What are the best visa options for a 5-month stay in Thailand for retirees without high bank requirements?

Nov 5, 2019
5 years ago
Reto ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello dear visa experts. I’m over 50, own a condo in bkk and plan to stay for 5 months (dec-april) but I don’t want to have 800K B on my bank account in Thailand. I plan to get the Non-O retirement visa in my country (Switzerland). As I understand it is only for 90 days and it is not extendable. After 90 days I have to leave the country and come back on visa exemption (30 days) and then try to extend that for another 30 days. I know, I could try to get the Non-O-A retirement visa in Switzerland but this type of visa needs a lot of documents and you also have to get an extra insurance (I already have an insurance with worldwide coverage). The Non-O (without A) is more easy. Is there any smarter way to stay for 5 months without to much hustle?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user, over 50 and owning a condo in Bangkok, seeks advice on how to stay in Thailand for 5 months without needing to maintain 800,000 THB in a bank account. They are considering applying for a Non-O retirement visa in Switzerland, which lasts 90 days and isn't extendable. Suggestions from the community include applying for a single-entry Non-O visa which, after 90 days, could be followed by a visa exemption entry or a tourist visa to extend their stay. Other options discussed are the METV for 60 days with extensions and potential border runs. Ultimately, users agree that navigating Thailand’s visa regulations can be complex, but no significantly easier alternatives exist.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Tod *********
and we're done. Good luck to
@Reto *****
in their endeavor.
Brian *********
I had a non O last year single entry I done a trip to had lek and got a 30 day extention, and could have stayed another month at Thai immigration in leam knop
Bell *******
Hi guys.

re Non O for example from London:

A friend said once you are here in Thailand you can then extend your stay yearly on a retirement basis. Is this do-able? Or the only options are as what Tod and Robert said.

My OH is British and only stays in Thailand 6 months a year max. Getting married after many yrs together but unsure if marriage visa is really better as it seems to be a lot of work eg finding witnesses etc.

What is the difference between non O and non O-A then?

Thanks very much in advance.

I hope you don't mind Reto Frei if I join in and ask some questions as my boyfriend is poss going to need non O in the future, too, not to avoid insurance as already has an adequate policy at a reasonable price. Thank you for your post and best of luck.
Bell *******
@Dominic ****
thanks so much Dominic Tay :)
Dominic *****
@Bell ******
For year-long extension after the single-entry O visa, you either need to show a seasoned lump sum of ฿800k in a Thai bank, or 12 regular monthly transfers into a Thai bank of ฿65k or more each. Thai bank account needs to be in the applicant‘s name only, or if joint, the amounts will be halved. UK embassy no longer issues affidavit of income letters, so not applicable to your OH.
Reiner *********
Well ...if you don't want to follow the thai law...just get a 6 month multiple tourist visa in Switzerland.....that's better then for you , but yes you have to leave for a trip ...but it's easier....or you can show founds in your home courtly then your consulate their will give you a NON O....not answer for Retired ....
Reto ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I want to follow the law. Just don't want transfer my money. Either way I have to leave, that's what I wanted to avoid, but it looks like there is no other way. So I will get the non-o from here, stay there for 3 months, leave and get back with a) a normal 2 months visa from some neighbour country or b) come back on via exemption (30 days) and get a 30 day extensions on the immigrations. Is okay. I will do that. I don't like but I have to accept, these are the rules.
Reto ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes, thanks. Looks like this is the only way to do. I will get the Non-O at Thai consulate Basel. I always hope someone found an easier way, especially for condo owners but every time I notice that it is as it always was and it even get more complicated. I really love bureaucracy.
Reiner *********
@Reto *****
well answering as a swiss... It's funny....
Robert *******
yep, the always changing immigration rules, introduction of the 800.000 Thb was in 1998, but you do not want this, so immigration changed it a few days ago
Tod *********
It seems like you can get the Non-O single entry 90 day visa without all that much fuss from the thai consulate in Geneva.

As Robert suggested, get that, come here get 90 days, when that's up, bounce out/in to get a 30 day visa exempt entry and extend that by 30 more days at the immigration office . That gets you 5 months OR after the 90 day Non-O is over go to a nearby consulate and get a single entry tourist visa. That gets you 60 days and then you can extend for 30 more as well.

************************************************************
Ian ***********
What SETV
Ivan ************
You could consider the METV if you only need 5 months. This gets you 60 days on entry which you can extend to 90. Then you can just do one land border run (Kanchanaburi is nearest from Bangkok) for a further 60 days. That's 5 months, and if you needed a few more days you could extend that.

There are issues with people using METVs to stay long term but (1) they involve people border bouncing to come back in at airports, there are no reported issues at land borders. While (2) most indications are that six months in the past year is the trigger point for Bangkok airports to get difficult. So if you are not planning to go over that while a land run would be better to be safe you could likely bounce at an airport either.

Five months a METV should be fine and cover you for the full stay without issues.

To get the METV you need to show money in your home bank. No insurance requirement.
Robert *******
Staying 5 months a year using Tourist Visa and Visa Exempt Entry is at the moment not the best way to go. For 5 months is is now the Single Entry Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age as the 1 year multiple entry is not available in your home country and followed by a visit to a Thai Consulate for a Single Entry Tourist Visa or a border run for 30 days and Extension of Stay on this for another 30 days
George ******************
After the non O apply for a SETV (two month tourist visa) at a local consulate
Reto ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes, maybe the best solution. I always wanted to go to Taipeh, maybe I try there...
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