Can I stay in Thailand for seven months using a combination of exemptions and visas?

oh no, my bet that the HUSTLE with a Non-Imm-O 90 days is by FAR worse than with a 60+30 days SETV!! He must be really careful, not mention "tourism stay", because the requirement of the Embassy of Thailand in Vientiane reads: ""In addition, Non-immigration visas will NOT be issued for such purpose as tourism, visiting friends, visiting fiancé/fiancée, seeking employment opportunities, looking for a school for teaching or studying purposes, etc. Please apply for the tourist visa" So let it be understood that you are looking into the "retirement" option, and must fulfill the requirements which go with it. And the required documents & proofs I think not everybody who is travelling, has them at hand! That's the "hustle" you mentioned? Financial proofs in Vientiane? Gettin the 60+30 Days Single Entry Tourist Visa is by far & way easier if you are looking at 90 days stay

You need to book a FLIGHT out of the country within the 30-day visa exemption period or you will be denied boarding. It must be a flight because the airlines can confirm on their databases. A cheap Air Asia hop to Penang will do, for example, or it could be to Vientiane, since you want to go there anyway. In Thailand, you can get a 30-day extension to your exemption at any Immigration office for 1900 baht. Then you must leave and come back either with a proper visa or another exemption. But Immigration starts to make problems when you try to enter too often on exemptions. You onl< get two land entries per calendar year in any case.

Apply for Visa day 1 pick up next day, LA consulate even have same day service.

@Michael *******

Looks to me as the strange way of writing dates in the American way, I read it as arriving 22 Jan 2019 and wanting to stay till 7th May 2019.

True, best option, but he is leaving in 5 days.

@Tony ***********

get in the US. Easy to do

@Tony ***********

Not a problem. I'm here on a Non-O multiple Entry for support to a Thai Wife.

@Tony ***********

I'm curious, why do you ask?

@Tony ***********

You're welcome. Another option is to fly in and out. There currently is unlimited visa exempt stamps by air - but they do reject you if you get too many. Another thing to keep in mind is there may be elections next month, and if a new government is elected, there may be changes to the visa laws.

Also, If you are planning on working illegally (even online), don't mention it to anyone. Schools do get raided from time to time.

@Tony ***********

Now you're flirting in the "get a real visa, not live as a tourist" land. But there are some touristy ways to do it:

1. Multiple Entry Tourist Visa. You can stay in Thailand for 6 months on this visa. You can buy one in Perth, if I remember correctly.

2. Do the following:

a. Fly into Thailand (30 day visa exempt)

b. Border Bounce (30 day visa exempt)

c. Border Bounce (30 day visa exempt - don't forget you only get two).

d. Tourist Visa in Vientiane (60 days, I'd *expect* to be able to get 3 before they tell you no)

e. Tourist Visa in Savannakhet (60 days, another 3 before they tell you no)

That'll give you a total of 250 days.

HOWEVER... getting a visa does NOT give you automatic entry into Thailand. If they think you are working or can't support yourself, they can (and do) reject people from entering.

The way you describe it would work.

Just as a vocabulary heads up, a visa run is when you leave the country to buy a new visa. A border bounce is when you leave the country to get another visa exempt stamp.

@Michael *******

while I'm all for being prepared, I have read not one single verifiable report of someone being asked for proof of funds (or proof of anything) when stamping in at the Nong Khai land crossing. I think they'll get a tourist visa and stamp right in just fine.

If you go to Vientiane Laos and apply for a 60 day tourist visa you will NOT need any proof for your stay or flights at all. HOWEVER, always carry more than 20k baht or other currency on your person on arrival back at the border for entry into Thailand. Need an overnight stay in Laos to get the visa. Take a western country currency when getting the Laos visa or they will charge you in THB, which is more than the fee. You can use THB for expenses in Laos or USD.

@Tony ***********

look at the requirements list on the Consulate website for a Tourist Visa.