Ask

Answered3 years ago

What is the best visa option for a 66-year-old planning to live in Thailand for 8-9 months a year, and can I enter Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption while waiting for my visa?

Retirement Visa Non-Immigrant O Visa Multiple Entry Tourist Visa Visa Exempt Entry Thai Immigration Long Term Resident Visa (LTR)

Barbara ******

OP

asked Sep 8, 2023

5k

views

32

replies

9

likes

Hi guys, I am planning on living in Thailand 8/9 months a year and I'm 66.  Is a Retirement viaa or multiple entry best gor me.  I'm guessing Retirement and extensions is the way to go.  But thought to ask before I apply.  I'm applying from Ireland.

Secondly, I am encountering some delay with documents - if my visa is not received before I travel to Thailand, can I enter on a 30day visa exermpt and then go to Immigration when visa arrives to get stamp in passport?

Hopefully I am nearing the final stage.  TIA

Answer summary

The user is considering whether a Retirement Visa or Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) is more suitable for their plan to live in Thailand for 8-9 months per year. They ask about the implications of entering Thailand on a 30-day visa while waiting for this visa. Responses from the community suggest that a Retirement Visa might be better for long-term stays, allowing yearly extensions, while the METV would require reapplication from outside Thailand each year. Additionally, it is clarified that a visa cannot be activated after entering Thailand with a different visa status; one must leave Thailand and re-enter with the valid visa to activate it.

32 repliesnewest first

14

Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.

Bobby *********

Bobby *********

I been here over 5 years life is good 👍

0

Bobby *********

Bobby *********

Very cheap here in Thailand

0

Barbara ******

Barbara ******

OP

Thanks for all advice. Jury seems to be out on whether multi-visa or retirement is best. Am I correct in that if I go for retirement then I can just extend each year but for the METV I woiod have to apply from outside Thailand each year?

I stayed almost 9 months las year but I dont want all the hassle of going out and in and woth the way things seem to be going I would prefer to br legit. I have funds.

So my question in relation to not receiving my visa before travelling was answered by Brandon. Could this be entry by land border to activate?

0

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

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

yes you can enter at any border to activate your visa

0

Barbara ******

Barbara ******

OP

So 2 more questions. Seems much easier to get Non-Immigrant O Retirement Visa from Thai embassy for 90 days and then look for extension in Thailand. As I will already have supplied bank statements and pensiin detdiks will I have to do all this again and transfer funds into Thai savings account. Was hooing to skip this by arriving with visa.

I could also apply for METV for 6 months from embassy and then go for Retirement visa inside Thailand.

Which would be easiest option.

Taking a while to get my head around all this. Thanks for being patient.

0

Barbara ******

Barbara ******

OP

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

thank you

0

Janey ******

Janey ******

I think you're best not risking getting refused entry for coming and going for 9 months. A retirement visa with multiple entries would ensure you could stay that long.

1

Brown ********

Brown ********

I'd advise retirement especially if the 9 months is continuous otherwise you gotta waste your time border running

0

Graham *******

Graham *******

Just get a tourist stamp on arrival, get o visa and extension of stay with 800k in the bank, get a re-entry permit and then take the money out of the bank as u need it! No need to mess about with embassy BS!

0

Peter *********

Peter *********

I live here 9 ms year

Just got my 10 year LTR visa, multi entry, and no 90 day reporting

Apply on line

1

Peter *********

Peter *********

There are 4 categories for the LTR - I applied under wealthy pensioner

0

Anton ********

Anton ********

@Peter ********

because of degree?

0

Brown ********

Brown ********

@Peter ********

wish I qualified for this

0

Peter *********

Peter *********

**********************

0

Roberto *********

Roberto *********

If you're returning to your home country each year, probably best to get a Multi-Entry Tourist Visa. This can give you a potential nine months in Thailand with two strategic border bounces.

1

Bonnie *******

Bonnie *******

If you are planning on going in and out just come on visa exempt. You can extend and you won't have to pay for reentry

2

Steve ********

Steve ********

But she won't get nine months out of that

2

Bonnie *******

Bonnie *******

sure you can. Two months at a time

0

Nongnuch ********

Nongnuch ********

you are dreaming. The times when back-to-back visa exempt entries were possible, are long gone. Even using entry by air, at the third visa-exempt you will be refused to enter or at least you will get grilled and told that this one was your last one

2

Marianne ********

Marianne ********

I was denied on my 3rd back to back border bounce.

Having the appropriate visa is definetely recommended.

6

Steve ********

Steve ********

You really have no idea do you?

2

Bonnie *******

Bonnie *******

not denied entry. No problem

0

Roberto *********

Roberto *********

Terrible advice!

3

Steve ********

Steve ********

Actually it's happening all the time. Have a look through some of the expat groups. Many are being denied entry.

2

Bonnie *******

Bonnie *******

you are just talking now. Nothing you are saying has any basis in fact

0

Steve ********

Steve ********

Provided you spend sufficient time outside of the country. Immigration doesn't allow continual back to backs, and some officers are now only allowing 180 days per year in Thailand on visa exempt entries.

1

Bonnie *******

Bonnie *******

but you can fly in as many times as you want

0

Steve ********

Steve ********

Because immigration doesn't allow it. People are being denied entry and told to get proper visas. There's been heaps of reports of this happening. You're only allowed two land border crossings with visa exempt per year.

0

Bonnie *******

Bonnie *******

yes you can. Why wouldn't you?

0

Steve ********

Steve ********

You can't do back to back visa exempt entries for nine months!

1

Kool *******

Kool *******

The first few years, while you can, if you have plans of visiting the other countries around Thailand the multi-entry could be good. Then when you figure out where exactly you want to live, get a Thai bank account, and get your type O retirement extensions, as that takes more of a financial commitment.

5

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

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

If you receive your visa after you've already entered Thailand, you cannot go to immigration and use your visa. You can ONLY activate a visa when you enter the country, so in order to activate your visa you would need to leave Thailand and re-enter the country using your visa.

9

Activity

14 joined

Barbara ******

Barbara ******

Barbara ******

Barbara ******

Barbara ******

Barbara ******

14

people

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

...members60% approval

Member 1

Member 2

Member 3

Member 4

Member 5

Member 6

Member 7

Member 8

Conversation Join group

Related

25

Can I convert my long-term visa to a Non-Immigrant O Retirement Visa while staying in Thailand?

Can I apply for a Non-Immigrant O Visa inside Thailand for retirement?

Is there really a long wait for the DTV visa in Thailand?

Why is it now recommended to obtain a Non-O visa before arriving in Thailand instead of applying in-country?

What are the requirements and advantages of obtaining a Non-O visa for retirement or marriage in Thailand before arriving?

Can I use my existing bank account in Thailand to meet the retirement extension financial requirements?

What are the best visa options for staying in Thailand for 6 months or two 3-month visits a year?

How can I apply for a Non-O visa before entering Thailand without encountering issues with bank accounts?

What are the best visa options for a 90-day stay in Thailand for a 71-year-old expat?

What are the best steps to take for obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand while starting on a tourist visa?

What is the best visa option for an American married to a Thai, wishing to spend 6 months in Thailand and 6 months in the USA?

Do I need to apply for a retirement visa before arriving in Thailand?

What are the considerations when applying for a retirement visa in Thailand through an agent in Pattaya?

What is the most suitable visa for retiring and traveling frequently to Thailand?

Can I enter Thailand on a visa exempt and validate my Non-O visa later without returning to France?

Can I obtain a retirement visa in Thailand without leaving the country after a 30-day entry?

How many times can you renew a multi-entry retirement visa in Thailand?

Can I deposit cash for the 800,000 baht requirement in my Thai bank account for a Non-O visa extension?

What are my options for visas after my Tourist TR Visa expires in Thailand?

How can I start the process for a retirement visa in Thailand while currently on a visa-exempt entry?

Can I enter Thailand with a tourist visa and later apply for a retirement visa?

Do I need to wait for the 800,000 Baht to be in my Bangkok Bank account for 3 months before applying for a Non-Immigrant O retirement Visa in Jomtien?

Is it possible to obtain a Non-Immigrant O Visa in Thailand within 30 days of arriving as a tourist?

How often do I need to renew my retirement visa in Thailand and can I vacation there without a visa?

What are the best visa options for UK residents living in Australia who frequently visit Thailand?

Resources

Cannabis shops near me Retirement visa extension eSIM for Thailand LTR visa qualification

Need help with your LTR visa?