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What long-term visa options are available for Canadians under 50 years old in Thailand?
Long-term Visa OptionsVisa TypesThai Language VisaMuay Thai VisaCombat Sports VisaCooking VisaScuba Diving VisaVolunteer VisaEducation VisaSMART VisaMarriage VisaBusiness Visa
Mar 15, 2024
2 years ago
Danica ******
ORIGINAL POSTERI’m trying to find out what are all the long term visa options for a Canadian ?
-under 50 yrs old
- not elite visa
I hear :
1. Learn Thai
2. Muay Thai
3. Combat
4. Cooking
Are there any other options?
I heard there is scuba 🤿 diving visa ?
Is this still around? Does anyone know of any schools 🏫?
-under 50 yrs old
- not elite visa
I hear :
1. Learn Thai
2. Muay Thai
3. Combat
4. Cooking
Are there any other options?
I heard there is scuba 🤿 diving visa ?
Is this still around? Does anyone know of any schools 🏫?
TLDR : Answer Summary
A Canadian seeking long-term visa options in Thailand (under 50 years old, excluding elite visas) has several alternatives. Options mentioned by users include learning Thai, Muay Thai, various combat sports, cooking, and scuba diving. Employment or marriage (or having a Thai child) could also lead to visa opportunities, along with a volunteer visa, education visa, or SMART visa. However, some advise caution with volunteer visas due to immigration risks. Users recommend verifying scuba diving visa legality and suggest studying Thai as a safe path. Additionally, there are discussions on business and work possibilities, especially if willing to teach English or seek translations based on prior medical knowledge.
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Ricky ********
When I was looking at the Thai embassy website in Canada, I’m sure there was a 90 day multiple entry if that is long enough for you. Do a renewal and maybe a border bounce and you might get 6 months out of it.
Danica ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ricky *******
yes I thought about that but again buying a one year visa seems to be much easier. I found a diving school that is offering to help with the immigration process so looks like I may try the scuba 🤿 outAndreas *********
@Danica *****
be careful, scuba diving offering you a one-year visa is not legal . .they tale your money bribe immigration and you will have trouble in later years to get any visa at allDanica ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andreas ********
then I guess I will start the process of looking for a reputable school that teaches Thai and learn Thai . It seems to be the safest option. Thank you for your comment.Andreas *********
@Danica *****
yes, and you will need to attend classes. Because Immigration will perform spot checks. They will talk Thai to you to see if you are a genuine language studentDanica ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andreas ********
no worries then :)Reply to
Danica ******
Reply
Charlie ******
If you're going to live here you need money right?(as you said you aint rich) Open your own business in that field you'll be working in and get your money through that business. Non-b and WP solved. You might need to get some advice from a lawyer before doing so.
Danica ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Charlie *****
yes but here’s the thing I’m not rich but I’m not poor either. I get by easily on 40,000 thb a month that’s my living cost 💲. As for business I’ve thought about it a lot but my field of work is Paramedicine. Therefore it’s extremely rare for a foreigner to work here as a medic. I’ve looked into it unfortunately they do not accept volunteers for EMS here and the other choice is challenging the exam here but as they told me the pay is terrible and if he better off teaching English. Therefore I prefer to learn something it’s either going to be scuba 🤿 or learning Thai.
I only have a couple more years to burn 🔥 until I can apply for the retirement visa since I’ll be 50.
I just don’t have it in me to start a business.
Charlie ******
@Danica *****
learn thai will give you about 2 years. But if you actually go in for it and are a paramedic.. look into being a translator at private hospitals as you prolly know alot of terms in the sector.. My Swedish friend does that in Bangkok, gives him about 80k/month.Who told you pay is bad here?
Danica ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Charlie *****
pay isn’t great for paramedics is what i said I’m sure other jobs pay well. And yes I’m aware of working for hospitals but I’d prefer to study a friend is showing me some Uni courses now so I’m going to stick with studying 📚 something just not sure what yet .Reply to
Danica ******
Reply
Frank **********
I would stay away from volunteer visas. Immigration is touchy about them.
Stanley *******
I done the student visas already, it's a dead end of you want to live here forever. Truly, the only way is to legally to it is open a business, work, or get married.
Max **********
volunteer visa, education visa, SMART visa, or Elite visa are probably your best options
Sam *******
Volunteer visa
Paul ********
@Sam ******
Be interesting to see the details on this oneReply to
Paul ********
Reply
Oliver ********
If you're rich enough to retire under 50, Elite visa is the answer.
Danica ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Oliver *******
yup unfortunately I’m not rich enough.Oliver ********
@Danica *****
if you're just coming over for a holiday, you can get a multi entry tourist visaDanica ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Oliver *******
I came for a Holliday back in 2021 I just don’t want to leave lol … hence why I’m looking for long term options where I don’t have to border run.Oliver ********
@Danica *****
If you're planning to stay long term, but you're not retired, you will need a job right? (so the visa will come through that)Danica ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Oliver *******
I can sustain myself financially so I don’t need a job. So what I would like to do is buy a 1 year study visa. At the moment learning Thai is my best option where I am but I’m trying to see what else is available? Hence maybe scuba 🤿Reply to
Danica ******
Reply
Taryn **********
I did a thai massage visa. That was fun.
Lucia ***************
@Taryn *********
Never heard of that type of visa can you give me some info on it please?Steve *******
@Lucia **************
It's the Non Immigrant ED visa.Lucia ***************
@Steve ******
Thank you!Reply to
Lucia ***************
Reply
Danica ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Taryn *********
I’ve heard of it but is it not short term ?Taryn **********
@Danica *****
they have an option for a year at least when I did it a few years ago.Reply to
Taryn **********
Reply
Stuart *********
You could get a job, you could marry a Thai or have a
***
Thai child - although the latter 2 may be a bit extreme.Danica ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
can’t get a job because they don’t hire foreigners in my field of work can’t marry anyone because I’m different and I can’t have children lol So maybe 🤔 I’ll learn Thai or do the Muay Thai again ….
Stuart *********
@Danica *****
The latter two were tongue in cheek but you could set up your own company and work as the manager there regardless of the field you’re in. Not particularly easy and would need advice from a lawyer or accountant on how to go about it but it’s an option.Danica ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
I think it’s easier to buy an ED visa I just don’t want to go back to Canada 🇨🇦 lol 😂Reply to
Danica ******
Reply
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