Answered4 years ago

Can I do a visa run to Malaysia and what are the best visa options for staying longer in Thailand?

visa exemption visa run Thailand visa tourist visa long-term visa work permit

Vincent ***********

asked Feb 14, 2023

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Hi Everyone!

￼I am French currently in Thailand ￼near Hat Yai on a visa exemption. I am intending to leave to Malaysia on the 19th Feb ￼in order to renew my time here.

I was thinking of doing a visa run by going to Padang Besar and coming back right away to get the 45+30 visa exemption pass. 

Would it work to just pass the border for a few minutes and come ￼back with a new visa exemption pass?

Another option that I consider is to get a tourist visa or a long-term visa.

What is the longest tourist visa that you can currently get? And what/where/how would I have to do to get it?

Are there long-term visa options? ￼ 

I will start my online business sooner or later, ￼ yet I wasn’t planning to register it in Thailand.

Later on I plan to be employed by a Yoga place: I suppose you first need to get the job paperwork before applying for ￼the work visa?

￼Thank you for your help!

Answer summary

The user is currently in Thailand on a visa exemption and is planning a border run to Malaysia to renew their stay. They inquire about the possibility of quickly crossing the border and coming back for a new visa exemption pass, the longest tourist visa available, and the process for obtaining a work visa for future employment in Thailand. Comments clarify that a simple border run may no longer be valid and suggest alternative options like going to Langkawi or applying for a multiple entry tourist visa (METV). Additionally, the necessity of obtaining a work permit before working in Thailand for an online business or in a yoga position is emphasized.

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Bonnie *******

Why not take the train into kl and stay for a bit. It's a nice city

4 years ago

Paul *******

@Bonnie ******

The train which has been bombed multiple times in the space of a few days which may or may not be running? Not a great idea. Unsafe and totally unreliable. Why not take the direct Hat Yai-Kuala Lumpur bus? Departs several times a day, every day.

You could also go by van to Padang Besar, cross the border then board a relatively fast and modern train down to Kuala Lumpur.

4 years ago

Bonnie *******

@Paul ******

the overnight train between Bangkok and pb is great! Sleeper bunks much more comfortable than a bus

4 years ago

Vincent ***********

@Bonnie ******

I’m staying near Hat Yai

Would Penang be a good option too?

I’m interested to do the quickest transition unless it’s an amazing nature place.

4 years ago

Paul *******

@Vincent **********

Yes, it's very interesting and has good nature. It's a lot more beautiful than Hat Yai!

Also, you will be required to spend 3 nights in Malaysia anyway, by Thai immigration.

4 years ago

Alistair **********

Longest tourist visa would be a METV, you'll have to go back home to apply. You can if timed perfectly get 270days with it.

4 years ago

Tom *********

"by going to Padang Besar and coming back right away" No, Padang Besar does not allow that since many years. You can however go to Langkawi and stay 1 night or to Padang Besar and stay a couple of nights.

4 years ago

Paul *******

@Tom ********

I think it's a 3 night rule now and Langkawi takes time to reach; not worth it for a one night stay. For minimum 2 nights, then it's worth it. Ferries depart Satun, Kuala Perlis and Kuala Kedah. There is also a flight to Penang, but might not be worth it.

I'd opt for the Satun to Langkawi ferry as you save time avoiding the roads. No idea what the schedule is, as it's probably not nearly as popular as the ferries from the Malaysian side.

4 years ago

Vincent ***********

So you always have to stay minimum one nights, wherever you go in Malaysia?

I’m staying near Hat Yai

Would Penang be a good option too or you recommend one of the two above rather?

I’m interested to do the quickest transition unless it’s an amazing nature place.

4 years ago

Tom *********

@Vincent **********

"So you always have to stay minimum one nights, wherever you go in Malaysia?" That is totally unclear...! I've done a just turnaround bounce to Vientiane, no problem..., Pedang Besar however has cut down on this many years ago..., was before a popular choice...! In short: totally up to the immigration post, no rules whatsoever. Penag is certainly an option, but it's a bustling city, you can rent a bike an tour the island. Langkawi, via Satun might be easier and more nature. You can also try to stay 1 or 2 nights in P. Besar and come back..., with the train or walking over the border..., it really all depends on the mood of the immigration, but same day won't work.

4 years ago

Tom *********

@Vincent **********

"Someone told me that from Hat Yai, Penang would be easier than Langkawi, do you agree?" Kind of, since you board the train in HY and step of in Butterworth and then it's a short ferry ride... But you seem to be interested more in nature so you will enjoy Satun-Langkawi certainly more. But as

@Paul ******

mentions correctly, you should then take some time to enjoy it, 2 nights or more makes sense if you don't want to travel constantly, same applies for Penang.

4 years ago

Vincent ***********

OK. You seem to have no doubt that the same day won’t work.

Someone told me that from Hat Yai, Penang would be easier than Langkawi, do you agree?

I would need to find a place away from the city.

And would one night be enough or does it need to be 2 minimum? How could I know that for sure?

4 years ago

John **********

Confusion reigns. It's illegal to work inside Thailand without a work permit. You won't get a work permit for an online business unless you satisfy the LTR visa criteria. The longest tourist visa is 60 days per entry, a multiple entry tourist visa (from your home country) can get you the best part of 9 months.

4 years ago