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What are the best long-term visa options for staying in Thailand for over 90 days?

Thailand Visa Special Tourist Visa Non-OA Visa Long-term Visa Options Visa Requirements Expat Advice

Oct 25, 2021

4 years ago

Paul *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi all .. not very experienced in long term visa for Thailand so seeking advice please.  We have flights booked to Phuket for end January and returning to uk mid-July .. so just under 180 days in Thailand. I had originally intended to do non-ao one year retirement visa as we are both a wee bit over 50. We are both uk passport holders.

I’m now tempted by the Special Tourist Visa as it seems a bit simpler and requires less insurances.  

I think my question is … with us having flights booked that mean we are in Thailand over 90 days, it that a problem for the STV which seems to be a 90 day renewable visa? 

Would I need to show a cheap flight out of Thailand? And if so where is the best, cheapest place to get to and with which airline?   I looked at airasia earlier but they don’t seem to be flying to Singapore etc at the moment 

Many thanks

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is considering options for a long-term stay in Thailand for just under 180 days, with initial interest in a Non-OA one-year retirement visa due to age eligibility. They are also contemplating the Special Tourist Visa but are uncertain about the implications of their planned length of stay and the need for a flight out during the STV validity. A commenter suggests that while both visa options could work for a 6-month stay, the Non-OA visa is preferable if the user has the necessary funds and related paperwork.

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Garrett ***********

Both are acceptable for a 6 month stay. I'd advise against the STV, it's significantly more complicated.

Non-OA would be the route that I'd go, if you have the 800,000 baht in your bank accounts. You can buy insurance for only 6 months. Non-oa holders are stamped in for the time of their insurance if its less than 1 year.

4 years ago

Brett **********

@Garrett **********

you keep calling the STV significantly more complicated and I really don't understand why. Having applied for both an STV and an OA I can say that that the STV is igjtly easier as you don't need to get a medical certificate saying you don't have the clap and you don't need a police certificate. Apart from that they're pretty much the same. If he only wants to do 6 months then the STV will be easier and save a couple of hundred quid in costs

4 years ago

Paul *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brett *********

yeah I think it’s the requirement to provide proof of accommodation that’s a pain for STV but with having title deeds that may make it easier for us. The non-oa is still attractive as I need to open a decent Thai bank account

4 years ago

Brett **********

@Paul ******

you can make bookings on Agoda or booking.com that are cancelable in seconds that fit the requirements

4 years ago

Reply to

Brett **********

Paul *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Garrett **********

thanks .. stv is ok as we have title deeds so the accommodations isn’t to bad. With STV do I need tickets out of Thailand before the 90 days or is it accepted that you renew ?

4 years ago

Garrett ***********

@Pa**

Nope, STV is good for 9 months. You have to go extend it every 90 days, but you don't need a return ticket for it.

4 years ago

Paul *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Garrett **********

thanks .. an insurance company told me I needed 12 months insurance for the non-oa visa even if I was only going for 6 months as the non-oa retirement visa is a 12 month visa. Is this incorrect?

4 years ago

Garrett ***********

@Pa**

Just saw someone last week come in on a Non-OA, got stamped for 4 months.

4 years ago

Garrett ***********

@Pa**

They Lied to you.

4 years ago

Paul *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Garrett **********