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What are the best options for a Malaysian expat with a student visa to stay in Thailand permanently with a Thai partner?

Student VisaThai CitizenshipSame-Sex MarriageNon-B VisaWork PermitPermanent ResidencyThai Elite VisaStarting a Company in Thailand
Jun 8, 2020
5 years ago
Penny ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi. Just got approved to join this group. I'm Malaysian currently holding student visa for 2nd year. It will expired in October 2020. What's your advice if I want to stay in Thailand forever as my partner is Thai (and same sex) FYI, I used to hold work permit for about 6 years but now jobless. Your advice is highly appreciated. Thanks.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A Malaysian expat currently holding a student visa is seeking advice on how to stay in Thailand permanently with a Thai partner. Key points discussed include the legal status of same-sex marriages in Thailand, options for permanent residency (PR) through work permits, the financial requirements for PR and elite visas, and potential solutions like starting a company or continuously renewing visas through travel. Many commenters emphasize that legal marriage is not an option for same-sex partners in Thailand currently, suggesting alternative strategies for long-term residence.
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5 years ago
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Ben **********
Start or buy a small company, hire your thai partner as staff with thai social security, this allows you to exit for visa once a year instead of every 3 months. (recommended by my lawyer)
5 years ago
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Penny ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ben *********
 thanks 😊
5 years ago
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Penny ********
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Dhanus ********
I run a company. You are jobless. Perhaps we can come to an agreement.
5 years ago
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Penny ********
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@Dhanus *******
 Sounds good 😊👍
5 years ago
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Penny ********
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Oliver ********
eventually you will need to get a work permit (through working or doing some business) or buy an elite visa.

having a thai girlfriend has zero relevance to your immigration status.
5 years ago
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Penny ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oliver *******
 Actually I mentioned that I have thai gf just to show the reason why I want to stay in Thailand and the reason why I moved to Thailand 10 years ago. I even sacrifice my Singapore PR after working/staying for 17 years (which is so hard to get)

Now in this Covid-19 situation, it's hard to get a job especially for foreigner.

Anyway, thanks 😊
5 years ago
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Penny ********
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Steve *********
There's been talk of same sex civil unions coming to Thailand (but I wouldn't hold your breath!).

In the meantime, forming a company with your lady, studying, popping in and out at intervals ... these seem to be the main options. Unless you can afford thailand elite visa, there's little else at the moment.
5 years ago
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Penny ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ********
 thanks 😊
5 years ago
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Penny ********
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Matthew ********
Probably easier to get your partner to move to Malaysia.
5 years ago
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Penny ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Matthew *******
 I left Malaysia since I'm 17 years old. Used to work in Singapore before I moved to Thailand 10 years ago. Anyway, thanks 😊
5 years ago
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Penny ********
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Robert **********
Maybe start a thai company with your GF
5 years ago
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Nicky ******
@Robert *********
 Hmmm, I would think that idea through very carefully given the present state of things here at the moment. There's already a 7.3% contraction in the Thai economy with a 12% contraction seen in the second quarter. It's expected to continue into the third, and fourth quarter. Not to mention at least a 72% dip in tourist numbers.

Things will only get worse before they get better!
5 years ago
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Penny ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert *********
 Yup.. thought of.. 😊
5 years ago
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Penny ********
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Tiago **************
Your solution is flying every month home and return
5 years ago
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Penny ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tiago *************
 Nope. It won't last long. They will ban you to enter anytime they want.
5 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Penny *******
. The immigration have started a clampdown on tourist visas living in the country. I think with quarantine and mandatory insurance this loophole is going to close up, as I think visa exempt entries will be a long long way away. I'd say a WP is your best bet.
5 years ago
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Penny ********
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@Bobby *******
 thanks 😊
5 years ago
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Tiago **************
@Penny *******
 speak with a immigration lawyer.

Prachaya Vijitpokin In Huay Kwang, Bkk is a very good one.
5 years ago
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Penny ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tiago *************
 Thanks 😊
5 years ago
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Penny ********
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Phill ******
@Penny *******
 , hes right . i get 10 months every year with no visa .
5 years ago
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Tiago **************
@Penny *******
 I know people who travel 6times a year and never had a issue
5 years ago
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Penny ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tiago *************
 it's all depends and it still won't last long. My friend did that for years but ended up been given last warning. So now she's holding student visa same as me.
5 years ago
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Penny ********
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Damian *********
Nothing on marriage front Thailand don’t recognise same sex marriages yet. Non b and work permit only I’d say work enough to qualify for permanent residency is your only way. But pr is about 100,000 baht and the qualifying criteria is hard to meet this root. The Application is about 100,000 baht.

Or thai elite visa.
5 years ago
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Penny ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Damian ********
 100,000 baht I believe is only for the application and is hard to get approval. Am I right? Elite visa is million baht. Too much to bear 😓 (unless I strike 6millions lottery 😂)
5 years ago
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Phill ******
@Penny *******
 half a million th for 5 years , one million thb for 20 years . all hassle free .
5 years ago
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Nicky ******
@Phill *****
 She's jobless remember, and as she herself stated, that kind of money is, "Too much to bear". An Elite Visa is not an option. The only workable solution so far is mine.

Needs be where the devil drives: Necessity compels. 🤣
5 years ago
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Nicky ******
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Damian *********
@Penny *******
 sadly that’s your options. That Ed visa ain’t long term unfortunately, there will come a time when they say can not.

Good luck!
5 years ago
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Penny ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Damian ********
 thanks 😊
5 years ago
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Penny ********
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Nicky ******
Hmmm 🙄💬

Jobless, and want to stay in Thailand forever?

Well, nothing lasts forever, so we will change that to jobless, and want to stay in Thailand until the day I die with my girlfriend.

Solution: Keep your girlfriend, marry a Thai man with lots of cash, get Thai citizenship, and all live together happily ever after (mé·nage à trois). 😉
5 years ago
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Tiago **************
@Nicky *****
 sounds good
5 years ago
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Penny ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nicky *****
 hmm. .... 😌
5 years ago
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Penny ********
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Brett *******
Same sex marriages are not legal in Thailand.
5 years ago
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Penny ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brett ******
 yes I know. So sad... 😢
5 years ago
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Penny ********
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Phill ******
not sure about same sex marrages but if you marry thai man you would get thai citizenship .
5 years ago
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Becky **********
@Phill *****
 Phill Rose not true. I have been married to a thai man for 40+ years and still haven’t got Thai citizenship. You still have to go thru all the hurdles. I married in Thailand and a few years later went back to the US to work. Retired and moved back to Thailand and still have to live there 5 years before I can apply. This year makes 5 years so I will apply again soon.
5 years ago
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Phill ******
@Becky *********
 uuummmm you do have to live here to get it .
5 years ago
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Becky **********
@Phill *****
 yes right now I do live in Thailand but happened to visit the US and got stuck over here. Waiting till they let Non O visas back I
5 years ago
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Becky **********
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Penny ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phill *****
 no same sex marriage allow in Thailand yet. 😭 I won't marry to MAN for sure 😂
5 years ago
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Penny ********
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