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What visa options are available for UK citizens visiting Thailand for 180 days a year?
Thailand Visa RulesTourist VisaNon-O Retirement VisaVisa ExemptionMulti-Entry Tourist VisaDTV VisaVisa Policy Updates
Feb 16, 2026
2 months ago
Barry *******
ORIGINAL POSTERI like to visit Thailand twice a year for 180 days max i understand that the visa exempt is not an option anymore can I go down the 60 day tourist visa route or do I need the non O retirement 90 retirement option? UK
TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster (OP) is seeking advice on visa options for visiting Thailand for up to 180 days annually, acknowledging that the visa exemption is no longer available. Commenters suggest various routes, including obtaining a Non-O retirement visa for 90 days, using a 60-day tourist visa with a possible 30-day extension, or utilizing the Multi-Entry Tourist Visa. Some mention that a new proposal to reduce visa-free entry from 60 to 30 days may influence future travel plans, stressing the importance of immigration updates and ensuring compliance.
90 DAY REPORTING RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Use the trusted Thailand 90 Day Reporting Serviceto get your in-person report done and mailed to you for as low as 375 THB (even if the online system doesn't work for you).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Todd *********
Visa exempt for tourism is still perfectly acceptable
Colin *********
Gordon Howes what are the OP's circumstances, other than wanting to visit for a maximum of 180 days and obviously being over fifty years of age?
Nuttaporn **********
Take Non O from your country ,you will get 90 days and after open Thai bank account+800K (or consult agency) and continue one year Retirement visa (don't forget to do multiple reentry)
Non O visa only single entry
Non O visa only single entry
Dan *******
Look into the METV. It’s very affordable and it’s good for the six months you’re looking for. Catch is you’ll have to leave and return but it’s convenient if you want to visit another nearby country. Should you want , you can do a border run and it’s allowed. Just don’t overstay and you’ll okay.
DTV might be a better option should you come every year. I hear it’s almost hassle free at the immigration checkpoint.
DTV might be a better option should you come every year. I hear it’s almost hassle free at the immigration checkpoint.
Gordon *******
DTV visa
That's the obvious visa in your circumstances
That's the obvious visa in your circumstances
Ralph *******
Gordon Howes The tourist visa is simpler and compliance is easier.
Gordon *******
Ralph Tyson why is it easier and simpler?
Ralph *******
Gordon Howes Well, DTV sets many requirements that the tourist visa doesn’t.
For instance:
Must be at least 20 years old for self-supporting applicants. 
• Clean criminal record — no serious convictions or security risks. 
• Good immigration history — no major overstays or blacklisting in Thailand.
You need to be either taking a ‘workation’ which means proving you have remote work or using the ‘soft power’ option of studying Muay Thai, Thai cooking or various other things.
The financial requirements:
• Must show proof of a minimum of 500,000 THB (≈ ~USD 14,000-16,000) in savings. 
• Funds must be shown in bank statements — typically for the last 3 months.
For instance:
Must be at least 20 years old for self-supporting applicants. 
• Clean criminal record — no serious convictions or security risks. 
• Good immigration history — no major overstays or blacklisting in Thailand.
You need to be either taking a ‘workation’ which means proving you have remote work or using the ‘soft power’ option of studying Muay Thai, Thai cooking or various other things.
The financial requirements:
• Must show proof of a minimum of 500,000 THB (≈ ~USD 14,000-16,000) in savings. 
• Funds must be shown in bank statements — typically for the last 3 months.
Reply to
Ralph *******
Reply
Bob *********
Multi Entry Tourist Visa.
Simon *******
Come on a 60 day exemption and get a 30 day extension from immigration, the second time get a non o 90 day visa.
Be carefull the Thai government are on about changing the 60 day visa exemption to 30 days if this happens you will need either a 60 day tourist visa plus the 30 day extension or a 90 day non O .
Be carefull the Thai government are on about changing the 60 day visa exemption to 30 days if this happens you will need either a 60 day tourist visa plus the 30 day extension or a 90 day non O .
Hǝınz ***********
Simon Adams Just found this interesting news:
🇹🇭 Thailand Set to Cut Visa-Free Stay from 60 Days to 30 Days
📌 What’s Happening?
Thailand’s government is planning a major change to its visa-free policy for international visitors. Under the new proposal:
The current visa-free stay — which allows citizens from 93 countries to enter Thailand without a visa and stay for up to 60 days — is expected to be cut in half to just 30 days. �
VisaHQ
This change is being discussed at the highest levels of the Thai government and may be formally approved soon.
🇹🇭 Thailand Set to Cut Visa-Free Stay from 60 Days to 30 Days
📌 What’s Happening?
Thailand’s government is planning a major change to its visa-free policy for international visitors. Under the new proposal:
The current visa-free stay — which allows citizens from 93 countries to enter Thailand without a visa and stay for up to 60 days — is expected to be cut in half to just 30 days. �
VisaHQ
This change is being discussed at the highest levels of the Thai government and may be formally approved soon.
Dan *******
It’s a news story that was recirculated. Like Trump is fond of saying , “Fake News” !
Hǝınz ***********
Dan Brown we’ll see …
Simon *******
Dan Brown its NOT fake news it used to be 30 days they are only putting it back to where it was they ha done this a few times in the past
Sam *******
Simon Adams they MAY put it back. This was circulating last year also
Colin *********
Sam Lewis last year, that was purely rumours. This time, it's apparently made public by the Thai Government, meaning that it's more likely, at least a bit, to actually happen.
James *********
Dan Brown he's also fond of saying "old enough to bleed, old enough to breed"
Reply to
James *********
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Graeme ******
You can do the non o over 50 retirement visa and get 90 days for each visit, I would do that twice a year for 2 90 day visits, no need to extend or open a bank account and no issues with immigration. Keep is simple and easy
Ralph *******
Graeme Mort But, you do need the equivalent of ฿800k in the bank.
Graeme ******
Ralph Tyson yes but in your own currency in your own bank or you can have the equivalent of 65k baht monthly in your own account in your own currency, no risk in leaving it in thailand
Reply to
Graeme ******
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Ling *****
I was in the same boat and I decided to do it via retirement visa. Now in my second year doing the 65k per month method.
Hǝınz ***********
Ling Gah best, hassle free solution khrab.
Reply to
Hǝınz ***********
Reply
TrustworthyA************
Just do the retirement visa
Elías ********
DTV
Barry *******
ORIGINAL POSTERElías Molina I don't keep 800k bht equivalent in my uk current account it's all kept in Isa and sipp acounts
Reply to
Barry *******
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