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What is the best visa option for staying in Thailand long-term without facing immigration issues?

Visa RulesThailand ImmigrationNon-O VisaTourist VisaLong-term StayBorder RunsExpat Life in ThailandVisa Exemptions
Jun 13, 2024
6 months ago
Anonymous ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I’ve been in Thailand since November, from visa exempts & border runs. I didn’t get a long term visa as it wasn’t actually intentional to stay here that long, but I fell in love with the country, got ill quite a few times & also have met someone.

I was meant to fly home last month on the 21st for a few months to break up the visa runs & return on a non-o visa to open a business I’ve already arranged, but my plans changed due to a rental falling through at home.

So now I’m back to needing to do another border run to KL as I’ll run out of time to get my non-o visa in time.

My question is:

is it best to apply for a tourist 60 day visa in KL to avoid questioning at immigration like I did last time.

Try another visa exempt month & explain I will actually be getting a long term visa , I’ll be able to back it up to the officer with paperwork.

Pay an agent 3500 baht to get me through immigration with no questioning. ( this is an option an agent gave me) as I really can’t afford to get denied

Thanks in advance.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user has been in Thailand for an extended period using visa exemptions and is considering options to avoid immigration scrutiny while transitioning to a non-O visa to start a business. They ponder whether to apply for a tourist visa in Malaysia, attempt another visa exempt entry, or hire an agent for smoother immigration passage. Various comments from the community suggest different approaches, including the risks associated with frequent border runs, the importance of obtaining a long-term visa, and potential consequences of overstay or repeated entry attempts. The consensus emphasizes the need for a legitimate long-term visa route to avoid complications at immigration.
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Durrant ********
There"s a right and wrong way to stay in Thailand. If you try to buck the system get caught it wont end well
6 months ago
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Michael **********
u already got asked questions the last time u got in and that was a red flag. It's really likely you will get denied if you get back with a tourist visa within the next
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months. I also heard this story that there are some immigrations agents that will not ask u questions in exchange of $$$ but it's also true that there are a lot of scammers who will just get your money promising something they can't do. you can legally buy and elite visa, that's your answer
6 months ago
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KO ********
If you have the long term visa paperwork you should be able to get a visa waiver month without too much trouble, and you are doing what they told you to do, get a long term visa….from inside Thailand. Paperwork, relationship etc I think you have it covered.
6 months ago
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Shane *******
Pay the 3500 . Its a no brained lol .... the fugazi announcement extended blah blah ... might come into effect by then ?
6 months ago
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Pertti *************
Why not just buy dormant company and apply initial non b?
6 months ago
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Paul **********
Do border run either in Laos or Cambodia
6 months ago
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John *******
Maybe apply for one of them anonymous visa
6 months ago
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Paul ************
Get the new tourist visa and pay for fast track at Airport. All good.
6 months ago
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Bob ********
I would be more worried about a couple of other things you said, I have met someone, and I am opening a business. After 50 yrs of being around Thailand, all I see is another Farang being set up for a fall. You may be the exception, but Thailand does have rules and you are breaking several of them, be careful!!
6 months ago
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Steve **********
@Bob *******
 so true, but seems every farang thinks he's smarter than the last million or so .
6 months ago
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Anonymous ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *********
 honestly Im still an idiot farang, but pretty much after a quiet life with a cafe on the island! Probably will be harder than it seems, but the U.K. will screw me just as hard lol
6 months ago
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Bob ********
Anonymous member good luck, I wish you well as long as you have eyes wide open.
6 months ago
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Bob ********
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Ning ******
Go on your own, tell them you are with your someone. Prepare that they will ask you to call her and let them speak to her. This will work for a while. after many many times.... They will ask you to get marry....
6 months ago
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Henrik *****
If you allready has been questioned by a Immigration Officer, you need to have a back-up plan, next time you try to pass a border into Thailand.
6 months ago
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Shane ******
Just go travel cambodia for a while, then say Vietnam for a bit, bring your girl. When you arrive back, your stamps will look like your a tourist. Stay out of country for a few weeks or so. When you arrive back. Focus on the proper visa before you get denied in the future.
6 months ago
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Graham ******
@Shane *****
 In this scenario the OP would be better getting the Non-O while away and have no issues re-entering
6 months ago
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Graham ******
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Rachanee *************
Wasting your time asking on here. Every time you land the immigration officer at the gate has the right to refuse entry,if you want to be certain go to your local immigration office not Facebook,I don't mean to offend anyone but bad advice and false promises won't secure the security you want and need
6 months ago
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Ivan ************
@Rachanee ************
 local immigration office won't be able to give him any advice on a visa run. They may say he can't, or may say he can, or may decline to say anything but whatever they say it will have zero bearing on what actually happens. He's not applying for entry to the country at his local immigration office.
6 months ago
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Steve **********
@Rachanee ************
 most IO honestly do want to help.
6 months ago
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Bart **************
@Rachanee ************
 and what will they do for him?

Then the next question: what is a better place to ask? (Hint: it's not so far away)
6 months ago
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Anonymous ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rachanee ************
 very true 🙏🏼 I will give them a visit , thank you
6 months ago
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Anonymous ********
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Christopher ********
They can deny you if you have a record of entering too many times and trying to live there even if you get the visa.

So if your intent isn’t tourism you need to find a visa that lets you stay long term like a language school
6 months ago
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Brandon ************
A tourist visa does increase the odds of getting into the country, but it's certainly not a guarantee. Especially if you've already been in Thailand for 8 months without a long term visa.

Your mention of 3500 baht agent seems like it would be a border run agent. Please note that you're limited to 2 visa exempt entries (entry without a visa) at a land border per calendar year. So if you've already done that twice in 2024 you wouldn't be able to do it again.
6 months ago
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Dominique *********
@Brandon ***********
 Merci du renseignement précis
6 months ago
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Kannan **************
Hey Brandon, I have a question. Do the agents actually do anything, or do they just collect their 3500 for nothing? I mean, do they actually pay bribes to the officials?
6 months ago
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Robert ***********
@Kannan *************
 Yeah..What happens when you try to come back in and get denied? Where is the agent and what do they do on your behalf.

I could easily tell you to fly to Vietnam then come back in 24 hours and say "Sorry" or not answer the phone or your texts when you get refused.

Good luck
6 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Robert **********
 for the airport entry, someone meets you as you exit the plane. Then they walk you to the fast track section of immigration and direct you to a specific immigration officer to go see for entry.
6 months ago
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Kannan **************
@Brandon ***********
 seriously that happens? So immigration officer also takes cut :) this very new info for me. Thanks for sharing
6 months ago
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Robert ***********
@Brandon ***********
 Oh I know how it works but if they don't it's an easy 3500 for them. I just hope he got a reputable agent.
6 months ago
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Robert ***********
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Brandon ************
@Kannan *************
 it's not just for transportation. They have connections and part of that money is used to smooth and expedite
6 months ago
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Brandon ************
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Anonymous ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 the entry with an agent would be via air 🙏🏼, not land unfortunately. Not entirely sure how it works via air, but they said it will ensure a smooth immigration process without questions
6 months ago
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Colleen *******
Anonymous member Brandon is right. My family did this (via air) too many times (to KL) and got remarks on their passport at BKK. Our visa agent said to get longer term visas next time which they did and now it's fine. It's a risk. Better to get it sorted.
6 months ago
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Brandon ************
Anonymous member I've never seen the air entry offered for this cheap before
6 months ago
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Anonymous ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 I think its just for their fee, not including flight tickets! Do you know how much it generally is offered for? The agent has various recommendations but this is the first time I will be using them myself if I go ahead🙏🏼
6 months ago
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Brandon ************
Anonymous member I've seen it starting at 5k and going up from there depending on circumstances
6 months ago
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Brandon ************
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