Answered5 years ago
What is the best way to stay in Thailand for an extended period without high costs?
Hi guys 👋,
If you would like to stay as long as possible (legally, without completely breaking the bank with some elite-type visa stuff), what is the best way to do it?
For example, is it better to just straight up apply for the 60-day visa and possibly extend it? Or is it the same if you just come on the standard 30-day visa and take it from there?
I'm just trying to learn from some of you who are more experienced, as I'm not sure how to do it - so any help is greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
If you would like to stay as long as possible (legally, without completely breaking the bank with some elite-type visa stuff), what is the best way to do it?
For example, is it better to just straight up apply for the 60-day visa and possibly extend it? Or is it the same if you just come on the standard 30-day visa and take it from there?
I'm just trying to learn from some of you who are more experienced, as I'm not sure how to do it - so any help is greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
Answer summary
To stay in Thailand legally for as long as possible without excessive costs, consider the following options: Applying for a 60-day tourist visa before arrival is often more advantageous than entering on a 30-day visa exempt entry, as it allows for a potential 30-day extension, totaling 90 days without multiple trips to immigration. Other suggestions for long-term stays include options like marriage, employment, or an education visa (ED visa). Additionally, the Special Tourist Visa (STV) provides a longer stay of nine months but has various conditions. Be cautious about visa runs and entry limits, particularly regarding the number of times you can enter without a visa.
33 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Selena ******
@Maxim **********
what are the requirements for the STV?Maxim ***********
I don't think it's any different than getting a tourist visa, except that you need to do this visa in your home country, or pre-covid in Perth Australia you could do it too. So you can't go to Cambodia and get the STV.
Selena ******
@Maxim **********
thanks for the clarification.🙏Maxim ***********
Why don't you apply for the Special Tourist Visa (STV) which gives you 9 months and then go from there?
Carrie **********
Somehow on this trip I managed to stay 90 days on a 30 day tourist visa. The second time I went to get another 30 day extension, they told me I could not. BUT THEN they gave me a consent form and a Covid 19 form to fill out, in which I had to state how Covid 19 has prevented me from leaving Thailand as planned. So I wrote in something true in the “other reason” space, like “exposure to Covid 19 could delay my departure.” Apparently that did the trick, because I was awarded another 30 days.
Martinello **********************
What if you leave and come back. How long do you have to leave the country
Native ****************
@Martinello *********************
You can go and come back same day in most casesNative ****************
Here it is:
******************************************************************************************************************************************
Maxim ***********
@Native ***************
This only apply to land entry, but land is close atm.Native ****************
Depends if you were on a Visa Exempt entry... If that is the case, you are only normally allowed 2 Visa Exempt entries per year, but gimme a sec, I will try to find the Gvt website info
Martinello **********************
@Native ***************
even if you have stayed for 60 days?
Bobby ********
Another longer stay visa is the STV. It's a pretty clunky visa with a lot of conditions to meet when you apply, but it does give you a total of nine months in the country, without having to leave, although you will have to visit immigration at the 90 and 180 day points to get your next extension. It's being discontinued later in the year, but if you get in before July 3rd you'll get the full benefits. Note that I'm not recommending this visa, but if you're going to have a fairly stable address it might suit you, so it's an option that you should look at
Eric **********
Pm.
Sam *********
Honestly. The only real ways to stay long term are: A. Get married B. Get a job. C. Get an ED visa and attend class. Otherwise you will be playing the 6 month "what visa do I get now" dance...
Sam *********
Well, maybe you have a retirement visa. Or special elite?
Maxim ***********
@Sam ********
Ive been here 10, no retirement, no elite visa, nothing :).
Chrystal **************
@Lee *****
I’m also curious
Lee ******
@Maxim **********
how does that work?
Danny ********
@Sam ********
not married, not working and don't go to school and i have been here for 5 years.Sam *********
Don’t sell yourself short man, you can find a teaching job if you try. Try for the tourist visa first, then explore the next set of options after that
William **********
OP@Sam ********
Yeah okay, already traveling with a partner and without the education I guess a job is not a possibilityI'm not against doing the visa dance if it's possible
Thank you Sam
Brandon ************
If you come in on 30 days visa exempt you can only extend 1 time for 30 days for 1900₿. That gives you 60 days in Thailand for 1900₿.
But if you apply for a Tourist visa before you arrive you'll get 60 days for about the same price as you would pay for your extension in Thailand, and you don't have to spend the time and money going to the immigration office.
You can then also extend for 30 days, giving you 90 days total.
So if you're trying maximize your time, getting the tourist visa before you arrive is always better.
Visa exempt is only better if you're coming for less than 30 days since it's free.
But if you apply for a Tourist visa before you arrive you'll get 60 days for about the same price as you would pay for your extension in Thailand, and you don't have to spend the time and money going to the immigration office.
You can then also extend for 30 days, giving you 90 days total.
So if you're trying maximize your time, getting the tourist visa before you arrive is always better.
Visa exempt is only better if you're coming for less than 30 days since it's free.
James **************
Just to add, after your 90 days is up you can fly to a neighbouring country, get another 60 day TV and repeat! Dont rely on that for too long though .....
Jonas *************
At the moment most hotels may give you decent money price per week or month. Like
For just few months, if go with hotel. That way you are forced to explore, and you can move around, in the city as well as the country.
*****
/month. Usually it requires the manager to decide.For just few months, if go with hotel. That way you are forced to explore, and you can move around, in the city as well as the country.
William **********
OP@Brandon ***********
Oh man, that's really perfect! I guess I'll do the 60+30 and then maybe that's the maxIf I can ask you another question, do you know if it's legal for tourists to rent an apartment? Like officially or AirBNB
Brandon ************
@William *********
you can also rent a serviced apartment. It's very difficult for a short term visitor to get an actual lease on a condo. Most are minimum 12 months but at least 6 months. So don't even bother trying if you're not going to be there for that long.
Native ****************
@William *********
No worries... Let us know how you make out and perhaps we can help you more if we know what area you are planning to visit. Cheers!William **********
OP@Native ***************
thank you very much!Native ****************
@William *********
As Mr. Brandon mentioned, there are some very decent Serviced Apartments that will do daily, weekly and monthly rentals. Depending on where exactly you are going in Thailand, there are a few websites you can look at for rentals. An easy one is simply look for Facebook Rentals in the area you are going. Also, just do a key word search on Google and some rental websites will pop up. Shoke dee! = Good luck !
David *******
@Brandon ***********
I’ve rented a condo for 1 month on each of my last 7 trips. 2 through AirBnB and 5 through local agents. More expensive than long term rental but perfectly possible.William **********
OP@Brandon ***********
Ah I see, I was just wondering since I remember one person told me it was not legal or something to rent an apartmentBut I guess I can't do it anyway since I won't have a 6-12 month visa
In any case, thanks a lot!
Brandon ************
@William *********
AirBNB is legal if it's 1 month or longer. Short term AirBNBs of a condo are illegal (but still commonplace). The only problem you can run into is some AirBNB hosts will not file a TM30 for you even though it's required by law. Sometimes you need this TM30 to get your extension at immigration so that can be a problem.
They don't want to do it because they're not paying taxes on their rental income and they do not want the government to know they are renting.
So I generally message the host on AirBNB before I book and ask them if they will do TM30 for me. If not (or they say they don't know what that is) I just keep looking.
William **********
OP@Brandon ***********
Okay, in this case I guess AirBNB sounds like one of the most viable places to find a placeActivity
16 joined16
people
Related
25What are the recent changes to visa-exempt entry and extension services in Thailand for travelers?
2.1k13351mo
Can I extend the new 30-day visa-free entry in Thailand for another 30 days?
625562mo
What are my options to extend my 60-day tourist visa in Thailand under the new rules?
4.6k41401y
What are the current rules for the 60-day tourist visa and its extension in Thailand for Australian passport holders?
7.9k56972y
What should I do if my Thai immigration stamp shows only 60 days instead of the full validity of my e-visa?
5.4k35372y
Can I renew my 60-day visa exemption and extend my stay in Thailand after returning from Laos?
1k372y
What is the cost to extend a DTV visa for an additional 180 days in Thailand?
582132y
How can I extend my 60-day tourist visa in Thailand and what are the rules regarding border jumps?
2.7k21212y
Can a South African passport holder extending a 30-day stay to 60 days in Thailand?
1.2k783y
Can I stay in Thailand for 90 days using a tourist visa with an extension?
2.7k21223y
Can I do a budget border run from Hua Hin to Laos or Malaysia within 1-2 days based on my visa history?
1.8k12143y
What is the best way to extend a 30-day tourist visa in Thailand for Australians?
1k683y
Can I apply for a 60-day tourist visa in Thailand without leaving the country?
2.1k13214y
Do you get an extra 15 days on a 60-day tourist visa in Thailand?
3.9k31384y
Can I extend my 60-day tourist visa for another 60 days based on my marriage to a Thai citizen?
1.4k7194y
What should I do if my Thai tourist visa application was rejected before my flight?
4.5k28644y
Can I re-apply for the STV visa after being downgraded to a tourist visa in Thailand?
2.5k2565y
Should I get a 30-day visa on arrival or apply for a 60-day e-visa for my trip to Thailand?
2.1k16135y
Can I leave Thailand on an STV and return without losing my visa status?
1.2k7105y
What are the best long-term visa options for an American considering staying in Thailand?
3.2k23355y
Do I need a round trip ticket to enter Thailand on a 60-day tourist visa?
7.8k74536y
Are there unlimited 30-day visa exempt entries for UK citizens traveling to Thailand by air?
1.5k1197y
Can I get a 60-day extension on my Non-O visa in Thailand after previous extensions?
34518y
What is the procedure to obtain a 60-day tourist visa in Thailand and transition to an education visa?
782528y
Can I get a 60-day extension of stay in Thailand if my name is on my partner's son's birth certificate?
2.6k21209y
Resources
Need help with 90-day reporting?
Trusted service that gets people to a real agent fast