What are the long-term visa options for living in Thailand without a job?

Long-term visa options LTR visa Import/export business Chiang Mai Non-B visa Tourist visa Elite visa Work visa

Jun 22, 2023

2 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello everyone. I am German and live now in china for 13 years but want to relocate to Thailand. I would have a job offer in Bangkok, but it would be paid very badly and I rather would live in Chiangmai and start my own import/export business (still in clarification). What options I have to stay legally in Thailand for long term without a job? I am 39 years old and would need to leave to china every two month for a few days, but I have read in the group that a tourist visa can be used max for 180 days. I hope you guys can help me figure things out and give me some advise to stay permanently in Thailand. 

The own company would be the dream but just living here first would be also fine.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A German expat is considering relocating from China to Thailand, specifically Chiang Mai, to start an import/export business but is unsure about legal long-term residency options without a job. Various responses suggest options such as applying for an LTR visa or creating a Thai company to obtain a Non-B visa, or teaching English if qualified. There are also mentions of tourist visas and the Elite visa as alternatives, though some caution against the viability of living in Thailand due to current economic conditions.

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Goi *************

You can apply for Elite Visa. If interested, can use my agent.

a year ago

Rei ***********

If you're happy with your salary in China, stay there. Economic here in Thailand is bad.

2 years ago

Naj *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Rei **********

no job and absolutely unhappy with the country itself… it’s going down soon here. Foreigners are not really welcome anymore and politics getting worse. Thailand on the other hand should get a boost with the legalization in progress.

2 years ago

Reply to

Naj *************

John **********

If the LTR visa is not suitable for you then your only real option that allows you to work is to set up a Thai company, employ 4 Thais and get a Non-B visa on the back of this. Or get a job teaching English if you have a bachelor's degree which will also get you a Non-B visa. Other than that your options are limited to ones that don't allow you to work such as the elite visa

2 years ago

Jeremy ********

You could start off by applying for the LTR visa and use a BOI company for your Import/Export business…

you can only work on the LTR visa since its not a Tourist visa like the 60 day SETV/6 Mont METV you can also not work on the Medical Visa or the Ed Visa, plus there are other visas you are not allowed to work on.

If you are legally recognized resident of China then you can apply for the 6 Month METV, with strategic border runs you can get 9 months out of the visa… if you are not a legally recognized resident of china you will have to travel to your passport countyr(s) or permanent resident country to apply for the visa…

you can also purchase a 60 day SETV visa for ฿1,900 in China then extend it for 30 days for ฿1,900 at your local immigration office… but this is a single entry visa so once you depart its basically null and void

You can do 2 land border crossing per calendar year (01 JAN - 31 DEC) then with a 30 day extensions at your local immigration office for a cost of 1,900THB you can get 60 days in Country

There is no official limit on the amount of Fly Ins one can do, however you will eventually be questioned by an overzealous Immigration officer

Or you can take the job in Bangkok get the Work Visa then plan your next move

Good luck

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2 years ago

Naj *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jeremy *******

i am living currently in china on a residence permit which is valid until end of 2024…if I would buy the SETV visa, would it make more sense to fly out before 60 days and simply buy a new one each time (instead of paying the same for 30 days extension)? So do I get it right, that I could do that way all year long? (Of course if I open a company I’ll need to find another solution. I should have a chance to do the company under BOI rules , after study the link you had send me).

2 years ago

Jeremy ********

@Naj ************

there is no official limit on the amount of back to back 6 month METV’s one can receive…. Downside you can only purchase it in a country(s) you hold a passport in or an officially recognized resident in…

2 years ago

Jeremy ********

@Naj ************

I would recommend the 6 month Multiple Entry Tourist visa (METV) cost is $200 and you can get 9 months out of the visa with a strategic border run right before it expires….

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2 years ago

Reply to

Jeremy ********

Naj *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jeremy *******

unfortunately I don’t meet the requirements of any LTR visa. But very useful information. Thanks a lot

2 years ago

Jeremy ********

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2 years ago