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What type of visa should a 59-year-old Australian consider for spending 6 months in Thailand and 6 months in Australia?

Retirement VisaNon-Immigrant Visa OMulti Entry Tourist VisaVisa ExtensionThai ImmigrationDTV VisaRe-entry PermitBank Account Requirements
Aug 14, 2025
2 months ago
Peter *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone I hope you are all well and happy 😁 I have a question for you all I’m from Australia and I’m 59 years old I will retire from my work in March next year and would like to live in Thailand for 6 months per year and back to Australia the other 6 months..is there a visa that will accommodate This ? I thank you all in advance 👍🏻
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A retiree from Australia considering living in Thailand for six months each year has several visa options. The most common recommendation is the Non-Immigrant O visa, which allows for an initial 90-day stay and can be extended for a year under specific conditions, such as depositing 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account. Alternatively, a multi-entry tourist visa could provide up to 9 months but requires exiting Thailand every 90 days. Other options discussed include the DTV visa, which is valid for five years but limits each stay to six months. It's essential to understand the requirements for extensions and the necessary financial conditions.
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Robert ********
If you can assure to be in Thailand every year in the month your extension must be renewed, then get a nonO retirement and park 800k baht in a bank.

But from what you said, I’d go for a DTV which is valid for 5 years. But with this one you aren’t allow to stay more than 6 months. So be sure to count the days correctly. ;)
2 months ago
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Frangipani *******
Hello Peter.

I’ve seen so many comments here… some, not so relevant.

My advice for you is:

1) Apply for a Non O Visa either from the Sydney Consulate or The Royal Thai Embassy in Canberra depending on where in Australia 🇦🇺 you live.

2) Get the eVisa, stamp in on a Non O. Immediately, go to your local Immi Office to find out the requirements for a 12 month extension.

3) With your Non O visa, go to a bank and deposit your 800,000B.

If you have had your 800,000B in an account for two months prior, you will be fine. (Cannot drop below 400,000B until two months before your next extension when it will have to be back up to 800,000B again )unless you opt for the 65,000B option.

4) Every time you leave Thailand on this Visa, you will need to complete a Re-entry Permit form.

Single Re-entry form is 1,000B.

Multiple Re-entry form is 3,800B

I hope this helps 😃
2 months ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Frangipani ******
 you forgot to mention that after been issued the 12-months extension, there must remain a minimum of 800,000 THB in your bank account for at least three more months
2 months ago
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Nancy ******
@Frangipani ******
 this is good straightforward information but be aware opening a bank account on this Non O (3 month..Initial) Visa is not easy unless you want to use an Agent.
2 months ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Nancy *****
 the 90-days Non-Imm-O is regarded as a longtermn visa, so a bank will be willing to open a bank account for you. Of course if you meet incompetent bank staff, you are better off using an agent service
2 months ago
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Nancy ******
@Nongnuch *******
 sorry but not so. Check again.
2 months ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Nancy *****
 your information seems to be outdated. You better read previous experiences of members of this group
2 months ago
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Nancy ******
@Nongnuch *******
 you might want to have a chat with the bank staff at Village Market. I did eventually find one so now ok.
2 months ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Nancy *****
 the 90-days Non-Imm-O is regarded as a longterm visa, so a bank will normally be willing to open a bank account for you. Of course if you meet incompetent bank staff, and it's lots of them out there, who will pull out of their noses fantasy stories to prevent telling you that they have no idea (face value loss) so you might feel that you are better off using an agent service. Actually a 90-days Non-Imm-O visa, a certificate of residency from Immigration and a Thai mobile number is all you need to get a bank account opened
2 months ago
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Nongnuch ********
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Eamonn *******
@Frangipani ******
 why not just get DTV visa, looks the simplest way
2 months ago
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Frangipani *******
@Eamonn ******
 Because of what he stated as his requirements.

Have a nice day 😃
2 months ago
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Frangipani *******
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Michael ********
You can still get the OX visa in Australia i believe that will give you 10 years of in and out and no need to deposit any money in Thai Bank account
2 months ago
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Philip *******
Go for a non O retirement visa apply via online in Australia it's initially 90 days once in Thailand apply for extension of stay. You do not have to have compulsory health insurance with this in Thailand and for 6mths its less than $1000 aud for travel insurance which is good coverage for everything except jet ski and a couple of other dangerous pastimes. I use Qantas travel insurance as it covers motorcycle riding.
2 months ago
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Nongnuch ********
Peter Smith . .I use to spend 6 months during the European winter in Thailand. I do so since 17 years

When I turned 50, I started on a 90-days Non-Imm-O retirement visa, I entered Thailand on an October 3rd, and parked 800,000 THB in my Thai bank account. Then I switched to the "one-year Extension of Stay Permit".

Since 17 years, it will expire on a January 4th. So around a week before Christmas, I apply for the next "1-year EOS". The application fee is 1900 THB, and one single re-entry permit for 1000 THB keeps my stay permit alive for one exit and one re-entry.

If you don't mind parking 800,000 THB on very low interest in a Thai savings account, this is the easy-peasy solution

(I actually set up a Thai Last Will, signed and stamped on the Amphur, naming my girlfriend of 16 years as the benefactor. So if I pass away, the money will benefit the person who took care of me all the time)

While I do not recommend to trust a Thai woman before you haven’t shared a few years together, this could be a road for you
2 months ago
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Mark *********
Just do visa runs. You may discover that the neighboring countries have something to offer as well.
2 months ago
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Ant ***********
As mentioned

If you can understand the workings of a 6 month

Multi entry tourist Visa

( applied for online in Australia from Thai embassy Website )

However it does require you to leave Thailand after 90 days ( over the border ) & return .
2 months ago
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Jan ******************
If you don’t have any issues with parking 800K or 400K baht in a Thai bank account, a Non O visa and yearly extension of stay with re-entry permit based on being retired (passed 50 years) or married to a Thai (If that’s the case) is probably the best and most common option.

If you don’t want to park any funds in a Thai bank and don’t have any issues with a Thai health insurance, a one year Non O-A multiple entries visa (which gives up to two years stay) renewed every second year could be another option.
2 months ago
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Graham ******
@Jan *****************
 As an Aussie the Non-OX is also an option
2 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Graham *****
 Yes agree.

(Do you know if they still accept funds in a AUS bank for a Non O-X).
2 months ago
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Graham ******
@Jan *****************
 Yes, Sydney does
2 months ago
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Graham ******
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Nongnuch ********
I use to spend 6 months during the European winter in Thailand. When I turned 50, I started on a 90-days Non-Imm-O retirement visa, I entered Thailand on an October 3rd, and parked 800,000 THB in my Thai bank account. Then I switched to the "one-year Extension of Stay Permit". Since 17 years, it will expire on a January 4th. So around a week before Christmas, I apply for the next "1-year EOS". Application fee is 1900 THB, and one single re-entry permit for 1000 THB keeps my stay permit alive for one exit and one re-entry. If you don't mind parking 800,000 THB on very low interest in a Thai savings account, this is the easy-peasy solution (I actually set up a Thai Last Will, signed and stamped on the Amphoe, naming my girlfriend of 17 years as the benefactor. So if I pass away, the money will benefit the person who took care of me all the time)
2 months ago
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Pedro *******
@Nongnuch *******
 Just one re-entry ? What should you do if you want more re-entries permissions per year ? Thanks.
2 months ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Pedro ******
 I can always buy another single re-entry at the airport or a land border or on Immigration. A multi re-entry permit costs 3800 THB. So even if you plan three exits and re-entries during the 1-year period, buying three separate single re-entry permits is still cheaper
2 months ago
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Nongnuch ********
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Bob **********
Multi entry tourist visa you’ll get almost 9 months
2 months ago
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Paul *******
You will need a 12 month retirement visa obtained while you are in Australia.
2 months ago
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Graham ******
@Paul ******
 can start with a 90 day Non-O then get the 12 month extension while in Thailand
2 months ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Paul ******
 Once more, because people try to give advice based on what they think is a "Retirement Visa"

First of all, you DO not have to be retired to apply for this visa. You however need to be 50 years or older

Second is that all options have DIFFERENT rules, regulations and requirements.

So please read and try not to give incorrect advice by using the requirements for a different type of visa or extension of stay.

What is a retirement visa?

It is a phrase used by foreigners and Immigration and it could be 6 different types of visa or stay permits, with different rules, regulations and requirements

OR

it could even be an 1 year Extension of Stay based on being over 50 years of age and willing to sit out the rest of their life inside Thailand.

It is easy to type “retirement visa”, but very difficult to understand which option the person refers to

Options are:

1. Single Entry Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age

2. Multiple Entry Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age (it got discontinued by October 2023 and is not available any more)

3. Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age without entry by conversion at local immigration office

4. Non Immigrant O-A visa (Long Stay)

5. Non Immigrant O-X visa

6. Long Term Residency (LTR) visa

7. Extension of Stay based on being over 50 years of age and willing to sit out the rest of their life inside Thailand (stamp from Immigration, which is not a visa)

ONLY for options 3, 5 and 7 the applicant needs a bank account in Thailand or a Certificate of Income from their Embassy.

Option 2 cannot be applied for any more, since all Thai Embassies and Consulates took it out of the E-visa program.

Option 3 is applied for by conversion of your Visa Exempt Entry or Tourist Visa at your local Immigration Office inside Thailand.

Option 6 is applied for with support of BOI Thailand

Option 7 is applied for at your local Immigration Office AFTER you used a Non-Immigrant visa.

Other options are applied for at a Thai Consulate OR for those countries who are legit, on-line.

Thanks for reading this long explanation.
2 months ago
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Peter *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nongnuch *******
 thank you so much
2 months ago
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Peter *******
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Max *************
@Paul ******
 Or marry a Thai lady and save a lot of money. 😎
2 months ago
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Paul *******
@Max ************
 555. I have never met a Western man who married a Thai lady and saved money.
2 months ago
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Kevin ********
@Paul ******
 same as marrying any rationality not just Thai
2 months ago
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Paul ***********
@Paul ******
 when do you want to meet? 😂
2 months ago
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David *******
@Paul ******
 Sounds like you have never met the right lady. I've been married to mine for 18 year's, never been more happier
2 months ago
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J **************
@David ******
 but did you save money?
2 months ago
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David *******
@J *************
 Yes
2 months ago
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David *******
My wife is completely honest and trustworthy
2 months ago
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Darryle *******
@David ******
 same with me married for 23 years never a problem and never been happier, have been living in Thailand for 10 years.
2 months ago
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Darryle *******
@David ******
 same for me married for 22years
2 months ago
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Max *************
@David ******
 He didn't say anything about not being happy while being married.
2 months ago
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Mark ********
@Max ************
 Its called a joke... You support Leeds you must have a sense of humour!
2 months ago
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Mark ********
As i said it was a joke. On the subject of trustworthiness they all are until they are not...
2 months ago
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Max *************
@Paul ******
 Well, I was thinking about annual costs at immigration, but I know what you mean. 😁
2 months ago
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Mark ********
@Max ************
 It costs more in time,paperwork and stress
2 months ago
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Max *************
@Mark *******
 It depends on where you're staying. Avoid provinces like Korat.
2 months ago
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Ian ********
@Max ************
Why not Korat?
2 months ago
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Mark ********
@Max ************
 Everywhere it requires more effort still. Divorcing the wife makes it even cheaper😁
2 months ago
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Max *************
@Mark *******
 Yes, but the cost at immigration might increase 100%. And if married in Thailand much less paperwork.
2 months ago
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Max *************
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