Answered5 months ago
What are the best visa options for a US citizen wishing to stay in Thailand for 3 to 4 months?
Now as a US citizen we only get 30 days visa free, so what is the best option for 3 to 4 months stay?
I have a small business and do my buying and design in Thailand.
Self employed and over 65 , what options do I have?
I rent an apartment from Dec 8 th 2026 to March 30 2027,plan to visit Korea, Japan etc
I have a small business and do my buying and design in Thailand.
Self employed and over 65 , what options do I have?
I rent an apartment from Dec 8 th 2026 to March 30 2027,plan to visit Korea, Japan etc
Answer summary
As a US citizen needing to stay in Thailand for 3 to 4 months, you have several visa options. A popular choice is to obtain a 60-day Tourist Visa (SETV) that can be extended for an additional 30 days within Thailand for a fee, totaling 90 days. Alternatively, the Multi-Entry Tourist Visa (METV) allows multiple entries and can provide up to 9 months of stay combined through strategic border runs for 6-month periods. It's important to note that engaging in any business activities without the appropriate visa (such as a Non-B visa) may be considered illegal. As visa rules are occasionally subject to change, it’s advisable to check updates from the Thai Embassy or consulate.
69 repliesnewest first
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Yo***
you can not work in Thailand. You are the one who Thai government really does not want anymore.
Cee ******
OPYoung but my Thai suppliers do want me
Yo***
Cee Kaye They must provide you a proper visa so that you can work properly. But anyway, who cares? 🤣
Dan *******
Go to Vietnam. Much more welcoming.
Cee ******
OPDan Brown not a fan
Cee ******
OPWent in March rained every day beach was dirty not going again
Dan *******
My third trip there. Da Nang is great.
Scott *******
It’s easier to be Thai….
Larry *********
Maybe in September they will go to 30 days ?
Simon *******
Nothing has changed yet
Greg *******
I suggest you simply ask your local Thai embassy for clear clarification.
Johan ***************
Greg Slack Assuming the embassy is helpful - not all are. Visa exempt is even worse - Immigration Police ignores email queries.
Steven ***************
Sick and tired of hearing visa exempt entry has reverted to 30 days. Good grief, nothing has changed and the way the hotel, bar and restaurant owners are screaming there's a good chance nothing will change. Give it a rest already.
Pete *****************
Not yet it’s still 60
Sujy *********
It's 30 days starting June 1, announced by TVC. Will be in the Gazette or wtv it's called as always end of month.
Shane ***********
METV
Lawrie *******
METV 6 months.
$200 cost.
Every time you enter you are signed in for a Max of 60 days.
Come and go at your leisure and can be extended by a further month @ 1900 Bt.
I think you have to apply for it in your home country...
$200 cost.
Every time you enter you are signed in for a Max of 60 days.
Come and go at your leisure and can be extended by a further month @ 1900 Bt.
I think you have to apply for it in your home country...
Larry *********
Lawrie White I'm arriving july 3 . If the 30 day is installed then I will apply for the METV
Lawrie *******
Larry Wheeler
There's plenty of options for genuine traveller's... visitors and Tourists. Reducing from 2 months to one month for Tourists when the average Tourist visit is less than 2 weeks shouldn't affect any genuine Tourist.
There's plenty of options for genuine traveller's... visitors and Tourists. Reducing from 2 months to one month for Tourists when the average Tourist visit is less than 2 weeks shouldn't affect any genuine Tourist.
Lucas *********
Dtv visa
Mark ******
At this point, you should get a Non B...
Luc ************
Get a METV online.
Kenneth *******
Why don't you look at your Thai web sites in your country takes les time then it takes by spreading this faulce shit yous put on here .Nobody knows the rules yet not even the Thai government 🙄
Peter *********
As far as i.konw not 30 days yet. Non o 60 + 30
Emerald********
Stay home if you can’t get true info yourself.
Another one asking same shite everyday listening to Facebook goofs. Can’t even search group much less internet
Another one asking same shite everyday listening to Facebook goofs. Can’t even search group much less internet
Johan ***************
EmeraldWolf7059 Go somewhere else if your main interest is bashing people instead of helping. Your advice to "search the internet" for uncertain information about rules and their execution is rather moronic. Most embassies have crappy information on their web sites regarding visa requirements. Hence the need for this group. Start helping.
Emerald********
Johan E. Bengtsson same things asked every day but that too hard to read? No
Lazy and entitled
Lazy and entitled
Simon *******
90 day non O visa will cost you $80
Tom *******
It is still 60 … until published in the Royal Gazette .. just purchase a Tourist Visa ($40 usd) that will give you 60 and you can get an extension too for 30 more
Simon *******
No body knows when the 30 day exemption will start ,if you are already in Thailand you will have 60 days ,if you are not in Thailand when are you arriving?
Larry *********
Simon Adams July 3
Michael ********
Multiple entry tourist visa especially if you are travelling around region
Rob *******
In the US check out the official Royal Thai Colsulate. It will provide you with all the visa information you need.
************************
Cee ******
OPSo confused, I’m a designer who makes clothes by Thai shops
How is that classified as working, I pay money not earn
How is that classified as working, I pay money not earn
Yo***
Cee Kaye working means, all activities that are related to make money. directly or indirectly both. But it is hard to find it out in the reality.
Jeen ************
Cee Kaye nothing chance for visa
Greg ***********
Cee Kaye you are completely legal, I did the same in the jewelry manufacture business for many years, you do not need a work permit for that as you pay Thai shops for making your design. I am verysurprized that even the moderator of this group (
@John *********
) shared the same view as the scaremongerers. Regarding your travel plans, I would apply for a Multi Entry 6-months Tourist Visa (METV) in your home country, as this visa type allows you multiple exits and re-entries for the whole duration of 6 months, each entry getting you stamped in for 60 days, and every 60 days can be extended on Immigration for 30 more days for 1900 Baht.John **********
@Greg **********
I specifically said he didn't need a work permit, but to conduct business he still should have a Non-B visa. It's not legal to conduct business on a tourist visa, you should have a read of the link I shared, specifically the Non-B for Business partJohn **********
@Greg **********
no point in arguing with you but I disagree. You know Thailand well enough to know that just because people do it doesn't mean it's legal.Greg ***********
@John *********
every year, hundreds of businesspeople visit the Bangkok Gems Show, conclude deals, bring over designs to be manufactured in Thailand, find new contractors etc. Foreign jewelry shop owners are buying and trading in the Khaosan Road, in the Gems Tower and in the Charoen Khrung Road around the whole year. You do not need a business visa for that. The OP is passing new orders to local shops. She probably also sends parcels back to her country by UPS or EMS. She isn't violating any law.Cee ******
OPNo link listed?
Emerald********
Cee Kaye clueless
Stay home
Doesn’t even know what business means
Stay home
Doesn’t even know what business means
John **********
@Cee *****
The post is higher up, but here it is again You should really have a Non-B visa to do what you are doing, it's not legal on a tourist visa. Look at option 2 in the link
*********************************************************************************
John **********
@Cee *****
you are conducting business so you should have a visa that allows you to do so, that is a Non-B visa so read the link I provided above. You don't need a work permit because, as you say, you won't be working but to do business you need the appropriate visa
Siggi *******
@John *********
no it's not, you can order goods in Thailand wtout work permit, you can even give seminars and teaching company members. For this there is no vida required. Why you post all the time lies?Cee ******
OP@John *********
thanks
Todd ********
Cee Kaye yup you are confused. Paying workers is a form of working.
Siggi *******
Todd Capron bullshit
Will ************
You could be classed as working in Thailand, hope you get the correct visa and work permit and have your business registered etc.
John **********
You should really have a Non-B visa to do what you are doing, it's not legal on a tourist visa. Look at option 2 in the link
*********************************************************************************
Paul **********
Ffs, it's not changed yet. Some idiots out there
Cliff *********
This is NOT true.
Try to actually get some facts and NOT spread disinformation.
Kap.
Try to actually get some facts and NOT spread disinformation.
Kap.
Jeff *************
Cliff Sussman I read they voted and it passed, they just haven’t said the date to start yet
Robert *********
Believe they would consider that working .
Get a competent visa agent .
Get a competent visa agent .
Kelly ********
As others have stated the reduction back to 30 days has not been officially implemented as of now, but I'm almost certain it will be soon.
Uffe ********
@Kelly *******
Me too....and its the right way!
Ralph *******
Uffe Trader It won’t fix the problem of people working illegally.
Kelly ********
Ralph TysonI agree. Reducing the days from 60 to 30 days won't really impact crime rates. Folks who commit crimes or work illegally will probably continue to do so. What really needs to happen is for enforcement to get very serious and the courts to set punishment serious enough to make people think twice. What's a 500, 1000, or even a 3000 baht fine? Nothing much to many foreign tourists.
Potpon******
You can buy a 60 day SETV for ฿1,900 at any embassy/consulate
You can extend this in county for an additional ฿1,900 for 30 more days
This gives you a total of 90 days for a cost of ฿3,800
All immigration offices have different rules on when you can extend it so get educated on your local immigration office
You can also buy the 6 month METV that gives you 60 days per entrance
You can extend each stamp In country for ฿1,900 for an additional 30 days
With a strategic border run/bounce you can get nearly 9 months out of a 6 month visa
Good luck
You can extend this in county for an additional ฿1,900 for 30 more days
This gives you a total of 90 days for a cost of ฿3,800
All immigration offices have different rules on when you can extend it so get educated on your local immigration office
You can also buy the 6 month METV that gives you 60 days per entrance
You can extend each stamp In country for ฿1,900 for an additional 30 days
With a strategic border run/bounce you can get nearly 9 months out of a 6 month visa
Good luck
Joe ***********
Why do you have to go to the embassy or consulate? Can't you apply online? 🤔
Potpon******
Joe Riccobono yes you can do it via E-Visa but if you’re near a consulate/embassy you can go there as well
Greg ***********
Potpong_Life complete and utter nonsense, the Thai embassies and consulates cannot be visited anymore, they are closed for foreigners. They are only open by appointment for Thai citizens
Dave *******
No changes have occured yet around visa exempt. Discussions around reducing to 30 days from 60 days but no formal approval or the date. Needs to be registered in Royal Gazette
Look at the Thai Embassy website for visa options and requirements
Look at the Thai Embassy website for visa options and requirements
Elías ********
No, it hasn't been changed, you still get 60 days as usual.
Uffe ********
Elías Molina Next winter is the case!
Bazaar******
The visa exemption entry period of 60 days has NOT changed yet..
Still under government consideration and review..
NO OFFICIAL THAILAND GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT YET..
But in general as an answer to your question you should probably apply for a 6 month multiple entry tourist visa..
If you are planning on a longer term stay in Thailand consider the retirement visa option..
Still under government consideration and review..
NO OFFICIAL THAILAND GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT YET..
But in general as an answer to your question you should probably apply for a 6 month multiple entry tourist visa..
If you are planning on a longer term stay in Thailand consider the retirement visa option..
Gregory *********
BazaarAsia57 it is going to change soon. Writing is on the wall
Bazaar******
Gregory Kleiman Until approved by Government and posted in the official Thailand government Gazette it not law..
When and if that happens who knows and what will be the start date for any changes and that is only guess work at this stage..
It would be better if people just stop speculating and guessing and reading inaccurate information on the internet...
When and if that happens who knows and what will be the start date for any changes and that is only guess work at this stage..
It would be better if people just stop speculating and guessing and reading inaccurate information on the internet...
Gregory *********
BazaarAsia57 just announced by cabinet again today so it will happen by june 30th maybe earlier
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