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What are the best visa options for expats considering costs and requirements in Thailand?

Thailand Visa Education Visa Tourist Visa Multi-Entry Visa Non-Immigrant Visa Financial Requirements Visa Extensions Expats in Thailand

July 27, 2017

7 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I'd love some advice on this:

I had originally thought about getting an education visa by taking the self-defense courses so I could avoid visa runs each month but I don't want to spend $1000 on it, especially when I'm not 100% sure I'll be here for a year and make full use of it.

Would my next best bet be to get a multi entry visa? I've read some of what you need to get that - would I be able to get it if I've already been here on a tourist visa? And for the proof of monetary requirements, is that just the most recent statement or would I need more? Or would they need to call and confirm?

Sorry for all the questions! I'm planning on being here at least until the end of the year and want to make it as easy as possible but not so sure about spending $1000. Thank you!!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

An expat considering an education visa for self-defense courses is hesitant due to the cost. They wonder if a multi-entry visa would be a better option, especially since they have a tourist visa. It's mentioned that a multi-entry tourist visa allows for 60 days of stay, extendable by 30 days, but requires border runs every few months. Additionally, opinions on getting a Non-B visa and work permit are discussed, as well as cooking schools that might offer an education visa. There are also inquiries about proof of funds for visa applications.

Tod *********

Given the replies from the O/P I'd say the best course of action for them is to go to Vientiane and get a single entry tourist visa. That'd give them 60 days, they can extend that by 30, then go get another single entry tourist visa and extend it too.

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Selina *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you!!

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Ivan ************

if it is asked at an embassy, they want bank statements, if it is asked at the border they want cash. Neither the embassy in Vientiane nor the land border at Nong Khai ask for this though (as of right now) so you should be OK.

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Ron *******

Cash

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Selina *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Last question - when they ask for the 20k baht proof of funds, does that mean a bank statement or cash on hand?

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Selina *******

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Terary **********

I think with the METV you still need to leave every 90 days. Also, the last I knew, METV could only be issued in your home country. So for me it's not worth the hassle. I was pulled aside by an immigration officer and given the what-for. I asked his suggestion/thoughts about ED visa - and he did not recommend it because of my age (I am 43 years old),

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Walter *********

>>You can say you have an online business though.<< Why mention that at all?? Have the requisite paperwork, proof of financial ability/cash and keep it simple.

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Barry ******

METV from a country you are a legal resident of. You won't get denied entry as long as you can provide proof that you are a genuine traveller. Never mention that you are working online. You can say you have an online business though.

Having a business does not mean you are working for that business if it's at a stage where you just receive the profits from it.

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Edward ******

Dusit Thai food cooking school is good for you.

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Jan **********

But do they give ED visa?

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Joe ***********

There are cooking schools all over Thailand

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Selina *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks

- I'll try and see what options I find

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Jan **********

It is in Bangkok and very expensive e.g Thai cooking one academy year 461,000 thb

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Fred *********

Easy to find out - Google "Dusit Thai food cooking school" to receive some 111,000 responses from Google.

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Selina *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Do you have any recommendations on places that offer it?

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Edward ******

Yes

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Selina *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Oh! I didn't even think about that. Is that cheaper than the self defense course? I'd love to learn Thai cooking!

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Selina *******

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Lloyd ********

Seeing as you are working here, why not get a Non-B and work permit ?

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Troy *********

Very rarely will you see a language school offering a work permit for part time staff.

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Selina *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I unfortunately am not set up with a job here. I could probably get one through teaching but I was hoping to have more time to travel and don't necessarily want to commit to the days/hours. And so far I haven't seen any part time positions that offer a work visa. I could be totally wrong about that, though, just haven't seen any yet.

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Selina *******

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Robert *******

I assume you are under 50 years of age and not married to a Thai National so the option to get a Multiple Entry Visa is only the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa valid for 6 months and gives you 60 days stay on every entry. If you re-enter on or just before the last day enter before date and you extend this last 60 days with another 30 days at local Immigration you are able to stay 270 days in Thailand with this visa, but have to do some border runs. This visa can be obtained at a Thai Embassy in your home country.

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Robert *******

Your welcome.

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Selina *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you so much!! Appreciate all the help.

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Robert *******

You apply in the morning, get the passport with the visa back next working day in the afternoon. Rules differ between the Consulates in the area. Best thing is always to bring proof of finance, onward travel and hotel booking.

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Selina *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Ah, okay. I have a border run coming up so I'll try and get that one instead of the visa exempt. Do you know if I need to apply in advance or just when I get to the neighboring country? And is it okay to bring a printed bank statement or will they need some other means of checking it? That's what I uses before but wasn't sure if it'd be different here.

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Robert *******

You can apply at any Thai consulate of Embassy in neighbor countires for a new Single Entry Tourist Visa for 60 days. Most of the consulates have a not mentioned maximum usage of back to back Tourist visa in a passport. They put a warning stamp on the visa to inform you that this one could be the laste one you get. Next to that it is stil the decision of Immigration at entry point to activate the visa, there is no crackdown but there are reports of people getting questions when entering on back to back tourist visa.

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Selina *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Okay, got it. I misunderstood what you meant.

I originally entered on a 60-day visa and came back with the visa exempt. If I left and went to a Thai Embassy, would I be able to get another 60-day visa?

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Robert *******

You can only do two border runs a calendar year using the Visa Exempt Entry, seems that you talk about this because that gives you 30 days stay in Thailand. You can not get the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa inside Thailand, only at Embassy in your home country.

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Selina *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I don't mind the border runs too much. I was just worried that if I were doing it every month until December/January then I may end up getting denied for too many entries? I've been reading mixed things on that.

But with the METV I could obtain that here? That would be convenient.

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Selina *******

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Mike *******

Metv i belive can only be issued from your own country

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Selina *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Ah, okay. Thank you!

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Selina *******

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Steve *******

The non imm ed visa is around $80us and the extention of stay is 1900bt. I dont know where you're getting $1000us from.

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Steve *******

. Point taken, I guess the OP is looking for the cheapest way of staying in Thailand rather than taking a course.

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Selina *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yes, sorry, didn't specify. The $1000 is the actual course cost.

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Lloyd ********

The cost of the actual course

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Lloyd ********

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