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How do expats under 50, unemployed, and unmarried stay in Thailand without an elite visa?
Thailand visa optionsEducation visaUnemployed expatsImmigration in ThailandVisa agentsVolunteer visaLong-term stayNon-O visaChiang Mai visa options
Oct 1, 2022
4 years ago
Sam *********
ORIGINAL POSTERgenuinely curious: how do you folks who are under 50, unemployed , unmarried and no elite visa stay in the country. Education visa? It seems like there are plenty who fit this category Do they pay tea money? Use an agent?
TLDR : Answer Summary
Expats under 50 years who are unemployed and unmarried can stay in Thailand through various visa strategies, primarily education visas that allow them to study the Thai language. Often, they seek assistance from agents, which can lead to complications with future visa options, particularly concerning elite visas and other long-term residency statuses. While some suggest tourist visas and extensions with border runs, these often lead to legal gray areas. Proper education visas taken through recognized institutions can secure a more legitimate stay, but agents may still be involved, introducing additional costs. Ultimately, discussions reflect a mix of legal and questionable methods to remain in the country.
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.
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Andy **********
Every option advised is an illegal fudge or near illegal fudge.
For the first year, you can get a multiple entry tourist visa and extend each one giving you 6 months or so. You might even be able to stretch that out to a year with a border run or two.
Of course there are education visas for those so inclined but with all of these, costs creep up and any parasitic agents want their cut.
At the moment, the best sub aged 50 option is the 600k Elite visa. OK, that is 120k a year but no hassles and it is legal. IMHO if you haven't got the money for it, you haven't got enough to consider living overseas for years.
For the first year, you can get a multiple entry tourist visa and extend each one giving you 6 months or so. You might even be able to stretch that out to a year with a border run or two.
Of course there are education visas for those so inclined but with all of these, costs creep up and any parasitic agents want their cut.
At the moment, the best sub aged 50 option is the 600k Elite visa. OK, that is 120k a year but no hassles and it is legal. IMHO if you haven't got the money for it, you haven't got enough to consider living overseas for years.
Jw ********
@Andy *********
around 40k for education visa straight at a school without agent involved.Reply to
Jw ********
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Felix ******************************
Money + Agent = Stay.
Chris ******
Money is the answer. If you pay, you can stay.
Jw ********
Yep on an education visa for the year with a proper school. (unemployed/ unmarried to Thai and below 50 😅).
Study Thai 2 times per week for 2 hours each. It’s fun and useful. Plan to be here for a while.
Study Thai 2 times per week for 2 hours each. It’s fun and useful. Plan to be here for a while.
Nishant ************
@Jw *******
Which university?Jw ********
@Nishant ***********
chiang mai university is possible.Reply to
Jw ********
Reply
Williams ******
@Jw *******
how long can you stay on this type of visa?Jw ********
@Williams *********
several years, but eventually they will ask you to go to a university to advance. There is also the volunteer visa, Muay Thai visa and retirement when hit 50.Reply to
Jw ********
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Sam *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jw *******
I have heard those types of visas are really only good for a year or two. Eventually, it becomes non sustainableReply to
Sam *********
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Chris *****
Interresting topic.
Many agents can do but some do it border Line...and risk is réd flagged in thailand .
Would like find a solution as Mike you not 50 ,not millionary , not married , but stay Thailand 5years already
Many agents can do but some do it border Line...and risk is réd flagged in thailand .
Would like find a solution as Mike you not 50 ,not millionary , not married , but stay Thailand 5years already
Ross ********
Most have Ed visas with an agent
John *********
It's a ballache, whatever you do causes further trouble down the line.
Conor **********
One is example is paying an agent for a 1 year volunteer visa disqualifies you from getting the Elite Visa, so if you decide you want to stay long term you'll be forever stuck on dodgy visas until something new comes out
Casey ******
@John ********
can you explain more?We just had a post about posting useless information. What, exactly, causes “trouble down the line?”
Andrea ********
@Casey *****
trouble from IO etc after having out of area visas like the volunteer visas.Reply to
Andrea ********
Reply
James **********
Dont be afraid to speak to an agent or even a few and see what they can do for you
Richard *******
You can always find an agent who will help you for $$$$.
Shayne **********
There's so many different options for people to stay in Thailand. I know all about Chiang Mai options if you want to know more.
It's all relative to where you want to be based. Generally if you're in one province you need to seek out options in that province. Getting a random visa from somewhere out of the province raises red flags when you visit immigration in the province you live.
It's all relative to where you want to be based. Generally if you're in one province you need to seek out options in that province. Getting a random visa from somewhere out of the province raises red flags when you visit immigration in the province you live.
Darren *****
@Shayne *********
Can you share the Chiang Mai options with me too?Shayne **********
@Darren ****
doneReply to
Shayne **********
Reply
Rina *****
@Shayne *********
could you pls share with me Chiang Mai options?Shayne **********
@Rina ****
sentReply to
Shayne **********
Reply
Williams ******
@Shayne *********
could you please send me information about Chiang Mai?Shayne **********
@Williams *********
sent yesterdaySagar *******
@Shayne *********
, can you enlighten me on the options please. I am looking for viable options for serious Muay Thai classes as well.Shayne **********
@Sagar ******
sent details in messengerReply to
Shayne **********
Reply
Rafael *******
@Shayne *********
Could you send me info about the options in Chiang Mai? Thanks a lot!Shayne **********
@Rafael ******
doneReply to
Shayne **********
Reply
Nishant ************
@Shayne *********
Could you please help me with the Chiang mai options?Shayne **********
@Nishant ***********
PM d youReply to
Shayne **********
Reply
Sam *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Shayne *********
. Thank you... its just out of curiosity. Currently, I have no issue staying in the country, but I just see so many people who seemingly are hush hush about anything when it comes to visa status, that I think there must be something more than meets the eye...Who knows, maybe someday I will need help..Shayne **********
@Sam ********
I'm a long-term volunteer in Thailand who previously helped and looked after 170 volunteers in about 15 provinces for 2 sister foundations.During covid some Foundation connected with immigration and got about 400 volunteers through that one foundation and immigration officer. They basically screwed the system for all real volunteers.
People on these Foundation visas can't actually change to any Visa without expensive extra costs let's just say. And there's been about five people say they can't even get the elite Visa because they were in that Foundation.
Kool *******
@Shayne *********
a red flag immigration looks for with past volunteer visa holders is if they also had the normal 90 day extension stamps, as legitimate volunteer visa holders had to extend them every 90 days with documents from the organization they volunteered with, just like an ED visa.Reply to
Kool *******
Reply
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