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What is the best visa option for spending 6 to 9 months a year in Thailand?

Visa Options Tourist Visa Non-O Visa

Jul 29, 2020

6 years ago

Peter *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hoping you guys can help me with a couple of questions? I would love to spend 6 to 9 months a year in Thailand in the near future as I still want to spend time in Australia with my children/ grandchildren every year! Would a 6 month multiple entry visa be the best visa for me ? Also wondering if that visa can be used ongoing for future years or would the Thailand government consider that a back door way of avoiding getting a proper visa such as retirement or marriage visa ? Thanks in advance Peter

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is considering the best visa for spending 6 to 9 months a year in Thailand while also wanting to return to Australia regularly. They inquire about a 6-month multiple entry tourist visa and whether it can be used repeatedly without issues from the Thai government. Responses suggest that a 6-month tourist visa allows for 60-day stays per entry but might lead to scrutiny upon repeated use. An alternative is the Non-OA retirement visa, which allows stays for up to two years and has specific requirements like health insurance.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
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Robert *******

The OP has an idea, Insurance and Australian pension rules are not Thai visa related, Take a look at the website of the Thai Embassy for different kind of possibilities and visa and if you have questions in the future, feel free to ask

6 years ago

Paul **********

Just remember that if you recieve a pension it will be stopped after 26 weeks

No ifs, but,s or maybe STOPPED

THEN YOU HAVE TO REAPPLY

CHEERS

6 years ago

James ********

Repeated use of the METV may result in being questioned on arrival. As you are in AU

Look at the O-A visa for retirement. Gives you...under normal times...access up to two years in Thailand.

And no $$ in Thai banks. But does require a health insurance policy...easy to obtain and not really expensive IMHO.

6 years ago

Bobby ********

@James *******

. Agree OA is the way to go, and if he applies for a new one every two years, he can use a "home" insurance if they are willing to sign the insurance form.

6 years ago

James ********

@Bobby *******

yes...a big IF but great if can be obtained. And there are affordable OA compliant insurance available in Thailand to meet the requirement too.

6 years ago

Bobby ********

@James *******

. Totally agree. If you're happy to take a deductible amount the premiums are very reasonable. Which I think is a good incentive to live a healthy lifestyle. As I won't be able to get back to Australia for a new OA at the end of the year, I've got to take out the local insurance, and the premium is no more than a couple of beers and a couple of coffees each week. Small price to pay for peace of mind. I'm surprised so many people complain about it

6 years ago

James ********

@Bobby *******

agreed.

6 years ago

Reply to

James ********

Robert *******

The near future, could be further away at the moment,

But this 6 months valid Tourist visa is a good way to spend 6 to 9 months in Thailand as a tourist,

It gives you 60 days of stay at each entry,

Please for further information check again if the borders open up for tourism, thanks

6 years ago

Reply to

Robert *******

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What is the best visa option for a 66-year-old retiree planning to split time between Thailand and the UK?

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