Is it possible to stay in Thailand as a tourist for a year?

Mar 16, 2024
8 months ago
Amanda ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi, I'd like to visit Thailand as a tourist for around a year, is that possible?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Staying in Thailand as a tourist for one full year is challenging and generally not possible with standard tourist visas. The Multi Entry Tourist Visa (METV) allows for up to 9 months with extensions and border runs can be used to extend your stay. However, obtaining two successive METVs is unlikely based on immigration rules. For longer stays, consider an education visa if you're under a certain age and can afford classes, or potential solutions like the retirement visa if you meet the financial requirements.
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Jo **********
If your willing to travel to another country about every month’s for 4-5 days every month yes. did it on visa exempt
Nongnuch ********
@Amanda *******
The Multi Entry Tourist Visa is a "6-months validity visa".

You get a 60-days stay permit on each entry.

You need to do a border run to activate the next 60 days stay permit.

(You could apply for a 30 days extension for 1900.- THB, before doing the border run)

You can do unlimited entries within the visa validity.

If you exit and re-enter on the last day of the visa validity, you get a 60 days stay permit for the last time, taking you total stay to almost 8 months.

You can extend the last stay permit ONCE for 1900.- THB on Immigration, taking you to almost 9 months.

After that your chances for the rest of the year are naught, as Immigration won't allow any visa-exempt entries consecutively after you have exhausted your touristic stay permits

Alternatively, you can buy the 5 year ELITE Visa, which will allow you 5 years of uninterrupted stay, for 900,000.- THB
Lee ***********
That is what I'm doing now. Came on a visa exemption 30 days as a tourist, got an extra 30 days, then got a non immigrant o visa extension.
Nongnuch ********
@Lee **********
well , for THAT you need to be over 50 years old, and you need the financial proof (either 800,000 THB on a Thai bank account, or proof of income minimum of 65,000 THB per month
Don ********
Better get used to border runs
Nongnuch ********
@Don *******
You will NEVER reach a 1-year stay on visa-exempt entries. There will come the moment Immigration will refuse entry
Alexandr *************
You can get a 6 month tourist visa.With the extensions you can spend around 9 months. Then get in back without a visa and get 1 month + 1 month with extension. Then, get out and get a 2+ 1 tourist visa. That is like 14 months already. If you want to live in one place,I would suggest get an ed visa.
Nongnuch ********
@Alexandr ************
We have NEVER heard of this happening! Immigration won't tolerate visa-exempt entries right after you have exhausted your 9-months touristic stay permit with the multi entry Tourist Visa. You will have to exit Thailand and wait a few months, until you can repeat
Steven *******
You can apply for the retirement visa and if you don’t have the 800,000 baht to put in your account, there are visa agents that can put their money in an account in your name for a fee.
Linda **********
50+ you can get retirement visa.
Loveson ***********
I did that . So yes it’s possible. Get 3 month tourist visa then extend, many agents take like 10k baht a month to extend it for a month . I don’t want to recommend any agent because there are so many
Graham ******
@Loveson **********
or go to Immigration yourself and pay 1900B for the 30 day extension
Loveson ***********
@Graham *****
i know but they wouldn’t do that after a while i mean after 3 months one or two month you can try but later you need to try agents who will do under the table or connections . I have did it a month or so which i couldn’t remember how many times but then i give it to some visa companies
Amanda ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you. I am not getting married and have limited funds.
Russell ***********
@Amanda *******
*This is for Bangkok*

if you use Airbnb (there are hostels on there too), they give discounts for booking a month or more at a time. Sometimes those discounts are around half the normal price!

I usually can find a studio or 1br with full bath for $300-500/month, but I've seen hostels as cheap as $160/month. Keep in mind that's only when booking for a month and I usually book about a month in advance of the dates I'm looking for.

Feel free to DM me if you have any questions.
Russell ***********
I just hit the 6 month mark on tourist visas and border runs. Spent at least a week in Laos and Cambodia to actually experience the countries on those runs.

I'm about to go back to Bangkok and get an education visa. 1 year is about $1000 for Thai language lessons. 2hrs a day 4 days per week, with option of remote classes.

Probably one of the safest bets.

Or you could TRY to do 4-6 border runs (4 runs if you do 60 days + extension, 6 if you do 30 days + extension) to get your year in Thailand on tourist visa, but that's playing with fire these days.
Andrew *******
@Russell **********
Smart. You did vacation style border runs. Immigration will love entering you back in if you do that. Enjoy 👍👍
Richmand ******
With the right agent and money anything is possible in Thailand.
Luigi ***********
One important thing you need to know.

To get married in Thailand the man must request the certificate of free status for marriage from his Embassy.

On this document the Embassy must quantify your economic status required by the Thai authorities to proceed with the registration of the marriage.

At that point you have entered into the tangle of Thai politics that a foreigner who wants to marry a Thai woman must support her until the day of the divorce with the revocation upon expiry of the Non Immigrant Visa O.

Country called LAND OF COMPROMISES 🇹🇭
Amanda ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Luigi **********
thanks, I definitely will not be getting married.
Joris **********
@Luigi **********
the OP is female and a tourist.
Andrew *******
Yes, very possible. Some risks, but usually small. A few border runs and extensions will be needed.
Bart **************
@Andrew ******
small? 😅
Yorgos **************
If you are a dog or cat or fish, yes
Klaus ***********
No problem if u are a bit flexible and willing to spent a months or two abroad with interruption you can spend decades here. Don’t listen to the grumpy guys here .. who will most certainly comment on my writing.

Just study the visas available and choose and if you can fulfill the requirements enjoy your time in Thailand.
Andrew *******
@Klaus **********
“Study the visas available” definitely helped me stay there for so long.

“Lived” there in a monthly rented house, not in hotels. And used the address of that house on all immigration papers. No questions ever asked.
Andrew *******
@Klaus **********
This is correct. I spent 2 years in Thailand (METV, border runs, etc.), with a 3 month gap inbetween to visit my home country. No issues whatsoever with immigration.
Luigi ***********
Many senseless answers to the true importance of the questioner. I advise you to check the website of the Royal Thai Embassy in your home country.

There you will find clear answers to your request.

Because the Royal Thai Embassies or Royal Thai Consulates General around the world use different methodologies at their own discretion. 🤞🤞
Bart **************
No
Jo **********
@Bart *************
you can but need to travel outside the country every month for 4-5 days. In 2022 i managed nearly 10 months. So i’m a sense your right it was not 12 months.
Christopher *************
As above
Brian *********
No one can accurately answer your questions without details. Visa criteria boils down to any or potential combinations of your age, finance, purpose, sponsorship, criminal history and intended duration.
Amanda ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brian ********
I have no criminal history, I am 53 but cannot afford the retirement visa. I just want to enjoy the country.
Brian *********
@Amanda *******
based on this you will have a hard time getting a legal continuous one year visa.

The non-O or Non-OA require money on deposit of 800k baht or a monthly deposit of
*****
baht or more.

Yes, it’s possible (though potentially not legal).

Use a service. They can do things sometimes that are sketch but possible.

You could simply get an exempt stamp and do airborne border runs to get a new stamp. Land based border runs are limited to two a year (I think).

Visas and individual immigration offices here are a moving target or in the least consistent.

But…it’s possible.
Andrew *******
Jan ************
Is it impossible to obtain two successive multiple-entry tourist visas, each allowing for a maximum stay of up to 8 months, totaling 16 months?
Gerard **************
If you are under 48, or 49 I forget you can get 1 year education visa. But you need to enroll and attend class.
Jan ******************
@Jan ***********
No they won’t give you two successive METV’s, but a METV can give you up to nine months with the third local extension. Formally you also can do border bouncers and get visa exemption, but I’ll recommend to use a transport/visa company for this service.
Andrew *******
@Jan ***********
Some visa companies can possibly handle that for you or help. HD Visa, etc.
Bart **************
@Jan ***********
most likely not.
Frank **********
@Jan ***********
not likely l.
Darren ******
No
Windy *******
Of course. But not with a

tourist visa.
Martin *********
No
Jan ******************
You could at least start with a multiple entries tourist visa (METV) and spend up to nine months in Thailand. That’s the closest you’ll get as a tourist. Apply online at the Thai Embassy at your permanent residence at date.
Rajeev ********
@Jan *****************
how do you go from 3 months tourist visa to 9 months?
Jan ******************
@Rajeev *******
@Nongnuch *******
Gave you the correct answer. There’s two different tourist visa; one with single entry which gives you up to 3 months and one six months tourist with multiple entries which gives you up to 3 months every time you enter within six months.
Nongnuch ********
@Rajeev *******
the Multi Entry Tourist Visa is a "6-months validity visa". You get a 60-days stay permit on each entry. You need to do a border run to activate the next 60 days stay permit. You can do unlimited entries within the visa validity. If you exit and re-enter on the last day of the visa validity, you get a 60 days stay permit for the last time, taking you total stay to almost 8 months. You can extend the last stay permit ONCE for 1900.- THB on Immigration, taking you to almost 9 months. After that your chances for the rest of the year are naught, as Immigration won't allow any visa-exempt entries consecutively after you have exhausted your touristic stay permits
Andrew *******
@Jan *****************
This is the safest bet.
Mehmet *********
6 months a year maximum.
David **********
Yes with some knowledge and preparation.
Mehmet *********
@David *********
I know that there is a total of 6 months in a year. You can do this twice for 3 months with a 1 month extension for 2 months in one entry. Sorry if I'm wrong. I would be very happy if you tell the truth. This is how I learn.
David **********
@Mehmet ********
don't give wrong information
Andrew *******
@Mehmet ********
Definitely not.
Mehmet *********
Graham ******
@Mehmet ********
almost 9 months on a multi-entry tourist visa
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