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How can I best utilize a retiree visa for long stays in Thailand?

Retirement VisaVisa RulesThailand ImmigrationYearly StayMultiple Entry VisaVisa ExemptionThai Elite VisaNon-Immigrant VisaLong-Term Stay
Dec 22, 2022
2 years ago
Michael *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am curious to see how best to utilize a retiree visa, to base myself in Thailand for 3-6 months every year. Tourist visas aren't practical for such length of time, and for certain nationalities. Cheers
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion centers on utilizing the retirement visa for long stays in Thailand, seeking clarity on how best to stay in the country for 3-6 months annually. Comments highlight various visa options such as the retirement visa, multiple entry tourist visa (METV), and Thai Elite Visa. Some participants suggest consulting a visa agent for tailored advice, while others share their experiences with the complexities of obtaining visas based on nationality. The conversation further explores the implications of staying for extended periods and the bureaucratic hurdles faced by certain nationalities.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Luc ********
Seriously 😂? Just get a retirement visa and a single entry permit, and make sure you are in Thailand every year, to extend for the next year. Easy!
2 years ago
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James **************
If you get a retirement visa multi entry, how long can you have between entries? I.e, can I stay 3 months, leave three months etc. Or is there a max stay allowed oitside Thailand?
2 years ago
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Luc ********
@James *************
 no
2 years ago
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Luc ********
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Tore *********
Im Using METV for that exact purpose. Staying 5 months. Quite convenient, but still need 1 border bounce.

But you could so Single entry That gives you 60+30 days, then bounce and come back on exemption that gives you another 30 + 30 days, or 45 + 30 days depending on when you bounce.

EDIT, i missed your nationality. Can you apply METV from Ethiopia?
2 years ago
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Michael *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tore *****************
 That would have been the perfect solution , but we don't have an embassy here and even if i got one the second entry isn't guaranteed.
2 years ago
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Michael *******
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Michael *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
My options are limited than most because of my nationality. Even a 3 month stay with a TVisa once a year has proven to be problematic at times.
2 years ago
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Chris *****
Is the TV being refused? Or are you denied entry on arrival?

Apparently if you get a criminal check and register with the Min of Education in Addis, the consulate (in India) will certify your criminal check (MFA might too, I've not tried), and you can then get a Thai Ed visa. But it is a lot of paperwork for a couple months, you then have to study, and it might endanger future Elite applications (Elite currently say you must show an official document from the Office of Basic Educational Commission for any past Ed visa).

I never found a visa agent that would continue the conversation once I mentioned an Ethiopian passport, and I tried about 15 both in person and calls/Line etc. Legal firms were also no help. There might be some, but I always ended up being referred to some phone number of some random person in Addis I would not risk posting a passport to.

I assume you can't apply for a retirement visa in Kenya so you'd need the 800k / 65k a month, then come in for 90 days, then extend annually, buying a re-entry permit for subsequent stays? Elite costs 600,000 Baht for 5 years for an individual, although when that expires you can extend for another 15 years for 400,000.
2 years ago
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Chris *****
That is awful - given how much hassle it is to get a Thai visa from Ethiopia you'd have thought they'd have little left to check. We had no issue at all getting a VOA in Sept, although only 15 days (now 30 until March). We have done a couple entries on VOA several times no problem. Perhaps it is because you're spending longer in each year in Thailand, so they're looking more sceptically at your TV? I tried for several months every option I could find, but Ethiopians have it tougher than anyone else, and ended up having to go Elite. I'll be 51 by the time it ends so will move to a retirement one then as it is so much cheaper even with the bank hassles.
2 years ago
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Michael *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris ***************
Thanks for the detailed update. I've always used TVs to stay in Thailand for 3 months/year in the past. But the last few years it has become a headache mostly when arriving in Bkk.

From what i gather, the best option is the retiree visa with a bank deposit, or the Elite visa.
2 years ago
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Michael *******
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Charles ********
@Michael ******
 then elite is your correct option.
2 years ago
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Charles ********
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Craig *******
I visit my gf about 4.5 to 6 months total each year (2 trips) and I've concluded there's really no advantage getting anything other than TR/visa exemptions and extensions.
2 years ago
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Christian **********
I stay 4-5 months annually. The METV seems a far better fit
2 years ago
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VaiAna **********
Talk to a visa agent and get a multiple entry visa .
2 years ago
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Jeffrey ************
I just payed for the Thai Elite visa. No worries or beurocracy. Just come and go as you please.
2 years ago
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Michael *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeffrey ***********
 If the LTR doesn't fit my plan, i would consider EV definitely.
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Jeffrey ***********
 LTR if you have the income or assets…
2 years ago
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Todd *********
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Charles ********
It really depends on how you staying 3-6 months. Is that 6 months straight or 12 two weeks trips?

If you are one month here and two month somewhere else, then tourist visa or even visa exempt if you qualify would likely be fine.

If it's 6 months straight. Then you can check the multi entry tourist visa, that can give you 6 months with some bounces. You can also study Thai or Muay Thai and get an ED of you willing to go to class and learn.

If you doing this for more than a few years, then consider elite visa. That's going to be the best and easiest, but the most expensive option.
2 years ago
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James **************
@Charles *******
 ok, cool
2 years ago
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James **************
@Charles *******
 so if i come by air i can come and go as many times as i want....so i could come 12 × 2 weeks if i wanted witb say a week in between? I dont get it.... thats surely not right. Also i could come on TV (60) + 30 extn then just repeat it.... but 2 is the limit, otherwise everyone would just come and go as they please all the time. Im confused....
2 years ago
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Charles ********
@James *************
 It's going to be about duration of each stay and how often in Thailand.

You keep thinking about people trying to live in Thailand on tourist visa, which is illegal... But we are talking about tourist coming here for tourists things...

You come once a month for 1 week, not really going to set a red flag. You spend more than 50% of your time in thailand will be a flag, because you living here.

You fly in to Thailand for Friday Saturday and Sunday 24 times a year, no a problem. You do 3 tourist visa with extention, that is a problem.
2 years ago
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Charles ********
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James **************
@Charles *******
 thought you can only do 2 bounces a year. And defo not 12 2 week trips!
2 years ago
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Charles ********
@James *************
 that's 2 land border crossing on visa exempt. There is no limit by air. What you call bounce though is not okay.. What we are talking about is duration. Come via plane for 12 short trips or even more frequent weekends trips, not likely a problem with immigration because it still a tourist timeframe.
2 years ago
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Charles ********
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Michael *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Charles *******
 I intend to stay 3 months or less at a time. I've been coming here since the 90s and tv's aren't working anymore even for 3 months.
2 years ago
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Michael *******
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Jo **********
i am wondering what is your pattern for staying ? is it for shorter periods with frequent entries or is it long stays 90 days or more?
2 years ago
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Michael *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jo *********
 less than 2-3 months at a time.
2 years ago
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Michael *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I can only get VOA for 30 days. Subsequent visits in the same year are frowned down upon and put under the microscope.
2 years ago
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Jo **********
@Michael ******
 if you allow your self enough time between trips you maybe able to do this visa exempt now 45 days plus 30 day extension after 31st March 30 days
2 years ago
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Jo **********
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Kool *******
If you have the required money in a Thai bank account in your name only then no real problems. Just remember you can't legally work in Thailand on a retirement visa extension.
2 years ago
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Michael *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
 I'm willing to put the money in the bank.
2 years ago
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Michael *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Since i don't plan to live in Thailand full time, i wont have to do the reporting. I'll be travelling a lot.
2 years ago
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Michael *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks
2 years ago
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Michael *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Will i be able to escape the hassle with the 90 day reporting if i leave before the due date?
2 years ago
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Bonnie *********
@Michael ******
 90 day reporting is drive-through in Chiang Mai. No hassle at all.
2 years ago
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Tom *******
@Michael ******
 yes, you don’t report from outside the country from e.g. outside Thailand.
2 years ago
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Tom *******
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Kool *******
@Michael ******
 then if you are over 50 no problem.
2 years ago
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Kool *******
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