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What are the recent changes to Thai visa rules and how do they affect long-term stays?
Thai visa rulesImmigrationVisa typesTourist visasNon-Immigrant visasVisa Exempt EntryEducational visasWork PermitsVisa regulationsLong-term stays in Thailand
Dec 17, 2018
7 years ago
Lawrence ******
ORIGINAL POSTERArrived at the Consulate in Vientiane this morning to find this letter on the notice board.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation discusses recent changes to Thai visa regulations, highlighting frustration among expats regarding the enforcement of rules aimed at preventing abuse of tourist and visa-exempt entries. Commenters emphasize the importance of obtaining the correct visa based on the purpose of stay, warning that loopholes are closing. Various experiences are shared about the consular process in Vientiane and the implications for long-term tourists, including concerns about educational visas and the need for work permits.
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Robert *******
Well for me this took long enough. I not understand why people get so upset about Immigration and staff of Thai Consulates who are JUST doing their job. As said many times get the correct visa for the purpose of your stay. People traveling for long time don't live many months or years on the same place. If you want to stay inside Thailand for long time without doing ANY work, yes including on-line work there is the Thai Elite visa for 5, 10 or 20 years. If you need an income to survive get the Work Permit and Non Immigrant B visa, by employers, your own company or use a company like IGLU. Thailand does NOT need to change their rules for your benefit. YOU have to change your visa into a correct one to stay as guest in this beautiful country.
Darren *********
The bottom line is that the recent changes are bringing those who are abusing visa exempt/tourist visas ‘out into the open’ it’s time to get legal or go home.
Darren *********
@Magnus ***************
I totally agree, they need to go further than ‘weeding out’ undesirables and open things up for those that have valid intentions.Dayumay **********
I’m planning to move to Thailand in the near future but I don’t know how that will be possible.
Dayumay **********
@Darren ********
time to offer visas to those under 50 years also. As of now the options are only ed visa which you have to attend classes,investment visa which is expensive same as the elite visa.
There are no visas for those under the age of 50 years that are not expensive/ eating your time.
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Dayumay **********
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Julien *************
Yep... They tried that 7-8 years ago... I remember shouting very loudly, in a proper thai, at the embassy in Vientiane... I was asking to have a chit-chat with the owner of the huge Mercedes Benz parked where everybody else was sitting on the ground. My case was suddenly sorted out! I don't recommend though :/
Julien *************
Yes they are indeed, but they PERFECTLY understand/speak Thai language :) (at least at that time!) My Laotian isn't good enough for complaining! :P
Lloyd ********
Why did you speak Thai to them? The consular workers there will be Laotian.
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Lloyd ********
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Dayumay **********
Now those that work illegally will move to ed visa.
this will affect genuine tourist who are tourist for long time.
If you want get rid of people work illegally, don’t destroy for those are genuine not illegally people also, ask rather for a bank statement so they can prove they have income from abroad.
But just let’s throw everyone under the same stone.
this will affect genuine tourist who are tourist for long time.
If you want get rid of people work illegally, don’t destroy for those are genuine not illegally people also, ask rather for a bank statement so they can prove they have income from abroad.
But just let’s throw everyone under the same stone.
Benjamin ******
People who are in Thailand, as a genuine tourist who are tourists for long time where they have to use multiple tourist visas to stay, are extremely rare and probably don't put a lot of money in the economy.
Dayumay **********
@Barry *****
yes few hours a week but I think they will still have time to work illegally, if people could stop working illegally and get their stuff together and get a work permit there wouldn’t be crackdown after crackdown.Darren *********
ED visas have also come under significant scrutiny recently.
Barry ******
ed visa requires you to put an effort into attending classes which means it’s not so attractive to those who have to work.
And you can only get approved for so many before they say no
And you can only get approved for so many before they say no
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Barry ******
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Russell ********
Staying here on back to back 30 dayer that is obtained at overland boarders is a thing of the past.
Robert *******
Just get the correct visa for the purpose of your stay. As we mention many times, Visa Exempt Entry and Tourist Visa are not designed to live long term in Thailand. Get organized and do as the visa rules describe, use loopholes, claim it does not count for you, no problem, as you see it will be one day that loopholes getting closed.
Ed ****
It looks like Admin didn't like my comment?! lol
Ed ****
No worries boss :)
Robert *******
Sorry
@Ed ***
, it was not your comment but the comment you reacted on, he is not wanted here, The rule of getting a visa to be inside Thailand has nothing to do that Thailand does not want tourist to visit this country.Reply to
Robert *******
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Jeremy ********
It was bound to happen eventually
Ron *******
There's a surprise.
Darnell ********
Does this apply to METV's too?
Darnell ********
You get METV's from the country your from
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Darnell ********
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Louise *************
planing on going there next month for my second TV ... that should be OK? 😕😕
Louise *************
@Barry *****
great...I'm a worrier 😂😂 I only have one which I got in Loa but reading some of the stories on here makes me panic a bitBarry ******
should be ok. A rule of thumb is no more than 6 months of tourist visas per year unless allowed to stay longer like some countries which permit 12 month tourist visas
Reply to
Barry ******
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Glen *********
Nothing new here...they've had this policy for a long-time, too many visas and they denied
Tom **********
What is it with the photos?
Richard *******
Looks like an example of what will/will not be accepted as a personal photo on the application.
Lawrence ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tom *********
ignore those, that's just the top of the next notice.Reply to
Lawrence ******
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Jim *******
It Had to happen.
Too many saying it was the easiest place to GO..!
Too many saying it was the easiest place to GO..!
Lawrence ******
ORIGINAL POSTERThats what I was thinking. Fortunately I only have one tourist visa in my passport.
Reply to
Lawrence ******
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Travis *******
should be interesting to see how this plays out..
Barry ******
that would be interesting too. Not much over short term, because it’s tourist season now - but low season might be a lot worst
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Barry ******
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