What Are the Visa Options for a Mahayana Monk Ordained Abroad to Stay in Thailand Long Term?

Good Luck with your effort to become a Monk in Thailand. Hoping these links which I have posted above assist you😉

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

Buddhist Monk – Checklist

Visa Procedures for the Buddhist Monk

It is mandatory that the following steps are taken before the Non-Immigrant “ED” visa for the Monk can be issued:

1. Recommendation letter from the temple in Thailand sent to the Office of Buddhism, Thailand.

2. Recommendation letter from the Office of Buddhism, Thailand, sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand.

3. Approval letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand, sent to the Royal Thai Embassy.

4. The Royal Thai Embassy issues Non-Immigrant “ED” visa for the Monk (visa applicant)

The Royal Thai Embassy, Dhaka June 2014

Note Ed Visa point listed 1.5

"To study as a foreign Buddhist Monk"

-10.-NON-IMMIGRANT-VISA---EDUCATION-%22ED%22.html

Here are some links to read re Becoming a Monk in Thailand...

16-permanent-visa-for-a-buddhist-monk/

69-can-a-foreigner-become-a-monk-in-thailand/

4-what-are-the-current-visas-for-monks/

Ubon Joe had posted in 2014...

There has been no changes that I am aware of.

The visa would be a non immigrant R from an embassy or consulate.

For an extension of stay it would be clause 2.13 of immigration order .

Quote

2.13 In the case of studying Buddhism or practicing religious activities:

Each permission shall be granted for no more than one year. The alien:

(1) Must have been granted a non-immigrant visa (NON-IM).

(2) Must have been confirmed and requested by the National Office of Buddhism, or Office of the Prune Minister, or Mahachulalongkomrajavidyalaya University, or Mahamakut Buddhist University.

(3) Must have been confirmed by the abbot of the temple where the applicant is studying Buddhism or practicing religious activities.

Ubon Joe added...

A one year visa from an embassy or consulate would be a multiple entry visa that requires leaving every 90 days.

I think you are truly writing about an extension of stay (it is not a visa) you obtain at immigration.

You can get an extension of stay for studying Buddhism under clause 2.13 of the immigration order with the proper documents.

There is no 9 year limit that I know of. If you have supporting documents you can get extensions of stay for infinity.

it is not a regular question, so the chance of getting the advice as you want is very small. If i read your comment that Many monks come to live and study from many countries, i would say there must be some one in that temple who can explain how so many people can stay there with a visa.

If you are age 50+ then meet the financial requirements to retire in Thailand and join the Temple as a Monk.

Non O Volunteer Visa ??? Can the Temple sponsor ?

Just brainstorming.

Have you asked the Thai Embassy/Consulate in Australia?

For what it's worth, very few Thais follow that form of Buddhism anyway :/

To my knowledge, that type of visa doesn't exist. You can get an elite visa (500K THB for 5 years), an investment visa (10 M THB, lasts a lifetime, or as long as you have the investment), or a non-o volunteer visa (good as long as you are a volunteer).