Answered8 months ago
What is the best visa option for someone over 50 wanting to spend 6-7 months in Thailand?
Best visa for somebody who wants to spend 6 months a year in Thailand ( 50 years old ) financial dependent.
All suggestions welcome , the quickest + most simple would be helpful if there is such a thing here ?! 😅 .
Thanks again guys 👍
All suggestions welcome , the quickest + most simple would be helpful if there is such a thing here ?! 😅 .
Thanks again guys 👍
Answer summary
For someone who is 50 years old and financially dependent wishing to spend six months annually in Thailand, a suitable option could be the Non-O visa followed by a retirement extension. This requires a bank deposit of 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account and allows for a yearly extension. Alternatively, a multiple entry tourist visa offers an easier route, providing 60 days per entry, which can be extended, enabling nearly nine months in the country with proper planning. Discussions also mention the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa as a long-term option, though additional requirements like health insurance may apply.
73 repliesnewest first
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Doug ********
It changes all the time. Today was no exception. New rules for 2026 just announced. Go to the embassy websites, or come on a visa exemption and talk to an agent.
John *********
Apply for a DTV (5 year validity)under workcation/remote working. You can come and go as you please, with stays each time you arrive of 180 days/6 months. Apply in your home country or any other country but you can’t apply whilst in Thailand GL
Andrea *******
Im interested about the DTV Visa where i have to go if I will do that with your agency
Hǝınz ***********
Imo the best by far is ghe Non Immigrant O for 3 months and do a yearly extension for ฿ 1.900.
BC ********
The best is not the same as quickest + most simple.
In my view best would be LTR -WP
Then non-O based on over 50 extended yearly.
In my view best would be LTR -WP
Then non-O based on over 50 extended yearly.
Steve ********
LTR Visa. Good for 10 years and only cost 50,000 THB.
If you want more information about it send me a private message
If you want more information about it send me a private message
Rae ******
elite 20 yr visa. Now stop asking daft questions and do some research
Andy **********
Idiots city here.
You don't need an OA you only need an O, no insurance etc.
Just follow the leads on the embassy website and you're cool, enter for 90 days and extend based on retirement of 800k.
You don't need an OA you only need an O, no insurance etc.
Just follow the leads on the embassy website and you're cool, enter for 90 days and extend based on retirement of 800k.
Michael ********
Andy Johnston different horses for different courses why does that make them idiots they dont agree with what you think.
Simon *******
A 6 month multiple entry is what I came to Thailand with originally, it is a pain as you have to leave Thailand every 60 day ,I soon realised the non O with a 12month extension was the way to go,you can either get an agent to deposit the money in a Thai bank account that is very easy to open if you come with a non O,Yes they charge for this facility but your money stays at home earning interest the will cover the price of the agents fees or you can deposit the 800,000bht and do it yourself this will cost you 1900bht each year but you will loose any interest on the 800,000bht you may have earned if left in your own country.
Larry *********
Simon Adams thats $26,000 USD sitting in a Thai bank not collecting interest. thats almost $1,000. I'll probably bite the bullet.
Simon *******
Larry Wheeler To get an agent to sort the money out won't cost $1000 the first year and even cheaper the following years
Farang *********
I keep hearing that people want to stay more than six months. Surely after that you become a tax resident
Colin *********
Farang Walking not necessarily. There are a number of countries that have a Tax Treaty with Thailand, meaning that they are first of all, liable to pay tax to their own home country, then can't be double taxed by another country.
Marc ********
Colin Boyland but you still become a tax resident. If you have to pay anything or not is a different topic
Farang *********
Colin Boyland agreed but they should be aware.
Paul *******
Few options as already posted.
Non O 90 day and get the retirement extension
Non O multi entry 1 yr 90 day per entry
Multi entry tourist visa as explained already
Personally i would do O visa and get your 1 year extension which allows a local bank account and renew it with an agent each year, 7k if you have the cash in the bank 16k if you don't.
Non O 90 day and get the retirement extension
Non O multi entry 1 yr 90 day per entry
Multi entry tourist visa as explained already
Personally i would do O visa and get your 1 year extension which allows a local bank account and renew it with an agent each year, 7k if you have the cash in the bank 16k if you don't.
Rafael *********
Paul Jones "Non O multi entry 1 yr 90 day per entry". . this visa cannot be had any more since October 2023
Paul *******
O - A sorry my mistake, O-A is multi entry
Darren *********
Graeme *******
How come no one mentions the 180 day tax rule.
Todd *********
Graeme Drake because it has nothing to do with immigration or visas
Magne ******
Todd McGowan It is advice to check that too. 180 days pluss in Thailand and you HAVE to pay the tax.
Phillip ******
Magne Wien no you dont, its a bit more involved then that. Many countries have duel tax agreements and it depends on the source of the money and where it is held, Thailand or off shore. There is no simple answer.
Marc ********
Magne Wien you don't necessary have to pay tax but you have to get the tax registration number. Regardless how many people her insist you can just ignore it
Todd *********
Magne Wien lol. It is advice you check that out. You become a Thai tax citizen at 180 days. Whether or not you need to file a return or pay one baht is a very different question
Colin *********
Magne Wien no, you DON'T necessarily have "HAVE" to pay tax in Thailand. Quite a few countries have Tax Treaties with Thailand, which means if they are paying tax in their home country, they aren't liable to pay tax in Thailand as well.
Shawn *********
Magne Wien what’s the tax?
Bazaar******
6 month multiple entry tourist visa which can easily be stretched out over 6 months depending on timing of final entry..
Bob *********
BazaarAsia57 Thai immigration told me I couldn’t use my METV anymore, when it was 6 weeks before it‘s expiry date. The reason………..because I was coming in and out of Thailand too much!
Bazaar******
Bob Fawcett That does seem rather strange...
After all it is "multiple entry" visa do isn't that what its intended for?
Did you have a long history of visa runs and lots of conservative entities on visa exemption before you switched to the METV ?
After all it is "multiple entry" visa do isn't that what its intended for?
Did you have a long history of visa runs and lots of conservative entities on visa exemption before you switched to the METV ?
Stuart *********
A Non OA visa would cover your for a year (almost 2 with careful planning) but it’s quite difficult to get because you need police background checks, a medical and medical insurance to apply.
Anicca *****
@Stuart ********
Actually I, German, retired, am in Thailand right now on this visum. With my background it was easy to get - so it really depends on the individual circumstances.Stuart *********
A non OA visa is valid for one year and on entry you’d get a stamp for one year if you have insurance. 800k in Thai baht or equivalent
Barbara ********
@Stuart ********
this is interesting & imp info. I am looking to move there for 1 yr. I am 72 and work virtually. How can I make it for 1 yr this way? Do you mean 800K Thai currency? Thank you for your response.Deborah *******
@Stuart ********
I’m on a Non OA right now, how do you get almost 2 yrs (with careful planning)?Stuart *********
If you bounce just before the visa expires then when you enter you’d get another 1 year stamp (as long as you have valid insurance). The second year isn’t multiple entry as the visa itself would have expired but you can buy a re-entry permit to keep your allowed to stay date alive.
Stephen ********
@Deborah ******
Visa is valid for one year and each time you enter you get a 12-month stamp. So at the end of the year, as the visa is about to expire, do a border bounce and get a fresh 12-month stamp. That's the two yearsDeborah *******
Stephen Howell nice, thank you for responding I will try it but I’ll also be prepared to do the extension a month before it expires just in case.
Brook ********
@Deborah ******
start your own post instead of stealing this one.
Doug *******
Erik M. Disch What a sad approach to life and learning.
Mike *******
@Deborah ******
Brook needs a name change, perhaps Karen??Doug *******
@Deborah ******
Each day I find at least one more person commenting who I block. Brook wins that prize today. 👍
Erik ***********
Whatever your reasons: you do not hi-jack someone else’s post. We are not sitting around a table at a cafe here. OP asks a question and we try to answer. To start your own conversation in the middle of of one not relating to you is frowned upon to put it mildly. Learn your table-manners, don’t be so entitled and you’ll be fine. Have a good one!
Deborah *******
Brook Powers you’re not even a member why do you care? Enough said
Deborah *******
Brook Powers that is an honest question that I was responding to BECAUSE I’m on this visa now. If there’s a way to get two years from it I’d like to do it. If I knew how, I wouldn’t ask the question. The question was for Stuart Cumming not You Brook!!! What is wrong with you?
Inspirin*********
Why not just move there
Gerald ********
InspiringLion8038 you still need a visa of some sort
Inspirin*********
Gerald Wilkes not the point. He’s saying he’s gonna spend 7 months per year just curious why
Colin *********
InspiringLion8038 at 50 years old, he's probably still working and maybe can't spend the whole year in Thailand
Michael ********
Non OA you would get two trips out of it if you get your timing right. Pros no thai bank account needed. No dealing with immigration in thailand. Cons would be health insurance and other requirements for application.
Stuart *********
A multiple entry tourist visa is probably the easiest to get. It’s valid for 6 months from issue and you get 60 days on each entry and can extend that entry once for 30 days. With careful planning you can get almost 9 months from that visa with bounces etc and you don’t need any finances in Thailand. No age restrictions on that one.
A non O visa would only give you three months but you can extend that to a yearly extension if you have a Thai bank account and 800k deposited.
A non O visa would only give you three months but you can extend that to a yearly extension if you have a Thai bank account and 800k deposited.
Arron *********
OP@Stuart ********
thank you 😊
Max ********
@Stuart ********
do you apply for the multiple entry visa from your home country,then do 60 days and leave then come back after a few days, bit like a border bounce?John *********
Max Murray it’s reverting to 30 days very soon🤷🏾♀️
Stuart *********
No it’s not. If you seen some newspaper articles about it that was a regurgitated article from last year.
Stuart *********
You can leave and come back or get a 30 day extension then leave and return.
Bob *********
@Stuart ********
They told me I couldn’t use my METV anymore when it had 6 weeks left before its expiry date. The reason………..because I was going in and out of Thailand too much?Stuart *********
What they told you is BS. But you’d probably not get much sway out of arguing the point. Ask to speak to a supervisor but don’t hold your breath.
The individual immigration officer has discretion on whether to let you enter or not. With a valid visa or not.
The individual immigration officer has discretion on whether to let you enter or not. With a valid visa or not.
Bob *********
@Stuart ********
Yes, I agree, it is bs. I was using the METV exactly as it was designed for. How can you come in and out of Thailand too many times when you have a multi entry?
Lynnette *******
Maybe Non-O (90day) applied for in home country would work. Arrive and open bank account. Deposit 800k tbt. Go get 12 month extension of stay based in being over 50 and reentry permit. Then you can go and return before renewal of extension is due again.
Jack *********
What about under 50? I'm 46 any suggestions? Appreciated 👏
Andy **********
Jack Sharman LTV these days but I would precursor that with a non imm O visa for whatevershit to open a few bank accounts if you don't have them already.
Rafael *********
Andy Johnston under 50 no chance to get that
Todd *********
Rafael Koehler under 50 is DTV, LTR or Elite. All quite straightforward but require a bit of money
Stephen ********
Jack Sharman Elite. LTR. DTV
Stephen ********
Get the non-O (over 50) visa
Arron *********
OPStephen Howell sounds like a ball ache reading all the different comments but thank you 😊
Magnus *********************
Arron Doherty Like he said, a non-o retirement visa should work for you. Guess now your over 50.
Lasts one year and you need a bank account with 800.000 in it, that amount should be there 3 months before so you need to plan ahead.
If you don’t want to do the paperwork your self then hire a agent, cost is around 16.000.
Addition to that you need to make the 90 day report (free), every 3 months you need to visit the immigration office. Can also use a agent to do it cost between 500-1000 each time. Or if you do plan traveling outside Thailand within this 90 days then you don’t need to do the 90 day report. The 90 days then resets when you leave Thailand.
Not very complicated to do except finding a bank that allow you to open an account. Been some discussions about what bank they (immigration) accept. I’ve been using Bangkok bank many years but suddenly they wanted Krungsri bank instead. IDK why 🤣
I might also add that you can use income letter/pension instead of this 800.000 in the bank account.
Good luck ;)
Lasts one year and you need a bank account with 800.000 in it, that amount should be there 3 months before so you need to plan ahead.
If you don’t want to do the paperwork your self then hire a agent, cost is around 16.000.
Addition to that you need to make the 90 day report (free), every 3 months you need to visit the immigration office. Can also use a agent to do it cost between 500-1000 each time. Or if you do plan traveling outside Thailand within this 90 days then you don’t need to do the 90 day report. The 90 days then resets when you leave Thailand.
Not very complicated to do except finding a bank that allow you to open an account. Been some discussions about what bank they (immigration) accept. I’ve been using Bangkok bank many years but suddenly they wanted Krungsri bank instead. IDK why 🤣
I might also add that you can use income letter/pension instead of this 800.000 in the bank account.
Good luck ;)
Colin *********
@Magnus ********************
16,000 is that Baht? US$? £? if it's Baht, when was that, a few years ago? Who and where is the Agent? Several posts I've seen over the past few months, people are saying that Agents are charging 30k-60k Baht now.As for "income letter/pension" as proof of funds, you should have also mentioned that getting an affidavit of income depends on what country one is from, because a few (or maybe more) Embassies don't do that anymore and for those that don't, using monthly Bank transfers isn't accepted until the second Extension of Stay.
Magnus *********************
Andrew Romine It’s a separate issue but yes.
Start insurance asap and have the possibility to prolong it into much older age.
Start insurance asap and have the possibility to prolong it into much older age.
Andrew ********
@Magnus ********************
and health insuranceBrook ********
Arron Doherty if you can’t deal with a simple retirement visa then Thailand is not for you.
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