Answered8 years ago
What is the best visa option for staying 6 months in Thailand and 6 months in my home country?
If I plan to spend a few years living 6 months (straight, but with multi-entry privs) in Thailand, and then 6 months in my home country, what’s the best way to go? I’m eligible for the so-called “retirement visa”, but wouldn’t a yearly tourist visa also do the trick?
Answer summary
For a stay of 6 months in Thailand followed by 6 months in your home country, the Non Immigrant O-A retirement visa is highly recommended due to its long validity and multi-entry privileges. Many expats suggest that it provides a stress-free experience with minimal immigration hassles. Alternatively, a multi-entry tourist visa (METV) could suffice, but it typically requires more frequent border runs and can involve more complexity regarding renewal and compliance with stay durations.
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Robert *******
As all the options are mentioned, I also would choose the Non Immigrant O-A visa and your done for almost 2 years of which the first year is multiple entry and for the second your you can buy the multiple re-entry permit. As you have enough choices to go on, I close the commenting.
Vittorio ********
Put 800.000 baht in the account and get a retirement visa..
Sean ********
Get a retirement visa and yearly extension. Easiest option.
Al *******
I do the same and get a non imm o-a multi entry visa via the LA Thai Consulate each year. It makes my stay in Thailand simple with only the initial, 24 hour reporting and the 90 day reports generating visits to my local immigration office.
Al *******
Daniel Wolfe no border runs. I can get the visa while back in the states on my timeline. I can meet the financial requirements with funds in the US that can remain in the US.
Carl ***********
@James *******
yes if you leave and re-enter before end date it is stamped for another year
Daniel *******
OP@Al ******
, so you favor this over the 6 mo METV because...James ********
😉Enjoy Thailand
Al *******
James Miller I understand that if I enter prior to the enter before date stamp I can get a second year. I do not wish to make a mandatory border run nor set my travel dates based on that enter before date. I am happy with my process.
James ********
@Al ******
if you reenter Thailand days before expiration of the first year its extended for one added year. Though during that second year you need to purchase a reentry permitAl *******
@James *******
I do not. I want to visit on my own schedule and do not wish to be beholden to a visa timeline. I just get a new visa each year.James ********
@Al ******
do you benefit from the ability to get up to two years from this O-A visa by exiting and reentering Thailand just before the date allowed on the initial one year ?James ********
Do yourself a big favor and get the O-A Non immigrant multi entry one year retirement visa. Easy to obtain ...from your home country at Thai Consulate. To do otherwise puts you on the radar for. misuse of the Tourist visa.
Bernd ***********
Daniel Wolfe don't brood,get the O-A as James Miller stated , follow the rules and enjoy up to 2 years stress-free living in Thailand. Then decide yearly extensions or start again O-A.
Daniel *******
OPThat’s one of the things I was wondering about... Although, you gotta wonder why on Earth getting a 6 month tourist visa each year would put you on a misuse radar.
Tod *********
The only thing there is would be "retirement visa" of some sort
Or
A 6 month METV <-multi entry tourist visa
Or
A 6 month METV <-multi entry tourist visa
Mina *********
@Tod ********
please check pmDaniel *******
OPYou’ll notice I used quotation marks in the post in deference to Tod... 😋
Daniel *******
OP@Tod ********
Those are exactly the 2 I’m asking about. I’m wondering which of the 2 would be best based on the conditions in the OP.
Joe *********
The longest time you can stay on any tourist visa is 90 days. 60 days entry on the TV, then 30 days extension of stay, then you have to leave the country and re-enter. Even though a 6-months METV is "six months validity," it's still only good for 60 days stay (extendable by another 30 days) each entry.
Vittorio ********
But go to Mae sai for visa run every 2 months... or more. No issue there
Vittorio ********
Not true. I live 6 months in Denmark and 6 months in Thailand with multi entry visa
Joe *********
@Christopher **********
That is correct... But you can't enter and just stay in Thailand for 6 months as the OP stated he was doing ("Living in Thailand for 6-months straight"). Stating that the maximum stay of each entry is only 60 days (extendable to 90) is not inaccurate.
Christopher ***********
@Joe ********
you are giving out inaccurate advice. When I got my 6 month METV I got 8 months out of it. All you have to do is cross the boarder every 60 days within the 6 month period. If you get another 60 day stamp the day before your 6 month METV expires you still get 60 more days. When the last 60 day stamp expires, then at that point yes you can get a 30 day extension. So in reality the 6 month METV can be used for 9 months.
Sergey *********
There is no yearly TV. Try the Multi-Entry Tourist Visa.
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