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What are the best visa options for staying in Thailand for 6 months or two 3-month visits a year?

Thailand VisaNon-O VisaTourist VisaVisa ExemptionRetirement VisaMultiple Entry VisaVisa RulesExpatsImmigrationUK Expats
Nov 11, 2025
2 days ago
Bobby ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm planning on staying 6 months in Thailand or 2 x 3 months a year. Can anyone help me with what visas I would need? I'm 61 from the UK. I'm just struggling with all the different visas. Thanks in advance
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user seeks advice on the best visa options for a 6-month stay in Thailand or split into two 3-month visits. Responses suggest considering options like the Non-O visa or tourist visas which allow extensions. Some recommend the Non-O retirement visa for those over 50, while others suggest a multiple-entry tourist visa that allows for 60 days plus a 30-day extension. Comments emphasize different strategies and share personal experiences, highlighting options to avoid complications, such as bank account requirements and the necessity of re-entry permits.
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.
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Mark *******
I'm actually thinking of doing the same thing so the answer will be very interesting
2 days ago
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Bobby ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Does the METV need you to have a bank account and how much does it cost please?
2 days ago
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Graeme ******
@Bobby *******
 only in your own country as part of the application. Remember to get a METV you need to show as part of your application that you are leaving thailand to another country and then re-entering again as part of showing you need the metv, if you dont you will just get a single entry visa
2 days ago
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Bobby ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graeme *****
 Thanks mate. So I won't need to do that unless I'm on a 6 month stay? If its 3 months then I do a 60 day then 30 day top up?
2 days ago
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Graeme ******
@Bobby *******
 if your looking at staying 3 months you can enter visa exempt or a tourist visa both give you a 60 day entry stamp which you can add 30 days by going to your local immigration for the extension when you are in the country. If you haven't travelled to thailand often then you should have no problem entering visa exempt. Also your flight may ask for a return or onward travel ticket within the 60days since this is the length of the visa exempt
2 days ago
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Graeme ******
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Mark ******
I was really interested in the various answers that might come up here as it’s something I’m looking to do. I do appreciate everyone is trying to help but these are typical of the various opinions that always come up & I’m probably now more confused than ever. 🤯

Can there be that many different options? & can It be that difficult.
2 days ago
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Damo ***********
@Mark *****
 didn’t think this was ‘your’ post? How about you open a new thread for yourself.
2 days ago
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Mark ******
@Damo **********
 what a stupid comment. I’m merely pointing out there are many different options open to everyone & it’s very confusing. 🤦🏻
2 days ago
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Mark ******
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Wayne *******
What is the difference between the Non-O and a 60+30 toursit visa in the case of the OP?

Id have just thought the 60+30 tourist would be all thats required for 2 separate entries per year

Not trying to be a hair splitter, Im interested for my own sake when I hopefully make a decision next year, cheers
2 days ago
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Robert *********
@Wayne ******
 I have used the multiple entry tourist visa fir many years .
2 days ago
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Wayne *******
@Robert ********
 How long do you usually stay and how often? Obvs if thats not a question you wish to share I understand 😉
2 days ago
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Robert *********
@Wayne ******
 I have stayed 5.5 to 6 month every for 25 + years ..I have a,seasonal business in northern Canada, where its serious winter! 4 hour of light,- 40 . Married to a Thai with 3 businesses . For many years. As to Shareing ,I stay completely.within there rules ,they can and do see I go home every year. .simply have to show 900 can dollars in a account n canada for the previous 3 months . It's within there stated rules that I can stayv9 months with 3vextendions and 2 border runs which I enjoy. Cheers
a day ago
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Robert *********
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Shaughn ***********
@Wayne ******
 the non-O would give a better chance of opening a Thai bank account. The other difference is not needing to do the extension before day 60. Not a lot else difference if strictly sticking to 2 trips of 3 months or, 1x 6 month block a year in Thailand. Go beyond that and amount of time and you can eventually start getting questioned at entry. Some airlines will require proof of return or ongoing flight ticket with the tourist visa route.
2 days ago
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Wayne *******
@Shaughn **********
 Im pretty sure my BB account that I opened on a visa exempt back in 2015 will be inactive at least now. I only needed that to save keeping any cash in my room. I didnt use a card for any reason other than the ATM.

Havent been for 2 years and deciding my next one with caution as it might be a long stayer if certain things fall into place

While you're here, if I went down the Non-O retirement (no *mandatory* health insurance), I understand I apply for that outside Thailand and once inside Thailand, I get all my ppwk together such as house contract, photos etc and apply for the "extension" of the Non-O at immigration?

What is the cost of the 12 months extension of stay if I do it without using an agent? Im under the impression it costs around 30,000 last time I discussed this with a friend who used an agent but that was maybe 4 years ago now. Thanks for your time
2 days ago
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Shaughn ***********
@Wayne ******
 1900 if doing yourself. Your account probably closed if it didn’t have funds to cover the annual fees over the time since you last used it.
2 days ago
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Wayne *******
@Shaughn **********
 I usually leave about 10k in (baht) but 2 years ago I had a pretty bad experience and took all but around 200 baht out as I wasnt sure about the future so yeah its probably dust now 😂

Only 1900 compared to . . . how much would it be with an agent?

Tying up that amount of money seems silly unless you are a genuine long term retiree but hey I dont judge. Each to their own but I think from the knowledge I have, I would do the non-O if I was to become long term (not much other choice apart from Elite or DTV) and just tourist if I was only looking at a split 180 a year like the OP. I prefer to go to immigration or take a few days out by plane and return as it breaks the monotony but some just dont look forward to the hassle I guess
2 days ago
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Wayne *******
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Graeme ******
If you were looking at 2 x 3 month visits a year the easiest way without having to get extensions or have a thai bank account is to get an over 50 non O retirement visa in the UK that will allow you 90 days into the country. When you return to the uk and are ready for your next visit of 90 days then again apply for a non O over 50 retirement visa in the UK. If you want to stay for 6 months then it will typically entail you leaving and re-entering the country to get to 6 months ( there are other visas but didn't want to confuse you).
2 days ago
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Adil *******
Don’t over complicate it. Just get a multiple entry tourist visa. 60 days + 30 day extension. Border bounce and same again if your only staying for 6 months.
2 days ago
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Gordon *******
@Adil ******
 💯 correct
2 days ago
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Gordon *******
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Frangipani *******
I would recommend that you get a Non O visa in the UK. 🇬🇧 This visa is valid for 3 months.

Once you arrive in Thailand, you open a Thai bank account and deposit 800,000 Bhat. Then, go to your local Immigration Office and ask for a handout of the requirements for a 12 month extension. Follow those rules and apply for a 12 month extension. When you leave the country, you will have to purchase a re-entry permit in order to come back again on the same 12 month extension.

The alternative would be to apply for a multi entry visa. It is valid for 6 months but you will need to exit the kingdom after 3 months and then come back on said visa.

There is no need to use an agent.
2 days ago
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David *******
Look at a tourist visa which will give you 60 days plus extention of 30 days

Yeah yeah yeah everyone is going to say just visa exempt but thats the correct way of doing multi entry and therefore you won't get pulled at immigration because you have the correct visa.
2 days ago
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David ******
Easy, Thai retirement visa .
2 days ago
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Bobby ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David *****
 Thanks. Do I need to have funds in a Thai bank account?
2 days ago
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David ******
@Bobby *******
 yes you would do. Or 60 day exemption and 30 day through immigration.
2 days ago
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David ******
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Steve ***************
Simple, fly to Bangkok on visa exempt entry. Take bus to Jomtien, just 143 baht, then 10 baht bus to Pattaya. Walk down Soi 6 towards Beach Road, but just before you get there, look left for One Stop Visa. Mark will sort everything for you.
2 days ago
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Steve ***************
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