What are the best options for obtaining a longer-term visa in Thailand for someone needing to return to the UK every few months?

Nov 30, 2021
3 years ago
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi there

I wish to spend longer periods in Thailand as I am 60 but still need to return every 2-3 months to UK

I have previously used just the 30 day exemption visa but now need some form of longer term visa and looking for advice on how best to do this as I am confused by so many variations and insurance requirements etc

I can fulfil the 800,000 bht financial requirement but not sure how best to proceed

Any advice would be much appreciated!!

Planning to return to Phuket on 3 Jan

Thanks

Mark
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Mark, a 60-year-old expat, is seeking advice on obtaining a longer-term visa for Thailand as he needs to return to the UK every 2-3 months. He has previously used a 30-day visa exemption but now wishes to find a more suitable option. Some users suggest applying for a Non-O visa in his home country, which grants a 90-day stay, after which he can apply for a yearly extension if he meets the financial requirement of 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account. Others recommend options like a single-entry tourist visa followed by extensions to effectively manage his stays in Thailand.
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Benjamin ******
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Peter ****************
When you already HAVE a Thai bank account, you can transfer the 800k฿ already 2 months before you come to Thailand. Then when you already have the non imm O as
@James *******
mentions, you can ask for the year extension after about 60 days already. With a multiple re-entry permit. However for this visa nowadays, one asks quite some (Insurance) requirements.
James ********
We have a strict rule not to discuss agents on this forum. A former member is with us no more.

The OP has good advice and direction. We wish him success in his return to Thailand

Commenting closed.
James ********
@Peter ***************
no added insurance requirements if he enters on a Non O As retiree...other than three months insurance to enter.

No added insurance required to get his one year extension of stay as retiree at local Thai immigration.

You are probably thinking of the O-A visa .
James ********
Obtain the Non O as retiree in your home country. That will give you 90 days on entry.

Then open Thai bank account in your name only and transfer internationally 800,000 Thai baht into it.

Then apply for the one year extension of stay as retiree...get a multiple entry reentry permit too.

Then you can come and go as you need for an entire year.

Renew it at end of each year.

This will allow you freedom to travel as you wish.
Tod *********
I don't think you will have the time to enter the country on a 30 day visa exempt or a 60 day tourist visa, then get the 800K baht in a thai bank account in your name only apply for the 90 day Non-O visa and then the year extension before you would leave the country again. You say you need to go back every 2 or 3 months and it takes right around 3 months to pull of going from a visa exempt/tourist visa entry to a Non-O and then a year extension.

Just get a single entry tourist visa, come in, get stamped in for 60 days and extend that by 30 at the immigrations, that will give you the 3 months you want to be here and would be the least problematic
Aguilar *****
@Tod ********
, how many time I can do TR plus extension in a year
Tod *********
@Aguilar ****
there is no real limit. you shouldn't have any problem doing it 2 or 3 times a year, I know pre-covid shit shows that people LIVED here full time for years and years on tourist visas and 30 day extensions.
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