What are the best visa options for a long-term stay in Thailand for a Czech expat?

Feb 16, 2024
9 months ago
Michal ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello, I need advice regarding long-term stay in Thailand. I'm from the Czech Republic (. Europe) and plan to spend at least 5 months annually in Thailand, where I'd like to purchase a condo. I want to stay 5 months in Thailand and the rest of the year traveling in Asia (Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, etc.), with Thailand as my main base. I'm not over 50, don't have a wife in Thailand, and Elite visas are too costly for me. šŸ˜Š How can I legally secure this stay without frequent trips back to the Czech Republic? Thank you for any advice and experiences.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A Czech citizen seeking to stay in Thailand for at least 5 months annually can consider pursuing a series of Tourist Visas. The most feasible approach involves entering Thailand on a 60-day Tourist Visa, which can be extended for an additional 30 days. After this period, a visa run to a neighboring country can grant another 30-day entry, allowing for a potential total of 5 months in Thailand with proper planning. Various visa options discussed include multi-entry Tourist Visas and the importance of being aware of immigration regulations to avoid complications with long-term stays.
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  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Jim ********
If you are over 50 years old,Come here and you will get a 30 day visa upon entry, then after 30 days go to Laos and get a 90 day ā€œNon-Residential visa. After that if you can put
*****
0 baht in the bank ( about $ 21,000 Euros) you can now get a One Year visa. Now get a multiple reentry visa 4,500 baht and you can come and go as you wish.
Leo ******
I'd not be purchasing anything in Thailand... Buy something in your home country and rent that out and use the rent money to rent in Thailand... Spend 1 month in Thailand. 1 month in an adjacent country and keep alternating... They won't question that. Its the looking like you live in Thailand is what they don't want.
Arisara *********
@Leo *****
I agree with your suggestion- you should test the water first before jumping in. I hate to see many people regret it. I love Thailand, I love to see many people live in Thailand- but be informed and be cautious about making changes. Keep you cash in the bank and your live sustainably..
Jst *********
You can open a company in Thailand and use the company to sponsor yourself for a business visa with multiple entry. You can go anywhere and rest assure that you can always come back whenever you want. You can check out more info here they can help šŸ‘‰šŸ»
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JD *******
Go To Immigration AND FOLLOW THEIR ADVICE !!!!!
Dana *******
Don't buy a condo. Travel light, rent condo for 3 months (tourist visa + extension), travel around Asia (there are places in Thailand where you can leave excess luggage safely if needed) come back to Thailand, rent again for 3 months in another place if you want, and do this again... and discover Thailand and the whole of Asia šŸ™‚
Michal ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I understand you . We love Thailand. I've been coming here for 12 years every year for a month or two and we don't sit on the beach all day. We would like to have Thailand as our home. Because I'm homeless here in Europe šŸ˜‚ . We want to be in Thailand for 5 months of the year (not consecutive) and devote ourselves to volunteer activities, have our personal things, self-improvement and fitness in between traveling, which will take place after the remaining 7 months of the year in Asia (Countries other than Thailand).
Robert *********
Call the Thai embassy in your country ...ask .

For correct info
Terary **********
I have been doing tourist visa for years. Once I got a wife and a marriage visa but find it easier to do tourist visas.

If you are travelling regularly every 60 to 90 days and spending a couple of weeks out of the country each time, you will likely be fine with tourist visas.
Nigel **************
@Terary *********
no you will not. Not any longer. That is what we are saying. Immigration are clamping down on people staying for 5 or 6 months on Tourist Visas and extensions year after year
Terary **********
@Nigel *************
That is your opinion or you have magical statistical analysis?

I am sharing my experiences your are sharing your?? Opinions? Fantasies? Guesses?
Nigel **************
@Terary *********
I just read the factual information and try to help. Up to u what you do with the information mate. Check out the Thai Visa Advice group for correct accurate info.
Terary **********
@Nigel *************
I don't know that its accurate or update.. From my experiences, more depends on the embassy and the immigration officers than any website official or Thai Visa Advice.
Nigel **************
@Terary *********
up 2 you mate
Michael *******
Can anyone recommend a visa agent in Chiang Mai and what is a fair price for retirement visa to pay?
Nongnuch ********
ROYAL THAI EMBASSY PRAGUE: "TR VISA CONDITIONS (multiple entries)

TR Visa is valid for a multiple entries into Thailand for tourism purposes only.

TR Visa is valid for 6 months from the date of issuance. Travellers may enter Thailand again as

long as the visa is still valid. They will be allowed to stay in Thailand for a period of up to 60 days,

counting from the date of entry. Perod of stay is granted by an immigration officer upon arrival

to Thailand.

Extension is possible for another 30 days. Extension of stay as well as the change of certain type

of visa is solely at the discretion of the immigration officer.

If the TR Visa holder breaches the entry conditions (for example, if he/she engages in workrelated activities), the stay permit will be revoked and he/she will be prohibited from entering

Thailand in the future."
Nongnuch ********
Michal Strunc . .you can get a single entry Tourist Visa for Thailand on the Thai embassies and consulates in the neighbouring countries. However as others have already noted, you cannot enter Thailand with the 60 days Tourist Visa, extend for 30 days and then do border run using visa-exempt entries. You can do that only for one year, and after this you will get pulled over when attempting to enter
Nongnuch ********
Michal Strunc . . . get a multi-entry 6-months Tourist Visa by the E-Visa system of the Thai Embassy Prague. This visa allows you unlimited entries within a 6-month period. With this visa, you get stamped in for 60 days on each entry. You can extend ONCE for 1900.- THB for 30 more days on Immigration, OR you can do a border bounce and receive 60 days stay permit, again, upon re-entering Thailand . . . .you can do so every other year, however you must return to Czechoslovakia at least ONCE a year, because you cannot get this visa anywhere else but in your home country. Here is how to apply:
**************************************************************
Thaat ********
Have a good advice about visa in the other comments. If you need to buy in Bangkok and I can advice about purchase condo you can DM me any time .Have a great Friday.
Lisa ****************
If youā€™re traveling, just use tourist visa, travel somewhere else for a few weeks, return on tourist visa, repeatā€¦ I have a condo in Bangkok and thatā€™s what Iā€™ve been doing for the past year.
Tom *********
Reach out to
@4U ***********
, they are honest, upfront and can run through your options
Belinda ******
Iā€™m from uk šŸ‡¬šŸ‡§ get a 60 day visa then extend for another 30 days, we did this then did a visa run to Bali for a month, then back to Thailand get 30 days then pay 1900 baht to extend for another 30 days. We have rented a bungalow in lamai Koh Samaui and itā€™s 160 euros for a month.
David ********
@Belinda ********
can only do that for a year then immigration pull you up Iā€™ve been there šŸ‘Œ
Gordon *******
@Belinda ********
160 Euros rent very cheap for Samui
Belinda ******
@Gordon ******
thereā€™s quite a few around and not too far from the centre.
Maple *********
Have a good advice about visa in the other comments. If you need advice about purchase condo you can DM me.šŸ˜
Andrea ******************
Devi depositare almeno 800.000 THB in una banca Thai. Poi potrai richiedere il visto di un anno .
David ********
@Andrea *****************
read the post not over 50
Andrea ******************
@David *******
ok non avevo letto l' etĆ  .
Gordon *******
Bart **************
If the "at least 5 months" as you quote settles at about that, it would work using exemptions and tourist visas.
Carsten **********
You can apply for a three month Tourist visa at the Thai embassy in Prague, fly in and stay for three month and then extend for another month. After that four months in Thailand you have to make a visa run into a neighbouring country by plane and when you arrive in Thailand again you will get a 30 days visa which you can extend at the end for another 30 days. 6 months with one travel to a neighbouring country.
Carsten **********
What is the length of the Tourist visa one can apply at the Thai Embassy in your country? I understand there is a multi months Tourist visa when you apply for it at the embassy.
Todd *********
@Carsten *********
there are only 60 day tourist visas. No such thing as 90 day TV.

You can also apply for METV which could provide up to 9 months in Thailand but requires you to leave and come back every 90 days.

**********************************************************************************
Bart **************
@Carsten *********
it's 60 days.

If you don't know this, this is not your group to advise others in.
Carsten **********
@Bart *************
you are right.
Bart **************
@Carsten *********
sorry dude there is no three month tourist visa.
Carsten **********
@Bart *************
I was wrong with the 90 days, however it is 60 days plus one 30 days extension
******************************************************
Todd *********
@Carsten *********
there is no such thing as a 3 month tourist visa.
Carsten **********
@Todd ********
check out the following visa description:
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and let me know where I'm wrong.
Todd *********
@Carsten *********
60 days. As I explained to you.
Michal ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Carsten **********
I was wrong on the initial 90 days, it is 60 days
Carsten **********
@Michal *******
well it is 60 days on the initial Tourist Visa (TR) followed by a 30 days extension, followed by one visa run and one more extension to get to the 5 months.
GiGi ************
@Carsten *********
great advice
Todd *********
@GiGi ***********
wtf are you talking about.
Carsten **********
@Todd ********
Thai embassies are issuing 60 days (ok not 90 days) Tourist visas. You can apply for a the 60 days Tourist visa (TR) at a Thai Embassy outside Thailand. They come single entry and multiple Entry. Towards the end you can apply one time for a 30 days extension, tust giv4s you a 90 days stay in Thailand. You then need to exit (ideally by plane) for a couple of days and when you come back you get a 30 days visa which again can get extended by 30 days, makes it 5 months if you add the days you stayed outside for the visa run. Let me know where I'm wrong here.
Todd *********
@Carsten *********
are you joking? You are wrong about the 90 days ffs. I clearly told you. And why are you telling me this. Obviouslyā€¦ Iā€™m already aware. Which is why I corrected you so you donā€™t give more false info.
Davide *************
Il resto devi studiare qualche altra cosa
Davide *************
Devi fare un visto multi entri entri con un visto turistico da 90 giorni poi esci un qualche giorno nei paesi vicini e rifai un'altro visto. Oppure entri altri 30 giorni senza visto cosƬ sono 90 piĆ¹ 30. 4 mesi
Jim *********
Fly in on a Tourist Visa (60 days), Extension (30 days)

Land crossing border bounce Visa Exempt (30 days), Extension (30 days)

Done.
Russell ******
@Jim ********
bollocks
Nigel **************
@Jim ********
people keep giving this plan as a way to stay 5 months. I used to do it but have now been told to stop and get a NonO retirement visa. This plan is not possible every year any longer
Todd *********
@Nigel *************
they let you back in each time right? To be expected... Nothing new there.

Being grilled at immigration is also nothing new. If they think u are working illegally, you are going to draw some interest for sure. You have extensive history here. There is something (maybe now red flag) that has caught their attention. I would venture a guess that his 5 month per year plan is good for many, many years.
Nigel **************
@Todd ********
yeah could be but we don't know. Each individual case is different. But I will now get a NonO retirement for sure before I come back in Nov.
Todd *********
@Nigel *************
good way to go! Enjoy.
Nigel **************
Todd *********
@Nigel *************
5 months of tourism isnā€™t possible? Cmon. It sure is. More to the story on your side
Nigel **************
@Todd ********
here it is then. Lived/worked here 17 years until Covid came. Went back to Ireland for 2 years. Came back Oct 2022 on SETV +30 BORDER BOUNCE 30 + 3O. No problems at all.

Came back Oct 2023 planning to do the same thing again. Grilled on arrival at Suvarnbumi told u are not a tourist, u cannot stay 5 months on SETV +30 border bounce +30 +30. Grilled flying to Laos and on arrival in Laos. Told do not do this again. U are not a tourist if u only stay 3 nights and go back to Thailand. Things have changed big time Todd. My travel history was really good.
Ivan ************
@Ni***
where specifically were you told this? This plan involves a flight in, extensions and a land border bounce. This land border bounce would want to be at a known good border, like the border with Laos, not somewhere like Poipet which is known to be difficult.

I haven't heard of the Laos border (or the Myanmar one when it was open) rejecting people. I also haven't heard of people being rejected for tourist extensions in most provinces. You presumably wouldn't have been told this on first arrival, so that leaves, you were told this at the airport when you came back, having been out of the country for at least 7 months?

It's true if you are using tourist visas a lot, you need to consider things like which land border and which airports are most difficult. But general impression I got was they are stopping mostly people who are staying OVER 6 months here on tourist visas, not 5 months over the winter. I know other people who do this and then leave and don't come back until the next year and no problems yet.

Any detailed feedback is useful as this stuff all varies by the specific border post, immigration office, etc.
Nigel **************
@Ivan ***********
if you are not a member already join the Thai Visa Advice group page on FB. Just read all the stuff there over a few weeks about all the Imm problems nowadays. Follow a guy called Tod Daniels or any of the moderators there. I learnt all my knowledge from them. They are well on top of Visa info
Ivan ************
@Ni***
thanks for that information. Like you say, it's flying in you run the risk of questions. I wonder if your prior 17 years worked against you as well, I have heard of them being difficult when someone who DID live here comes back on tourist entries.

It is concerning that you were grilled the second time and I do think it makes sense in this circumstance to do the border runs by land rather than by air.

I am a member of the other visa group, I have a long term visa now and don't need to deal with border runs any more (long term visas also have issues, just different ones). Just interested in what's happening.
Nigel **************
@Ivan ***********
I will get a NonO based on retirement before I come back in Nov for sure. I do wonder like you if my long time working here is now going against me. But they clearly knew on my arrival on day one I planned to stay 5 months Nov to March. Probably from my flight bookings. That may also have been an issue but it wasn't last year.
Ivan ************
@Ni***
you'll have no issue when you get the NonO. It's just specifically, people who were previously living here on long-term visas, but then come back on a tourist visa, I think they look at that and wonder. I guess it is a reasonable inference that you are more likely to be "living here" than someone who hadn't lived here before.
Nigel **************
@Ivan ***********
if that's true it sucks. I am 69 and retired now. Just want the winter months here.
Ivan ************
@Ni***
right but I'm saying you will be fine when you get the retirement visa, they won't have any issue or question you then.
Nigel **************
Nigel **************
@Ivan ***********
just posted my story in reply to Todd McGowan. I came back into Thailand at Nong Khai border with no hassle at all. I flew to Luang Prabang and planned to fly back but was advised not to do that as I had been grilled 3 times already. Nong Khai is the easiest border by far. But next year I will get a NonO visa for sure.
Jim *********
retirement visa will give you 15 months
James *********
@Jim ********
But OP states they're not over 50
Jim *********
@James ********
That's why I suggested border bounce after extending a TV
Nigel **************
@Jim ********
cannot do that every year any longer. And only 2 land border entries are allowed per calendar year now.
Jim *********
@Nigel *************
You are allowed 2 land crossings a year and unlimiter fly in crossings per year.
Nigel **************
@Jim ********
yes I know. But flying in nowadays u are really likely to be stopped after a few visa extensions. Especially at the bigger airports.
Michal ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nigel *************
why wouldn't it be possible please? after all, I would have 60 + 30 at the beginning and then still 2x ground border run. That means 30 + 30 extension (2x) for one year, right? that means a total of 7 months in one year. So 5 months a year will be enough for me.
Ivan ************
@Mic***
this is the rule you'd be risking falling foul of. The thing is, this is NOT a law. But it is a rule of thumb, and it's published not only on the MFA website but also several embassy websites. People will point out the MFA and embassies are not immigration and that is correct as well but there are definitely rules of thumb about duration of tourist entries and what this means is it's not a hard no denial of entry but higher possibility of questions/hassles/warnings of last time.

Note it says visa exemption, so if you get a visa, at least theoretically that doesn't count and you can do the visa exempt entry after that.

"Furthermore, foreigners who enter the Kingdom under this Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme may re-enter and stay in Thailand for a cumulative duration of stay of not exceeding 90 days within any 6-month period from the date of first entry."

*********************************************************************


Other anecdotal evidence, many people have been told by immigration officers, more than 6 months in a year is a problem.
Nigel **************
@Michal *******
Big problem is we don't know for sure because everyone's travel history is different. All I can do is explain what happened to me these last few months trying to do exactly that and say it seems to be increasing. I was told I cannot stay 5 months as that is 'not behaving as a tourist' whatever that means. You could have no problems for your first 5 months but try that year after year and u could be stopped and questioned eventually.
Ivan ************
@Mic***
I think he's right that if you push it over 6 months you will have issues. You would absolutely be able to do 60+30 and 2x ground border = 7 months the first time. It's when you fly back the next year to try that again, you could be questioned at the airport. Or if not the second year, the third or the fourth.

Or you may not, you may be fine. But it's a possibility. My feeling on it is under 6 months/year is the max that this will be reliable, if it's something you want to keep doing long term.

Definitely don't buy a condo if you have no long term visa, that makes little sense. With how cheap rents are, it makes little sense anyway, but makes even less sense if there's a *possibility* you'll be denied entry to the country, which there always is if you are spending a lot of time here on tourist visas.

I think if you keep it to 5 months a year, there is a very good chance you can do that indefinitely. Not 100% guaranteed, but as things are, good chance. Over 6 months, I'd suspect you will have a problem, at some stage.
Michal ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ivan ***********
I have no plans to stay more than 5 months a year in Thailand as I wrote. I want to buy a house because I am a digital Nomad without a home and would like to have some place where I can have my personal belongings, hobbies etc and where I can spend my time less than 5 months a year, and not consecutively ( with each Visa run I stay to explore the country for a month or 3 depending on availability) and then back home to Thailand again.

My own property ( small villa ) around 60k USD will pay for itself in 15 years against rent if I don't count household expenses.

For example :

January February - Thailand

March, April, May - travel in Malaysia

June, July - Thailand

August - Laos travel

September, October- Cambodia travel

November, December - traveling Malaysia or Vietnam or Philippines again, maybe Burma someday and more....
RenƩ *******
@Michal *******
nice Travel Plan :-)
Michal ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@RenƩ ******
thank you ! šŸ˜Š
Ivan ************
@Mic***
also, FWIW, your plan of 2 months in Jan/Feb, 2 months in Jun/Jul, maybe another after that- that sort of pattern, where it's not 5 months all straight together, I think that would have a far higher chance of working long-term. It's the big blocks of time all together extended visa runs they particularly don't like. Multiple 2 month "holidays" where you go somewhere else for an extended period in between I think would be more acceptable to immigration.

I still think a straight 5 months repeated annually is not necessarily impossible, but what you have outlined is even better.

Nothing guaranteed though.
Ivan ************
@Mic***
you'd have a second issue there, that you can't legally buy a villa. So that's even more complication, of fake buying an asset in a country you don't have the right to enter. I mean, it can all work out... I wouldn't do it in your position.

60k sounds inexpensive for a "villa", I know this is absolutely possible if you are Thai looking for a house, I mean I would buy one myself if I had the right to, but more difficult if foreigner who can't legally own it in the first place. Maybe you have done more research on this, and you have something specific in mind.

While 60k invested outside Thailand should return more than enough to pay your rent forever, without ever having to touch the principal.

I get the desire for a base, there are places you can rent very reasonably. Some will do deals, like I know people who come here around half the year and they do keep a place but they pay half rent for the months they aren't here. Or, where an apartment has a storage and they will keep all their stuff there for free until they come back the next year.
Michal ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ivan ***********
Hi I can own the villa, but the land on which it stands it is not possible to buy. It can be legally solved by renting the land from a Thai on which the villa is located. The rental price is symbolic and included in the purchase for 60 years with the possibility of extension. I solved this last year with a lawyer in Thailand and my parents have already helped to acquire the villa in Thailand and are already living there. So it is possible. The house is theirs and everything is in my parents name (except the land).

I believe that renting would be much easier in my case, but as I say, having my own home where I can do what I want, finally at the age of 30, would be very nice.

Thank you very much for the constructive communication, because another opinion of a person who also understands the problems
Michael ****
@Jim ********
but what you talking about isnā€™t a tourist visa. Itā€™s called visa exemption and as
@Nigel *************
correctly mentioned, the immigration is tightening up slowly but steadily.

Yes your suggestion works, but itā€™s also than as well a little bit in the immigration officers daily mood. The safe solutions is getting an real tourist visa before your flight.
Jim *********
@Michael ***
I mention bout original flight on Tourist Visa (60 days), and Land border crossing for Visa Exempt (30 days). You would know that if you simply read the post
Nigel **************
@Michael ***
thanks.šŸ˜‰ OP's big problem is wanting to stay 5 months every year but not over 50. SETV + 30 = 90 days. Cannot do more than that every year any longer
David ********
@Jim ********
that doesnā€™t work for more than a year immigration pull you up and refuse entry
Ivan ************
@Da***
were you doing this while keeping your total stay in Thailand under six months? There's a difference between coming here for 5 months a year and staying out the other 7 and doing this continually to live here, for sure the latter won't work any more but I was not aware it was impossible as long as you stay out of Thailand more than in. I know people who come here every year and stay longer than 3 months, but less than 6.
David ********
Iā€™d been in Thailand just over 5 months one year left November went to uk Bulgaria Germany and Philippines came in on 30 day exempt in Feb next year got pulled said your not a tourist sort a Vissa out luckily I had a flexi flight out ā€¦id not previously used had to show him photos of my house in uk bank accounts etc let me in said your last chance šŸ˜œšŸ‡¹šŸ‡­ I knew it was cumming so sorted my visa out happy days they are clamping down
Ivan ************
@Da***
OK, so left November having spent over 5 months, came back February- that's only 2 months later, and a 30 day would have put you over 6 months in the last 365 days, which from both anecdotal reports and the MFA website is the magic number, over 6 months in a year is where they flag you. And as suspected, this happened when you came back at an airport- I bet you would have been able to return by a Laos land border without issues.

For sure there are limits, but I think the magic number here is 6 months, and you went over that. I think 5 months/year is still possible. I wouldn't say that to someone asking about >6 months, I think that is where the problems start and you need another visa.
Nigel **************
@David *******
yep me too things have changed a lot
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