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What are the requirements for the Special Tourist Visa in Thailand, particularly regarding accommodation proof?

Special Tourist Visa (STV)Thailand visa requirements Accommodation requirements Visa types for expats Expat living in Thailand Long-term stay in Thailand

Jan 25, 2022

3 years ago

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Hi everyone, I'm looking to return to Thailand and been looking at the Special Tourist Visa, it seems to require a lot, like proof of 9 months accomodations paid upfront, anyone get this and have to have that? I'll be staying with a friend until I find a condo so that seems unrealistic...if it is the case, I'll get the multiple entry tourist visa. Any advice would be appreciated

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The Special Tourist Visa (STV) for Thailand typically requires proof of 90 days of prepaid accommodation. Extensions also necessitate further proof. Some travelers have successfully used documentation from friends or lease agreements instead of hotel bookings. Alternatively, booking a refundable hotel for three months can be a practical workaround, allowing you to cancel after arrival. Consider this visa if you plan to stay long-term, but note that changing from STV to another visa type is not permitted.

Marc ********

Be aware that STV can’t be changed to ANY other type of visa.

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Daniel **********

Must leave Thailand and return under a visa exempt scheme and convert is possible?

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Marc ********

@Daniel *********

Correct in ‘must leave Thailand’. Then apply for a new visa appropriate to your situation

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Marc ********

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Salvatore *********

The METV is useless at the moment I think, how would you think to use it? You cannot easily border run. The STV is mostly advised against if you do your research.

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Mark ********

On the accomodation front, you can book a cheap hostel for the first 3 months (pick one that has free cancellation policy) and cancel this once you get out of quarantine.

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Blair ********

@Bryn *************

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Blair ********

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Shayne **********

I suggest a tourist visa and changeover to something longer term. You will thank me later.

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Charles ********

You only need 90 day accommodation at a time. Your friend can give you lease documents or just a letter, people have got the visa issued and extended using it.. But can been hard than simply booking a hotel. Consider booking a hotel you can cancel and refund for the visa and see if embassy gives you visa.

I came in STV in 2021, I used agoda and the embassy in Taipei gave me some trouble but was okay. Rented a condo when I got here and canceled the hotel.

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Darren *********

OO Edward thanks Edward. Good to know.

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Darren *********

OO Edward thanks Edward. What about after the 2 extensions? I understand it’s a 90-day visa that can be extended twice (9 months total) but can you then switch to another visa after that? Or do you have to leave the country?

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Darren *********

@Charles *******

hi Charles. Have you used the entire 9 months of the STV visa yet? I’ve heard that you cannot extend the STV visa and have to leave the country when it’s date has expired.

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Charles ********

@Darren ********

I left on my first extention and then came back on a different visa.

There is a guy I know who is stay in Chang Mai that did the visa same time as me and was able to get covid extension a few months ago and is still in Thailand. But it probably a long shot at your local office or with the more sticker covid extension rules. Never hurts to ask though.

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Darren *********

@Charles *******

thanks Charles. Why didn’t you use the full 9 months of the STV visa before leaving and coming back in on the other visa? How long were you away between visa’s?

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Charles ********

@Darren ********

I felt like wanting to visit my family, I was gone for 5 weeks. Came back in visa exempt and then switched to legitimate Thai ed visa.

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Darren *********

@Charles *******

ah ok. That makes sense. Are you still in Thailand now? I’m weighing up whether to go for the STV visa or the TR 60-day with the 30-day extension.

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Charles ********

@Darren ********

yeah, I am living in bkk now for the future.

If you are only staying 90 days, then the tr60 plus 30 day extention is probably easier....but there are pros and cons with both. If you planning on staying 6-9 months the stv is definitely the easy way to do that.

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Darren *********

@Charles *******

that’s great! I love BKK.

I want to stay much longer than 90 days. I’d like to try Thailand for 1 whole year. Just trying to work out the best way to do it.

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Darren *********

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Bobby ********

I have been a critic of the STV, but in light of the apparent winding down of the covid extensions, I'd say for anyone wanting a long term stay here (max nine months) it's certainly now worth looking at. There are ways around the three month hotel bookings if you have a lease and drop a message to Arawan Namak to get a quote on an insurance policy.

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Stuart *********

It’s 90 days of paid up accommodation. And then again if you extend you need it again, and medical insurance too.

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Clear *****

Hi Stuart, which is the best option for medical insurance. I've been asked couple of insurance companies, but non of them provide 90 day insurance based on the 400,000 / 40,000 plan. They have annual ones only. Any advice from you would much appreciated, thanks

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Imad *********

I used tipinsure they offer various plans (1 month, 3 month and annual) and they're relatively cheaper than any other insurance company.

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Stuart *********

Hi, sorry but I’m not up to speed on insurance. If you click the topics link at the top of our page and click the tag #insurance you’ll see lots of recent posts. Most common mentioned are AXA and Luma, although that’s not a recommendation for either as I have no experience with them.

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Clear *****

@Stuart ********

thank you, AXA was one of them which refused to offer anything for "short term" as they said. As far as I can see these insurance plans are designed for non/o 1 year visa not for STV holders.

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Clear *****

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