thailand
Ask question

What is the best way to stay in Thailand for an extended period without high costs?

30-day visa60-day tourist visavisa extensionSTV visalong-term stay optionsvisa regulationsThailand immigration rulesexempt visa entry
Apr 23, 2022
3 years ago
William **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi guys đź‘‹,

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!
2,397
views
9
likes
74
all likes
33
replies
0
images
13
users
TLDR : 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.
Selena ******
@Maxim **********
 what are the requirements for the STV?
3 years ago
Like
Reply
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.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Selena ******
@Maxim **********
 thanks for the clarification.🙏
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Selena ******
Reply
Maxim ***********
Why don't you apply for the Special Tourist Visa (STV) which gives you 9 months and then go from there?
3 years ago
Like
Reply
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.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Martinello **********************
What if you leave and come back. How long do you have to leave the country
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Native ****************
@Martinello *********************
 You can go and come back same day in most cases
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Native ****************
Here it is:
******************************************************************************************************************************************
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Maxim ***********
@Native ***************
 This only apply to land entry, but land is close atm.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Maxim ***********
Reply
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
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Martinello **********************
@Native ***************
 even if you have stayed for 60 days?
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Martinello **********************
Reply
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
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Eric **********
Pm.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
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...
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Sam *********
Well, maybe you have a retirement visa. Or special elite?
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Maxim ***********
@Sam ********
 Ive been here 10, no retirement, no elite visa, nothing :).
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Lee ******
@Maxim **********
 how does that work?
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Chrystal **************
@Lee *****
 I’m also curious
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Chrystal **************
Reply
Danny ********
@Sam ********
 not married, not working and don't go to school and i have been here for 5 years.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
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
3 years ago
Like
Reply
William **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sam ********
 Yeah okay, already traveling with a partner and without the education I guess a job is not a possibility

I'm not against doing the visa dance if it's possible

Thank you Sam
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
William **********
Reply
Brandon ************
If you come in on 30 days visa exempt you can only extend 1 time for 30 days for 1900â‚ż. That gives you 60 days in Thailand for 1900â‚ż.

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.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
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 .....
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Jonas *************
At the moment most hotels may give you decent money price per week or month. Like
*****
/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.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
William **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 Oh man, that's really perfect! I guess I'll do the 60+30 and then maybe that's the max

If I can ask you another question, do you know if it's legal for tourists to rent an apartment? Like officially or AirBNB
3 years ago
Like
Reply
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.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
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.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
William **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 Ah I see, I was just wondering since I remember one person told me it was not legal or something to rent an apartment

But I guess I can't do it anyway since I won't have a 6-12 month visa

In any case, thanks a lot!
3 years ago
Like
Reply
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 !
3 years ago
Like
Reply
William **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Native ***************
 thank you very much!
3 years ago
Like
Reply
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!
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Native ****************
Reply
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.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
William **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 Okay, in this case I guess AirBNB sounds like one of the most viable places to find a place
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
William **********
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 a 6-month to 1-year stay in Thailand?
16 comments
2 months ago
Is it feasible to live in Thailand long-term using tourist visa exemptions and extensions?
30 comments
4 months ago
What are the best options for extending a stay in Thailand considering visa rules?
64 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
How can I extend my stay in Thailand beyond the initial 30 days without risking rejection?
57 comments
9 months ago
What are the best visa options for a long-term stay in Thailand for a Czech expat?
92 comments
9 months ago
Should I take the 30-day stamp and extend it or apply for a tourist visa for my trip to Thailand?
12 comments
9 months ago
What are the differences between tourist visas and visa exemptions for long stays in Thailand?
25 comments
a year ago
What are the best strategies to extend my stay in Thailand for up to 12 months on a tourist visa?
93 comments
a year ago
What is the best visa option for a 3.5 month trip to Thailand?
17 comments
a year ago
What is the easiest and most cost-effective way to apply for a 60-day tourist visa in Thailand?
28 comments
2 years ago
What is the best visa option for visiting Thailand for long stays?
3 comments
2 years ago
What is the best visa option for a 4-month stay in Thailand?
4 comments
2 years ago
What visa options are available for staying in Thailand for 8-9 months from September 2022 to May 2023?
8 comments
2 years ago
What is the best visa option for staying in Thailand for 6 months or more?
3 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
Which Thai visa should I choose for an extended stay?
12 comments
3 years ago
What are the best visa options for traveling and staying longer in Thailand while being visa exempt?
8 comments
3 years ago
What are my options for extending my stay in Thailand beyond 90 days on a tourist visa?
7 comments
3 years ago
What are the best options for extending my stay in Thailand as an Australian without a visa?
5 comments
3 years ago
What are the best visa options for staying in Thailand for 5 months?
11 comments
3 years ago
What are the best options for a US citizen in Thailand to extend their stay beyond a Visa Exemption?
32 comments
4 years ago
What is the best visa option for spending a year in Thailand without working?
14 comments
4 years ago
What are the best visa options for long-term stays in Thailand?
9 comments
5 years ago
What is the best way to stay in Thailand for 12 months: Should we start with a tourist visa or go for an ED visa?
14 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.