What are the best visa options for a long stay in Thailand with a child?

Jan 8, 2020
5 years ago
Shelley ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey all!

Sorry I guess it gets asked alot, but my head is spinning from all the information I've seen!

I'm coming to Thailand February, would like to stay for a few months at least. When I came before I got a 90 days tourist visa, although this was some years ago.

What is the best way now? I know you get 30 days on arrival, but is there a longer option? Is it easier to do visa runs or extending my visa? Can I just get a longer visa before I come? I'm travelling with a 5 year old. Please help πŸ™ would like to stay as long as possible 😊
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses various visa options for a person planning to stay in Thailand for a few months, especially traveling with a child. It mentions the possibility of buying a single-entry tourist visa for 60 days with an extension option, exploring the multi-entry tourist visa, and considering other visa types based on the purpose of stay. Comments provide additional suggestions, including steps to maximize stay duration through extensions and visa runs.
James ********
Commenting closed.
Jason **********
What’s the situation on marriage visas non O from Laos πŸ‡±πŸ‡¦ Thai Embassy, I know people have to make an online appointment now before going, you informed before no requirements to show 400.000 THB in Thai Bank Account, and same for Vietnam πŸ‡»πŸ‡³ Thai Embassy is this still the case?
James ********
@Jason *********
please post your own question. This post is not yours to hijack. Thank you.
Robert *******
Coming to Thailand wanting to stay as long as possible as nowhere else to be, different options:

20 years of Stay, the Thai Elite Visa

10 years or 5 years, same Thai Elite Visa (you can not work inside Thailand)

If you need to work to get funds the Non Immigrant B visa, Work Permit and as long as you work you can apply for back to back 1 year Extension of Stay.

Non Immigrant O Visa as Volunteer, as long as you work as volunteer

Non Immigrant ED visa, could cover 4 years to get your degree

Short time stay options

Tourist Visa, single or multiple version

Visa Exempt Entry.
YK ***********
Hi
@Rob***
. Do you know if they are still issuing Non Immigrant O Visa as Volunteers? I'm hearing that they are near to impossible to get these days.
Benjamin ******
First, get a visa that fits the purpose of your stay. If you want to work, get a Non-B visa, if you want to stay here for many years, get an elite visa, etc.

For a tourist visa/ visa exempt, this is the best way to stay the longest, and you may be able to eek out about o a year for an American (note: I'm assuming all months have 30 days, you do the specific math).

1. Enter on a visa exemption (30 days). You'll be able to stay until February 1

2. Extend that visa exemption (1,900 THB), another 30 days. You'll be able to stay until March 1

3. Go to Vientiane, get a 60 day single entry visa. You'll be able to stay 60 days, or until May 1.

4. Extend that visa by another 30 days (1,900 THB). You'll be able to stay until June 1.

5. Attempt to get another tourist visa in HCMC. If successful, you'll be able to stay August 1.

6. Extend that visa by another 30 days (1,900THB), or until September 1.

7. Border bounce out of Thailand by land (you get two per each calendar year). You'll get a 30 day visa exempt. You'll be able to stay until October 1.

8. Extend that visa exempt for 1,900THB. You'll be able to stay until November 1

9. Border bounce out of Thailand by land (the last visa exempt for the calendar year). You'll be able to stay until December 1.

10. Extend that visa exempt for 1,900. You'll be able to stay until around January 1

11. Bounce out of Thailand by land (remember, you get TWO visa exempts per calendar year). You'll be able to stay until February 1

12. Extend that visa exempt for 1,900 THB. You'll be able to stay until March 1.

13. Bounce out of Thailand by land (the last one for 2021). You'll be able to stay until April 1

14. Extend that visa exempt for 1,900 THB. You'll be able to pack your stuff and stay until May 1.

Why didn't I recommend flying out? Because if you are rejected entry at a border, you'll be told to return back to that country by land. If you fly out, you'll probably be sent back to your home country, which is much more of a headache.
YK ***********
I'm following too. I hold Canada & UK passport and I'd like to spend as long as possible in Chiang Mai from April 2020. I'm currently living in South Africa. I work for myself and so I won't meet all the METV requirements but otherwise it does seem like a great option.
James ********
@Yawdie ****
please ask your own question in a new post. Thank you.
Bobby ********
And don't forget the three must haves, just in case you're asked
Tracy *****
Pretty sure it's more than 20k with a child.
Shelley ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
which is?
Shelley ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ooh thank you tod! Would that really work for my child?? Do you know people who do this πŸ™ˆ will look into the multiple entry. Which website do you use??
Shelley ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm British but currently in New Zealand as a tourist πŸ™
Andrea ********
Are you British? Liverpool consulate is easy for METV.
Ellie *******
You need to check the website of the consulate where you really apply. Requirements at each consulate varies.
Tod *********
OR go to the thai consulate website and look the requirements for a 6 month METV <- multi-entry tourist visa .. That would give you almost 9 months of stay here (in 60 day increments)
James ********
Just how long do you really plan on staying in Thailand?
Shelley ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
I'm not sure really. I don't have anywhere else to be πŸ˜…
Tod *********
And as far as your child, while in theory they need a visa too because there is no overstay fine for children under 15 and no banning due to overstay for children under 18 I'd say just bring them in on the 30 day visa exempt entry stamp and let them overstay. They won't have any issues stamping out of the country at all
Tod *********
BUY a single entry tourist visa from a thai consulate in your country BEFORE you come here. That will stamp you in for 60 days and you can get a 30 day extension on that once you're here at the immigration office for 1900baht.
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