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What is the best visa for exploring living options in Thailand?
Jun 24, 2025
10 months ago
Mike ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERWhat is the best Visa to apply for if I want to come out with idea to look for place to live? Area. I don’t think tourist visa with 60+ 30 will be enough time. I’ve spent 3 months there on Holliday touring the country but lool at it for living.
Thanks
Thanks
TLDR : Answer Summary
The best visa option for someone looking to explore living in Thailand beyond the limitations of a tourist visa is the NON-O Visa, which can initially offer up to 90 days, with the possibility of extending to a 12-month visa upon arrival. Alternatively, the METV (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa) can provide 6 months, extendable up to 9 months. There are also options like the DTV (Long-term Resident Visa) for those planning to stay longer.
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- Use the trusted Thailand 90 Day Reporting Serviceto get your in-person report done and mailed to you for as low as 375 THB (even if the online system doesn't work for you).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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John **********
The simplest thing for you is probably to get the Non-OA visa from your home country before you travel to Thailand. That gets you 12 months inside Thailand without having to worry about banks, leases, etc. It does require insurance, police check etc. If you like it you can either get a 2nd year out of it by doing a border bounce just before it expires with a new years of insurance or leave Thailand to get a Non-O and return
Jeremy ********
Elite
Mike ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERBoth sound like great options. Thank you
Ant ***********
Apply for a Non-O Visa in your home country , when you get here that Visa gives you 90 days to obtain a 12 month Visa
Wayne *********
@Ant **********
you mean 12 month extensionMike ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ant **********
is it hard to get a 12 month visa?Ant ***********
@Mike **********
If you can get a Non-O approval before you arrive its a bit like a golden ticket . Of course there are requirements .
Once you are here you need to fairly quickly open a Thai bank account &
Deposit 800,000 baht in it & leave it sit for a minimum of 60 days.
Proof of address here
Some immigration offices may want more evidence, others may not
If it all seems difficult you can hire a Visa agent to assist
Melissa *********
@Mike **********
key is to use your nonO and try to get Thai bank account immediately so you can deposit 800k Thb. But try to pick your city for living since might be a hassle to change banks to new city later.Mike ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Melissa ********
I want to try a few cities for a few months at a time to see if it’s something I might like. I know it’s hard to know a lot in only 2 months.Reply to
Mike ***********
Reply
Andi ***********
METV is a 6 month TV but can stretch it to almost 9 months. Could get a DTV - 5 year multi entry if you plan on living here.
Mike ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andi **********
can you apply for DTV after I’m there?John *******
@Mike **********
you would need to travel to a neighboring country to apply. Do you have 500,000 in your bank?Kristie *******
@John ******
sorry to butt in - that’s 500k thb ?Andi ***********
@Kristie ******
Yes 500k THB, but the embassy you apply at will use their own exchange rate if you submit a non baht statement.Kristie *******
@Andi **********
thanksMike ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andi **********
finances aren’t problem.Mike ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kristie ******
yes.John *******
@Kristie ******
yes, roughly 16,000USD I believe.Kristie *******
@John ******
so that’s about 24 k for me - I am from AustraliaMike ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kristie ******
that’s not a problem.Reply to
Mike ***********
Reply
Mike ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andi **********
this could give me a chance to try out a few cities.Andi ***********
@Mike **********
No, you apply for DTV outside of Thailand. Yes both options will give you a good amount of time to try out a few cities. If you over 50, you can apply for a retirement visa alsoMike ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andi **********
maybe best to try METV then go to Cambodia for 30-60 while applying for retirement visa.Andi ***********
@Mike **********
You can apply for non o retirement while in Thailand. DTV must be done outside of Thailand.It is probably best to get the METV as it is easy to get and you just looking around for places to live.Mike ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andi **********
to apply for retirement visa do you have to know where you want to live?Andi ***********
@Mike **********
You can move around with that visa, you not limited to one spot.Reply to
Andi ***********
Reply
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