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What are my options for staying in Thailand until I qualify for a retirement visa?

Thailand visas Elite visa Retirement visa Education visa Visa exempt SETV METV Visa options for expats

May 23, 2023

2 years ago

Nicholas ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Interested in opinions/advice. 

I await Elite visa, but it won’t come within my current 30 days in Thailand. It’s a Plan B because you seem to need one here. I turn 50 in five months. 

I’ve flown in and out 3 times Visa Exempt since October with a return to Australia in there, and extended 45 days twice. No overstays. Immigration let me in but warned I need a visa, not exemptions…

My original intention was to use an education Visa until November 2023, when I am 50, then retirement Visa, but in order to keep Thai Elite as an option - in case of any problems - I didn’t pursue this because Education Visas are stinky. 

I have a lease, so seasoning an acquired bank account is possible, and a dog in Thailand so crossing land or air borders isn’t desirable. I haven’t a permanent residence in home country so SETV and METV seem unlikely. 

How to best spend the five months - until I am Retirement Visa eligible - without being denied entry? Thanks for reading and I await your ideas.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is seeking advice on how to legally stay in Thailand until they become eligible for a retirement visa at age 50, considering they are currently waiting for an Elite visa. They have entered Thailand multiple times on a visa-exempt basis, and while they have extended their stay, they have been warned by immigration that they need a proper visa. The conversation includes suggestions such as applying for SETV or METV, obtaining a tourist visa from a neighboring country, or looking into options like Education visas and border bounce strategies.

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Thomas *******

You didn't think this out properly did you?

Som nom na.

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Jeff ********

So you want your cake and want to eat it too. Good luck.

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Jeff ********

like I said. Good luck 😂

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Nicholas ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yeah. So what?

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Nicholas ******

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Christopher *******

Come to Cambodia for a little while bro, 6 months $200. Probably Kampot or Siem Reap, the people are just as lovely (avoid Phnom Penh)

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Alistair **********

You can get close with 2 land border crossings with a company. But still fall just short.

Could try getting a tourist visa in Laos, that still allows you 2 more visa exempt border crossings. Just getting an ED visa is probably the best option.

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Nicholas ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks so much

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Alistair **********

@Nicholas *****

yeah if you can stay out of the country for a month or so it might get you there. Applying for a non o in Thailand might have time requirements, so you might need x number of days left before applying. ***look this up though, as retirement visas aren't an area I know much about***

There's also a vip entry service by air, try contacting Thai Visa Centre. Where you pay and they help you get through immigration. It can be costly and will depend on your history in the country.

You could also go to Laos and try getting a 60 day Tourist visa. That way you can cross by land and still have 2 more visa exempt land crossings left.

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Nicholas ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Alistair *********

If doing two agent border bounces to Laos as suggested, would a stay in Laos before returning to Thailand benefit me and eat up the time I need to kill between now and Nov? Sorry to sound like a dolt here…

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Alistair **********

you can pay an agent for all that with a retirement visa tho. Throwing money away makes zero sense, if you have enough to waste on it then you should qualify for an LTR.

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Us *****

@Alistair *********

if you can afford the Elite visa then do it. You can fly in and out and just pay someone to do all your reporting. Time is money and it will save you a headache.

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Nicholas ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Alistair *********

Oh, exactly. ED visas became suspect - particularly if applying for Thai Elite - so I haven’t gone down the ED path as yet. Elite looked the most unproblematic, but I am still waiting…

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Alistair **********

@Nicholas *****

dodgy ED visas where you don't actually attend classes, maybe. But you're turning 50, you can get a retirement visa soon anyways, so idk why you want an elite visa

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Nicholas ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Alistair *********

From my reading of things, Education visas are on the nose, prior to a ThaiElite visa?

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Nicholas ******

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Hakim ************

I am in the same situation and back to uk to apply for METV, when applying do I need my flight ticket return to be within 6 month or 60 days? Thx

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Julie **********

thank you so much.

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Graham ******

@Julie *********

yes you can do that but only after your METV is issued which is what the in, out and in flights gets you

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Julie **********

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

sorry to jump in, but this is where I get confused. Is this an absolute necessity and must it be within 60 days? I thought I could arrive, have the 60days, get an extra 30 at Immigration, leave the kingdom after that ( with a re-entry permit) then get another 60(+30) after our short trip. Somebody said last week that I DIDN'T need to show any further flights? Sorry for butting in, but don't want to get this wrong. Thank you.

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Nicholas ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

You have good question, Hakim. Maybe make a separate post: you’d be more likely to receive input related to that than being lost in the comments. 😃

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

@Hakim ***********

doesn't have to be return. Just a ticket out of Thailand. I listed what you need. One to, one out, one to

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Hakim ************

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

how many ticket you need to get? Return ticket in/out to thailland within 60 days will suffice?

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

@Hakim ***********

you have to show a ticket to Thailand. A ticket out of Thailand within 60 days then another ticket into Thailand or they'll issue you a single entry visa and keep the extra money.

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

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John **********

Sounds like you are trying to avoid the elite visa. I'd be very surprised if you can get through the next 5 months on visa exempt entries. You could try getting an SETV from a nearby country, you stand a better chance of entry with that than a visa exempt but there's no guarantees, you are living in Thailand without a visa that allows you to do that so immigration will deny you if they think that's the case. An METV you can only get in Australia. If your determined to try visa exempt use a reputable border bounce company, they won't take you unless they can get you back in.

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Nicholas ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you for your input, John.

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Nicholas ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

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Nicholas ******

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

Are you waiting for elite visa or not?

We need to know what you're actually wanting to do because you're listing a lot of things in this post.

You either applied for Elite and are waiting for it, or you're trying to burn time until you're 50. Which one is it?

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Sel *****

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

Yes that’s what I meant as well.

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

I didn't say a border run. I said an agency border run. They make sure you can get in and out with no problems.

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Sel *****

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

I am in a similar situation but applied for a elite since I am 42. I came to Thailand in December 2022 with an visa exemption 45 + 30 days, flight to Vietnam, came back with an Tourist visa 60 + 30 and that is ending on June 11th. My Elite Visa will take 2 more months I am sure. So you saying a border run is a safe option to get 30 + 30? Do I need to show a flight ticket out? Any recommendations for a agency in Bangkok who are trustable?

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Nicholas ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

That‘s good advice: thank you. 30+30 and 30+30 with a whistle-stop stay out of the Kingdom would get me to 50 in NOV. A good alternative to the Thai Elite if need be. Cheers.

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

@Nicholas *****

if you haven't done and land border entries in 2023 you can do 2 agent border runs plus 30 day extension. They'll make sure you can get out and back in.

That's 120 days.

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Nicholas ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Brandon, you are correct: I applied for Elite which offers convenience for a price, but won’t help me during this 30 day stay as it’s super slow. (I can decline it and reapply if needed in future). Burning time until 50 is significantly cheaper (obvs.) and preferable. It’s a case of having two sticks in the fire, so to speak.

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Nicholas ******

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