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What visa options should my friend consider for a six-month stay in Thailand, including a family break?

Thailand travel visas Retirement visa Non-O visa Tourist visa Visa extension Visa exemptions Multi-entry visa Border run

Aug 15, 2024

2 years ago

David *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Could I ask this question for a friend of mine,  he's going to travel to Thailand in September,  he intends to stay 6 months and return home for family commitments then return after 3 weeks . Should he  just get the retirement visa or is there any other recommendations from people . Could he for instance just extend the 60 days by another 30 , then go to Cambodia for 30 days then return to Thailand for another 90 days using the tourist visa and extension, then when he returns in late April 2025 he can apply for retirement visa? Many thanks! David

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is inquiring about visa options for a friend planning a six-month stay in Thailand, including a short return home. Suggestions from the community include maximizing visa exemptions, considering a six-month multi-entry tourist visa, or opting directly for a retirement visa. The retirement visa is presented as a simpler, more efficient choice, avoiding the complexities of managing multiple visa extensions and border runs.

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Bart **************

Go for retirement. It's not straightforward to enter three times for that long in that short of a time frame. A multiple entry tourist visa could technically do it, but you need to extend twice, plan an additional entry right before it expires, and then buy a reentry permit after so that when you go to the family obligations you can still return. Not worth the hassle.

2 years ago

Terary **********

You're proposal is more expensive then simply getting the retirement visa from the get. However, there are several factors to a retirement visa and "your friend" would have get involved.

2 years ago

Stephen ********

Depending on where your friend comes from, he could apply for a 6 month multi entry tourist visa. No issues bouncing in and out as it is a proper visa. And it can stretch a stay to nearly 9 months.

2 years ago

Bart **************

@Stephen *******

using the METV with these travel plans requires a reentry permit to keep the last stay active, as it will be past the visa validity but you could time it so that your last entry is still active. But that's then more hassle and extra cost. I think the retirement visa is a better option.

2 years ago

Stephen ********

@Bart *************

an METV doesn't require any reentry permit as it is multiple entry already. The OP simply needs to do a border run every 90 days and would not be question at the border as they have a valid visa. The OP states he is required to return to he UK around the 6 month mark, and if timed correctly they could return on the last day of validity and get stamped in for 60 days then extend it for another 30. At that point he would need to choose a different visa for longer stays. But this vi's is definitely better than hopping in and out on visa extensions for 6 months

2 years ago

Bart **************

@Stephen *******

the multiple entry tourist visa only allows multiple entries for six months. You can stay beyond that, with the nice little trick that we both know, but you cannot re-enter. To be allowed to re-enter also then, you need a re-entry permit.

The OP is going back to the UK around the six months mark, so won't be back within the visa validity dates. Also keep in mind that the counter starts as soon as you get the visa, and it's 180 days, not 6 months. It'll hence expire sooner than 6 months after entry.

2 years ago

Stephen ********

@Bart *************

you cannot reenter once the METV expires, but that's normal for any visa that expires. The OP wants to stay around 6 months before returning to the UK for a short period. If they time the METV correctly, they could return from the UK on the last day of the visa and get the last 60 days from it with no questions asked. I'm really confused what you mean by needing a reentry permit for this visa choice. And yes, it's all about timing.

2 years ago

Bart **************

@Stephen *******

you can, but you need a re-entry permit for that. That's the whole point I'm making. Please read.

And since that's exactly what the OP plans, he does need the reentry permit indeed.

2 years ago

Stephen ********

@Bart *************

no you don't need a reentry permit witt a valid multiple entry tourist visa. That visa has a multiple reentry permit attached 🤷‍♂️

2 years ago

Bart **************

@Stephen *******

how many times do we need to repeat that AFTER the six months validity you cannot enter anymore on that visa, until you'll understand?

If you time the last entry right for 60 additional days after the six months are up, and you want to keep those active while going to the UK you DO need a re-entry permit. Your visa isn't gonna cut it.

2 years ago

Stephen ********

@Bart *************

once the visa has expired, you cannot get a reentry permit. You'd need a new visa or enter on visa exempt. Your terminology is what is confusing the issue. You cannot get a reentry permit for an expired visa. New visa or visa exempt stamp. Do you now understand? I see you are now talking about the the final entry stamp of 60 days, then the visa is expired. At that point he could leave to the UK and reenter on a visa exempt as there would be no point in getting a reentry permit for a time period less than the 60 days they would get entering by visa exempt 🤷‍♂️

2 years ago

Bart **************

@Stephen *******

that is not correct, a re-entry permit is entirely possible on the last entry to keep it active. But, with the extra hassle and cost involved, you probably don't want to go that way. Hence my advice.

My terminology doesn't confuse anyone; it's your inaccurate beliefs that confuse you. I've used the terms "multiple entry tourist visa" and "re-entry permit" entirely correctly throughout this whole saga.

Yes, I understand. I understood from the beginning. And even now, after all the explanation, YOU still don't.

I would not advise anyone entering visa exempt after competing nearly six months in Thailand on a multiple entry tourist visa. It may work but it may also not, and you probably don't want to risk the latter as it's an expensive joke. Better get the re-entry permit to keep the last entry active. And even better than that: don't get the METV at all but another, more suitable visa.

2 years ago

Stephen ********

@Bart *************

it is, but the guy wants to stay around 6 months. Doesn't need that last portion so this visa works the very best.

2 years ago

Reply to

Stephen ********

Jan ******************

If he doesn’t have any previous excessive history of travelling in and out of Thailand, he should be fine with maximising two visa exemptions for a six months stay. He can enter on a 60 days visa exemption, do a 30 days local extension, a border run and re-enter on a new 60 days visa exemption which also could be extended. If he also wants to spend some time in Cambodia, it’s up to him. He can apply for a regular 90 days Non O visa in country when he returns on a TM.87 and need minimum 15-21 days left on his stamp to apply. Opening a bank account in Thailand for a Non O visa it’s not easy on short stays without assistance from an agent.

2 years ago

Reply to

Jan ******************

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What is the best visa option for a 66-year-old retiree planning to split time between Thailand and the UK?

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