thailand
Ask question

What are the simplest long-term visa options for staying in Thailand with minimal time commitment?

ED VisaVisa OptionsThai Elite VisaMarriage VisaRetirement VisaSTV VisaVisa OverstayCOVID-19 Visa ExtensionsImmigration HelpExpat Visa Rules
Dec 25, 2021
3 years ago
Garry ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
What's the simplest way of staying in Thailand long-term with the least time commitment?

ED Visa with language school? Don't want to spend more than 2 or 3 hours a week though.
3,282
views
6
likes
105
all likes
55
replies
1
images
22
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses options for long-term stays in Thailand with minimal time commitment. Suggestions include the ED Visa for studying part-time, Thai Elite Visa for those able to pay a hefty fee, marriage visas, and retirement visas for those over 50. Comments reflect a mix of serious advice and humor regarding overstay scenarios, emphasizing the importance of complying with visa regulations and recent changes related to COVID-19 extensions.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
James ***********
Covid19 extensions in 2022. Laos or Cambodia border visa runs after that. It works best if you travel and stay a few months in another country each year. It worked for me last 5 years.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Dan ********
@James **********
 not so easy last 24 months.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Dan ********
@James **********
 "travel and stay a few months in another country each year" - that part not so easy. Covid extensions - wonderful stuff. I wasted an ED visa, having signed up in a panic in the days before the ruling. Still, I'm grateful to be here and grateful to the country of Thailand to allow my stay 🙏
3 years ago
Like
Reply
James ***********
@Dan *******
 I thought the last 24 mo should be the easiest due to the non-stop covid19 extensions. I am not aware of anyone who was declined a covid19 extension in Thailand since the start of the pandemic.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Dan ********
@James **********
 There was a young woman on a Philippines passport refused a covid extension in front of me. Can't be sure of the details.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
James ***********
@Dan *******
 alright I see. May be Filipinos and some other nationals might be getting a different treatment than the westerners. Almost all Filipinos rely on income in Thailand, that might be the reason. I think covid19 extensions will continue until the end of 2022 and tourists from Europe, USA, Australia etc will easily benefit. Once border pass becomes safer then visa runs will be the way to go for me
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Dan ********
@James **********
 I hope you are right 👍
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Dan ********
Reply
Brian ********
Elite visa is the best option if you have ฿600,000 spare
3 years ago
Like
Reply
James ***********
@Brian *******
 one needs to be either filthy rich or in suicidal desperation to pay that fee
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Brian ********
@James **********
 its an option if I wanted to spend time in Thailand then I would pay the 600,000B rather then leave 800,000B in a bank account for visa purposes
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Brian ********
Reply
Felix ******************************
@Brian *******
 That's the most inefficient use of 600k baht I could think of. Yes it buys convenience and peace of mind, but the savings you gain if you wanna jump through a few more hoops are huge.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Nick ************
@Brian *******
 the elite Visa is the biggest RIP off ever.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Narelle ************
@Nick ***********
 you not enjoying it? I think it’s great
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Nick ************
@Narelle ***********
 no. I just pay for my annual extension and save a pile of cash.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Narelle ************
@Nick ***********
 depends on visa type and age I suppose. I personally took elite before I turned 50 and it’s nice to have the peace of mind knowing that I won’t have to jump through hoops like some of my friends seem to need to each year for their retirement visa renewals.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Narelle ************
Reply
Nicolas ********
I been here 6 months on COVID extensions...
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Dan ********
@Nicolas *******
 but how did you get in to the country ?
3 years ago
Like
Reply
James *******
Since it started for me.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
James *******
Reply
James ********
3 years ago
Like
Reply
John ********
Be buried there
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Keven ****
ED visa is for studying part-time. Why would you get a whole visa for studying 2-3 hours a week?
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Keven ****
@Toohotma *******
 You replied and then left. And don't use the "Reply" button so I don't get a notification when you reply.

Either you did:

- 1-on-1 private lessons (fewer hours)

- Much less then 1 year (short-term)

- Or studied when immigration requirement of # hours were lower
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Helpful ********
Keven Je I've had three different ED visas. Only did 4 hours a week. 2 hours twice a week.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Garry ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Toohotma *******
 Cool. Where was this?
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Keven ****
@Toohotma *******
 What year was that? The minimum # of hours were changed not that long ago (because of people abusing ED visas).
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Helpful ********
About a year and a half on the first two combined. Had to cut one short. Just started the third, but for an actual university, so I will definitely be attending more than 4 hours this time.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Keven ****
@Toohotma *******
 You got two private school ED visas back-to-back? And a third ED visa for university study? Three back-to-back ED visas?
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Keven ****
Reply
Keven ****
@Toohotma *******
 How many months total (for 1 ED visa)? Thai or combat? Group or private lessons?
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Keven ****
Reply
Keven ****
You need to study a minimum of around 8 hours per week to get an ED visa (fewer for private 1-on-1 lessons). Missing too many classes will result in the visa being revoked.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Keven ****
Reply
David *********
Having contacts in high places 😎
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Daniel ************
pure overstay - no 90 days reporting needed as well - 😛
3 years ago
Like
Reply
James ***********
@Jay ****
 I think about $10 a day. It hurts.. Last year, I overstayed about 10 months in Turkey.. I paid less than $150 while leaving the country.. Sweet
3 years ago
Like
Reply
James ***********
they caught a farang bar owner last year.. he was overstay 19 years! How do Thai punish this?
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Gwydion *******
@James **********
 20k fine, deportation, blacklist 10 years.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Gwydion *******
Reply
Todd *********
@Daniel ***********
 fair point
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Charles ************
@Daniel ***********
 explain this process 👀
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Terary **********
@Daniel ***********
 I often wondered if I fly into a neighboring country, cross the border illegally, and just stay in Thailand. When I needed to leave I could back to the other country and get in trouble for overstay, or go to a different country illegally and claim I didn't get stamped.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Len *****
@Terary *********
 so many options, so few who dare
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Daniel ************
@Terary *********
 as a neighbour from

these countries you can do it ... they usually pay the Army control 100 when enter and 100 when going - as a foreigner it wont work -
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Daniel ************
Reply
David *********
@Daniel ***********
 😂 joker! Love it
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
David *********
Reply
Mark ******
Retirement visa if you’re over 50
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Michael ********
In Thailand already ED visa

Out of Thailand STV but insurance and other criteria to meet.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Jeffrey ************
Thai Elite visa
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Johannes *******
marriage
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Terary **********
Do you necessarily have to study Thai? I could study Spanish? I might be able to guess/pass immigration tests.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Terary **********
Yeah... maybe not. I think the rule is that you have to study.. Not necessarily study Thai language. If I could study Spanish I could probably past the first year tests. Also, I might actually study Spanish.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Dan ********
@Terary *********
 I find Spanish not so useful when living in Thailand, or anywhere else in Asia. It's Thai language. There is a Muay Thai ED Visa, and a self defence ED visa, that from just a single school in Chiang Mai .
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Dan ********
Reply
Dan ********
@Terary *********
 I don't think you'd pass Thai immigration testing by speaking Spanish, to be honest.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Dan ********
Reply
Maxim **********
Garry Jang ковид продление

Либо потерпеть до 50 лет
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Garry ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jo ******
 i said simple lol
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Chris ******
@Garry *****
 lol. Thai Elite visa would be far cheaper 😁
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Chris ******
Reply
Michael ********
Elite visa pay and stay
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Garry ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
 ah true. 600k probably not worth it for me rn
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Todd *********
@Garry *****
 it’s a good idea if you hate your bank account. Otherwise - makes no sense
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Michael ********
@Todd ********
 he asked for easiest way
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Michael ********
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
What is the best visa option for long-term residency in Thailand?
41 comments
4 months ago
Is the plan of using a tourist visa and then transitioning to an educational visa the best option for long-term stay in Thailand?
11 comments
6 months ago
What are the best visa options for individuals under 40 in Thailand?
58 comments
7 months ago
What are the best options to stay in Thailand long-term without pursuing an ED visa?
17 comments
8 months ago
What are the best visa options for moving to Thailand if I'm under 50 and not looking to retire?
10 comments
9 months ago
What are the best visa options for long-term stay in Thailand for a US citizen under 50?
21 comments
a year ago
What are the best visa options for expats in Thailand after an ED visa?
30 comments
a year ago
What visa options are available for long-term stays in Thailand under 50 years of age?
10 comments
2 years ago
How can I obtain an education visa in Bangkok with minimal attendance or requirements?
5 comments
2 years ago
What are the best visa options for spending long periods in Thailand without immigration issues?
12 comments
2 years ago
How many ED visas can one get for language school, and is it possible to switch to a Muay Thai school ED visa?
23 comments
2 years ago
What is the best long-term visa option for expats under 50 in Thailand?
22 comments
3 years ago
What is the best long-term visa option for a 38-year-old expat planning to holiday in Thailand?
14 comments
3 years ago
What are the long-term visa options available in Thailand for someone on a COVID extension?
2 comments
3 years ago
Which Thai visa should I choose for an extended stay?
12 comments
3 years ago
What long-term visa options are available for under 50s in Thailand, excluding retirement visas?
17 comments
3 years ago
What are the easiest and cheapest visa options to stay in Thailand for one year without attending in-person processes?
16 comments
3 years ago
What are my options for long-term stay in Thailand without frequent immigration visits?
7 comments
3 years ago
What are the best legitimate visa options to stay in Thailand for 6 months or longer before applying for the Elite Visa?
8 comments
3 years ago
What are the options for staying in Thailand long term if not fitting traditional visa categories?
124 comments
3 years ago
What are the best visa options for long-term stays in Thailand?
9 comments
5 years ago
What legal options do I have for a long-term stay in Thailand without a work permit or marriage?
0 comments
5 years ago
What is the best visa option for long-term stay in Thailand, specifically for learning Thai language, and what are the requirements?
24 comments
6 years ago
What long-term visa options are available for foreigners wishing to live in Thailand for over 3 months without starting a business, studying, or marrying a Thai citizen?
47 comments
6 years ago
What are the visa options for expats under 50 who are financially independent and wish to stay in Thailand without getting married?
61 comments
6 years ago
Data protection policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimerPrivacy policyRefund policy
The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.