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What are some long-term visa options for staying in Thailand after a rejected Elite Visa application?
Visa OptionsThai Elite VisaLTR VisaSMART VisaBusiness VisaImmigration AdviceVisa RegulationsED Visa Consequences
Jul 16, 2023
3 years ago
Andreas *************
ORIGINAL POSTERGuys, I need help.
I have been staying in Thailand for the last 2 years on different types of visas.
I stayed on an ED visa with AAA Language school until July 2022. Never had any problems with the school or the immigration office. It wasn't some shade ED visa thing but a proper language school.
Then I did the TR visa with visarun thing (mixed in with 1 month trips back to Europe in December 2022) for quite a while. Until May 2023.
On my last entry in May, after a short trip to Kuala Lumpur, the immigration officer gave me a really hard time. I was trying to enter on a visa exemption because I already had flights booked to Europe in June anyway. So they let me enter, but it was clear to me that I need a long-term solution to this problem.
That didn't really bother me, because I was planning to get the Elite Visa anyway. So I applied for it last month. Only to find out this morning that my application was NOT APPROVED. They didn't give me a specific reason but they said it might be because of my ED visa record.
Now I am pretty bummed out. Never in my life would I have expected to get rejected from the Elite Visa. I thought the whole point of paying 600,000 THB was to not deal with all these frustrations again. I have no overstay record, no criminal record.
So my question to everyone in this group is now:
What are other options to get a legitimate long-term visa in Thailand? Besides marrying a local.
About me:
30 years old. I run my own location-independent business in Europe but I want to spend most of my time in Thailand. Money is not really an issue (hence the Elite Visa). I even looked into starting a business in Thailand but that would cost me roughly 100,000 THB per month to hire enough Thai employees to qualify for my own work permit and visa. And to get that business profitable it would suck a lot of time and energy out of my existing business.
I was thinking there must be other options, no? I appreciate any kind of help. Thank you!
I have been staying in Thailand for the last 2 years on different types of visas.
I stayed on an ED visa with AAA Language school until July 2022. Never had any problems with the school or the immigration office. It wasn't some shade ED visa thing but a proper language school.
Then I did the TR visa with visarun thing (mixed in with 1 month trips back to Europe in December 2022) for quite a while. Until May 2023.
On my last entry in May, after a short trip to Kuala Lumpur, the immigration officer gave me a really hard time. I was trying to enter on a visa exemption because I already had flights booked to Europe in June anyway. So they let me enter, but it was clear to me that I need a long-term solution to this problem.
That didn't really bother me, because I was planning to get the Elite Visa anyway. So I applied for it last month. Only to find out this morning that my application was NOT APPROVED. They didn't give me a specific reason but they said it might be because of my ED visa record.
Now I am pretty bummed out. Never in my life would I have expected to get rejected from the Elite Visa. I thought the whole point of paying 600,000 THB was to not deal with all these frustrations again. I have no overstay record, no criminal record.
So my question to everyone in this group is now:
What are other options to get a legitimate long-term visa in Thailand? Besides marrying a local.
About me:
30 years old. I run my own location-independent business in Europe but I want to spend most of my time in Thailand. Money is not really an issue (hence the Elite Visa). I even looked into starting a business in Thailand but that would cost me roughly 100,000 THB per month to hire enough Thai employees to qualify for my own work permit and visa. And to get that business profitable it would suck a lot of time and energy out of my existing business.
I was thinking there must be other options, no? I appreciate any kind of help. Thank you!
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user details their previous experiences with various visa types in Thailand and the recent rejection of their Elite Visa application, which they suspect may be linked to their prior ED visa. They seek alternative long-term visa solutions apart from marrying a local. Community comments suggest several options, including the LTR visa, SMART visa, and investment visa, as well as potential business setup strategies that could provide a viable way to obtain a work permit. The discussion reflects concerns over visa policies and procedures, particularly for expats trying to establish stable residency.
LONG TERM RESIDENT (LTR) VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic LTR Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Long Term Resident (LTR) Visa.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Long Term Resident (LTR) 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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Harry **********
Hey
@Andreas ************
mind if I ask you a couple questions? Now that time has passed since this postMedi ******
i lived in thailand just 130 days in total, but flying back to gulag ruined me financially
Chulala **********
Recommend setting up your own business or looking for business visa
Mma *******
Yeah what a shit show, you get the ED Visa "that the country offers", which then precludes you from spending even more money on the Elite Visa- I mean you can't make this stuff up.
Andreas *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mma ******
right. I am basically getting punished now for making a serious effort learning the languageReply to
Andreas *************
Reply
Step *****
Stupid question perhaps but when you get a new passport renewal, would they perhaps accept it that time?
Andreas *************
ORIGINAL POSTERNope. I already used a brand new passport with no ED visa inside. In fact, you never even have to show them your entire passport in the Elite Visa application process
Josh ******
@Andreas ************
what did you end up doing?Step *****
@Andreas ************
sorry to hear :(Reply to
Step *****
Reply
Mma *******
@Step ****
This is worth trying-Reply to
Mma *******
Reply
Matthias *********
ED Visa is the killer.
James ********
I also just posted about this. Same as you, I was denied. Annoyingly I was accepted to last year but had already decided on a ED visa to see how I get on with the language and if I want to commit to five years. School was legit. Second time I applied I have been denied
Rana *******
Sent you a DM!
Mike ******
2 week tourist are welcome
Mike ******
Thailand does not need your money..they wish rich tourist
Us *****
Damn buddy, you are scaring me. I am on my first year Ed visa and i got rejected for the Elite last month too. I need to leave the country next May and return in August. I hope the immigration policy would change when Pita is elected. They need the farang money lol.
Mike ******
Get a job..when you are 50 retire in thailand
Mike ******
You are full off??
Michael ****
Maybe use a BOI? They can get you a non-b + work permit.
Andreas *************
ORIGINAL POSTERHas anyone tried these guys?
***********************
Dimitri ********
Starting your own business only for visa purposes does not cost you 100k a month. There are ways to do it cheap, much cheaper than the Elite visa.
Andreas *************
ORIGINAL POSTERHow so?
Dimitri ********
@Andreas ************
You don't hire employees, you don't pay them a sallary. You only pay social security for them. There are accountants who can help with this. Of course this setup is not 100% "how it is meant to be". But there are many people doing it that way. Even more shady: I know someone who pays a woman 5000 Baht a month to be married with him without any other obligations. If you are willing to cross lines there are ways to stay here.Reply to
Dimitri ********
Reply
Kool *******
If money is not a concern then an actual investment visa could be an option.
Harry **********
@Kool ******
You’re telling a guy in his 20s to invest 10M baht in a developing country just to get a visa… jesus christKool *******
@Harry *********
You seem to think like this is a third world country. The BOI does not allow any investment they do not approve of to begin with. Secondly there is a background investigation that takes about three months. There is no restriction on who can get one, but they are aimed at corporate CEOs, and directors of major international business in Thailand, and they do not want them to lose money on these allowed investments. It's actually the only visa you can make money on, without actually working. From my experience I would expect someone with your attitude about the safety of 10M baht to think cryptocurrency is a good investment. Thailand isn't Cambodia, Laos, or Myanmar, where you can expect to get ripped off. Thailand deals with too many countries commercially to do that kind of cr*p anymore.Reply to
Kool *******
Reply
John **********
The only visa that will allow you to work legally inside Thailand is the LTR visa but the requirements are steep. It might be worth looking at the SMART S Visa as a means of opening a business in Thailand without the need to employ staff if you are in one of the targeted industry
Other than that there aren't many options for you.
BTW the elite visa is work prohibited, it's a tourist visa.
*********************************************
Other than that there aren't many options for you.
BTW the elite visa is work prohibited, it's a tourist visa.
Garrett ***********
@John *********
He's working in Eurpoe, not Thailand.John **********
@Garrett **********
it matters not where his business is based, if he works for the business from inside Thailand he can only do so legally with the correct permitGarrett ***********
@John *********
WrongJo **********
@Garrett **********
your incorrect i have an LTR I am working in Europe, Asia etc. My company is based in Singapore and DenmarkGarrett ***********
@Jo *********
What am I incorrect about?Jo **********
@Garrett **********
because you say that’s it’s wrong that it does not matter where the business is based, it does not matterGarrett ***********
@Jo *********
Don't think that's what I said mate.John **********
@Garrett **********
not wrong according to Thai law.Nigel *********
@John *********
You're right about this. I spoke to 2 Labour departments about this very scenario a year ago (an American, working for an American company on line whilst living in Thailand) Phang Nga and Phuket. Both offices just told me to tell my friend to be quiet and nothing will happen.Reply to
Nigel *********
Reply
Jeremy ********
The LTR visa if you meet those qualifications
********************************
Andreas *************
ORIGINAL POSTERI don't qualify for that kind of visa
Andreas *************
ORIGINAL POSTERit looks like my country changed the application process to e-visas only. And they are asking for a lot of documents, including proof of payment for all accommodations during my trip to Thailand. Do you know how strict they are on that? Of course I am not gonna book 60 nights in a hotel just for the visa process.
Mma *******
@Andreas ************
Yes this is another ridiculous requirement. Also not true. Book a few days OR book the whole 60 with Agoda with the Pay later AND cancel feature, print off submit and cancel at a later date.Reply to
Mma *******
Reply
Jeremy ********
@Andreas ************
another Ed visa, run 6 month METV visas back to back you can get 9 months out of them with a strategic border bounce days before it expires, there is no official limit on how many you can get in a row…downside you can only apply for them in your passport country(s) or a country you’re a legal resident inReply to
Jeremy ********
Reply
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