Correct Visa Application for a 4-Month Stay in Thailand?

[TerrenceLee]

My partner and I (American, 65 & 60 respectively) will be coming to Thailand for a four month visit next fall through Feb-2016. We're a legally married gay couple in the States which means nothing in Thailand. Our trip is for the purpose of retirement research. Will "Retirement Research" be considered a legitimate reason for the issuance of a multi-entry Non-immigrant Type-O visa? Or is there another visa type that would be more appropriate for a 4-month stay?

[nzexpat]

An indication of age(s), marital status and Nationality would assist in providing an answer.

[beechguy]

Just my opinion, but I would just apply for a double entry Tourist Visa and be done with it. Good for a 60 day entry, and that can be extended in country for another 30 days, just make the second entry while the visa is still valid.

[wayned]

You will only be able to get a single entry Non-O for "retirement search" which will only give you 90 days. Your best bet is a double entry tourist visa, cost 2000 baht. It will give you 60 days on each entry and each entry can be extended for 30 days at immigration, cost 1900 baht. That will give you almost 180 days if you use both extensions. It will require one border run to activate the second entry

[mango66]

An indication of age(s), marital status and Nationality would assist in providing an answer.

read the OP up !!!

[nzexpat]

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An indication of age(s), marital status and Nationality would assist in providing an answer.

read the OP up !!!

You should read !

Look at the time of my post and the time he edited the original post !

OK ?

[ubonjoe]

An indication of age(s), marital status and Nationality would assist in providing an answer.

read the OP up !!!

Read the time that the OP did an edit of his post compared to the time on nzexpat's post.

[lordblackader]

I'm pretty sure there's no exception in Thai Visa laws for "research."

I'd suggest both of you get a double entry tourist visa, which if you want to push out for four months (you can extend for 30 days on your initial 60 day entry at Immigration for 1900 baht) requires a border run.

If, and when you're content with the idea of moving here, then you go down the path of a retirement visa.

As you've pointed out though, sadly Thailand won't recognise your partner so it's a matter of you both, individually, applying for the visa.

[Acharn]

Just my opinion, but I would just apply for a double entry Tourist Visa and be done with it. Good for a 60 day entry, and that can be extended in country for another 30 days, just make the second entry while the visa is still valid.

If they know beforehand they are only going to stay for four months they don't need the 30 day extension. Just do the border trip at the end of the first two months. The year I had to do border runs I liked going to Hat Yai for the out-and-in. There's an overnight sleeper train, very comfortable, but take a jacket, the air conditioning is freezing. There were cars for rent for a couple hundred baht to take you to the border and bring you back. I liked the consulate in Penang for obtaining the visa, too, but that's not necessary in this case.

[moe666]

You mentioned a non-o visa if you plan on getting a extension of stay during your 90 days here that will be the visa you want as it is the easiest to extend. More info is required about your intensions before more info can be given.