Answered2 years ago
What are the best visa options for staying long-term in Thailand while working and potentially marrying a Thai partner?
I've been dating my Thai girlfriend for 10+ years, and I'd like to stay in Thailand as often and long as possible until she can retire from her job. I don't know if a spouse / marriage visa is easy or fast to get once you've been seeing each other a long time, but I'd like to work also, because I'd prefer to contribute to the society in which I live, and my spinal damage has kept me out of the workforce for a long time (I'm still focused on musculoskeletal rehab, but I'm ready to do something).
I'm 53 and have done over 130 jobs in my life, everything from labouring and technical work through to writing business advice / consulting and fairly high end software sales / account management ... I've done 20 years combined formal and informal tertiary level study & research, though never gained an undergrad degree (I was mistaken by medical students to be a fully qualified doctor, a senior professor thought I was a PhD, and a PhD candidate thought I was a professor) ... and so far as my comprehension of English goes, I feel like I'm one of the last of the generations who really understands the language properly (not through formal training so much as the fact that I'm a writer and I spend a great deal of time thinking about the meaning of things). I feel like I would be a great teacher / tutor for intermediate and advanced students of English as a second language, to help them understand subtleties and confusing parts of English in various contexts from slang and poetry through to technical jargon & the intentionally deceptive nature of "legalese" and other such matters.
How should I approach this problem of getting a visa to stay longer in the shortest possible time, I've already used up one stay of 60 days, and now I'm into my 2nd stay for this year, expiring August 2nd.
What's the best opportunities following this for someone like myself to find a sponsor for switching to work or digital nomad visa? Or something of that nature?
Any advice or contacts etc?
I'm 53 and have done over 130 jobs in my life, everything from labouring and technical work through to writing business advice / consulting and fairly high end software sales / account management ... I've done 20 years combined formal and informal tertiary level study & research, though never gained an undergrad degree (I was mistaken by medical students to be a fully qualified doctor, a senior professor thought I was a PhD, and a PhD candidate thought I was a professor) ... and so far as my comprehension of English goes, I feel like I'm one of the last of the generations who really understands the language properly (not through formal training so much as the fact that I'm a writer and I spend a great deal of time thinking about the meaning of things). I feel like I would be a great teacher / tutor for intermediate and advanced students of English as a second language, to help them understand subtleties and confusing parts of English in various contexts from slang and poetry through to technical jargon & the intentionally deceptive nature of "legalese" and other such matters.
How should I approach this problem of getting a visa to stay longer in the shortest possible time, I've already used up one stay of 60 days, and now I'm into my 2nd stay for this year, expiring August 2nd.
What's the best opportunities following this for someone like myself to find a sponsor for switching to work or digital nomad visa? Or something of that nature?
Any advice or contacts etc?
Answer summary
The post discusses the situation of an expat wanting to stay in Thailand long-term with their Thai girlfriend of over a decade. The individual seeks to navigate visa options, including the potential for a marriage visa, work opportunities, and digital nomad visas. Commenters suggest considering marriage for a simpler visa process, exploring teaching positions, or pursuing retirement visas. They highlight the importance of legal work permits and potential business opportunities. The post emphasizes both the challenges of finding a sponsor for work and the complexities of Thai immigration regulations.
89 repliesnewest first
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Indo ******************
Easiest way is to get a Retirement Visa. If you are in Pattaya, we can help you out
Indo ******************
@Trevor *****
Can do it with or without showing money. Service charge will be different. Please DM for more details
Trevor ******
OP@Indo *****************
does the retirement visa just require money in the bank? My investments aren't in cash and I didn't want to convert them back to cash
Jeff *******
That works out at about a different job every 4 months for your whole life - i think some companies might question your loyalties!
Trevor ******
OP@Jeff ******
you have NFI what pressure is, I've been through things that would kill a pussy like you, many timesJeff *******
@Trevor *****
haha first sign of pressure you crack, you'll be an asset to any company right? 🤣Trevor ******
OP@Jeff ******
and that isn't how it happens, many of the jobs are SIMULTANEOUS ... and I cannot be bothered explaining the bleeding obvious to sheltered unimaginative idiots over and over againTrevor ******
OP@Jeff ******
assuming they're ignorant fucks who have no idea how any industry aside from their own works, sure ... but why care for the opinions of those who live in a bubble and know nothing of the outside world? They're dinosaurs who have NFI, so I don't care
Brian ********
If you look up a guy called Rob on youtube his channel is called 20 seconds in Thailand he knows a good agency who can help you good luck
Henrik *****
Difficult to get a work permit, unless you are a specialist of some kind, and your minimum wage has to be about 4 times the minimumwage of Thai’s
Joe ******
A retirement visa seems to be the obvious choice, or a PE visa if you can afford it. Good luck 👍
Joe ******
@Trevor *****
Privilege Entry visa, you can get one at Thailand Privilege.Trevor ******
OP@Joe *****
what's the PE visa?
Andy **********
If you have a complex spinal injury, eg ASIA C, its not going to get better. Your medical and personal needs will be more in the future. Consider marrying your girlfriend and have her move to Australia as your carer. A Thai friend who is a hotel maid, has just got herself a visa to Australia to look after her Australian husband's mum. Australia has a very enviable public healthcare system, which you would be throwing away moving to Thailand. Obviously you must have a significant spinal injury, otherwise why mention it. You refer to meagre financial resources, which suggests anything but a minor procedure would leave you destitute. Hardly enjoying Thailand if you are bedridden, and run out of colostomy bags. Also, Thai people don't really retire. The government pension is worse than meagre.
Kennon *****
Facebook SUNAN MANKHAM..
Kennon *****
Hi look for this local thai agent for visa..as I had mine non 0, marriage visa..they help countless of foreign marriages..
Sil *****
Lots of options for you. A marriage visa, a teaching job in a school or uni with visa and work permit provided, digital nomad visa with the right setup, or an Elite visa if you don't mind paying quite a lot for long term peace of mind. Sounds like you have loads of great skills so could also set up some kind of business if you are married. You just need to figure out which one suits you the best <3
Sil *****
@Trevor *****
agreed!! I think there would be lots of work for you online too, for example teaching high level Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean students the finer details. That's a grey area re if it's legal but certainly many do it. You might find it less frustrating than working with students here 🙂 Though there must be some who are genuinely interested... Setting up an advanced language school could be the way to go. Best of luck!Trevor ******
OP@Sil ****
yeah I was thinking about teaching and tutoring English for intermediate to advanced students who want to understand nuances of things like slang, poetry, technical / legal / medical jargon, and so on ... because I think there's lots of finer points about English which aren't even taught anymore, and even native speakers are often rubbish communicators and thinkers because (in part) they have an incurious and intellectually lazy approach to their own language ... sadly, this only makes it easier for them to be brainwashed by government and media who tell the truth in only 4 situations:1 - where it is trivial
2 - where it's in their own interests
3 - where they're forced to
4 - where it is to sell you a greater lie
... and I also note how many people are blissfully unaware that legalese was intentionally designed -- and this is taught when you study law, so it's not even denied -- to prevent people understanding the process, so they wouldn't know if they received justice or not
Imagine what it is like for foreigners to understand all this when even the locals have forgotten or never knew
Neil ********
Nice way to make friends? If you criticise others you will get it back tenfold!!
Try and keep it civill that goes for everyone 💯 😌 👌
Try and keep it civill that goes for everyone 💯 😌 👌
Trevor ******
OPTo save time blocking people who make stupid judgemental comments which demonstrate nothing but your privilege ignorance and that in all your years you never once stepped out of the delusional bubble in which you live ... PLEASE if you are such in imbecile, just keep your unasked for advice and commentary to yourselves, you're in no position to judge me and I'm not interested in advice from people who know nothing of consequence about anything of consequence, and for questions I never asked you to answer, and which only exist as "valid" questions IF you assume a whole bunch of things are true without once ever investigating the matter .. just shut your idiotic pie holes and go have a nap
Paulus *********
If you've had 130 jobs you probably won't be seen as being reliable!
Trevor ******
OPTodd McGowan you're no better and just demonstrated why I don't waste my time with the likes of you
Christopher *************
@Colin ********
he can block me too !!! As I think his post is complete BS and he's attention seeking only , 130 jobs lol 10 year relationship, post is complete BS , yes you can block me as soon as you like ---- asylum don't want to hear the truth
Colin *********
@Trevor *****
I see that this is just your second post in this group. From what you wrote in your original post and your response to Alan Alan, which he won't be able to read directly, I can see why you've got that response from him and are likely to get from others. In my opinion, which you may or may not like, you have included far too much information, that while it may be true, can easily look to others that you've had trouble holding down a job for very long, perhaps bragging, and that you're trying to find a way to stay in Thailand long term, when most of what you've said, wouldn't allow that. When I first joined Thailand related Facebook groups, I learnt the hard way that revealing too much information will bring about negative comments for sure. Though I don't live in Thailand yet, but hope to do so in the near future, I've endeavoured to learn as much as possible that will help me, both here in Facebook and online searching. From reading what you've said and all the comments in response to this point, what @Kool ******
said, looks like it might be the best course for you.
Braulio *********
Too many barriers from OP
Ning ******
retirement visa, much easier than getting marry or marriage visa.
Vijay *****
You may consider a Retirement Visa..
If you are over 50..
If you are over 50..
Stephen *********
@Trevor *****
get an agentColin *********
@Graham *****
Australia doesn't
Graham ******
@Trevor *****
That depends on what passport you hold as many Embassies still do the income affidavit in lieu of banked fundsTrevor ******
OP@Vijay ****
I think that option requires me to convert my meagre investments to cash in the bank, but I don't want to do that because spinal damage limits my options for income so I must be careful
Doc ********
Stayz Awake
Trevor ******
OPFor the benefit of the ignorant imbecile with his abusive and unwarranted assumption based on nothing but his own sheltered existence arrogance and ignorance named Alan Alan and whom has already been blocked so I don't have to listen to his tedious reply whatever it might be -- but if this loser has "friends" they can relay this reply -- FYI I worked in entertainment and events where you literally work for everyone who comes along, same thing in hospitality, same thing in construction demolition & industrial maintenance and so on ... YOUR UTTER LACK OF IMAGINATION to perceive the possibility of that which you haven't personally experienced, is nothing to be smug about or to so carelessly admit in a public forum for everyone to see ... it is not a good advertisement for your own crippled intellect ... now buzz off idiot
Christopher *************
@Todd ********
the truth hurts that's why 👍👍👍
Todd *********
@Trevor *****
why aren’t you discussing with him?? Nobody else gives a 💩.Maybe part of why you can’t hold a job.
Alan ******
An average of 4 jobs a year, 1 job lasted 3 months on average, what a load of bolloxs, where you fired 129 times,
*****
5, good story tho lolChristopher *************
@Alan *****
exactly , and don't forget the spine damage 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣Kool *******
Understand that you can not do any kind of teaching if you do not have an undergraduate degree. To do any kind of work you must have a work permit, even volunteering, and you can only get a work permit to teach if you have a certified as being real university degree. Get married to your Thai GF. Then you can get a type O visa extension based on Thai wife, and with this visa extension, if you find a job, or decide to start a business you can get a work permit with this visa extension. At this point, and to help your situation, I would enroll in a university, go to school for four years, and get a degree, then you will also at the same time learn to speak, read and write, formal, and colloquial Thai, and gain your degree, even going as far as getting an actual PhD, that people think you have. After you've worked for at least three years, and made at least bt40,000 a month continuously, and paying your Thai income tax yearly, plus other requirements (but nothing else matters if you don't work), you can apply directly for citizenship because you are married to a Thai. If not legally married then you'd need to work three years making at least bt80,000 a month, and paying taxes, plus the other requirements, to get permanent residency, then after working continuously another five years you could apply for citizenship. Think long term, as most responding don't do past one year. You can not legally work on any type of retirement visa extension. For your long term plans the fastest way is to get married first. Also familiarize yourself with the restricted jobs list, that are jobs allowed for Thais only. Quite a few of the jobs you've done in the past are on that list. Above all else, if you want to stay here long term, never do anything questionable, or illegal, as over time it could cost you by getting you deported, or worse, jailed. All your plans should never put your staying here into question. Quite a few people break this way of doing things, and a number of them can never return to Thailand. Thailand is a great place after you learn how things operate. By adapting, planning, and getting married, you can stay here the rest of your life very nicely.
Shayne *********
@Kool ******
yes thanks . Im pleased i returned to phom penh . Keep thailand for beach holidays etc.. cambodia is brutal but pay is ok and visas etc no prob.Kool *******
@Trevor *****
only if you were a Thai citizen.Kool *******
@Trevor *****
lots of people get in serious trouble doing those under the table, technically illegal things. What you can get away with now, can change in a matter of weeks.Trevor ******
OP@Kool ******
no i mean someone who would promise work which I can then use to get a work visaKool *******
@Shayne ********
I do know that as fast as Thailand is advancing technology, and computer wise, things you do illegally will at some point be discovered, and the consequences can result in deportation, and jail in some cases. Quite a few people get deported and banned from returning daily because they were not legal in what they thought they could get away with. Keep that in the front of your mind.Trevor ******
OP@Shayne ********
do you know anyone in Bangkok I could get work through?Shayne *********
@Kool ******
this is not related but i just went to thailand to teach from cambodia. Ive been teaching here about 7years on and off. I was nervous because alrhough i have teaching certs . Tefl etc i only have half a degree. A exam printout. Still the agent was dont worrym once i was there the school asumed i had a full degree. I dodnt want to look over my back every 5mins as teachers were oh you wont get t cert or work permit easy if yr degree is not verified. I fell out with agent and came back to dirty old phnom penh. The agent recently told me irs all bs. He can get me ed visa and i can teach as long as i want. Because of docs experience etc. i think they can just pay them off. What do you think?
Henriette ********
Colin *********
@Kool ******
what a comprehensive response of what can be done legally, with appropriate cautions! 👍
Paul *********
Put her on a lie detector and reveal how many other men shes been with since you started dating. I put my life savings on a Thai man being involved somewhere.
Lastly remember a woman will never make the sacrifices for dick that you're prepared to make for pussy.
Lastly remember a woman will never make the sacrifices for dick that you're prepared to make for pussy.
Roger **********
I year visa. Do it yourself or pay an agent to sort it. Agent will cover the bank cost if you’re short of money but the Agent will be costly.
Trevor ******
OP@Roger *********
what type of visa is it precisely, what's the name or code of the one you're talking about ?
Jason ********
You can’t get a work visa.
Regardless of all the shit you’ve done.
If you want to get married get married.
In 5 years I think you can apply for perm resident.
Regardless of all the shit you’ve done.
If you want to get married get married.
In 5 years I think you can apply for perm resident.
Adam ******
130 jobs! How many volumes does your CV run to? 😁
Trevor ******
OP@Christopher ************
fuck you cuntChristopher *************
@Trevor *****
bla bla bla , it's more of a reflection of uour attitude I thinkTrevor ******
OP@Christopher ************
it's a common thing and has been for decades for the people exploited by western society ... we don't get stable work, fair wages, what we get, is slaveryHenrik *****
Not the kind of people you wan’t to employed, since will not stay in any job for a long time.
Christopher *************
@Trevor *****
jack of all trades omgTrevor ******
OP@Adam *****
I picked up a hitchhiker nearby Byron Bay NSW once who had done 170Trevor ******
OP@Adam *****
I can barely remember anymore ... you make it and I've done it or something similar or can figure it out from first principles and a little extrapolation and researchJon ********
If you have a BA you can get a job as a teacher with a Non B Visa. You can get your Visa renewed based on a marriage extension when you stop working. But you can also work on a marriage extension as well. You can get a retirement extension as well but you can’t work.
You require no money in the bank for a Non B and work permit. 400,000 baht for a marriage extension and 800,000 for a retirement extension.
You require no money in the bank for a Non B and work permit. 400,000 baht for a marriage extension and 800,000 for a retirement extension.
Jon ********
@Andy *********
yes that’s correctAndy **********
@Jon *******
He means work. Marriage visa means you can work as long as you have a work permit.Jon ********
@Trevor *****
the marriage extension took 3 trips to immigration. There is much more paperwork than the retirement extension. Can or can’t what?Trevor ******
OP@Jon *******
sorry can or can't? The other reply said with O extension I can ... what do you mean "a lot of work"?Jon ********
@Trevor *****
the marriage visa is a lot of work and you can work with one.Trevor ******
OP@Jon *******
someone said the marriage visa can be done fairly quickly, so perhaps that is my first step, then someone else said there's a type O extension which lets me work as well, so I'll see if I can find out about that optionJon ********
@Trevor *****
Well you won't be able to teach legally at a government school or get a work permit for teaching regrdless of what people are posting. A TEFL certificate gets you nothing. I was at teacher for 5 years in Khon Kaen. A marriage, retirement or elite Visa are your options if you can't work. You can look for teacher jobs on Ajarn.com if you want.Trevor ******
OP@Jon *******
never actually got an undergrad, that wasn't the purpose of my study and sadly the whole Australian education system has declined incredibly over the past 20-30 years ... I could put that money in the bank here but it would require cashing in investments which I want to avoid until I'm ready ... so without work, I'll need an option that doesn't require me to show quite that much in the bank
Mar *****
From what you are stating in your post, you're a very intelligent man. I would use that intelligence and do some research so you can answer all your own questions you just asked.
Michael ********
Braulio *********
@Jon *******
Smarter than a request for Facebook adviceJon ********
@Mar ****
plenty of sites need better expatsMar *****
@Jon *******
plenty of expat sites need better advice.Jon ********
@Mar ****
plenty of other expat sites need a good troll. 🧌Mar *****
@Jon *******
, too much wisdom to share here... way more than enough to go around. 🤣🤣Jon ********
@Mar ****
really, you haven’t exhausted your supply of wisdom lol 😂?Mar *****
@Jon *******
I've got more coming if you need any help... Just let me know Jon.Jon ********
@Mar ****
what a helpful comment lol 😂
Sam *********
Maybe it is time to think about getting married? With this, you will eliminate a large hassle that is the perpetual 'visa question'......If you have an idea and some capital, you and your 'wife' can start a business. You will hear a lot of naysayers and "can't do' types on this forum (for whatever reason, I think a lot of it is jealousy or past failures that they project on to others, whatever)...if you are good with language and feel you could be a great tutor, maybe think about opening up a small 'language center'...that is what my wife and I do. We aren't getting rich, but it pays the bills. Just brainstorm some ideas, know that you have to have some money to make it happen, but don't let any of the resident degenerates on this page tell you it's impossible...Good luck!
Sam *********
@Trevor *****
that's where the issue might come in. If you are doing private tutoring "on the side" and it's not done under a registered business with a work permit for you, you are running the risk of running into some trouble. Now, not saying it will happen, but its always best to do things legit.Trevor ******
OP@Sam ********
I have other long term goals through, so I'd also just be happy doing it "on the side" as a private tutor rather than actually starting a schoolTodd *********
@Trevor *****
that makes your decision path easy. You need an agent. Just get oneTrevor ******
OP@Sam ********
yeah ok, I can do that if I cash in ... so I guess I'll just have to discuss ideas with my partner and plan things a bit ... but that's good to knowSam *********
@Trevor *****
on paper, you have to have 2 million baht capital, but I would recommend finding a good account to help you out.Trevor ******
OP@Sam ********
thanks, most of my money (which isn't a huge amount but a lot I guess by Thai standards) is invested, and I don't want to remove it from there just yet, but can you estimate just a rough ball park of what it cost to set everything up for your business?
Jack ****************
Hey, just did this. I don't think you can get a "common law" marriage visa. But you can get married and get the visa right after. They might try to harrass you about if the marriage is legit- and you will need to bring witnesses- but if you are legit I wouldn't worry about it.
Jack ****************
@Trevor *****
are you joking? Did you get hacked?Trevor ******
OP@Jack ***************
I downloaded the history of our conversations on Facebook going back slightly over a decade ... it's private of course, but it shows how long we have known each otherActivity
33 joined33
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