Head to head

Thailand LTR · Wealthy Pensioner vs United Arab Emirates Retirement visa

Two retirement and savings routes side by side: money, stay, family, fees and tax, from the official sources. The official authority decides every application.

Key differences

MoneyThailand LTR · Wealthy Pensioner asks for income of $80k+ a year; United Arab Emirates Retirement visa for income of AED 240k+ a year ≈ $65k.
FamilyThailand LTR · Wealthy Pensioner: family can't join, spouse needs a permit. United Arab Emirates Retirement visa: spouse needs a permit.
Tax residenceThailand: at least 180 days (tax year). United Arab Emirates: at least 183 days (12 consecutive months).
Foreign-source incomeForeign-source income: foreign-source income exempt (LTR) in Thailand, no personal income tax in United Arab Emirates.

Side by side

Thailand LTR · Wealthy Pensioner and United Arab Emirates Retirement visa compared
	Thailand LTR · Wealthy Pensioner	United Arab Emirates Retirement visa
Country	1LTR · Wealthy Pensioner Thailand	2Retirement visa United Arab Emirates
Type	1LTR · Wealthy Pensioner Retire or live on savings	2Retirement visa Retire or live on savings
Money needed	1LTR · Wealthy Pensioner Needs income of $80k+ a year	2Retirement visa Needs income of AED 240k+ a year ≈ $65k
First stay	1LTR · Wealthy Pensioner 5 yrs	2Retirement visa Long-term visa of 5 years.
Renewal	1LTR · Wealthy Pensioner Renewable Details Stay is granted for 5 years and can be extended for another 5 years if you still meet the criteria. Thailand Board of Investment / Thailand Investment and Expat Services Center Thailand Board of Investment	2Retirement visa
Family	1LTR · Wealthy Pensioner Family can't join Details Legitimate spouse (including same-sex spouse) and children under 20, up to 4 dependants per LTR holder; unmarried partners are not eligible. The February 2025 BOI announcement text also lists parents and legal dependants. Your spouse or partner needs their own work permit to work in Thailand.	2Retirement visa
Spouse can work	1LTR · Wealthy Pensioner Needs a permit	2Retirement visa Needs a permit
Government fees	1LTR · Wealthy Pensioner ฿50k ≈ $1,490 Details ฿50k ≈ $1,490 Processing fee for the 10-year multiple-entry LTR visa per person when collected in Thailand; embassy collection may differ.	2Retirement visa
Processing	1LTR · Wealthy Pensioner 20 working days Details The qualification decision is due within 20 working days of complete documents; the visa must then be collected within 60 days. Thailand Board of Investment / Thailand Investment and Expat Services Center Thailand Board of Investment	2Retirement visa Up to 2 days Details The Federal Authority lists 2 days as its service time for issuing a residence permit. Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security
Where to apply	1LTR · Wealthy Pensioner Abroad or in-country Details Apply online to the Board of Investment, then collect the visa in Bangkok at the One Stop Service Center or at a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate abroad. Thailand Board of Investment / Thailand Investment and Expat Services Center	2Retirement visa
Employer needed	1LTR · Wealthy Pensioner No	2Retirement visa No
Tax residence test	1LTR · Wealthy Pensioner At least 180 days (tax year)	2Retirement visa At least 183 days (12 consecutive months) Details At least 90 days (12 consecutive months)
Foreign-source income	1LTR · Wealthy Pensioner Foreign-source income exempt (LTR) Details Holders of the LTR visa in the Wealthy Global Citizen, Wealthy Pensioner or Work-from-Thailand Professional categories are exempt from personal income tax on foreign-source employment, business and property income brought into Thailand; Thai-source income is taxed normally.	2Retirement visa No personal income tax Details The UAE levies no income tax on individuals; foreign-source salary, investment and rental income of an individual is outside Corporate Tax.
Tax note	1LTR · Wealthy Pensioner Tax relief · Exemption for foreign-source income brought into Thailand	2Retirement visa No personal income tax
Official source	1LTR · Wealthy Pensioner Thailand Board of Investment	2Retirement visa UAE Government Portal
Checked against official sources	1LTR · Wealthy Pensioner First checked 11 Oct 2026	2Retirement visa 12 Oct 2026 · Record corrected 12 Oct 2026

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

Official sources

Thailand LTR · Wealthy Pensioner

BOI Announcement No. Por. 3/2568: revised LTR criteria and dependants · Thailand Board of Investment · checked 2026-10-10
LTR Visa 2025 criteria update brochure · Thailand Board of Investment · checked 2026-10-10
Long-Term Resident Visa categories, criteria, privileges and application · Thailand Board of Investment / Thailand Investment and Expat Services Center · checked 2026-10-10
LTR Visa frequently asked questions · Thailand Board of Investment (LTR Visa Unit) · checked 2026-10-12
LTR Visa program page: privileges, fees, work permit · Board of Investment of Thailand · checked 2026-10-10

United Arab Emirates Retirement visa

Residence visa for the retired · UAE Government Portal (u.ae) · checked 2026-10-11
Issuing Residency Permit (terms, fees and documents for each applicant category) · Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) · checked 2026-10-12
Residence visa for families of employees (includes UAE citizen's spouse, parent and child) · UAE Government Portal (u.ae) · checked 2026-10-11
Work permits · The UAE Government Portal (u.ae) · checked 2026-10-10
General provisions for the residence visa · UAE Government Portal (u.ae) · checked 2026-10-11