What is the best visa option for a year-long stay in Thailand for a couple looking to explore Southeast Asia?

Question

Hi. My husband and I are looking at spending a year in CM and wondering what visa we should get. We're both 40, no kids, won't be working and want to be able to explore South East Asia, so multiple re-entries is important. We have looked at the education visa but don't want to be tied down to a full-time study program. Thanks.

Ask Thailand · Answer

A couple looking to spend a year in Chiang Mai, Thailand, is seeking advice on the best visa options that allow for multiple re-entries. Suggestions include the 6-month Multi-Entry Tourist Visa, which allows unlimited entries and can be extended, and the Elite Visa, which is a government scheme. The Special Tourist Visa is recommended against due to its limitations on changing visas while in Thailand. The Education visa is also mentioned as a flexible option, though concerns were raised about needing a full-time study program.

Ellie ******* · Answer

Thank you for your contribution. I hope OP could get enough advice to dig a bit more and shape her rough plan.

Please contact one of the moderators to re-open this post for a specific reason.

Young ******** · Answer

Indo, Vietnam, Phils, Cambodia are all 30 day stays

Souheil ******* · Answer

I enjoyed south East Asia before covid .

I took the multiple entry tourist visa : this is the right visa for that

My advice , wait til summer time or end of the year to start it

We are in transitioning months where they are slowly removing covid conditions : pcr test , Thailand pass, covid insurance …

Massimo ********* · Answer

Borders are opened in thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore without quarantine for vaccinated people.

Kev ******* · Answer

Education visa. Private lessons with a school that allows flexibility. I did this in Chiang Mai twice.

Alex ******* · Answer

EliteVisa is your only valid option

Thaddée ************ · Answer

I do not recommend the Special Tourist Visa(STV) as it is impossible to change into any other visa while in Thailand. Yes, it has a maximum validity of 9 months but after that ? What if you like to stay longer, find a job and need a working permit ? I have been trapped with this visa and until land borders open up and going out the country and back is easy, the Covid extension helps but it's a roulette, source of much anxiety. And buy a printer-photocopier, you will make a lot of copies.

Faith ********** · Answer

Is the Special Tourist Visa still available?

Sam ********* · Answer

"Visa Fishing" 😂..I love it

Tod ********* · Answer

I'll let this post on (even though it's really close to the line of "visa fishing" <- looking for any way to stay 😕

A year, where you can come in and out at will I dunno, first step would probably be to get a 6 month Multi-Entry Tourist Visa. That would let you come in and out an unlimited number of times during the 6 month validity. Each entry you'd get stamped in for 60 days (and you could extend that by 30 more at the immigration office for 1900baht)

That'd get you almost 9 months in country bouncing out and back every 2 months.

AND

It'd give you time to look for a longer term solution, to see how the nearby countries opening up are as far as requirements etc.

What is the best visa option for a year-long stay in Thailand for a couple looking to explore Southeast Asia?

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