Can I stay in Thailand for a year using repeated tourist visa extensions?

Tourist Visa Visa Extension Non-O Visa Bangkok Immigration Regulations Expat Living in Thailand Proof of Funds Visa Strategy

Feb 1, 2018

7 years ago

David ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi All

I am thinking about moving to Bangkok for a year and would like to do tourist visa. I currently have 2 ed visas in my passport. Don’t know if that will affect anything?

I would like to ask if anyone have experience or knowledge about doing 2 months tourist visa+extension and then repeat that process every 3 months for 1 year. 

I am thinking to go to a different country for the tourist visa every time and stay there a few days so immigration will not think i only go for the visa and quickly comes back. I will use flights and not use border crossing with bus or so.

Should I be worried every time i go out and back or will immigration ask me questions after i have 2 or more tourist visas??

Hope someone have tried this and can tell how it went.

Thanks so much for your time and help(:

1,276

views

likes

all likes

replies

images

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

The original poster is seeking advice on living in Thailand for a year using tourist visas followed by extensions. They currently have two education visas and are concerned about potential immigration issues. The conversation includes insights from others about the challenges of proving sufficient funds and the necessity of maintaining proper lodging documentation. Suggestions range from having a lease to showing cash on arrival, with emphasis on the importance of not appearing to live in Thailand on a tourist visa.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

David ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yes if the apartment contract is more than 3-6 months then maybe immigration will wonder why I come here on SETV which is only 2-3 months.

With METV then it should be ok

7 years ago

David ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for all the answers 🙂

7 years ago

Johnsuma ******

look like immigration cannot calculate, LOL.

showing 20.000 baht at a border during 1 year looklike short, with that you can lives a big maximum of 1 month ! so such people is supposed to work witout WP ? No ?

7 years ago

Stephen *******

Sorry, but how will you support yourself when you are in Thailand. That's what an IO will want to know. Having an apartment lease means you are living there and not a tourist. Having, say a 12 month lease says you aren't applying for a 2 month tourist visa but intend to stay 12 months. This may worry them.

7 years ago

Barry ******

Not necessarily you can rent out apartments but leave it unoccupied like a holiday home. Like how most people buy places but only stay there 2 months a year.

They just want to know you got a place to stay and funds to support yourself without working taking a job from a local or being an extra burden on the country

7 years ago

Reply to

Barry ******

David ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for the quick answers(:

For proof of lodging will it be ok to show contract of apartment in bangkok or should I book hotel for 3-4 nights or more and print it out and then cancel it?

7 years ago

Robert *******

contract form apartment is good.

7 years ago

Thomas ********************

A lease should be good

7 years ago

Reply to

Thomas ********************

It's certainly doable. I know people who stayed here for years like that. For immigration, just be sure to always have proof of lodging, proof of onward travel, and 20k baht in cash.

7 years ago

Robert *******

You can go, buy new tourist visa and come back, apply for extension and do it again and again and again. There is something that you have to show 20.000 Thb on arrival with visa, so make sure that is in your pocket. And don't look surprised if a Immigration Officer not really believe that you can live more than a year without any income. Even to live in Thailand you need money, so they can ask how you provide yourself. So make sure you can do on every entry.

7 years ago

Tony *********

Or do what you said should be fine.

7 years ago

Tony *********

7 years ago

Reply to

Tony *********

Thai Visa Advice

... members · 40% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.

Join the Group