Answered6 months ago
What are the best visa options for retiring to Thailand if I want to stay 6 months and my wife 3 months?
Good morning, I am so wanting to retire to Thailand but my wife isn't quite ready - I am wanting to stay 6 months of the year and my wife 3 in the short term. We are both over 50 and from the UK what are the best visas to get please ? Ive looked at O and OA but we won't be in the country to keep validating every 3 months. A 6 month visa doesn't seem to be available ? Thankyou
Answer summary
A user wants to retire to Thailand, planning to stay for 6 months while their wife stays for 3 months. They are exploring visa options and are unsure about the requirements for maintaining these visas. Various commenters discuss the available visa types, such as the Non-O and Non-OA visas, which can be extended for 12 months and allow for multiple entries. They clarify that while a specific 6-month visa is not available, one can acquire a 1-year retirement visa with re-entry options to maintain flexibility.
24 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Houssem *******
Good question 👍
For your situation (UK, both 50+, part-time stay plan), the main retirement options are usually Non-O (inside Thailand extension) or Non-OA (applied from abroad).
There isn’t really a “6-month retirement visa” — instead most people use a 1-year visa/extension with a re-entry permit, which allows flexible travel in and out of Thailand.
If you want, I can connect you with a visa team in Thailand who can look at your exact plan and recommend the most suitable setup for both of you.
For your situation (UK, both 50+, part-time stay plan), the main retirement options are usually Non-O (inside Thailand extension) or Non-OA (applied from abroad).
There isn’t really a “6-month retirement visa” — instead most people use a 1-year visa/extension with a re-entry permit, which allows flexible travel in and out of Thailand.
If you want, I can connect you with a visa team in Thailand who can look at your exact plan and recommend the most suitable setup for both of you.
Malcolm ********
Follow your wife. I have lived in Thailand 16 years, don't get me wrong, it was the best decision of my life. Living and holidays are completely different, my friend planned to come here for 6 months (he couldn't hack it, missed his home country). Try 3 months see how you feel
Stephen *********
OPMalcolm Nelmes We have already done 2 months in Thailand - So going to try 6 months and go from there.....
Peter *********
You'll enjoy the girls of soi 6 when your wife away home lol 😆
Nico ******
METV visa 6 months. Alternatively visa waiver 2m (still), pay 1m extension, fly out, back in, get another 2m wsiver. Then visa runs but's thougher now.
Nico ******
No visa for 6 months.. get 2 upon arrival, extend one more then fly out and back in
Bent *************
First, get a divorce!
Jason *******
Retirement visa 💯
Paul ********
Silly old sod, preased the wrong button, so the old saying when the cats away the mice will play, lol
Paul ********
Lucky man, don't think for a moment my wife would leave me alone unsupervised in Thailand, lol, the old sayi
Jean **************
Très simple
Pour vous visa O non migrant et re-entry multiples
Pour Madame ça peut le faire aussi
Pour vous visa O non migrant et re-entry multiples
Pour Madame ça peut le faire aussi
Johnny ******
Can opt for retirement visa valid for 12 months.
Graham ******
Johnny Chua that's a Non-OA but most choose the 90 day Non-O followed by a 12 month extension of stay
Steve *******
Non Imm O visa, 12 months extention of stay, multi re-entry permit. Come and go as you please with no issues.
Jair ******
Be warned..your wife will face stiff competition 😉! Lots of lovely ladies here.
James *******
Get rid of the wife,Thai lady's are much better.
tington********
James Empey lol good at taking your cash bro. Nothing wrong with a good old English lass
Humera **********
Add a multiple entry to your retirement visa. I spend almost 5 months in Thailand. Have been on a OA with multiple entry since 2009. Just need to be in Thailand to extend before the 1 year expiry date.
Ant ***********
At the moment
There is a 6 month
Multi Entry tourist visa
Has requirements but basically you apply for it online from the Thai Embassy at home and it give you what you need in terms of months in Thailand
There is a 6 month
Multi Entry tourist visa
Has requirements but basically you apply for it online from the Thai Embassy at home and it give you what you need in terms of months in Thailand
Stephen *********
OPThankyou for all your replies - I didn't realise that - I will apply to a retirement visa then - happy days
Lee ********
Come early before wife 👍😅
John **********
You don't need to validate every 3 months, you need to do a 90 day report only when you spend 90 consecutive days inside Thailand, if you leave before the 90 day mark you don't need to report at all. When you return to Thailand the 90 day count starts over again
Michael ********
You only do a 90 report if you are in Thailand. If you leave Thailand the 90 report starts the day you re-enter Thailand.
Stephen ********
You don't have to remain in the country at all. I spent eight months out of the country last year. You only need to be there once a year when you apply for a new extension of stay
Activity
21 joined21
people
Related
25What are the steps to apply for a retirement visa for a 62-year-old military retiree moving to Thailand?
2.4k241913d
What is the best visa option for a retired Austrian wanting to spend 4-5 months in Thailand during winter?
2.8k26263mo
What are the best visa options for retirees spending 6 months in Thailand and 6 months in the UK?
22.1k1343945mo
What are the differences between the Non-O and Non-OA retirement visas in Thailand, and why do many expats prefer one over the other?
17.6k943406mo
What is the best visa option for retirees who want to spend 5 months in Thailand each year?
9.8k551796mo
What are my options for a Thai visa after using a METV for 150 days?
587437mo
What are the differences between Non-O and Non-OA visas regarding the 800,000 THB requirement?
2.9k22327mo
What are my options for changing my visa from a Non OA based on marriage to a Non O based on retirement in Thailand?
2.4k25118mo
What are the best visa options for a 51-year-old US expat planning to live in Thailand for a year?
1.7k131410mo
What are the best visa options for a couple planning to move to Thailand with one working remotely and the other retired?
4.1k344010mo
What are the requirements for a retirement visa in Thailand for expats from New Zealand?
1.2k5151y
What are the differences between the Long Term Retirement Visa and the Non-Immigrant O Retirement Visa for expats in Thailand?
3.1k21361y
What are the visa requirements and medical insurance options for retiring in Thailand?
1.6k1291y
What are the requirements for transferring 65,000 Baht monthly to a Thai bank account for retirement visa purposes?
4.2k33421y
What are the requirements for a long-term visa in Thailand for Americans?
1.3k882y
What is the best visa option for retiring in Thailand?
6.8k48852y
Which is the better retirement visa for Thailand, Non-O or Non-OA?
4.6k46212y
What is the difference between Non-O Long Term and Non-OA Long Term visas in Thailand?
3.3k27242y
What are the steps to transition from a Non-OA Visa to a Non-O Visa for retirement in Thailand?
1.3k1292y
Is 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account sufficient for a married couple applying for a retirement visa in Thailand?
1.2k5143y
Can I apply for a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand multiple times after living abroad?
3.3k27284y
Am I eligible to apply for a Non-O visa in Thailand having a Non-OA visa?
1.6k1294y
What are the fund transfer requirements for applying for a Non-O Visa based on retirement in Thailand?
1.4k6164y
Which visa should I apply for if I want to retire in Thailand with a one-way ticket?
2k17115y
How can expats over 65 obtain a Non-O multi-entry visa in Thailand?
2.2k14219y
Resources
Need help with your retirement visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served