What is the correct visa path for a US passport holder and family planning to stay in Thailand long-term?

@Kami *****

Are you kids going to go to school here? I think they could get a ed visa. I have a friend that will be coming to Thailand to live, he will be bringing is 8 year old son. From what I understand there is a bit of loop-hole when it comes to youngsters, in that they can not be penalized for overstay... But that creates a problem if you want to leave/return with them.

@Kami *****

There can be some very expensive schools but also reasonably priced schools.. The more reasonably priced schools are likely difficult to find as they probably don't have a budget for Internet marketing.

@Kami *****

Pretty much.

You don't really extend visa, you extend the stamp (permission to stay).

Near the last day of the visa you will do a border bounce. This will get you stamped in for another 60 days and you can extend that 30 more days given you 9 months.

Border Bounce - go to Lao, Cambodia or Malaysia for lunch come right back. My last border bounce taken 8 hours all in.

In the past when I was doing the multiple METV's I would travel to another place for only 2 weeks. You don't have to stay a full month... Bali is definitely a place that is easy to stay for a month so good planning on your part.

@Kami *****

US passport holders can extend up to 36 months total in country and leaving and reentering resets it.

Makes a good home base in Asia.

But get a feel for different countries and their rules before deciding.

In many ways I prefer Thailand but PH is way easier for staying in without grey areas.

@Ang ****

I don't fully get it. So you had a TR visa, and the IO at the border wanted to see all deliverables to get the TR, and said if you hadn't provided them, you'd have been denied entry?

@Bart *************

correct… despite never abusing the immigration system and proving I have a home in Singapore. I own a property that needed my attention and for me to be in the country. I had to provide that too! 😁

@Ang ****

if I'm correct, as a general rule you can indeed be asked to provide anything that you originally delivered to obtain a visa, as a double check. It's not a general rule to have it all with you (it's even explicitly NOT required for instance to have proof of onward travel upon entering, despite this being required to get the visa).

I think it's good that IO's warn (but still let you in) when you're at the edge of what they could accept. So this one pretty much said that he'd have gone the other way than the embassy had you requested entry permission to him instead. Not sure that'd be true; it may be a warning to make you aware that abusing tourism-purposed entries isn't gonna hold up forever. If you then get a proper visa instead, he is saving you potential disappointment.

However, from your story, I'm not convinced his warning was entirely justified. Entry stamps shouldn't matter. If you only visit your property but you then immediately return to Singapore each time, where you live, you wouldn't qualify for any other visa anyways (except maybe elite). These visas typically require stuff proving some activity or commitment in Thailand, at least to keep them alive via the yearly extension. Myself I'd qualify for the marriage visa for instance, but I can't keep it alive once I move out. I'll also have to do exempting then, a couple times per year. That shouldn't yield any trouble (I hope :p ).

@Bart *************

that’s not correct - you do indeed have to provide proof of onward travel should it be asked. The airline is supposed to filter this issue out as they will ask (hence I had it with me) immigration do ask for it but just not that often.

Hmmm I know many people abusing the system just because they want to stay - I had a very valid reason to be here - my investment needed attention after covid neglect! 4th visit my SG ID card was photographed. 5th was a final warning! Visa exempt worked as my stays were short but after the 60 day visa I switched it up to a retirement visa. No issue now as I come and go as I please.

I have a 20 year history here in Phuket and never had this issue before - probably as my visits were better timed apart. Mai bhen rai - i follow and respect the rules!

@Ang ****

well no, it is correct - with a visa proof of onward travel is not required for entry. You can check the documentation that IATA distributes to airlines. With a visa, the said proof is required only for obtaining the visa, and it assumed 'verified' after. However, as you pointed out, IO's could indeed ask proof of anything supplied to get the visa, which then includes proof of onward travel again.

Can you keep the retirement visa alive while not living in Thailand? The marriage visa cannot be kept if you don't live here.

@Bart *************

my criteria for further consideration after this year is funds related not stay. And as I haven’t stayed 90 days, I haven’t had to report either. 😊

I wouldn’t bank on that information of - no onward proof. My knowledge is different and is written in many places for visa advice and also embassy guidance on the websites for basic entry. Thailand isn’t unique in this requirement either.

@Ang ****

seriously, proof of onward travel is not required if you have a visa. If you read that anywhere, those sources are just wrong. I have consulted many sources and may have seen it once or twice, but again, those sources are then just wrong. It certainly isn't written everywhere; the vast majority of sources is accurate. Consult official sources, and you'll find that it is not required.

Other places do require it upon entering, also with a visa (e.g. Myanmar). They thought this one through a lot better than Thailand - they first decide whether you're welcome to enter, then you book your flights, then you fly, there they check whether you also booked a return or onward journey, and then you enter. And in that order. Thailand's order of things where you first commit all the flights and they then decide whether you're even welcome to enter is in fact very strange. But that's what it is. There is no obligation for having exit travel booked upon entering, it only applies at the visa application stage.

And I was also asked to provided many photos of my renovations - as well as ownership of my villa. For a 60 day TV in Singapore. The embassy were very patient and allowed the constant updates of information which isn’t usual.

@Kami *****

Phuket - arrival by aircraft always. Most surprising since I had no long stays - just 6 entries over 12 months. I planned on retirement visa and just had to apply a few months earlier.

Thai embassy in Singapore wanted a lot of information despite my residency status.

On arrival - also challenged but allowed as I had departure proof.