Answereda year ago

Can I stay in Thailand for 6 months by applying for a Non-O visa twice?

Non-O Visa Thailand Visa Policy Visa Extension Visa Types Retirement Visa Thai Immigration

Vuthi *******

asked Oct 18, 2025

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Hello all,  if i only want to stay in thailand for 6 months (i'm over 50), could i just ask for a non-o visa twice ? I don't want to open an account for the o-a visa.

Answer summary

If you are over 50 and want to stay in Thailand for 6 months, you cannot simply ask for two non-O visas consecutively without leaving the country. Instead, it's suggested to apply for a non-O visa prior to your arrival in Thailand, and then after 90 days, perform a border run to get a visa-exempt stamp that provides an additional 60 days. You can also apply for a 30-day extension from immigration, totaling 180 days. Another option mentioned is the METV (Marriage and Education Visa), which could also be suitable for your 6-month stay.

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Alan **********

Why not apply for the metv visa if you are only staying 6 month

a year ago

Colin *********

@Alan *********

that's what I was thinking, but then it depends on where one would be in Thailand at around the sixty day mark where exiting and re-entering is required. If the OP is not reasonably close to a border, it could be 'reasonably' costly in airfares or travelling other ways. Depends on one's finances to, whether there's a budget to stick to or not.

a year ago

Hans-Joachim ********

Before your Visa is running out you can go to any Immigration Office and extended for another month up to one year! This information I got from the website of Thai embassy Berlin

a year ago

Graham ******

@Hans-Joachim *******

"extended for another month up to one year" - the Non-O extension is 12 months not one month

a year ago

Brandon ************

@Hans-Joachim *******

That's not quite accurate and not worth it for a 6 month trip as would require a lot of paperwork and likely funds in a Thai bank.

a year ago

Brandon ************

That is a little more complicated than it sounds. That's because you would need to leave Thailand after the initial non-O entry was running out, and if you wanted another non-O you would need to apply from a nearby embassy or consulate.

I assume your passport qualifies for visa exempt, so a better plan is probably to apply for the non-O before you leave for Thailand. Then after 90 days do a border bounce and return visa exempt (no visa) and then you'll receive a 60 day stamp. Apply for the 30-day extension from immigration, which will give you a total of 180 days, same as 2 non-O visas but will not require the extra non-O visa application.

a year ago

Vuthi *******

@Brandon ***********

sounds good, but won't it depends on the immigration officer's humour on my reentry ? 😂

a year ago

Brandon ************

@Vuthi ******

not really, if it's your first visa exempt entry in a while, it shouldn't be any issue

a year ago

Lester *********

@Brandon ***********

I am doing exactly that, I’ve decided against the 12 month extension and will border bounce into Vietnam, Hopefully IMO doesn’t give me any problems but I will be going with my Thai girlfriend. Hopefully, this helps?

a year ago

Brandon ************

@Lester ********

I don't think it will help if they want to deny you entry. In fact it actually shows you're not just a tourist visiting for holiday.

a year ago

Lester *********

@Brandon ***********

I also thought that as well, so I might be best going on my own

a year ago