What are the best long-term visa options for an American expat wishing to live in Thailand?

@Erik ********

I think voting republican will solve a lot of issues. Not sure why you would mention culture

@Erik ********

I think what you meant to say was you prefer Thai culture over American culture. USA has a lot of culture. I’ve been to Thailand and enjoy it but US has too many conveniences that are hard to forget about. You have to remember you will always be a visitor and a foreigner in Thailand regardless of your visa

@Erik ********

I can see now why you want to quit and move away. Good luck with your future.

@Kevin ************

yep ...makes sense

@Erik ********

as US citizen you have to apply for visa before arriving in Vietnam which gives you 90 days. Vietnam doesn't do extension so you have to leave VN after 90 days

@Erik ********

It’s perfectly legal to be a tourist in most countries.

There is no limit to the number of times you can enter a country. (Thailand has a restriction on land border crossings. I believe twice a year but I always fly so never worried about that)

If you’re planning on something other than visiting then you need to apply for the appropriate visa. From your description of your plan you’ll be fine on tourist entry.

@Duncanc *********

I would completely agree; we’ve been coming to Thailand since 2016 on 30 day exemptions, stay 30 days, fly out to Bali or Malaysia or wherever and stay/visit there at least 2 weeks. Then return to Thailand on a new 30 day exemption (we’re US). We entered Thailand once in 2023 like this. Entered first time from Vietnam. We stayed 30 days then left for Malaysia; stayed in Penang about 10 days then flew to Laos and stayed for 10 days there. Then flew back to Thailand expecting another 30 day exemption. Actually, this “second” entry was the first in 2024! But my partner was chastised by the immigration officer! She scolded him “next time get a proper visa”. We are both retirement age, but do not wish to retire here in Thailand. We just want to stay 60-90 days. After my partner was scolded, something was typed into the computer and he was given his 30 day exemption stamp. We both were surprised and still don’t comprehend what, if anything, we did wrong. We come to Thailand and visit here and all over SoEastAsia every year. We didn’t apply for a 60 day visa because none of our trips involved staying 60 days in one stretch of time here in Thailand. But now I’m wondering if immigration isn’t happy with people arriving on a 30 day exemption more than just once. Air or land.

@Erik ********

Nothing written - but your story needs to make sense/be believable to the immigration officer.

Somebody flying out for an hour and turning straight around isn’t breaking any rule - but it looks like obvious abuse of the system.

Don’t abuse the system.

Why would somebody fly out to Malaysia and then turn around without actually seeing anything?

Oh yeah … they’re working illegally and need to be back at work or some other dumb shit.

@Lien *****

an METV visa is good for 6 months. Each time one enters on that visa they get 60 days which can be extended to 90 as you say. The part you are getting incorrect is you don't have to apply for a new one after that if the visa is still valid. All you have to do is leave the country and return to get another 60 day entry stamp and 30 day extension using the same visa. If you get your timing right and then leave the country and return just prior to to the visa expiring you can do it a 3rd time. All total one can get close to 9 months of stay in Thailand out of an METV.

@Wylie ******

oh ok, that's even better. Thanks for correcting me

@Lien *****

also you can't get another METV from.a neighbouring country, you have to return to your own country to get a subsequent METV. However you can get a SETV from Thai embassies or consulates in neighbouring countries. However the days of living on back to back tourist visas ended around 2017

@Lien *****

at this moment he does not quality for a marriage extension. Visa runs are not viable long term options

@Erik ********

cause you're not married to a Thai that's why 😅

@Erik ********

are you married to a Thai?

Go study thai and get a student visa

@Jan *****************

900k its crazy

@Amir *******

Agree, and sad it’s so difficult to spend time in TH as a retired not reached 50 years.

@Erik ********

@Erik ********

Ok, as mentioned beside student visa, an option for longer stays are METV, but it doesn’t let you live in TH for 12 years. You might have to consider to have a base for a time in a surrounding county with softer long stay terms, eks Cambodia.

@Erik ********

Ok, maybe it’s a good idea to start with a Multiple Entries Tourist Visa first. This gives you up to nine months first and you can renew at home or apply for a up too three months single entry Tourist Visa after. Be aware of if you later want to have a permanent retirement visa you anyway have to show proof of 800K in a Thai bank when you apply for the first one year extension from TH.