What is the best visa option for a 6-month stay in Thailand for someone over 50?

Non-Immigrant OA Visa Non-Immigrant O Visa METV Visa Types Thailand Visa Rules

Jun 13, 2022

2 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi, I am over 50 and will stay in Thailand for 6 months. When I check the embassy website, it looks like I need to do the non immigrant OA visa. The non imm O visa seams no longer good for a six months stay?  (It was years ago, I remember….).

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TLDR : Answer Summary

For a stay of 6 months in Thailand, the Non-Immigrant OA visa is recommended as it allows a one-year stay upon entry, while the Non-Immigrant O visa only permits a 90-day stay with an extension possibility. If you do not need a full year, the METV (Multi-Entry Tourist Visa) could be another option to consider.

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Richard *******

I have gotten a Non-immigrant O multiple entry visa outside of Thailand for years. It was a one year visa, but you had to leave the Kingdom after 90 days and then reenter to get another 90 day stamp. You could repeat this process for one year. Hopefully this visa is still available.

2 years ago

Nigel *********

If you want just 6months then get the METV.

2 years ago

Stuart *********

@Nigel *********************

METV is indeed valid for the 6 months, but it would involve a bit of border hopping to get the full use out of it. 60 days at a time plus extensions. Could get near 9 months from it if you time things right.

2 years ago

Stefan ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

thanks, but I need a solution without „border hopping“.

2 years ago

John **********

@Stefan ***********

then the OA seems your best option

2 years ago

Reply to

John **********

Nigel *********

@Stuart ********

yep. One trip to wherever . But it ticks a box ( I'd go for HCMC again)

2 years ago

Reply to

Nigel *********

Stuart *********

I don’t recall at anytime the Non O being for 6 months, but perhaps they may of had some form of multiple entry options way back.

2 years ago

Stefan ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

okay, I thought years ago, the O visa was enough to stay one year. Then this was a wrong memory. Thanks.

2 years ago

Brandon ************

@Stuart ********

I think it's just confusion of visa vs extension. You can't get anything more than 90 day non-O outside the country, so that's all the embassy website will show. But it's still good for a year once you get into Thailand and extend.

2 years ago

Stuart *********

@Brandon ***********

Way back years ago you could get double entry tourist visas at lots of places. Perhaps there was an option for a Non O multiple like they sell In Laos. Just don’t recall if they did.

2 years ago

Reply to

Stuart *********

The OA visa will give you one year on entry. Play it right and you can eek out a second year with that too, but you’d need health insurance for a year (two for the second year)

The non O will give you 90 days. Your only option to extending that is a year extension provided you meet the financial requirements.

2 years ago

Reply to

Stuart *********

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What is the best visa option for a 6-month to 1-year stay in Thailand?

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