I'm trying to choose which is the best visa for a snowbird. I'm planning on staying for 7-9 months at a time. I'm thinking about the costs and the effort it takes.
On the one hand there's the 6 months ME visa that could allow me to stay for up to 9 months. That would cost me 2 or 3 30 days extensions of stay plus the hassle of dealing with IO. And two trips out of country with travel costs, maybe at a time I don't feel like travelling but would have to. And if repeated year after year could raise red flag at some immigration points?
On the other hand is getting a 90 days non O e-visa for retirement from a Thai embassy. Then apply for a 1 year extension when I'm in Thailand with TM.7. But I'm not sure if it will work, there always seem to be new obstacles put in the way by IO from what I read here.
How soon can I apply for extension? After 45 days or can I do it in the first month?
I would use the letter of income from consulate method, maybe with documents from home about my income. But for how long will documents from home be valid for IO? Will they be expired if I wait until there are 2-3 weeks left of my initial stay? Does Jomtien immigration accept the income letter method or is it strictly 800K there?
I see from some recent posts that Jomtien immigration is demanding 1 year rental contract for extension. I can't do that because I'm not staying that long and maybe I like to try different places. I've seen posts saying that in Bangkok and Hua Hin a TM.30 is enough. Is it better to do it there and then move on elsewhere if I please?
Is it possible to apply for a 180 days extension of stay, with less requirements? It's just an empty field on the TM.7 form. Anybody tried that?
If I take the agent route, will any Pattaya agents offer 1 year extension of stay from a 90 days non O visa for retirement from a Thai embassy? So I would not be paying them for the initial 90 days stay? And at the same prices that they normally charge for extensions, 12-14K baht? Anybody have experience with that?
Sorry for the lengthy post. Maybe someone in similar circumstances can offer advice on some of the points?
Thanks in advance