What are the best long-term visa options for studying Muay Thai in Thailand for 3 years?

Question

What’s the best visa option(s) to stay in Thailand long term (~3 years) to study Muay Thai? I’m from the USA.

I know an ED visa can get me one year. I’d be ok learning Thai. If I choose to take another year (or 2) of language would immigration be suspicious? I would actually go to class. I like languages but I want to focus on training.

I know some gyms sponsor ED visas but I may gym hop so I don’t know if I will commit to one place more than a few months.

Another option is 60 day tourist visa extendable to 90 days. I don’t mind a border run every 90 days if the visa can be reused a few times but I think a border run on the 30 day visa extended to 60 days is too frequent.

I’m not over 50, have no family there, and don’t work for a thai company so. The only other visa that’s available is the elite visa but I don’t have the funds. I’m ok doing a visa run a few times a year, or every 90 days spend a few days outside and apply for another visa but I also know they get suspicious if you border run too much. Also I want to focus on training so I don’t want to spend too much time running out, waiting, and applying for visas.

Thanks for any advice.

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user inquires about long-term visa options for staying in Thailand for approximately three years to study Muay Thai. They are from the USA and are considering different visa types, including the ED visa which can grant them one year, and the possibility of extending education for language studies without triggering immigration concerns. They mention the limitations of tourist visas and the challenge of frequent border runs. Comments suggest starting with an ED visa, exploring options in Chiang Mai, and checking for specialized Muay Thai visas as potential alternatives.

NaTasha *************** · Answer

I believe there is a 'Muay Thai Visa'... Or at least there was a couple years ago.

Jan **** · Answer

Master Toddy muay thai in bkk, study for up to 5 years with an Ed visa.

Shayne ********** · Answer

Start with a one year education visa and if you're in Chiang Mai I've got several other options you can do. Even if you're not on a Muay Thai Visa you can still study Muay Thai.

Brandon ************ · Answer

Unless you're taking University classes, even getting 2 years for ED may be pushing it.

If you try visa runs or bouncing every 60-90 days, eventually immigration will start asking you why you're spending so much time in Thailand, as a tourist are not supposed to be living somewhere.

You don't really have any options for 3 years, just like any other country in the world where you're not a citizen.

Either find a job, enroll in university for a degree, or get an elite visa. Currently those are your only options besides marrying a Thai man.

There are some new proposed long term visas but they don't actually exist yet and we won't know the actual details until the law is written. They say Sept but we'll see.

What are the best long-term visa options for studying Muay Thai in Thailand for 3 years?

Activity

Related

Resources