Answered5 years ago
What is the best visa option for a 6-month stay in Thailand for tourists?
My partner Kay and I plan to visit Phuket and stay for 6 months, we don’t have a visa yet and finding it quite confusing! We’d welcome some advice on the best visa to get.
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
Answer summary
The best visa option for a 6-month stay in Thailand is the Special Tourist Visa (STV), which allows for an initial stay of 90 days, extendable for two additional 90-day periods, totaling up to 270 days. If that does not meet your needs, you could consider a standard 60-day Tourist eVisa with a 30-day extension, or explore education or volunteer visas. Factors such as passport nationality, age, and activities planned during the stay may influence visa eligibility.
25 repliesnewest first
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Jeanette ********
Tony *******
Phone these people us Siam legal
Nigel *********
Is the METV still a thing?
John ********
Don’t limit yourself to one place , spend a week or so and move on there’s more to Thailand then touristy Phuket
Billy *******
@John *******
seeSteve *******
STV is your best option if you already have a 6 month plan.
Arndt **************
We are here on STV visa 90 days and 2 - 90 day extensions
Aaron *******
To my knowledge, there are not any 6 months tourist visas to Thailand. (But many seem to stay in Thailand forever). You can do a 60 days Tourist eVisa and get a standard 30 days extension while in Thailand. That will get you 90 days.
Correction: There is a STV. Which is for 90 days. And extendable twice, for a total off 270 days. (See below discussion).
From there, you will have to look at further options such as education visas or volunteer visas. And of course the old visas hop to Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines.... which will get you another 30 days, if done by air. Thailand is getting more stringent on these last options.
If you are over 50, you can jump through the hoops, for a retirement visa.
Correction: There is a STV. Which is for 90 days. And extendable twice, for a total off 270 days. (See below discussion).
From there, you will have to look at further options such as education visas or volunteer visas. And of course the old visas hop to Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines.... which will get you another 30 days, if done by air. Thailand is getting more stringent on these last options.
If you are over 50, you can jump through the hoops, for a retirement visa.
Steve *******
@Aaron ******
STV can give the OP up to 9 months in Thailand.Steve *******
It's ideal for long stay tourists if they already know where they're going to stay. The accomodation and insurance bookings only need to be made in 90 day increments.
Aaron *******
@Steve ******
I agree. If one is not considering, switching to another visa. STV doesn't allow this.Aaron *******
@Steve ******
Kool. I've never considered a STV. Too many hoops.Aaron *******
@Steve ******
Just checked. For my future reference.1. Need paid for accomodations for length of stay
2. Need Criminal Record check and letter.
3. Need medical certification.
4. Need health insurance, for length of stay.
5....
Guess, this is why I never considered the STV. Retirement Visa easier for me.
Steve *******
@Aaron ******
Seems ideal for the OP if their plan is to stay in one place for 6 months.
Lynnette *******
Its a great location with access to other islands, mainland, national parks etc.
Billy *******
6 months on 1 island? Why not home base in Hua Hin?
John *******
@Billy ******
Sorry, but what’s the big difference there? It’s a short drive from Phuket to the mainland.Billy *******
@John ******
Yea I suppose. I just don't hear many people raving about Phuket. So why pay high rent if you're going to be traveling around? You can get a 2000 baht rental outside of the tourist areas if ya want a home base. Depends on if they have a reason to be on Phuket, family, friends.Lynnette *******
@Billy ******
not interested in pizza. . But if it's that good, I might!Billy *******
@Lynnette ******
ok but siam amazing park has amazing pizzaLynnette *******
@Billy ******
loads of people big up Phuket. Its a great place and has other islands easy to get to. Head over Sarasin Bridge and you've got loads more to see. There's more to see and do than Patong and bars.
John ***********
@Billy ******
⬆️This , 4 hr to BKK driving, unless you are really wealthy and don't care about spending the cash. Just don't flaunt your wealth. In Thailand blend in.
Brandon ************
We need more information to determine what options you have.
What nation are your passports?
How old are you both?
Do you have any Thai family?
What do you plan on doing here?
What nation are your passports?
How old are you both?
Do you have any Thai family?
What do you plan on doing here?
Adrian *******
OP@Brandon ***********
we are both on British passports We are both 65 and not looking to work.
We intend to rent a villa or similar and if we like it there maybe stay permanently!
Some of the visas require a Thai bank account which doesn’t seem possible unless you are already there. So, looking for the most practical route.
Thank you
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