retirement visa at age 48?

[Don Chance]

Will they bend?

[Jingthing]

No.

[Don Chance]

oh well. Maybe try Cambodia, seems much easier for visa's

[tonray]

6 minutes ago, Don Chance said:

oh well. Maybe try Cambodia, seems much easier for visa's

There is a reason they are easier. Less favorable to live there Limited health care options, higher crime rate against foreigners, etc

[Get Real]

Impossible! Just have to wait 2 more years to reach Nirvana.

[JackThompson]

8 hours ago, tonray said:

There is a reason they (Cambodia) are easier. Less favorable to live there Limited health care options, higher crime rate against foreigners, etc

But much lower than many Western nations - especially if you don't do foolish things.  Also see Vietnam and The Philippines - both of which welcome foreigners of any age who can spend foreign-sourced income into their countries.

[BritTim]

Bear in mind, if you have money to burn, that the Thailand Elite program makes life easy.

[tonray]

54 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

But much lower than many Western nations - especially if you don't do foolish things.  Also see Vietnam and The Philippines - both of which welcome foreigners of any age who can spend foreign-sourced income into their countries.

Philippines....there is a reason for all those shotgun toting guards at every store/mall entrance. A very dangerous place...love Filipinos but hate the crime rate and begging everywhere

[elviajero]

11 hours ago, tonray said:

There is a reason they are easier. Less favorable to live there Limited health care options, higher crime rate against foreigners, etc

And Cambodia have more flexible visas because they have a far less visitors than Thailand and they want to encourage visitors.

[JackThompson]

1 hour ago, tonray said:

Philippines....there is a reason for all those shotgun toting guards at every store/mall entrance. A very dangerous place...love Filipinos but hate the crime rate and begging everywhere

I would suggest avoiding the Metro-Manila area and some southern province areas.   Manila is, to me, a completely different country than everywhere else in the PI.

[IMA_FARANG]

To answer the specific question, NO.

You must be at least age 50 to qualify for at retirement visa or a retirement visa extension  in Thailand.

that does not   mean you can't stay in Thailand in other ways legally, just that for a retirement visa you must be at least 50 years of age

[Paul944]

You can enroll a school to learn Thai or something else and apply for a student visa. However, these days they are more strict and you really have to attend classes a few hours a week.

 

An elite visa is the most easiest but also more expensive as most people want to spent.

[Rhys]

....it all depends on the office and the Ia migre officer..... 

[JackThompson]

1 hour ago, Paul944 said:

You can enroll a school to learn Thai or something else and apply for a student visa. However, these days they are more strict and you really have to attend classes a few hours a week.

The "strict" boils down to ... depending on the area / imm-office, you will either catch hell on your extensions-of-stay for ED visas, or you have to pay an "extra fee" to your school which magically removes this problem. Being a "good student" and attending classes makes no difference in these areas.  There may be some offices where it really is a matter of honesty and showing up for class, but be prepared for the extra-fees, and be pleasantly surprised if you don't need to pay them. 

 

Also, when you finish your classes, you need to get a new passport, because that ED sticker has a "stigma" associated with it - it will tell every IO you encounter upon entry to the country that you are an illegal-worker, even if you are not one, attended every class, and studied diligently.