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What are the best visa options for a US citizen planning to move to Thailand with a Thai girlfriend and son?

Visa Types Non-O Visa STV Visa Visa Extension Immigration in Thailand Retirement Visa Marriage Visa Education Visa Expat Life Thailand Immigration Rules

Mar 19, 2022

3 years ago

Henry ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello everyone. I'm new to the visa stuff. I'm USA citizen living in USA. I'm looking to move to Thailand this summer around June. I want the longest visa possible that is not one of those elite visas. Too expensive for me. It will be me and my son (USA citizens) and my Thai girlfriend (USA green card/Thai citizen. I saw there is an STV visa that is good to renew up to 270 days but the program ends this September. Will the visa be able to be extended past September or does immigration refuse to extend at the city off date? If the cut off date ends the visa how can I stay longer without leaving Thailand? I am looking to retire there but am only 48. I need another year and a half before I can get the retirement visa I believe. Thank you for any assistance.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A USA citizen seeks information on the best visa options for moving to Thailand with his son and Thai girlfriend. He is interested in the STV visa but is uncertain about its availability beyond September and is considering longer-term options like marriage or education visas.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
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.

John **********

Visa runs are always a gamble on tourist visas. The only way to ensure you can stay here is to obtain a valid visa to allow you to stay. If you don't want to get married or work you could try an education visa. If you come in on a tourist visa which can be extended to give 90 days stay and during that period find somewhere to study for a year that could take you up to 50 for a retirement visa. Your kid if young doesn't really need to worry as they can just overstay without penalty

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Henry ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

I want to learn Thai anyway so the education visa is what I'm considering. Can I change to education visa with in Thailand on a tourist visa?

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Brandon ************

@Henry **********

any reputable school can convert from tourist to ED inside the country.

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John **********

@Henry **********

I guess another option would be, given you have a youngster who would probably be attending school. They could get an education visa, you could then potentially get a guardian visa based on supporting them

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John **********

@Henry **********

depends on whether the school you select can do it or not. Some can, some can't. A question of looking around.

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John **********

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Terary **********

You're options are: Retire (50+), Work, Married, Study, Elite, Start a business, Smart Visa. The first four are the most popular.

Why not marry the girlfriend? Does she have green card because your relationship?

I am hopeful visa runs will be an option soon but right now not so much.

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Bobby ********

STV is unknown at this stage if it will be continued past September. Your simplest method at this point to stay long-term is get married and apply for the non-O (married to a Thai) visa.

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Henry ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I don't want to get married yet. Maybe in 2 years.

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Andy *******

Henry Hernandez you can gamble that the STV will get you 9 months BUT it's not transferable in country so even if it is good for 9, you'll have to do a border run after

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Henry ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Andy *********

I just want to minimize the expense of a border run.

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Andy *******

Henry Hernandez my friends got lucky with Covid extensions, I am over 50.

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Henry ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Andy *********

I turn 50 July 2023. Just need to keep border crossing as cheap as possible until then.

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Henry ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Andy *********

I don't mind doing a border run. My son is dual citizen in Philippines so we plan to visit family there for a short time.

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Andy *******

Henry Hernandez we all gambled last year & won

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Andy *******

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Mark ******

@Henry **********

Another alternative if you are over 50 would be a non-O (Retirement) visa.

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Andy *******

Mark Gale read the post, he is 48.

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Andy *******

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