Retirement under 50

[theguyfromanotherforum]

I heard it is very possible to get a retirement visa under 50.

Does anyone have a first hand info or know someone?

[ubonjoe]

You might find a honorary consulate in Europe that would issue a multiple entry non-o visa for early retirement if you you have proof of a pension.

For an extension of stay it is not legally possible if under 50 years old.

I have read reports of some agents claiming they can get one done for a substantial fee.

[theguyfromanotherforum]

Is it just a proof of pension or can it be 800k baht only as per usual rules?

[ubonjoe]

A nonsense post and a reply to it has been removed.

[ubonjoe]

Is it just a proof of pension or can it be 800k baht only as per usual rules?

For the non-o it could be either one I guess. In the report I can recall it was a person that was getting a pension payment.

For the extension I have no idea but I think it is bogus money in the bank.

[falang07]

I wonder who set the limit to 50 years and why one can not retire as early as he wants?

[ubonjoe]

I wonder who set the limit to 50 years and why one can not retire as early as he wants?

I is not a who that set the age limit it is a they. It was set a number of years ago by the immigration committee.

This has been discussed many times before no need for more.

[mahjongguy]

"...why one can not retire as early as he wants?"

One can. And some go their whole life without ever getting a job. But to get permission for long-stay in Thailand based on retirement you have to be fifty. Some years ago it was fifty-five.

My guess is the authorities felt a minimum age would help cut down on abuse of the no-work condition. Those who are younger and can afford to live here have the Elite option.

[JohnThailandJohn]

"...why one can not retire as early as he wants?"

One can. And some go their whole life without ever getting a job. But to get permission for long-stay in Thailand based on retirement you have to be fifty. Some years ago it was fifty-five.

My guess is the authorities felt a minimum age would help cut down on abuse of the no-work condition. Those who are younger and can afford to live here have the Elite option.

I don't think it is as common as people might think for a person under 50 to not just be able to retire but to actually not want and to not work. I was headed back into the US a number of years ago (I was under 50)and going through immigration told the officer I was retired when he asked what I did for a living ... his response was to mark my entry card to cause me to have my person and all my belongings screened. First and last time, I ever told them I didn't work and never ever had an issue beyond that one time.

Edited September 12, 2014 by JohnThailandJohn

[BKKSnowBird]

Philippines is only 35.

[keeniau96]

Many in the USA military retire after 20 years (reduced retirement pay, full is after 30 years). Easy to see how somebody under 40 years of age could be drawing decent retirement pay. Most opt to go to work in industry or gov't but some just opt to go fishing.

[ubonjoe]

Topic as I expected has gone off topic discussing the age for getting retirement extensions. Please end it now. This has been covered in other topics.

[Thighlander]

I tried at age 46....about five years ago. I had just sold my home in Las Vegas, and was back in the DC area, and the economy was a train wreck. I spoke with an officer at the Embassy, basically he stated no matter how much cash you could show, they would not issue O-A for purposes of retirement to someone under 50.....and if they did, or some other consulate did; the first time I went to Immigration, the plug would be pulled. And remember, Immigration always has the final say.

If I was 10 years younger, in the same financial position I would be in Cambodia, and in fact I had decided that if I had any trouble with my visa for Thailand; I would buy a home in Northern Mexico, basically a 100 usd plane ticket home. It is a fact that they don't quite seem to know how to deal properly with people who don't hold 9-5 jobs. I think they've sent some bank personnel to detective school or something, and are ready to finger people for money laundering. I offered to review 3 years of my tax returns with them; just so they would shut up.

Edited September 12, 2014 by Thighlander

[Suradit69]

I wonder who set the limit to 50 years and why one can not retire as early as he wants?

You can retire whenever you want. The extension of stay (based on retirement) requires you to be 50 or over whether or not you are retired.

Likewise with the non-imm O-A available to those over 50 and who meet the other requirements. It's called a retirement visa by many people because that fits most applicants, but it really has nothing to do with whether or not you are retired.

In many countries you are considered a legal adult at 18 or 21. In the more general sense of the word, there are people who reach adulthood before attaining those ages and many others who are decades older but who act more like old children. Nonetheless when you become an adult in fact has little to do with the legal definition.

Edited September 12, 2014 by Suradit69

[Thighlander]

I noticed you have to be under 14 yo, and under 120 cm tall to get student rate on the BTS, lol. I think I was 120 cm at age 6.

[Suradit69]

I tried at age 46....about five years ago. I had just sold my home in Las Vegas, and was back in the DC area, and the economy was a train wreck. I spoke with an officer at the Embassy, basically he stated no matter how much cash you could show, they would not issue O-A for purposes of retirement to someone under 50.....and if they did, or some other consulate did; the first time I went to Immigration, the plug would be pulled. And remember, Immigration always has the final say.

If I was 10 years younger, in the same financial position I would be in Cambodia, and in fact I had decided that if I had any trouble with my visa for Thailand; I would buy a home in Northern Mexico, basically a 100 usd plane ticket home. It is a fact that they don't quite seem to know how to deal properly with people who don't hold 9-5 jobs. I think they've sent some bank personnel to detective school or something, and are ready to finger people for money laundering. I offered to review 3 years of my tax returns with them; just so they would shut up.

"It is a fact that they don't quite seem to know how to deal properly with people.... "

Properly?

They aren't obliged to set immigrations or banking rules to suit every person on the planet. They figured out that in general someone over 50 with a reliable income is a better bet for allowing long-term stays that will benefit the Thai economy. As an applicant it's up to an individual to qualify or they're willing to forego the "privilege" of dealing with those who don't. They seem to have coped with the loss of those who don't fit the protocols so far.

Edited September 12, 2014 by Suradit69

[Guest]

(TO: The Guy From ... etc)

Words have meaning:

Question: "... possible to get a retirement visa under 50."
Answer: "No"
Reason: Retirement Visa is only issued to those 50 years +


Perhaps your question is...
Question: Are there ways to enjoy all the features and benefits of a Retirement Visa and be under 50?
Answer: Yes
Reason most people can not do this: Expensive.

[ebean001]

My suggestio is to retire only if there is something you want to do that you cannot do having to work. what ar eyour passions? Golf, travel (better have a lot of money), etc. The offset - wait until your 65 and have only about 5 good years to do very much. the rest of the years are pretty much down hill.

[Thighlander]

I tried at age 46....about five years ago. I had just sold my home in Las Vegas, and was back in the DC area, and the economy was a train wreck. I spoke with an officer at the Embassy, basically he stated no matter how much cash you could show, they would not issue O-A for purposes of retirement to someone under 50.....and if they did, or some other consulate did; the first time I went to Immigration, the plug would be pulled. And remember, Immigration always has the final say.

If I was 10 years younger, in the same financial position I would be in Cambodia, and in fact I had decided that if I had any trouble with my visa for Thailand; I would buy a home in Northern Mexico, basically a 100 usd plane ticket home. It is a fact that they don't quite seem to know how to deal properly with people who don't hold 9-5 jobs. I think they've sent some bank personnel to detective school or something, and are ready to finger people for money laundering. I offered to review 3 years of my tax returns with them; just so they would shut up.

"It is a fact that they don't quite seem to know how to deal properly with people.... "

Properly?

They aren't obliged to set immigrations or banking rules to suit every person on the planet. They figured out that in general someone over 50 with a reliable income is a better bet for allowing long-term stays that will benefit the Thai economy. As an applicant it's up to an individual to qualify or they're willing to forego the "privilege" of dealing with those who don't. They seem to have coped with the loss of those who don't fit the protocols so far.

The problem was that it was they, who do not follow their own protocols. Says in bold letters right on the visa EMPLOYMENT PROHIBITED, but they (people at the bank) had to go on and on about where do I work. Then there is TMB, who require farang to have a work permit to open an account......All I ask for is common sense and consistency, and had no problem meeting the requirements; unlike those who go to the Consulate and pay 1500 thb for a dishonest letter. Perhaps, they think it is 6500, not 65000.

[steve73]

Anyone under 50 wanting to stay simply needs to marry a Thai.....surely not a problem for most...!

(but obviously one needs to protect oneself adequately - LOL)

[Bangel72]

Consider applying for permanent residence if you can, the act of application alone will give you that long term visa you are looking for.

You will probably reach retirement age before they approve or reject your application.

I think it's about 7k baht to apply which gives you the visa, what I'm not sure of is whether they vet and reject people who clearly do not qualify quickly or if they just go on the waiting list like everybody else and it's a single decision at the end of the process which is likely to be years.

[vogie]

Many in the USA military retire after 20 years (reduced retirement pay, full is after 30 years). Easy to see how somebody under 40 years of age could be drawing decent retirement pay. Most opt to go to work in industry or gov't but some just opt to go fishing.

Its not about the USA, its about Thailand

[darrendsd]

Consider applying for permanent residence if you can, the act of application alone will give you that long term visa you are looking for.

You will probably reach retirement age before they approve or reject your application.

I think it's about 7k baht to apply which gives you the visa, what I'm not sure of is whether they vet and reject people who clearly do not qualify quickly or if they just go on the waiting list like everybody else and it's a single decision at the end of the process which is likely to be years.

I would imagine you would need to be on some sort of visa already before you apply for residency and they would not extend this visa on the basis that you are awaiting a decision on your residency application?

I am happy to be proved wrong if anyone knows any different

[ThaidDown]

Consider applying for permanent residence if you can, the act of application alone will give you that long term visa you are looking for.

You will probably reach retirement age before they approve or reject your application.

I think it's about 7k baht to apply which gives you the visa, what I'm not sure of is whether they vet and reject people who clearly do not qualify quickly or if they just go on the waiting list like everybody else and it's a single decision at the end of the process which is likely to be years.

You need at least 3 contiguous yearly extensions before you can apply (+ other things)

Edit to add ...further info http://www.thaivisa.com/residence-permit-thailand.html

Edited September 12, 2014 by ThaidDown

[ubonjoe]

Consider applying for permanent residence if you can, the act of application alone will give you that long term visa you are looking for.

You will probably reach retirement age before they approve or reject your application.

I think it's about 7k baht to apply which gives you the visa, what I'm not sure of is whether they vet and reject people who clearly do not qualify quickly or if they just go on the waiting list like everybody else and it's a single decision at the end of the process which is likely to be years.

I would imagine you would need to be on some sort of visa already before you apply for residency and they would not extend this visa on the basis that you are awaiting a decision on your residency application?

I am happy to be proved wrong if anyone knows any different

I order to apply for permanent residency you need to be working with a work permit for 3 consecutive years on extensions of stay.

Once your application is accepted you get 6 month extensions for free until it is approved or rejected.

[shawn82]

I live in Sweden that is a socialistic country.
I was forced into retirement 1 week after I was 30 years old. Had a back injury. Instead of sick-leave until it was fixed the goverment forced retiered me. (because the sick pay is 80% of the salary and retired get 64%)

Sweden have 9 million people. Over 500000 are retired before the age of 65.

I really wished that Thailand had a non-work retirement visa for people under 50 year.

(why work if you dont make any money? That is the problem in a socialistic cointry like Sweden. If I start to work tomorrow full time i maybe in best case scenario can get 500 dollar more each month. Is it worth working for 500 dollars? Nope)

[whiteman]

NO

[bangkapi]

Essentially, you can do it on an education visa. If you love this place so much, invest a few years on language and culture.

[gk10002000]

extension based on retirement if below 50, basically no. But some other options are: Thai elite card, Investment, Marriage.

[BKKSnowBird]

I live in Sweden that is a socialistic country.

I was forced into retirement 1 week after I was 30 years old. Had a back injury. Instead of sick-leave until it was fixed the goverment forced retiered me. (because the sick pay is 80% of the salary and retired get 64%)

Sweden have 9 million people. Over 500000 are retired before the age of 65.

I really wished that Thailand had a non-work retirement visa for people under 50 year.

(why work if you dont make any money? That is the problem in a socialistic cointry like Sweden. If I start to work tomorrow full time i maybe in best case scenario can get 500 dollar more each month. Is it worth working for 500 dollars? Nope)

Education visa? How much do you make from sick pay? Why not retrain for a job that does not require a strong back?