What long-term and short-term visa options are available in Thailand after my work contract ends?

I'm going to shut this down:

After your one year extension of stay based on employment ends, you have the following options:

1. Elite visa. This allows a person to stay for 5 years or more, and starts at 600K THB. Contact the Elite people at for more information.

2. BOI (Board of Investment) SMART Visas. These are for people who are interested in starting up their own company. Contact the BOI at for more information.

3. A 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19. The last day they are selling this is September 27th. Here's my standard response:

* * *

Different immigration offices have different requirements, but all require the following:

1. Your passport and:

a. a copy of your data ("picture") page

b. a copy of your most recent visa (if you have one)

c. a copy of your most recent stamp

d. a copy of your departure card

2. A TM30, filed in the immigration office.

3. The forms (each immigration office may have different forms, and ant to use their special forms)

4. A letter from your embassy saying you can not return, OR a print out from your embassy website saying they don’t issue the letters, OR a print out of a letter from the embassy saying they don't issue those letters.

5. 2x passport pictures

6. 1,900 THB.

Different immigration offices have different policies. *SOME* may require:

- The ID card of the property owner where you are staying

- Copies of *ALL* stamped pages in your passport

* * *

4. ED visa (informal student). You can study Thai for one year. The visa is 2K THB, and the extension of stay is 1,900 THB. Ask on a local Facebook group for good language schools.

5. ED visa (formal student). You can be a degree seeking student for the length of the program. Usually this is 4 years for a Bachelor's degree, and two years for a Masters degree. Contact whatever university you want to enroll. The visa is 2K THB, and the extension of stay is 1,900 THB.

6. Volunteer visa (since I saw that being suggested). IF you are an actual volunteer working for a volunteer organization, the cost of a visa is 2K THB, and an extension of stay is 1,900 THB. You will be holding a work permit while you volunteer. Talk to a volunteer organization for more information.

Thank you.

>But also consider shorter option with a chance to extend.

You MAY be able to get an ED visa, assuming you did not take the 9 month visa amnesty back in 2020. FIND a good quality school and ask them. If you don't know any good quality schools, ask a local Facebook group

>I guess the Visa exemption is not an option to count on for long?

A visa exemption is a 30 day (now 45 day) stamp that a person gets when they arrive in Thailand. A person can apply for a 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19. Different immigration offices have different requirements, but all require the following:

1. Your passport and:

a. a copy of your data ("picture") page

b. a copy of your most recent visa (if you have one)

c. a copy of your most recent stamp

d. a copy of your departure card

2. A TM30, filed in the immigration office.

3. The forms (each immigration office may have different forms, and ant to use their special forms)

4. A letter from your embassy saying you can not return, OR a print out from your embassy website saying they don’t issue the letters, OR a print out of a letter from the embassy saying they don't issue those letters.

5. 2x passport pictures

6. 1,900 THB.

Different immigration offices have different policies. *SOME* may require:

- The ID card of the property owner where you are staying

- Copies of *ALL* stamped pages in your passport

The last day is September 27

Currently CoViD19 extension 60 days each time, as long as the emergency decree is on force..

Otherwise SMART visa, BOI, ED, Marriage or have child that's Thai.

Willing to spend one time money, get EliteVisa

How old are you? Over 50 with income...there are retirement visas. On a year to year basis...you can also consider an education visa.

Long term ? The only one would be the Elite visa.