Answered2 months ago
What are the best and cheapest visa options for staying in Thailand as a 50-year-old expat?
Hi, just to clarify. I want to try to stay in Thailand. Have entered the country three times in last five months. I'm 50. What's the best (and cheapest way) for me to get a visa?
Answer summary
For a 50-year-old expat looking to stay in Thailand, there are several visa options available. The Non-O visa seems to be the most recommended, which requires proof of either 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account or an income of 65,000 baht per month. This visa provides a 90-day stay and can be extended. Alternatively, an ED (Education) visa could be a cost-effective option if one enrolls in a Thai language or Muay Thai school, allowing for multiple 90-day extensions. It's worth noting that a volunteer visa is also mentioned, but it may not be the easiest option. Each choice has its requirements, so it’s advisable to review personal circumstances and possibly consult with a visa agent.
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Tomas *******
O retirement
Wallace ******
Look at LTR if you qualify.
Ralph *******
Do you want to stay permanently? If so, get a non O visa. You will need the equivalent of 800,000 baht in your bank in order to qualify. The non O allows you to enter Thailand and get a stamp for a 90 day stay.
You will need to open a Thai bank account, fairly quickly, then transfer the money from your home account. This is necessary in order to get the one year extension of stay.
You must also consider if you have sufficient income to stay permanently and factor in the cost of health insurance.
If you are looking at a temporary stay then METV or DTV may suit, or even an education visa. It depends which suits you best.
You will need to open a Thai bank account, fairly quickly, then transfer the money from your home account. This is necessary in order to get the one year extension of stay.
You must also consider if you have sufficient income to stay permanently and factor in the cost of health insurance.
If you are looking at a temporary stay then METV or DTV may suit, or even an education visa. It depends which suits you best.
Clarence *****
Just a friendly reminder, dont married a Thai girl, is not the best and cheapest way🤣
Bill *********
Clarence Koh That's definitely the most expensive way!
Ben ********
OPClarence Koh there goes my main plan
John **********
If you have a Thai bank account and at least 15 days left on your current stamp see if your local immigration office will issue a Non-O visa, if they will put a minimum of 800k in your thai bank account and apply for a Non-O visa based on being 50 or older. If you don't have a Thai bank account or your local immigration office can't do the conversion leave to a nearby country and apply there using funds in your home bank
LychM*****
Go home. Come back in 2027
Latrice ********************
The cheapest way is with an Education visa.
John ********
Latrice DiFulvio Harrison not so easybthese days unless you are seriously studying and not a very long stay option
Graham ******
Get a Non-O Visa to get you 90 days as you meet the age requirement so just need proof of the equivalent of 800k Baht in a bank account or 65k monthly income
CoolBun*******
Graham Seal can’t do the 65k method for 1st extension, unless you are lucky and your embassy will issue you the correct documents.
Graham ******
CoolBunny_7244 my answer was for getting the initial Non-O for entry not the extension
Steven *****************
David ***********
ED visa. Learn the language or Muay Thai. Go to school. No problems with visa. If you actually go to school immigration will have 0 issues and you’ll get 4 stamps worth of 90 days = 1 year
Ben ********
OPDavid Carpenter had a quick look before. To do the course and have them take care of visa for me was more than 1000 pounds. Maybe if I do visa application is cheaper than that?
John ********
Ben Colton neither the ed visa nor volunteer visas are easy to get for long term these days, get a non imm o (retirement) with the 800k banked (or see an agent if not)
Ben ********
OPJust had a quick look, only 2000 baht. That's a really good option in my opinion. Would you know if the process is easy? I'm already in Thailand
Christer *****
Ben Colton you still have to pay for the course. And take it
David ***********
Ben Colton go on google mate and type in education visa Thailand. If you wanna stay in Thailand it’s more expensive but if you do the standard visa run to Laos or Vietnam it’s only around 30k baht
Dean **********
David Carpenter volunteer visa is another option
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