For someone who has been in Thailand on a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) less than 6 months each year, for the last couple of years, that has now turned 50 years and now can fulfill the financial requirement for a Non Immigrant Visa:
1) If planning on going to Thailand again (for around 5 months), is a Non Immigrant Visa (based on age) a better option than the METV, in the sense of minimizing the risk of denied entry for staying too long/often on a Tourist Visa etc.? Or any other way that one is better/worse than the other?
2) If the financial requirements cannot be fulfilled again at some point in the future, when going to Thailand again, could it be difficult to get a METV at that time, when having had a Non Immigrant Visa before?
Thanks in advance!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The question discusses whether a Non Immigrant Visa is a better option than a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) for a retiree planning to stay in Thailand for around 5 months. Key considerations include minimizing entry denial risks and potential financial requirements for future visa applications. The conversation highlights concerns about frequent METV usage leading to scrutiny by immigration authorities, and suggests alternatives like the O-A Visa for those aged 50 and over. It also touches on the implications of changing financial circumstances on visa eligibility.
6 months at a time is ok as a tourist visa as you no need to park 800k in a bank account.
But ultimately depends on what your goals are though. If you see yourself travelling frequently in the validity of the period in Thailand I would go get a METV.
Is it just me: If I do not have the money to meet the financial requirements should that be a problem or can i still get the visa? I actually did read: If I do not have the money to meet the financial requirements should that be a problem or can I still drive away with that brand new Ferrari?
if you can not get the Non Immigrant Visa or a new Extension of Stay, you can go back to your home country and apply for a METV if you meet the requirements for this visa.
As long as the visa rules and requirements do not change into what ever you can provide, it will be if you can not meet the requirements you do not get the visa or extension of stay.
Robert, read again. The financial requirements can be met now, but who knows about the future (and if not the Non Immigrant Visa is obviously not an option, hence the question no. 2 about going back to METV).
If you are age 50+ ...look into getting the O-A Visa from your home country. Avoids the stress of entries and exits ...with planning...for up to two years.
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