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What are the best visa options for expats in Thailand after an ED visa?
ED VisaLong Term Resident VisaNon-B VisaNon-O VisaBusiness VisaElite VisaThai Property OwnershipVolunteer Visa
May 25, 2023
3 years ago
Heath **********
ORIGINAL POSTERWe are considering an ED visa to start our relocating to Thailand. I have read that this visa can be renewed for 5 years.
What advise can anyone give for what visa we could possibly use after this without the expensive of an elite visa.
We are both under retirement visa age, but looking to buy property, start a business and stay in Thailand for good.
Please don't flame me for what could be a stipud question haha
What advise can anyone give for what visa we could possibly use after this without the expensive of an elite visa.
We are both under retirement visa age, but looking to buy property, start a business and stay in Thailand for good.
Please don't flame me for what could be a stipud question haha
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion focuses on visa options for expats planning to move to Thailand, particularly after the ED (Education) visa. Several commenters clarify that the ED visa does not typically guarantee a full 5 years but rather can be renewed for a total of 5 years with various renewals. Alternatives such as Non-B, Non-O, and Long Term Resident (LTR) visas are mentioned, emphasizing the importance of purpose (i.e., business, study, or retirement) in selecting the right visa. There is also consideration of property ownership limitations in Thailand for foreigners, suggesting module options like purchasing a condo or legal structures for land leasing. Additional suggestions include starting with a METV (Multi-Entry Tourist Visa) as a first step. Overall, the conversation encompasses practical information and varying perspectives from those who have navigated the Thai visa landscape.
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Eric *******
If you're still in your home country,, you can:
- Start with a METV visa (Multi Entry Tourist Visa). it has a few requirements, but not too harsh (read up on it) and it is initially valid for 6 months, but you can extend it to 9 months total. You need to leave the country every 60 or 90 days and you can come back the exact same day every time you do so (I won't elaborate too much on it, but as it"s a multi entry visa, everytime you enter the country you get a 60 days stamp, so if you leave and come back right before at the end of its validity, you'll get a last extra 60 days stamp, taking your total to 8 months - 6+2- that you can then extend of 30 more days at the immigration for1.900 Thb, bringing your total to 9 months.
- After that you can do an ED visa for Thai language (there are many more, depending on the school).
Each language you'll chose has 3 different levels, each of which gives you 6 months.
So if you learn Thai, for example, you can do it for 18 months only (3x6). The school takes care of the renewal procedure every 6 months with the department of education and the immigration.
Then, if you're not from an English speaking country, you can switch to English language and do 18 months again. (3x6 months).
Pick a reputable school from the jump, they'll do all the paperwork for you and will take care of the transitions from a language to the next one.
To apply for an ED visa, you need to leave the country and do a "visa run". The school will take care of it, you only have to pay for the visa run (check the price with your school), the visa and the courses (around 40k Thb a year combined, depending on the number of learning hours).
- Then you switch to English language, for an other 18 months.
That's what I did myself, so I've had 36 months of ED visa in total.
I won't try to do a 3rd language after that though, lol.
You can't apply back to back for 2 ED visas, you need anything else in between like a visa exemption for example. But your school will explain that to you.
Every new ED visa requires a new "visa run", so one every new "year of education".
- Then you can opt for a volunteer visa (15 months), if they still exist when you'll get to that point. Just read up on those.
- Start with a METV visa (Multi Entry Tourist Visa). it has a few requirements, but not too harsh (read up on it) and it is initially valid for 6 months, but you can extend it to 9 months total. You need to leave the country every 60 or 90 days and you can come back the exact same day every time you do so (I won't elaborate too much on it, but as it"s a multi entry visa, everytime you enter the country you get a 60 days stamp, so if you leave and come back right before at the end of its validity, you'll get a last extra 60 days stamp, taking your total to 8 months - 6+2- that you can then extend of 30 more days at the immigration for1.900 Thb, bringing your total to 9 months.
- After that you can do an ED visa for Thai language (there are many more, depending on the school).
Each language you'll chose has 3 different levels, each of which gives you 6 months.
So if you learn Thai, for example, you can do it for 18 months only (3x6). The school takes care of the renewal procedure every 6 months with the department of education and the immigration.
Then, if you're not from an English speaking country, you can switch to English language and do 18 months again. (3x6 months).
Pick a reputable school from the jump, they'll do all the paperwork for you and will take care of the transitions from a language to the next one.
To apply for an ED visa, you need to leave the country and do a "visa run". The school will take care of it, you only have to pay for the visa run (check the price with your school), the visa and the courses (around 40k Thb a year combined, depending on the number of learning hours).
- Then you switch to English language, for an other 18 months.
That's what I did myself, so I've had 36 months of ED visa in total.
I won't try to do a 3rd language after that though, lol.
You can't apply back to back for 2 ED visas, you need anything else in between like a visa exemption for example. But your school will explain that to you.
Every new ED visa requires a new "visa run", so one every new "year of education".
- Then you can opt for a volunteer visa (15 months), if they still exist when you'll get to that point. Just read up on those.
Jean ************
It depends the purpose you would like to stay in Thailand, your age, your investment in Thailand.
Chris *****
Doing a degree at a Thai university would give you 3 or 4 years. One of you can be in as the spouse, but unable to work so could study too. Running a business in Thailand is not straightforward, (and I believe that's an understatement), so uni would also be a great way to learn about professional Thailand and build contacts.
Saxen *****
hi , i don't know why the Thai government don't give out long term tourist visas like most country's for minimum 3 months or 6 months , especially in todays climate with the world in financial crises, you would think they would be glad off the extra tourist money ? and the amount off people who are working online now, its not like years ago when people only had a few weeks vacations a year, now people can stay for months or years doing online work? that's just my opinion not saying i am correct ,?
Ulrik *********
@Saxen ****
SETV and METV give you that amount of time quite easily.Thailand's visa regulation is IMO very relaxed. All they require is that you obtain the correct visa that fits your purpose in the country.
I can't think of any country that let tourists stay forever, and Thailand is no exception.
Saxen *****
@Ulrik ********
6 months visa is relaxed in my opinion like UK, USA, Philippines, mexico etcRoberto *********
@Saxen ****
My lady got only 90 days in UKSaxen *****
@Roberto ********
sorry I thought everyone got 6 months in UKReply to
Saxen *****
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Derek ***********
May you have favor because one thing that's consistent with Thailand is change plus they have a. lovely way of documenting things as foreign owned for some mysterious reason.
Wayne **********
Yeah. I know a guy who learnt thai so much he couldn’t anymore. He had to start learning Japanese.
Scott *********
You're under 50 years old? I'd forget the ED and try for the retirement if you and your wife are under 50.
Scott *********
Sorry about that. I relooked at your photo. You're definitely under 50. Apologies
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Scott *********
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Jeremy ********
In theory it can be renewed for 5 years but only 3 in a single area of study like 3 years learning Thai then 2 years learning Muaythai/Chinese/cooking etc….
you could always purchase the 6 month METV and get 9 months out of each visa but no more than 60 days at a time in country, there is no official guideline on how many back to back METV’s you can purchase,
downside is that for each METV you want to apply for you have to travel to your passport holding country or a country you have an official govt registered residency or permanent residency in
you could get married or apply for a LTR visa if you have a medical issue apply for the medical visa….good luck
you could always purchase the 6 month METV and get 9 months out of each visa but no more than 60 days at a time in country, there is no official guideline on how many back to back METV’s you can purchase,
downside is that for each METV you want to apply for you have to travel to your passport holding country or a country you have an official govt registered residency or permanent residency in
you could get married or apply for a LTR visa if you have a medical issue apply for the medical visa….good luck
Chris ****
@Jeremy *******
where does it state in the MeTv rules it has to country of origin ? It can just be a simple Border bounce.Jeremy ********
@Chris ***********
to apply for a new METV you have to be a passport holder of days country or a legally recognized resident of days country….Jeremy ********
@Chris ***********
the list goes on and on and on…:passport holder or legal resident verified by govtJeremy ********
@Chris ***********
Laos embassy **************************************************************************************
Jeremy ********
@Chris ***********
it’s part of the requirements… LA Thai embassy *******************************************************************************************
Reply to
Jeremy ********
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Chris ****
@Jeremy *******
where does it state in the MeTv rules it has to country of origin ? It can just be a simple Border bounce.Reply to
Chris ****
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Andrew ***********
Unfortunately you heard or read wrong, never heard of a 5 year ED visa and secondly it's not that easy to start a business in Thailand like everyone thinks.also you can't own land in Thailand, but you could buy a condo. Best advise I can give come for a few months and look at your options once you are hear. If you are eligible you can get a TR 60 multi entry visa.
Taz **********
@Andrew **********
they didn’t say 5 year ED visa, they said renewed for 5 years, meaning each time it expires it can be renewed until totalling 5 years.Although good luck with a long stay on an ED visa
Andrew ***********
@Taz *********
either way not possible lolReply to
Andrew ***********
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John **********
You need to work out what you actually want to do. If you are planning a business you can get a visa and work permit based on that but you need to employ 4 Thais and pay them officially for every one visa and work permit. The elite visa may be your easiest option but you can't work on that
Cory **********
If looking at land and not a condo research into usufructs. Get a lawyer for the contract… And have two other lawyers check the first lawyers contracts before submitting anything to the land office. Don’t let any lawyer know about each other.
Yes you can do the ED visa for a few years and see what immigration says is definitely an option. Also You can be a legitimate volunteer and help others with English 8-10 hours a week is an option. I Talked to two volunteers at immigration in March. both younger americas said they volunteer with the “foundation” helping people submit paperwork. So not shady as they really are volunteering.
Someone else could step in and talk about the business you may want to start. Maybe get a work visa if you hire thais.
I married a thai and that was the simplest solution for me to stay in Thailand. Best of luck.
Yes you can do the ED visa for a few years and see what immigration says is definitely an option. Also You can be a legitimate volunteer and help others with English 8-10 hours a week is an option. I Talked to two volunteers at immigration in March. both younger americas said they volunteer with the “foundation” helping people submit paperwork. So not shady as they really are volunteering.
Someone else could step in and talk about the business you may want to start. Maybe get a work visa if you hire thais.
I married a thai and that was the simplest solution for me to stay in Thailand. Best of luck.
Roberto *********
Don't calculate any more than 12-15 months on an ED visa, which is issued in lots of 90 days, requiring a visit to immigration each time. As Brandon has said expect the third degree and make sure you attend classes and be prepared to be tested on your progress! Your best bet is Elite Visa, and there's rumours that the price will shortly increase due to very high demand for this visa (I think we all know which nationality has caused this!). Although the upfront cost seems high, it's about the daily cost of a decent coffee in your home country
Shayne **********
Depending on your current circumstances , there are Long Term Resident visas if you qualify. They are up to 10 years.
Mark ********
****************************************************************************************
Dallas ******
Persist.... Thailand life is fantastic for an expat
Pornrat ***********
Non-B Visa, Non-O visa, SMART, Nomad, LTR
Brandon ************
Unless you're planning on getting a degree from a Thai university, you're not going to get 5 years from an ED visa. You'll be lucky to get 2 years at max, and hassled every time you enter the country because ED visas have been widely abused and are receiving high levels of scrutiny.
Also foreigners cannot own land in Thailand so the best you can do about "buying property" is to buy a condo.
Also foreigners cannot own land in Thailand so the best you can do about "buying property" is to buy a condo.
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Brandon ************
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