What are the best visa options for spending 6 months in Thailand as an expat?

Thai visa options Long-term stay in Thailand Multi Entry Tourist Visa Retirement Visa Tourist visa extensions Visa rules Thailand Expat life Thailand

Feb 5, 2024

a year ago

Andy ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

👋 just joined and hoping for some insight into my best option for spending 6 months a year in Thailand 🇹🇭 from November to the end of April

I have an idea but open to hear other opinions, I have been climbing in Railay Bay  and Tonsai Bay for over 25 years and now I’m at an age that allows me more me time! 

My budget is limited so nothing extraordinary expensive 

Andy

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user seeks advice on the best options for spending six months in Thailand, specifically from November to April, with a limited budget. The conversation discusses multiple visa options, including retirement visas, multi-entry tourist visas, and specific immigration procedures for long stays. Suggestions include applying for a tourist e-visa for 60 days with possible extensions and border crossings to maximize stay time, as well as the potential of securing a more permanent 5-year OX visa if financially feasible.

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Neil ********

You can also look longer term and secure a 5 year OX visa. Yes you need to prove cash and you have a year to open a bank account and transfer money over

a year ago

Andy ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Neil *******

thanks Neil I’ll look into this

a year ago

Reply to

Andy ********

John *********

I am a US citizen and Thai wife of 35 years.

I spend November through the end of April in Thailand.

The easiest way is what I am currently doing… apply for a tourist e-visa from your home country. That will give you 60 days. At the end of 60, go to your local immigration office to get a 30 day extension. On day 90 cross over the nearest border (no need to fly) and return right away to get a 30 day visa exemption. That is a 30 day visa upon arrival. At the end of the 30, back to the immigration office for a 30 day extension. So now we are on day 150. On day 150, cross the border again and return right away and get a 30 day visa exemption. Fly home on day 180.

Land borders are fine.

a year ago

Christian **********

@John ********

The METV (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa) allows for a stay of 180 days and costs $200 USD. You are required to exit Thailand at the first and second 60 days but otherwise need never bother with a visit to immigration. Frankly you can exit/reenter as many times as you wish on this visa whether by air or land. Others will chime in with advice for how to stay for as long as 9 months on an METV. Your use case is similar to that of my wife and me and it's proven to be hassle-free and economical for us.

10 months ago

Steve *******

@John ********

If you have a Thai wife you can get a 60 days extention on your tourist evisa rather than just the 30 days.

a year ago

John *********

@Steve ******

I didn’t know that. Thank you.

10 months ago

Andy ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Steve ******

no Thai wife staying single

10 months ago

Steve *******

@Andy *******

I was replying to John N Kwan, he has a Thai wife.

10 months ago

Reply to

Steve *******

Nick **********

@John ********

"...and return right away to get a 30 day visa exemption. That is a 30 day visa upon arrival." -->> NO, that is NOT a 30 day visa upon arrival. You started correct by saying you get a 30 day visa exemption, and then you changed it wrongly by saying it is a visa on arrival.

Also : OP has to be careful not to do more than 2 border bounces by land without visa per calendar year. Because that is the maximum. Should be enough for 6 months a year though.

Also be careful with land border bounces : choose the right crossings or just use a border bounce company to be sure.

a year ago

Andy ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John ********

ok 👌 thanks for that John, I’d like to do the 6 months with the minimum time border crossing, I don’t mind the immigration extension so much ..

a year ago

Reply to

Andy ********

Michael ********

Best choices would be multi entry tourist visa up to 9 months in Total.

Or if you are of age a OA retirement visa which only requires money in your home country bank. You would get two years out of that but need purchase insurance (which aint a bad thing) i got pin through my thumb from a thing at railey and insurance took care of that

a year ago

Andy ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Michael *******

thanks Michael that sounds awesome who do you insure through?

a year ago

Michael ********

@Andy *******

I think there is a list of approved insurers, either check embassy website or ask question on here for insurance specific to OA visa

a year ago

Reply to

Michael ********