What are the best long-term visa options for staying in Thailand given the current STV visa situation?

Thailand visas STV visa long-term stay visa options for expats immigration Thailand tourist visa Thai Elite Visa COVID-19 travel regulations

Mar 13, 2022

3 years ago

Josef ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello everyone,

I am planning to go back to Thailand, but I am not sure whats the best option to stay as long as possible. The STV visa is still the visa where you can stay the longest? I had the STV already last year and stayed there for 9 months but I was not happy with it because its the least flexible visa. Are the rules for the STV visa still the same like it was last year?

Im vaccinated so I wouldnt have a problem to come and do the "test and go" scheme, but what is the best visa way if the STV is still the same?

Hope anyone could help me, thanks in advance

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is seeking advice on the best visa options for a long-term stay in Thailand, expressing dissatisfaction with the STV visa due to its rigidity. Comments provide insights on the current status of the STV visa, alternatives like the tourist visa and Elite Visa, and reflections on the evolving travel situation.

Terary **********

Looking at the requirements for the STV, I found it to be too much of a pain in the ass. I figured I would do the tourist visa, see what options were available after the extension. Either leave Thailand or visa runs. I love Thailand but the immigration/visa/ThaiPass nonsense is too much considering there are many places not doing that.

3 years ago

Josef ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Terary *********

yeah the STV visa is really shit. When I applied for it i was only allowed to do it in Rome, as im from Italy, living in the northest part, I had to go there, 7 hours for driving. A lot of stupid rules lile this, too much paperwork. I guess I will just do a normal 60 day tourist visa. I will anyway stay In Rayong so the cambodian border is not far to do a visa run and see how it works, but for later i will definitely consider learning thai, as I love Thailand, speaking their language wouldnt be a bad idea 😁

3 years ago

Reply to

Josef ********

Bobby ********

STV finishes in September. In view of the ease of travel now around the world, it may no longer be offered. You can work, study, marry or buy a five year Elite Visa.

3 years ago

Josef ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Bobby *******

Thanks for your answer, yes I know STV finishes in September but I am planning already to go in April, so it would be an option. The Elite visa would be the best, but quite expensive. I dont intent to marry so thats not an option 😁And I also dont think its easy to find a job. You have any clue about studying, whats the easiest and not too expensive option there? Would be much appreciated

3 years ago

Josef ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks a lot for the help 👍🏻

3 years ago

Terary **********

@Josef *******

When I was in your situation, options being: marry, study, work, elite. I found it cheaper to do visa runs than elite visa. I mean quality visa runs, 2 weeks Vietnam, 2 Weeks Australia (at the time they were offering Americans METV), 2 Bali, etc.

Studying will likely be a time commitment. You will likely have to take a test at immigration to verify that you are learning.

In the long run marriage is the most expensive.

3 years ago

Bobby ********

Terary Apellido. I guess it depends if people want to just kick back and enjoy living in Thailand without the need to travel to other countries and race to borders every couple of months and be continually visiting immigration offices. It seems a very risky strategy too, not knowing if airport immigration might decide you've had too long on tourist visas and you should be getting a proper visa which suits your situation. This has been known to happen before. Perhaps some people enjoy going out/in continuously. It would never suit me as I prefer my life to be more relaxed, but each to their own!

3 years ago

Reply to

Bobby ********

Josef ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I really appreciate your help, thank you very much. As I have studied already I dont intent to study on a university again. But learning the Thai language or Muay Thai sounds interesting. Do you have any reccomodation for those?

3 years ago

Bobby ********

Josef Gamper

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3 years ago

Reply to

Bobby ********

Josef Gamper. Depends how intelligent you are as to how easy it is to study. If you're looking for long-term you can do a university degree. Short term you can learn Thai. But the visa is 90-days which can be extended each 90-days, but immigration will test you at each extension to see how well you're progressing before allowing further extension. Maximum is one year. Otherwise Muay Thai is very popular.

3 years ago

Reply to

Bobby ********

George *******

Last time I came on tourist visa. I’m thinking this time STV. What did you do about Accommodations. I plan on traveling

3 years ago

Josef ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Last time I had to plan everything in advance, so if you want to travel around its not really a good option, like I said its the least flexible visa, atleast it was last year, but it didnt seem like they changed it

George *******

👍

George *******

👍

Reply to

George *******

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