Can I continue using a Multi Entry Tourist Visa in Thailand if I’ve been advised to apply for a retirement visa?

Unless there is some very specific rule (doubtful) that having a retirement visa in another country impacts your tax status, then a retirement visa should present no difficulties. However, you would need to comply with the financial and other requirements to obtain and keep the visa.

Tax status is complicated and it most countries it is difficult to extricate yourself from tax residency because it is based on much more than actual residency (here I am talking about citizens primarily).

If you do exceed 180 days in Thailand during a tax year, then you are required to file a tax return. However, this does not necessarily mean you will pay any tax. The rules are complicated and it’s best to get professional advice.

Having a valid retirement visa would definitely prevent some issues with immigration (who are enforcing rules diligently nowadays) but it is not a guarantee of course.

It seems a simple question but here goes; six months in 12 months or 6 months in a calendar year? Maybe it should be 2 questions. Or is it up to the IO? They need to affirm it in Thai Embassys or Thai Govt website. I know, I said it sounds simple 😊! And l have used METVs before

Fellow Aussie here who lived 6 months here/6 months in Oz (FIFO chickie babe) for many years on a METV. Those days are gone just because they are tightening up on visas. Why you were warned last time is probably because your travel does not indicate you are a tourist - it probably appeared as it is, you are living here part time. You are flying in and out of your home country. If each METV showed that you were here for a month or two, maybe Cambodia or any neighbouring country for a couple of weeks, back here for a couple of weeks, then back home before coming back here or maybe stopping somewhere else before returning - you probably wouldn't have been questioned. Just get the retirement visa. It has no bearing at all on your tax status as long as you abide by the 180 rule. Just get the ME permit at the same time and carry on as usual with no more questioning 👍

I don't believe Australia has any rule about what visa you use to live in Thailand for your tax residency in Australia. You can live for 6 months with a retirement visa or DTV. Just get one of those. A tourist visa is a tourist visa. It's not for living in Thailand.

Hi Paul, I’m here on a multiple entry Non Immigrant OA retirement visa. The way the Royal Thai Consulate office in California (where I applied for my visa) explained it, is that if you leave the country for even one day before your 180 days run, you are NOT subject to the tax rule. When you return the 180 days starts over as well as your 90 day reporting which is required of every type of Thai visa and can be done online after your initial 1st 90 day report. Going to a neighboring country and coming right back constitutes leaving the country. I was advised to pay the extra for the multiple entry which I did. I have only been here for 3 months so unless it’s changed It sounded like sound advise. I understood that if you are here more than 180 days in a year you will need a long term visa i.e. DTV, Retirement, ED, Elite etc.

'm from Oz Paul as you know , better to get a retirement visa, if you over 50 ....i pay taxes in Australia but lucky i was able apply for a DT Visa ..I did ...but was on retirement visa before covid ....and worked in Oz for 6 mths a year ..Thailand 6myhs ...but if you apply in Thailand for retirement visa, you can come over on travel insurance which cost me ..70yrs ...with a few pre-existing conditions ...A$630 with Zoom Travel Insurance....had a $5000 claim last January ..no problem ....but other guys here can tell you better about visas then me ....

They consider spending approximately 6 months a year in country not what a tourist would do.

They do have a point.

Been here 16 years with no tax implications I pay in the states that’s it you can say all you like but we’re not the ones that will stamp you in or not

Metv is tourist visa obviously they think your over using a tourist visa to live in Thailand.

Get a non o or non oa or non ox which ever one suits you best

Retirement visa does not effect anything.

I am on OX Retirement visa and work 2 weeks in Australia every month then 2 in Thailand.

How would having a retirement visa for Thailand affect your Australian tax residency. You do become a Thai tax resident for any year you spend 180 days or more inside Thailand in a calendar year, but that doesn't necessarily mean you lose your Australian tax residency