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What is the best visa option for a 50-year-old German traveler with a condo in Pattaya making multiple trips to Thailand each year?
Visa optionsThailand immigrationDTV visaMultiple entry visaNon-O visaLTR visaVisa rules for expatsLiving in ThailandCondo ownership in Thailand
Feb 21, 2025
a year ago
Munich *****
ORIGINAL POSTERI am traveling to Thailand since 23 years, now being 50yrs old with German passport, and always on visa exempt stamp.
Since last year it seems using this way of entering the country is getting more and more tricky as I enter the country 2-3x during a 4 weeks holiday trip entering other SEA countries as well.
I also own a Condo in my name in Pattaya btw.
Now wondering what visa to apply for, probably DTV as I have all the requirements handy, to get not stressed with questions and evidence for my own purpose.
What is your guys recommendation in my case for 2-3 yearly visits to SEA in total not more than 120days but multiple Thailand entries?
I don't want to live there or apply for a standard tourist visa as I can't see a big difference.
As German I have also 2 passports (both German) which is allowed for critical purposes and land borders (Emirates, Israel, Cuba etc.) and I could potentially change my passport each time or so.
What are your recommendations for best and flexible options for myself?
Since last year it seems using this way of entering the country is getting more and more tricky as I enter the country 2-3x during a 4 weeks holiday trip entering other SEA countries as well.
I also own a Condo in my name in Pattaya btw.
Now wondering what visa to apply for, probably DTV as I have all the requirements handy, to get not stressed with questions and evidence for my own purpose.
What is your guys recommendation in my case for 2-3 yearly visits to SEA in total not more than 120days but multiple Thailand entries?
I don't want to live there or apply for a standard tourist visa as I can't see a big difference.
As German I have also 2 passports (both German) which is allowed for critical purposes and land borders (Emirates, Israel, Cuba etc.) and I could potentially change my passport each time or so.
What are your recommendations for best and flexible options for myself?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user seeks advice on the best visa option for frequent travel to Thailand, given their history of visa-exempt entries and condo ownership. Suggestions from the community include applying for a DTV visa for flexibility, considering the LTR visa for long-term stays, or obtaining a non-O visa from their home country. It's noted that changing passports won't help with immigration measures since they are linked biometrically.
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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Ian ********
6 month multiple entry tourist visa obtained online from your own country.
Joseph *******
Sounds like you have some money, so why not apply for the LTR visa? It’s multiple entry & good for ten years. This would be especially convenient since you mentioned not living here full time.
Steve *******
Apparently Nelly Byrd knows over 1000 people that got a Non Imm OA visa in Thailand.
Unfortunately Nelly is mistaken.
A Non Imm OA visa is NOT available to apply for in Thailand, nor will it be issued in any other Country where you don't have Citizenship or PR.
Unfortunately Nelly is mistaken.
A Non Imm OA visa is NOT available to apply for in Thailand, nor will it be issued in any other Country where you don't have Citizenship or PR.
Jim ********
Get a DTV if you're going to be in and out, the most convenient visa for regular travellers. Keep in mind owning a condo makes no difference, and only switch passports if you're also undergoing plastic surgery to change your facial biometrics, and also get your fingerprints altered
Nelly ******
Just apply for non O at home. Come open a bank and then get either a DTV or non OA. I'm no expert but a multi entry non OA over 50 is good. DTV is good as lasts 5 years for 180 per visit.
Nongnuch ********
@Nelly *****
you can't get a Non-O/A inside Thailand, and you cannot change from a Non-Imm-O to a Non-Imm-O/A. And for a DTV you need to be outside of ThailandNelly ******
@Nongnuch *******
I wonder what this means ... 3. Channels to submit application
Applicant may submit their application at the Royal Thai embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General in their home/residence country or at the Office of the Immigration Bureau in Thailand located onGovernment Center B, Chaengwattana Soi 7, Laksi, Bangkok
*****
, Tel 0-2141-9889.Nongnuch ********
@Nelly *****
application to which visaclass? This text is slightly irritating, as some visa classes cannot be applied on Immigration inside ThailandNelly ******
@Nongnuch *******
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Nongnuch ********
@Nelly *****
The text would be correct if it was limited to the following:“Applicant(s) may submit their application (to the O/A visa) at the Royal Thai embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General in their home/residence country” an maybe add, that you cannot apply for the visa inside Thailand
And then, under 5.4, it is made clear that if you wish to extend the stay permit, you can do so at your Immigration office
“(a) foreigner who wishes to extend his or her stay (permit) shall submit a request for (the) extension of (the) stay (permit) at the Office of the Immigration Bureau . . “
No offense intended, but official texts often lack comprehensive English
Also a basic knowledge is needed that there is a huge difference between a “visa” and a “stay permit”
Nelly ******
half of the experts on here just repeat others with zero evidence. I've been told visas are impossible 20 times easily. Managed to get them every time iin those 20 countries or at the border or sometimes being driven from the border to the nearest airport.
Nelly ******
@Nongnuch *******
I posted the link somewhere on here. This is on the gov web site under OA. Just Google search it.Nongnuch ********
@Nelly *****
this text is misleading (very typical for many Thai official websites) . . . . you have to apply for the Non-Imm-O/A VISA in your home country of residence . . . . . . you can however apply for the EXTENSION of the STAY PERMIT on the Immigration office inside Thailand that serves the area where you live. You CANNOT apply for the VISA on any Immigration in Thailand.Reply to
Nongnuch ********
Reply
Steve *******
@Nelly *****
No point in getting the O visa if you're going for the OA or DTV, neither of which you can get in ThailandNelly ******
@Steve ******
you can get a OA in Thailand....Steve *******
@Nelly *****
Nope. You CAN'T get an OA in ThailandNelly ******
@Steve ******
strange that I know about 1000 people that did.Jim ********
@Nelly *****
I think you heard 1000 voices in your head. Please show the link to the immigration website which provides the OA visaNelly ******
@Jim *******
I think you should start a poll to see how many people on here applied for a retirement OA when in Thailand. 😂There's about 50 agents in the country who's entire business is most based on that.
And here's the link telling you to go to the office....with the address.
****************************************************
Just for clarification...
3. Channels to submit application
Applicant may submit their application at the Royal Thai embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General in their home/residence country or at the Office of the Immigration Bureau in Thailand located onGovernment Center B, Chaengwattana Soi 7, Laksi, Bangkok
*****
, Tel 0-2141-9889.I'll wait for your excuses....
Jim ********
@Nelly *****
OA you can only get in your home countryReply to
Jim ********
Reply
Stuart *********
DTV probably your best option.
Changing passports is irrelevant. Whether same country or different country passports they are all linked via biometrics in the immigration database.
Changing passports is irrelevant. Whether same country or different country passports they are all linked via biometrics in the immigration database.
Munich *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
good to know... thanks!Reply to
Munich *****
Reply
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