What are the visa options for staying in Thailand for one more year at age 50, considering I am currently on an ED visa?

Jun 30, 2022
2 years ago
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok. So, I am one month away from my 50th birthday and currently on ED visa that will take me till end of September. I really only want to stay in Thailand 1 more year, so elite visa is not an option I would consider. I don't have a issue opening a Thai bank account, but do not want to put in 800k baht.

Are there options I can do in Thailand to get a multi entry visa at 50 years old. Options outside Thailand?

I know worst case I can use a agent and do all the work arounds that seem to drive all the people crazy on Facebook, but just too many things to try to understand when it comes to Thailand crazy visa rules. I know the great Todd Daniels will probably assist, but willing to hear from anyone. Thank you in advance.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user, currently holding an ED visa, seeks options for extending their stay in Thailand for one more year upon turning 50. Common suggestions include applying for a Multi Entry Tourist Visa (METV), which could allow for a stay of up to 9 months through border runs, or considering a Non-OA visa that allows entry for a year with the requirement of health insurance. Other considerations involve discussing the potential of marrying a Thai national to reduce financial requirements. Users also discuss the complexities and various avenues available for expatriates regarding visa regulations, with some recommending consulting professional visa agents for help.
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Ken ******
there's currency exchange risk with
*****
0 baht put in bank, with USD continue going up due to rising rate
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ken *****
since I don't want to stay more than a extra year, I don't want to go through hassle of opening Thai bank account and closing it down the road. Plus I am a day trader, so having 22k in dead money is just foolish for someone like me.
Shane ************
Thai Visa Centre.

3 month non immigrant B visa.

Then

1 yr business visa.

83k thb total. Easy AF.
Richard *********
Elite Visa
Shane ************
@Richard ********
did you even read his comment??
Richard *********
@Shane ***********
I just gave him an option.
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Richard ********
I only want to stay in Thailand 1 more year. I don't need 5 years. I'm going to settle back in the US when a republican gets the white house again lol.
Richard *********
@Mike ******
Ah ok. It's always a good option in case you want to come back here. Good luck with it all 👍
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Richard ********
yeah. I'll always come back as tourist. But I'll always want to retire in the states. I've enjoyed my last 8 months here and want to use Thailand as a base to travel this side of the world. So a year would be good enough for me.
Brett **********
O-A visa
John-Paul ******
Oh come on.... Agent.
Bobby ********
@John-Paul *****
Yeah! Pay 50,000 baht for a dodgy visa that stays on your record! 😆😆😆
John-Paul ******
@Bobby *******
rubbish.... not that much. Cut by 50% is what has been posted elsewhere.... on FB & TV.com
Bobby ********
John-Paul Riva. Total rubbish! And still paying through the nose for a dodgy visa! Cheaper to get a legitimate one and not have to worry about being kicked out! 😆😆😆
John-Paul ******
@Bobby *******
nope... but okay.... but it is an option. We all take a chance no matter what with immagration and their usually unquestionable discretion.
Dwayne *******
talk to Thailand Rob on YouTube- he's been there 6 years
Stéfan ********
I would get a special tourist visa. It will get you 9 months and you only need to show 6k in your bank account. In this climate of countries fighting for tourist dollars that will probably last a couple of years, I’m sure you could easily bounce an other regular tourist visa behind that.
Bobby ********
@Stéfan *******
No. Only put on hold during covid, which is why the STV was introduced. Now available again, replacing the STV
Stéfan ********
@Bobby *******
strange... why?
Bobby ********
@Stéfan *******
Because METV relies on leaving/re-entering which was unfeasible during covid. Were you not here during that time? At its height it required 14 days hotel quarantine, and land borders were closed. Bouncing out/in was not possible. I thought everybody was aware of this!
Bobby ********
@Stéfan *******
STV is finished in September. Getting it now will allow only ONE 90-Day entry. Not a valid option
Stéfan ********
@Bobby *******
they probably will extend the program
Bobby ********
@Stéfan *******
They're already announcing it's finished. It was a temporary visa introduced to overcome the travel restrictions, which no longer exist.
Stéfan ********
@Bobby *******
ok... he still has a few months to obtain it.
Bobby ********
@Stéfan *******
But if he gets it now he can only get 90 days. There's no further extensions available. It's really a bad option! Better to get a METV, much better option
Stéfan ********
@Bobby *******
the metv is back? Wasn’t canceled 7-8 years ago?
Frank-Steven ***********
@Stéfan *******
BUT, and that is a big one, you need to show pre-booked, pre-paid accomodation, and that is even with every extension. A no-go in my eyes for the STV.
Stéfan ********
@Frank-Steven **********
or a rental contract
Frank-Steven ***********
@Stéfan *******
Sure, but WITH a valid Thai Tax-ID number. I tried to outsmart them like that as well. So no easy constructing some sort of rental contract on the fly. Either way, a stupid requirement that does not meet most visitors reality!
Stéfan ********
@Frank-Steven **********
a tax ID to sign a lease? I never had to do this
Frank-Steven ***********
@Stéfan *******
The embassy / consulate required that, when I suggested I would have a rental / lease contract provided by a Thai national to fulfill the STV requirements. Ok, would not be the first time Thai authorities mix / make things up on the go when it comes to visa / immigration. But made me go the traditional TR route that time (which with COVID extensions worked for a stay equaully long, at less restrictions).
Stéfan ********
@Frank-Steven **********
bizarre... a tourist visa doesn’t allow you to work, which is the only reason why one would have a tax ID
Frank-Steven ***********
@Stéfan *******
No your TAX-ID, but that of the landlord renting you a place. But here comes the fun fact: 90% of Thai citizens don't have a TAX-Id, as they are below the income threshold of requiring one. Another indicator that the STV was solely made for friends of the ruling class and their luxury resorts.
Bobby ********
Go visit your home country and get an OA visa - you can squeeze two years out of that and no requirement to transfer money to Thailand
Frank-Steven ***********
@Bobby *******
But only next month. Cause you actually need to be 50 years for that. They prefer old people in Thailand.
Bobby ********
@Frank-Steven **********
As an interim he can get the covid extension, but it depends whether he wants to return to his home country.
Matt *******
Tourist Visa + extensions, 4 times
Paul *********
@Matt ******
btw which is the nearest border people use for TV?
Matt *******
@Paul ********
Cambodia, Laos, Myannmar, or Malaysia whichever is closest to you
Nick *******
A bit of forward planning on your ED visa could have sorted this for you. You could have opened a bank account and transferred a monthly 65k baht for 12 months while studying. Then, when it came to applying for your retirement visa, you would have had proof of funds without having to go down the 800k route. Not much use now unless you can continue on an ED visa a while longer and happy to be corrected.
Matt *********
Happy Birthday in advance Mike ! Let’s celebrate the other 50 coming your way 🙌🙌
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Matt ********
thank you.. I will officially be at Nana plaza lol
Matt *********
Jonas *************
STV visa 90 days can extend 2x 90 days. Less requirements, but more expensive, may need insurance.
Stuart *********
@Jonas ************
STV is a dead option unless they extend it again. If entering after July 1st you can only extend once. You also need fully paid up accommodation for the entire stay and medical insurance for that time too.
Karan ***************
U dont want to put 800k because u dont have that u farang ..
Ryan ***********
@Karan **************
typical Karen response.

800k baht isn’t even that much for an American with a good career
Chris *********************
@Karan **************
how do you know what money people has or hasn't got.????
Phil ********
****************************
Mark ******
Ba Care hehehe
Karan ***************
Frank-Steven ***********
Karan ***************
@Frank-Steven **********
im here enjoying myself in krungthepmahanakhon 😉
Karan ***************
@Frank-Steven **********
i am HUMAN 
 not a white !!! Lol
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Karan **************
well you are something alright... thank you for your awesome comments about my financial status. I wil show them to my girlfriend, so she does not ask me for any more money.
Karan ***************
@Mike ******
lord blesseth me to be helpful to some human !!!!!!
Frank-Steven ***********
@Karan **************
Good enough for me. But not sufficient to sort out your Thai equivalent to the designation Farang.
Karan ***************
@Frank-Steven **********
yes .. some young not farang would .. but this broke farang need 800k
Chris *********************
@Karan **************
I bet you sitting somewhere in a back street in daddy's corner shop

Thinking I wish I could go to Thailand. 😄 sad person 😱
Karan ***************
Michael ********
@Karan **************
if you are not Thai you are a farang no matter where you come from
Frank-Steven ***********
@Karan **************
Sorry about that. But I am sure the Thais have another nice word for people of your nationality or ethnic group as well. I might help you out with the right term if you enlighten us with the interesting fact what part of the world you were born in. After all, this is a group for helping people out. 😉
Ryan ***********
@Frank-Steven **********
my guess Africa with his hatred of White menïżŒ
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Karan **************
you'll be ok bud.. someone will think your comment is funny
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank-Steven **********
just a troll... they are actually pretty enjoyable sometimes, but his comment was not funny.. hopefully he/she tries harder next time.
Mark ******
@Karan **************
you don’t nothing my friend
Mark ******
yep
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Markus ******
no he doesn't bud.. I made more than 800k last month lol...
Mark ******
@Mike ******
yep think so that what I’m mean he never can play whit use heheh
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Markus ******
hurry back, both andre and I need some money on the course..
Mark ******
@Mike ******
heheh you think I’m your cash cow hehehe
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Markus ******
i have been losing each time because I start drinking by the 3rd hole
Stuart *********
@Karan **************
Wow that’s a helpful reply. We’ll have to watch out for more of your inputs helping our community.
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
just some FB clown trying to make his way i the world.. Maybe he is just jealous that there are people out there that can financially retire in thailand and enjoy a good life...
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Karan **************
ok.. you do know that is only like $22k USD? So I am not sure what you comment has to do with anything, but rest assured, I can put 800k baht in a bank pretty easily many times over.
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
ok...
Karan ***************
@Mike ******
and u dont have that 22k
Ryan ***********
@Karan **************
Okay Karen enough of the smooth 🧠 comments
Stéfan ********
Mark ******
@Mike ******
Mike let him talk 
. He don’t know nothing just a stubid comment 
..
Stuart *********
If you’re heading back to the States you could also investigate whether a Non OA visa would suit. It’s multiple entry valid for a year and on each entry you’re stamped in for one whole year (if you have health insurance for that long). Timing things right you can stay for two years on that visa and no need for any funds in Thailand.
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
I think this one or the METV visa are the 2 I will look at.. Seeings how Karan seems to think I don't have 800k.. I guess my broke butt will have to figure out a different reason lol
Stuart *********
@Mike ******
ignore the trolls. We have lots. No idea of why they do it? Perhaps they get off on it.
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
all good my friend.. I don't mind trolls if they actually take the time to say something entertaining and funny.. But his comments were just boring.. so he is not even a good troll.
Stuart *********
There’s an echo in here
.
Brandon ************
You could look at getting an OA visa when you're back in the US. Instead of showing 800,000 in a Thai bank account, you can show money in your account in the US. The biggest difference is that it has an insurance requirement.

The OA is a 1 year multiple entry visa and if you leave and re-enter Thailand right before your visa expires, you'll get stamped in for another year (as long as you have insurance for that time) basically giving you 2 years.
Frank-Steven ***********
@Brandon ***********
True. Forgot about that one.
Stuart *********
If you’re going back to the States then definitely look into the METV. Timing things right you can eeek out almost 9 months from that visa.
Chris *******
@Stuart ********
l sent you a PM.
Frank-Steven ***********
You would no happen to make north of USD 80k / year, would you? Then the to be launched LTR visa - with its only partly sensible category of “Wealthy Pensioner” could apply to you. But they will likely mess this whole new visa up further in the end. So that would be if the wait and see sort.
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank-Steven **********
Yes i make that much in investments. but sadly this year I sold off a bunch of losses..
Frank-Steven ***********
@Mike ******
Not sure all sources of income will be considered for the LTR. In fact, I doubt it. As for the Work Remote LTR category the particularly ask for a work contract with publicly listed company for example, when almost all remote workers make freelance contract income from VC financed startups and the like. As so often, they don’t get their desired target group - and also don’t seem to ask them / include them when coming up with new wild ideas. TIT.
Frank-Steven ***********
You could also marry or get / or make a Thai child - then you only need to put 400k baht in the bank. Or, change your gender and get married to a Thai man - no deposit in the bank then. Only men provide. 😉 Welcome to Thailand.
Spencer *******
@Frank-Steven **********
only needs to put 400k in the bank. You make it sound like it's a small amount. Not too many people have 400k just lying around in a bank.
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank-Steven **********
I do love Thai women, but I am anti marriage and anti kids lol
Frank-Steven ***********
@Mike ******
Being free has its moments too. Just wanted to complete options. 😅
Nigel *********
Consider METV. You might have to make a trip to your home country for that as I don't think you can get that at a neighbouring country unless you are resident there.
Frank-Steven ***********
@Nigel *********************
True. But with the US and many other countries being switched to electronic visa already, I wonder if a trip home would even still be technically necessary - given that it would all be online.
Nigel *********
@Frank-Steven **********
I have no experience of the e-visa system so can't add anything of value. Maybe using a VPN can make it work. I think the sand in the Vaseline is the requirement of a flight ticket originating from the home country.
Brandon ************
@Nigel *********************
VPN doesn't matter. The system doesn't track your IP. But you have to show a ticket from the country you're applying from to Thailand as part of the application as well as all pages of passport with stamps from previous 12 months. They can catch that you're outside of the your country or don't have a flight from there to Thailand.
Frank-Steven ***********
@Nigel *********************
I am not sure that a flight ticket from one’s home country is a hard requirement for an eVisa. But I am also not saying they could not ask for it. They are full of surprises sometimes.
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank-Steven **********
o the trip home is to see my family and friends.. so going anyway....
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nigel *********************
thank you. I will google it, since I have not heard of it.
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
isn't that the special tourist visa they are supposed to be discontinuing?
Stuart *********
@Mike ******
No different animal all together. One is shite. The other is a multiple entry tourist visa.
Brandon ************
@Mike ******
it's not. It's a 6 month tourist visa that gets you 60 days each time you enter Thailand, which you can extend for 30 days. That's how you can get around 9 months.

Enter Thailand 60+30, leave and re-enter 60+20ish, leave and re-enter just before it expires and get 60+30.
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
that would be perfect..
Alan *******
@Mike ******
You can get over a year out of a 6 month multi entry tourist visa plus a few land visa runs after that.

You can get 9 months out of the tourist visa then 30 days plus 30 day extension from 3 visa runs in a calendar year. That’s 15 months.

Can always do a flight to Cambodia and get another single entry tourist visa for 90 days rather than doing two land border runs.

You can also look at a one year work visa and permit under a BOI company. Or just do another ED visa.

Visa wise they cost more but when you add in a flight and other costs of going home and back, it’s probably the same price or only a bit more.
Nigel *********
@Mike ******
Google is not your friend. Multiple Entry Tourist Visa. Used correctly will get you just about 270days (9 ish months)
Spencer *******
@Nigel *********************
Google is more his friend than you.
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
BTW I am from the US, currently living in BKK
Paul *********
How about another year of education studies?
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ********
nah man.. I want to be able to travel around Thailand and outside the country. This Thai language ed visa is 5 days a week and I just haven't been to the places here I wanted to see
Paul *********
@Mike ******
you can do 'online studies' so no attending directly. If you want to go out country then get off Ed visa and just use the tourist visa stamps then, you should be ok for a year - when you want to be here a while get the 60 day + 30 day extend and when not just out and in per 30 days +30 day add.
Ryan *****
@Paul ********
Not if you want a legit visa you can't. Your tm30 has to be in same region.
Ryan ***********
@Ryan ****
If you have a lawyer they can do your 90 day report my time is worth more than the 3 hours of grilling immigration does so I pay my lawyer annually for my 90 day reportïżŒ
Ryan *****
@Ryan **********
lawyer? Have a day off you can pay any agent to do your 90 day report you donut đŸ€Ł. But if you stay other hotels the hotel registers your passport on system so your tm30 does not stay in one location. Try it on a legit ED visa and let me know how it goes 😆
Ryan ***********
@Ryan ****
Yeah I don’t have that problem been on a marriage visa for 2 years and I spend anywhere from 50-60 hours a week in the lab I don’t have time to take a day off I make more in a day than the lawyer fee I keep on retainerïżŒ I haven’t seen an immigration officer in two years let alone had to go to immigration for anything
Ryan *****
@Ryan **********
you're such a baller.
Ryan ***********
@Ryan ****
I am a virologist’s so I worked quite a bit more than a wagie or English teacher
Frank-Steven ***********
What is your nationality? But yes, likely you could do Multi Entry Tourist Visa and then then do border runs like the younger folks.
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Frank-Steven ***********
@Mike ******
Then that would be a yes on those METV. I suppose even e-visa. Try to get one online only via your consulate in the states.
Frank-Steven ***********
Cannot get a tourist visa in Thailand, though.
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank-Steven **********
Yeah, I was going to go back to the US for a 30 day visit anyway, so can apply there I guess.
Stuart *********
Sorry. not Tod. If you only want to stay 1 more year then the easiest way is to border bounce and buy a tourist visa in a nearby consulate. Depending on your nationality you could attempt visa exempt entries, and you’d could possibly get away with a year, but tourist visas would give you three months stay per time. Almost certainly you’d get away with 3-4 back to back. Anymore and they’d be red flags raised.
Yunus *******
@Stuart ********
how do you get 3 months for tourist visa? On visa exempt i only get 1 month then extend inside Thailand for another month then have to border bounce which also gave me 1 month. Do you apply for visa in a thai embassy while you do border bounce? If so, that can all be done in 1 day? Any places that assist with the process? Thx man
Stuart *********
@Yunus ******
a tourist visa gives you 60 days on arrival and can extend once - hence the 3 months comment. Most local consulates have a two day turn around. Apply in the morning and collect next business day in the afternoon.
Yunus *******
@Stuart ********
did they change it recently? Because when i go there in april i got 1 month only visa exempt. Would you recommend applying tourist visa before coming to Thailand? Or should i just apply for STV?
Stuart *********
@Yunus ******
visa exempt is 30 days. Tourist visa gives you 60 days. Both can be extended once for 30 days. STV is dead as an option these days unless they extend the deadlines again.
Yunus *******
@Stuart ********
thx a lot coz i saw they still had that option on the website i thought it was available. I guess it's dead like you said coz it's asking ASQ booking proof etc.
Stuart *********
@Yunus ******
Entering after July 1st it’s only extendable once. You need fully paid up accommodation for the entire 90 days and insurance to boot. Extending requires the same.
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
BTW. I am American.
Stuart *********
@Mike ******
Ok. You could certainly get away with a couple of border bounces (land entry - out and in same day - but they’re limited to two per calendar year). Technically no limit on air entries visa exempt but at some point you’ll get questioned. Tourist visas are much less risky even back to back. No guarantee but for 3 or 4 probably not.
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
that would be ok by me.. I am looking for multi-entry anyway to travel to Bali, South Korea, Japan..etc...
Stuart *********
@Mike ******
Multiple entry has nothing to do with a visa (in country) or extension. Once you have one of those you buy a re-entry permit. Single 1,000 baht, Multiple 3,800 baht. You get stamped back in to your original “allowed to stay” date.
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
awesome.. that would most likely be my route.. my buddy told me about putting 65k baht a month in thai bank account option, but not sure that qualifes for multientry or how long I would have to have bank account open before applying.
Stuart *********
@Mike ******
That’s fine for future extensions but you have to have 12 months record of doing so prior to applying for an extension based on transfers. You can’t do that the first time you apply (unless you actually have records of 12 months of doing so).
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
no thai bank account now.. but was willing to open one and put 65k baht in every month to apply for visa, but looks like I need 12 months of it before applying for original?
Stuart *********
@Mike ******
yes that’s the case. Even then that wouldn’t qualify you for the initial in country Non O you’d need (in order to get an extension). You’d need to have 800k in the bank for that (transferred from overseas).
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
Stuart, I never forgot about you either sir. lol You have always helped in too!!! lol
Stuart *********
@Mike ******
😀
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
There isn't a retirment visa I can apply for without money in bank?
Stuart *********
@Mike ******
No not unless using an agent.
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
and that will most likely get me the stamp, just not always the right way to do it?
Stuart *********
@Mike ******
Who’s to say? You’ll get the stamp you need for a year (generally they do a 15 month package first time - in country non O plus one year extension).
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