Best Thailand visa for couples
Two-person households planning Thailand long-stay. Marriage Non-O, dual Retirement, dependent visas, LTR family inclusion compared.
The verdict
If one of you is 50+: Retirement Non-O for the older partner + Non-O dependent visa for the spouse. Cheapest setup. If both 50+: dual independent Retirement Non-O is simpler than dependent. If income $80k+/year combined: LTR Wealthy Pensioner with spouse on dependent — best tax outcome.
Financial requirements per couple
| Scenario | Setup | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| Both 50+ on Non-O Retirement | 2× ฿800k bank or ฿65k/mo each | ~฿4k extension fees |
| One 50+, spouse on dependent | 1× ฿800k OR ฿65k/mo for primary | ~฿4k for both |
| Married to Thai national | ฿400k OR ฿40k/mo for foreign spouse | ~฿2k |
| LTR Wealthy Pensioner couple | $80k+ income for primary; spouse free dependent | ฿20k/yr (amortized fee) |
| Privilege Gold + family member | ฿900k + ฿800k family fee | ฿340k/yr (5-year amortized) |
Specific couple scenarios
Pre-retirement couple, both still working remotely
Both apply for DTV separately (฿10,000 each = ฿20,000). 5 years × 180 days each. If income justifies LTR Work-from-Thailand for one, that one gets LTR + spouse joins as dependent.
Mixed-age couple (one retired, one not)
Retired partner: Non-O Retirement. Working partner: depends on work arrangement.
- Working remotely → DTV separately
- Working for Thai employer → Non-B + work permit
- Not working → Non-O dependent under retired partner
Both retired, both have passive income
If combined passive income $80k+ → LTR Wealthy Pensioner for primary, spouse as dependent. Both get tax exemption on foreign income.
If under $80k → dual Non-O Retirement (each independently). Simplest, cheapest.
Foreign-Thai marriage
Foreign spouse uses Marriage Non-O. Cheaper than retirement (฿400k vs ฿800k deposit). Works regardless of age. Path to Permanent Residency after 3 years.
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