Answered5 years ago

What are the best legitimate visa options to stay in Thailand for 6 months or longer before applying for the Elite Visa?

Thailand Visa Elite Visa Education Visa Tourist Visa Volunteer Visa Immigration

Charles ********

asked Aug 4, 2021

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What is the best way to stay 6m or longer before investing in elite? Re-entering thailand around October. 

I not sure an Thai Ed is a good option right now with covid. I was looking at smart s, but can't really find out how to apply. Too young for retirement visa. Not sure what other legitimate options are. 

Currently in Thailand for 5 months on STV, but need to leave for a month and abandon my remaining time. Plan on re-entering on new visa around October.

Answer summary

This conversation explores various options for expats in Thailand looking to stay for six months or longer before obtaining an Elite Visa. The user is concerned about the viability of an educational visa during COVID-19 and mentions currently holding a Special Tourist Visa (STV). Comments provide suggestions such as applying for an Elite Visa while away, using a single-entry tourist visa, or considering volunteer and work visas which accommodate younger applicants. The dialogue illustrates a range of potential pathways for maintaining legal residency in Thailand.

8 repliesnewest first

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Ben ********

Same boat as you. Wanted to try it out for a year before committing to Elite. got a volunteer visa for 60,000 for 15 months. Dm for details

5 years ago

Ken ***********

If under 50, your options are work visa, education visa, volunteer visa , marriage visa and Elite. Did I miss anything ?

5 years ago

Tod *********

I would say then in your case

@Cha****

, get a single entry tourist visa, come here get 60 days, extend that by 30, and look for longer term visa/extension options (ED, volunteer, etc) during that time.

5 years ago

Charles ********

@Tod ********

thanks tod.. I sent you a followuo question via pm.

5 years ago

Phill ******

apply for elite while your away , it will take a month to come thru .

5 years ago

Tod *********

and what is the reason you need to milk a 6 month stay out of this place before you get the elite visa? I mean if you're gonna get it get it. It's unlimited entry, it's trouble free and you wouldn't be coming in on a tourist visa or visa exempt, taking the 30 day extension, then scrambling trying to find a way to milk another 3 months of stay...

Just leave here on the STV and get the elite visa before you come back.

5 years ago

Charles ********

@Tod ********

want to stay longer before deciding, preferably 1 or 1.5 years... 5 months (especially during covid) is not much of an evaluation period. If I knew I would for at least a few years it makes sense... But comeback for 6 months and decide to move on, it's a lot money down the drain.

5 years ago

Tod *********

@Charles *******

point taken. Good game plan then. Come here, get your sea legs, see if you can hang or hate it THEN decide to spring for the elite to give you a trouble free stay.

5 years ago