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What is the best visa for exploring living options in Thailand?

Visa Options NON-O Visa METV DTV Visa Visa Duration Living in Thailand

Jun 24, 2025

23 days ago

Mike ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

What 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

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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.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the DTV 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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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

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Jeremy ********

Elite

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Mike ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Both sound like great options. Thank you

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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

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Wayne *********

@Ant **********

you mean 12 month extension

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Mike ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ant **********

is it hard to get a 12 month visa?

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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

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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.

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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.

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Mike ***********

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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.

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Mike ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Andi **********

can you apply for DTV after I’m there?

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John *******

@Mike **********

you would need to travel to a neighboring country to apply. Do you have 500,000 in your bank?

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Kristie *******

sorry to butt in - that’s 500k thb ?

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Andi ***********

@Kristie ******

Yes 500k THB, but the embassy you apply at will use their own exchange rate if you submit a non baht statement.

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Kristie *******

@Andi **********

thanks

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Mike ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Andi **********

finances aren’t problem.

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Mike ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Kristie ******

yes.

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John *******

@Kristie ******

yes, roughly 16,000USD I believe.

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Kristie *******

so that’s about 24 k for me - I am from Australia

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Mike ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Kristie ******

that’s not a problem.

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Mike ***********

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Mike ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Andi **********

this could give me a chance to try out a few cities.

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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 also

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Mike ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Andi **********

maybe best to try METV then go to Cambodia for 30-60 while applying for retirement visa.

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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.

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Mike ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Andi **********

to apply for retirement visa do you have to know where you want to live?

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Andi ***********

@Mike **********

You can move around with that visa, you not limited to one spot.

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Andi ***********

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