of an area. Some excellent places you might also not find on the Internet, but instead from a local "For Rent"-sign or spoken word-method.

[bbi1]

On 3/31/2024 at 8:30 PM, ukrules said:

 

 

Yes, I bet they're eager. You know they're sales agents earning a big chunk of commission from the Elite package sales whereas they would make nothing or almost nothing on the other options - this is why Elite is 'best for you' according to them.

 

I have an Elite visa and it's great but I got it when I was early 40's so there was no other option.

 

You're both over 50, get a 'retirement' visa and don't bother with agents and if you're really interested in the Elite visa go direct to them.

Retirement visa for sure only.