Answered9 years ago
Is it better to get a 6-month tourist visa or a retirement visa if I plan to split my time between Thailand and the USA?
I qualify for the so-called “retirement” visa, but I’m looking at the possibility of spending only half the year in Thailand for the next few years, and the other half in the States, the time not being ‘broken up’. Would there be any advantage to simply getting a 6 month tourist visa each year?
Answer summary
The discussion centers on the visa options for an expatriate planning to spend half the year in Thailand and half in the States. The primary suggestion is to consider the 6-month Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV), which requires leaving the country every 60 days or paying for a visa extension. Other options include the Non-O multi-entry visa that can also accommodate a similar travel pattern without frequent exits and the retirement visa, which allows longer stays without needing to leave the country every 60 days. There is also mention of the Thai Elite Visa as a long-term option.
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Jeremy ********
Buy the Thai elite visa you get 5-20 years on that visa
Tony ********
get a Non-O multi entry. 90 days, one border run, 90 days and home!
Daniel *******
OP@Tod ********
ขอบคุณมาก (แบบเหมือนเดิม) 🙃Tod *********
@Daniel ******
As far as "retirement visa" options you have these;get a 90 day single entry Non-O about 2000baht
come to thailand get a one year extension 1900baht, get a re-entry permit 1000baht <- that lets you leave/return ONCE and keeps your extension alive
get a year-long, multi-entry Non-O-A $200USD
come to thailand get stamped in for a year, have unlimited exits/entries during the year validity of the visa always getting stamped in for a completely new calendar year when you enter.
Daniel *******
OPOh, I see now. I just conflated the 2 types because that’s what they do at the Chicago consulate website description. Well, other than the “O-A” in parenthesis...
Tod *********
@Daniel ******
you dont' qualify to get a year-long, multi-entry Non-O visa (where you bounce every 90 days) because no thai consulate that I know will sell it for the reason of being over 50 (retirement). They'll sell you a single entry 90 day one that you can extend inside the country.They only sell the year long, multi-entry ones based on marriage, raising children, volunteering, and a few other reasons, but NOT for being over 50.
That's why I'm saying to get the Non-O-A visa
Tony ********
@Daniel ******
you cant get a non-o without the thai familyDaniel *******
OP@Tod ********
I DO qualify. Why wouldn’t I? So, now that I’ve ruled out a TV, what are the pro/cons of these 2 non-O’s...?Tod *********
@Daniel ******
you can't get a year-long, multi-entry Non-O visa (that requires border bounces ever 90 days) based on being over 50 (retirement). :/ AND even if you could it's the same price as the year long, multi-entry Non-O-A visa I told you about that gets you two years in country.Daniel *******
OP@Tony *******
I don’t- but it still seems like the best way to handle it with my circumstances.Tony ********
sorry, I just assumed you had a thai family
Tod *********
A 6 month METV is 200USD a year long extension is 1900baht and a re-entry permit is 1000 for a single or 3800 for a multiple so 2900baht ($93USD) or ($183USD).
Plus on the retirement extension you don't need to leave the country every 60 days.
Plus on the retirement extension you don't need to leave the country every 60 days.
Lucille **********************
@Tod ********
Sho, ok. Thank you so much. I am trying to figure out what will be easiest for my Mom. She is 67, coming to look after my son for 6 months. I dont really want her to have to leave BKK for any reason. She has not traveled much. I appreciate your help and quick responses. Keep well :)Tod *********
@Luc****
, I said that because each consulate is slightly different on their requirements. The main ones are that you have a police background check, a medical certificate and proof of 800K baht (or the equivalent) in a bank in your country when you apply for the visa.Lucille **********************
@Tod ********
Thank you :)Tod *********
@Lucille *********************
you get it from a thai consulate in your home country before you come here. Check their website for the requirements at that particular consulateLucille **********************
@Tod ********
sorry to worry you! Do you have the visa requirements for the Non-immigrant Type O-A visa?Daniel *******
OPNo, l just clicked on it by mistake! Ouch- I don’t think I’ll be applying for that one any time soon... 😀
Still- if you could prove coverage... I know, I know- their rules.
Still- if you could prove coverage... I know, I know- their rules.
Tod *********
@Daniel ******
nope, Did you bother to peruse the O-X visa requirements? You need to pony up 3million baht in a thai bank account among other things..Daniel *******
OPOops! I guess that’s why I never saw it before! ^|^ But, geez- if I DID want an X visa, is there a way to wave that requirement if you can prove foreign coverage?
Tod *********
@Daniel ******
you are looking at the requirements for the wrong visa. You want a year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O-A <- note there is an A at the end. The visa that requires the thai health insurance is a 10 year multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O-X <- note there is an X at the end.
They are completely different visa categories
Daniel *******
OPThanks, Tod! Hey what’s this I’m just now seeing about a Thai health insurance requirement? My US-based insurance works in Thailand. Should I start a new post to ask this?
Tod *********
@Daniel ******
, OR seeing as you're in the US, for the same price as a 6 month METV (200USD) you could get a year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O-A (Long Stay) visa which is unlimited entries for a year with each entry getting you stamped in for another year. That visa would get you two years of stay in thailand out of it.Daniel *******
OPWell, in this scenario I’m not seeing the need for multiple re-entry. Couldn’t I just stay in-country and pay for 2 60 day extensions?
Jeremy ********
Yes you can apply for the 6 month METV....every 60 days you need to depart country or pay ฿1,900 at an immigration office for a 30 day stamp...apply in the states at the following thai consulates/Embassy....LA, DC, NYC, and Chicago....Inquire to see if you can do mail service for the visa or if you have to show up in person...
Dianne *****
When you factor in the cost of in country extensions, possible flights and accommodation in neighbouring countries, not to mention your time. I think the multiple entry non immigrant OA visa represents better value
Daniel *******
OP@Jeremy *******
Yeah, it IS easier to get initially, but I don’t really need a lot of multiple entry options since I’ll be bugging out every 6 mos, anyway.Jeremy ********
@Daniel ******
it’s easier and gives you more options for the 6 month METVDaniel *******
OPThanks. I guess what I’m asking is, are there any drawbacks to getting one as opposed to the other if I know with certainty that I’ll be staying in each country 6 months. I guess the tourist visa will use up a bit more space on the passport (if I do it a few years), but the upside seems that it’s cheaper (in the short run). I’m trying to see if I’m missing something important.
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