Answered4 years ago
What visa options do I have to live in Thailand for 6 months and return to Australia for 6 months?
I'm an Australian citizen aged 60. I want to live 6 months in Australia and 6 months in Thailand.
Not keen on retirement visa assuming it may not be worth extending annually, if I'm away for 6 months ??
What is best visa for me please.
Not keen on retirement visa assuming it may not be worth extending annually, if I'm away for 6 months ??
What is best visa for me please.
Answer summary
An Australian citizen aged 60 wants to spend alternating 6-month periods in Australia and Thailand. They are interested in exploring visa options other than the retirement visa, which involves annual extensions. Suggestions from the community include:
1. **6-Month METV** (Multi-Entry Tourist Visa): Allows multiple entries with 60-day stays, requiring border runs for extensions.
2. **Non-O Visa**: Suitable for retirees, this can be extended yearly based on pension proof, but some may not prefer the renewal process.
3. **OA Visa**: More straightforward with an insurance requirement; considered by those aiming to stay longer.
4. **10-Year LTR Visa**: For wealthy pensioners, with income or investment requirements.
5. **Border Runs**: Although not favored, it's a method to reset tourist visas.
Ultimately, there's no perfect solution, and each option has pros and cons.
39 repliesnewest first
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Tod *********
and we are done. I think from the responses that
Good Luck (y)
@Paul *********
can see there are various options, and while they aren't keen on a retirement visa or border bouncing there isn't a LOT of other viable options to them Good Luck (y)
John ********
Non imm o with retirement extensions ...easy and flexible and gives range of options for visits ...the fact the visa is for 12 month extensions is kinda irrelevant ...
Tod *********
@John *******
did you read where they said 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮 😕John ********
@Tod ********
I did ...but my reply was perhaps a prompt to revisit that option as non imm o (not oa which they may have considered) ...my view being ...best option TodGeoff *******
I spend 6 months in Thailand (in two blocks of 90 days) and 6 months in UK, each year. I've tried a variety of visas over the years but the easiest is now the non imm-O based on being over 50 with pension. Only significant requirement is to show pension statements, no proof of insurance is now required.
Paul **********
OP@Geoff ******
no good as must sign lease to get residency certificate to open bank account to deposit B*****
0
Michael ******
@Paul *********
I’d double check that about the ‘lease’. I’ve opened accounts before without. From memory when I got my non O retirement the first time I was staying in a serviced apartment..Geoff *******
@Paul *********
Not sure why you need to open bank account, deposit cash or sign lease. I've been coming every year since 2010 and never done any of those.Geoff *******
@Paul *********
Not so, at least in UK. I just buy a non-O (single or multi-entry). Enter for 90 days. If multi-entry, repeat for up to one year. No insurance or deposit of funds required. Just need to show pension statements and be over 50. Easy, really.Paul **********
OP@Geoff ******
Believe required for non O retirement visaTod *********
@Geoff ******
sounds like they want to do a straight 6 months in a row here, so they'd have to come in on a 90 day Non-O, then leave the country and get another one from a thai consulate nearby (seeing as they don't wanna do extensions in country) It's workable but I still think the 6 month METV is the easiest of the choices
Sylvia ********
Geoff *******
@Tod ********
It's also possible to get a multi-entry Non-O, which would mean he could just leave the once, without having to worry about 60+30 extensions on the METV but that may not be cost-effective in terms of fees.Geoff *******
@Tod ********
It was certainly an option in UK, when I applied for mine last month. May be different in Oz though.Tod *********
@Geoff ******
SOME consulates will sell year-long, multi-entry Non-O's based on retirement, but not all of them will 😕 Certainly is worth looking into though
Peter ****************
I think, when you come in on e.g. a non imm o visa (based on retirement)
@Paul *********
. After 2 months you make the 1 year extension with re-entry permit. Then after 4 months (so about 6 months in Thailand already) you leave. After 6 months you come back with the re-entry permit , wait 1 month and apply for the year extension again with re-entry permit. After 5 months (again 6 months in Thailand) leave. After 6 months come back and apply again for 1 year extension with re-entry permit. After that you have a timing issue, but also 2,5 years further. Just a thought ?
Kathryn *******
@Paul *********
we are from Aust. We wanted to stay 7 months. Thought I’d just get the 3 months STV then renew 2 more times whilst in Thailand that would cover our stay. However, the Thai Embassy Canberra said the STV for Australians is ceasing in Sept and we wouldn’t be able to obtain 2 renewals. We didn’t want to do boarder runs so we went for the OA visa. Cost $300. (Had to obtain insurance to satisfy the oa visa which is 12 months However we get refunded 5 months once we cancel. Not sure that helps you….
Ken ********
@Kathryn ******
OA had to have insurance the O didn't have toKen ********
I got my visa in Thailand had an o for both retirement and marriage have been told you can get the o outside Thailand as well
Kathryn *******
@Ken *******
is that a spouse visa? Wasn’t an option for us.Mikhail *********
You may consider new 10-year LTR visa, wealthy pensioners category. Main requirements:
income of at least USD 80,000/year.
If income is below USD 80,000/year but not less than USD 40,000/year, investment at least USD 250,000 in Thai government bonds, foreign direct investment or in Thai property.
Should be available on 1 September.
income of at least USD 80,000/year.
If income is below USD 80,000/year but not less than USD 40,000/year, investment at least USD 250,000 in Thai government bonds, foreign direct investment or in Thai property.
Should be available on 1 September.
Deanna *********
@Mikhail ********
Does the USD 80K in income have to come from a pension? Or can it come from profits from a company or investment income?Mikhail *********
@Deanna ********
Based on BOI publication, I believe that different sources of personal income will be accepted. But I will look into this issue.
Ian *****
@Deanna ********
asking the same question 🙋♀️
Sonja *******
@Mikhail ********
don't you need a million in assets as well?Mikhail *********
@Sonja ******
not for this category. You need it for “wealthy global citizens”Paul **********
OPJust did a quick read on your link.
Can I just stay in Thailand the whole 6 months, visa runs aside. There was a reference to proving need for retry.
Also for initial thailand entry is it sufficient to just present at Australian airport on exit a Cambodia bus ticket as proof of onward travel?
And do I need to prove accommodation booking for 1st 60 days given I never know where I stay.
Can I just stay in Thailand the whole 6 months, visa runs aside. There was a reference to proving need for retry.
Also for initial thailand entry is it sufficient to just present at Australian airport on exit a Cambodia bus ticket as proof of onward travel?
And do I need to prove accommodation booking for 1st 60 days given I never know where I stay.
Tod *********
@Paul *********
the questions you're asking about the proof of onward travel and proof of accommodations are ones you need to ask the thai consulate that is issuing you the visa 😕 You won't be asked for any of that when you stamp IN to thailand.
Tod *********
@Paul *********
nope, you cannot, the LONGEST you can stay on a 6 month METV would be the 60 day entry stamp and a 30 day extension on that giving you 90 days THEN you have to exit/re-enter to get a new 60 day stamp <- which you could also extend one time for 30 more days and that'd give you the 6 months you wanna be here with just one border bounce on that visaPaul **********
OP@Tod ********
Fine. Though do I need good reason to have METV or irrelevant and just do visa runs as neededTod *********
@Paul *********
just put you intend to travel to other S/E Asian countries while you're here and are using thailand as a base.Paul **********
OPThank you for the information
Tod *********
get a 6 month METV <- multi-entry tourist visa from the thai consulate in your country before you come here
That visa is valid for 6 months from the date it's issued, good for unlimited entries for it's validity, each entry gets you stamped in for 60 days, when that runs out you go to the border, stamp out of thailand, stamp in & out of another country and stamp right back in to thailand to get a new 60 day stamp, you do that for the 6 months you wanna stay here and just get a new 6 month METV every year before you come here
That visa is valid for 6 months from the date it's issued, good for unlimited entries for it's validity, each entry gets you stamped in for 60 days, when that runs out you go to the border, stamp out of thailand, stamp in & out of another country and stamp right back in to thailand to get a new 60 day stamp, you do that for the 6 months you wanna stay here and just get a new 6 month METV every year before you come here
John *********
@Tod ********
so one would leave Thailand twice during this 6 month period for a total of 180 days stay? Is a re-entry permit required each time one leaves?John *********
Thank you so much. Your correct in assuming I wasn't quite wrapping my head around the concept. It has been suggested to me in the past I may be a tad anal retentive.. I really enjoy your informative answers to peoples questions and greatly appreciate them. I often learn more from you than I can glean from from the Thai embassy web site. Thanks again.
John *********
Yeah, I'm not very bright. Let me re-phrase my question. So one would have to leave Thailand at least twice to get the full 180 day stay? Thanks.
Tod *********
I do not for a second believe you're not very bright
To be completely honest you can actually get almost NINE months of stay out of a 6 month METV 😮
Works kinda like this
- you get the visa just before you come here because the 6 months starts running down the day they issue the visa
- you enter get 60 days
- when that runs out you exit/re-enter get another 60 days
- when that runs out you exit/re-enter get another 60 days
- JUST before the visa runs out you exit/re-enter one final time giving you 60 days (taking you to 240)
and
- you extend that by 30 days for 1900baht taking you to almost 270
You can cut the bouncing out and back by ONE trip if you get 30 day extensions after each enter,
BUT
to max out the time you get on that visa you're going to HAVE to exit/re-enter just before the visa (sticker) expires to get that last 60 days
@John ********
and I think it's more you're just not getting your head around how this visa works 🙂 which is common To be completely honest you can actually get almost NINE months of stay out of a 6 month METV 😮
Works kinda like this
- you get the visa just before you come here because the 6 months starts running down the day they issue the visa
- you enter get 60 days
- when that runs out you exit/re-enter get another 60 days
- when that runs out you exit/re-enter get another 60 days
- JUST before the visa runs out you exit/re-enter one final time giving you 60 days (taking you to 240)
and
- you extend that by 30 days for 1900baht taking you to almost 270
You can cut the bouncing out and back by ONE trip if you get 30 day extensions after each enter,
BUT
to max out the time you get on that visa you're going to HAVE to exit/re-enter just before the visa (sticker) expires to get that last 60 days
Tod *********
@John ********
it is SOLD as a multi-entry visa, and I even said in my response "𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘆"
Hector *******
@Tod ********
Ill try to get this one too..Activity
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