What visa options are available for a US passport holder over 60 wishing to stay in Thailand for 6-9 months without substantial financial requirements?

Thailand Visa US Passport Tourist Visa Visa Exempt Entry Multiple Entry Tourist Visa Visa Requirements for Expats Long-term Stay in Thailand Financial Requirements for Thailand Visa

Oct 11, 2019

5 years ago

Loretta *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Seriously asking for a friend..

US passport

Over 60..

Is there a visa you can get that requires not having XXX dollars.....

Would it be best for someone that wants to hang out in Thailand 6-9 months out of the year  and use it as a base for traveling elsewhere ..for a couple years....to get the tourist stamp at the airport and not get a visa?

I'm a bit confused myself at times ..so I don't know what to tell her over here in the states....any help would be appreciated... please and thank you

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A US passport holder over 60 years old looking to spend 6-9 months in Thailand may consider the Tourist Visa upon arrival, but there are challenges. While there's no visa that entirely avoids financial requirements, options like the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) do exist, which allows for multiple entries and a total stay of up to six months, contingent upon showing sufficient funds (approximately $7000 in the bank for the METV). Travelers can also use visa exemption stamps, but this can lead to potential entry issues and may not be advisable as a long-term plan. It's crucial to be aware of the evolving immigration landscape and stricter requirements as well as the need for proper visa preparation.

James ********

Loretta... This denied entry on a second METV just reported.

I suggest your friend get a correct visa for his stays in Thailand.

"Just spent the day conversing with a friend of mine who was in the BKK detention centre all day and night.

He flew in on only his second METV from London and had spent the last 2-3 months in England.

He was denied entry and forced to book a flight back to London the next day.

On his previous METV he traveled around SE Asia and has intended to do the same again but they told him he was not a tourist...

It boggles the mind why they would even issue this visa in the first place."

Let this be a cautionary lesson. Good Luck.

5 years ago

Robert *******

I might be to old to understand this. a Person likes to live inside Thailand, so he first thing you do is move to Thailand, best is on the Visa Exempt Entry stamp, buy a condo, car, motorbike, get some pets and did I forget something, Yes, you're only allowed to be inside this lovely country for 30 days. But that will be no problem until you reached that 30 days. After that you just tell that Immigration is wrong, they abuse their power and even worse. My common sense, first thing is to get a visa that allows you to stay long time.

5 years ago

Susan ********************

Some people seem to come and go on tourist stamps without issue for a while and then suddenly, entry is denied and that's that. It's best to wait to make Thailand her base until she can meet the requirements for a proper visa. They've gotten tougher to meet but no one wants to be denied entry at the border - what a mess that could be if you've made Thailand your base especially.

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

I'm not sure what it means to make Thailand in a "base"? If you're referring to living in Thailand for a year, and flying/ taking the bus to different SE countries, wouldn't such a person need lots of money?

5 years ago

Reply to

Benjamin ******

Tod *********

Almost NO visa to thailand is going to be handed out without showing at least SOME money in the bank anymore.

A 6 month METV requires a bank account with a minimum of 7K US in it for the last 6 months and even a single entry tourist visa requires 700 US in an account.

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

I can't imagine there is :( All visas (and visa exempts) require showing SOME money.

5 years ago

Susan ********************

i've never been asked to show money (i've been prepared to but never asked) Not on B visa, not on tourist stamp, nothing. but i hear tales all the time of folks who are (so I am always prepared to be able to do so, just never been asked)

5 years ago

Reply to

Susan ********************

Robert *******

Is there a way that you live on the other side of the world without xxx dollars? The financial requirements are there to make sure you can support yourself. Thailand does not has any financial or social system to help out foreigners without money to survive.

5 years ago

Lorenzo *********

As far as I can see, and what I've been told by friends on the ground, visa acquisition is a moving target at best. Many Consulates vary in what they require and enforce. Advise to be overly prepared.

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

Visas laws and rules don't change that often, and Facebook groups such as this can provide updates. I don't expect the financial requirements to change anytime soon.

5 years ago

Reply to

Benjamin ******

Barry ******

As long as you don’t use Bkk (or Phuket) airports you can probably get by on 6-9 months as a traveller on visa exempts.

But I think anyone over a certain age will not trigger anything by immigration (who’s not intending to stay for long) as they are not really employable material in Thailand.

5 years ago

Joe *********

Multiple Entry Tourist Visa valid 6 months from date of issue. Doesn't require any investment in Thailand, however requires $7000 USD bank balance in your home bank. You can enter and exit the kingdom as many times as you want during the 6-month validity period and stay up to 60 (90 w/extension) days at a time.

5 years ago

Reply to

Joe *********

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