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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 VisaNon-Immigrant O VisaMultiple Entry Tourist VisaVisa Exempt EntryThai ImmigrationLong Term Resident Visa (LTR)Visa ExtensionsBank Account RequirementsDocument Delays
Sep 8, 2023
a year ago
Barbara ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
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
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TLDR : 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.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement 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.
Bobby *********
I been here over 5 years life is good 👍
a year ago
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Bobby *********
Very cheap here in Thailand
a year ago
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Barbara ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
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?
a year ago
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Brandon ************
@Barbara *****
 yes you can enter at any border to activate your visa
a year ago
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Barbara ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
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.
a year ago
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Barbara ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 thank you
a year ago
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Barbara ******
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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.
a year ago
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Brown ********
I'd advise retirement especially if the 9 months is continuous otherwise you gotta waste your time border running
a year ago
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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!
a year ago
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Peter *********
I live here 9 ms year

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

Apply on line
a year ago
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Peter *********
There are 4 categories for the LTR - I applied under wealthy pensioner
a year ago
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Anton ********
@Peter ********
 because of degree?
a year ago
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Brown ********
@Peter ********
 wish I qualified for this
a year ago
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Brown ********
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Peter *********
**********************
a year ago
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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.
a year ago
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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
a year ago
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Steve ********
@Bonnie ******
 But she won't get nine months out of that
a year ago
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Bonnie *******
@Steve *******
 sure you can. Two months at a time
a year ago
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Steve ********
@Bonnie ******
 You can't do back to back visa exempt entries for nine months!
a year ago
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Bonnie *******
@Steve *******
 yes you can. Why wouldn't you?
a year ago
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Marianne ********
@Bonnie ******
 I was denied on my 3rd back to back border bounce.

Having the appropriate visa is definetely recommended.
a year ago
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Roberto *********
@Bonnie ******
 Terrible advice!
a year ago
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Steve ********
@Bonnie ******
 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.
a year ago
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Bonnie *******
@Steve *******
 but you can fly in as many times as you want
a year ago
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Steve ********
@Bonnie ******
 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.
a year ago
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Bonnie *******
@Steve *******
 you are just talking now. Nothing you are saying has any basis in fact
a year ago
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Steve ********
@Bonnie ******
 Actually it's happening all the time. Have a look through some of the expat groups. Many are being denied entry.
a year ago
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Bonnie *******
@Steve *******
 not denied entry. No problem
a year ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Bonnie ******
 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
a year ago
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Steve ********
@Bonnie ******
 You really have no idea do you?
a year ago
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Steve ********
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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.
a year ago
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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.
a year ago
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Brandon ************
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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