What long-term visa options are available for expats in Thailand who want to stay with their partner?

Dec 11, 2018
6 years ago
Tonio ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I moved to Bangkok with my girlfriend in April, as she got a great career opportunity here, however, as I am not working in Thailand, the visa struggle has been real...

I've been traveling in the region, and extending my tourist entries until now, but the constant in and out has been taxing on both my time and finances.

She's aiming to be here for the next 2-3 years, and I'd love to stay with her but I need a long term visa solution.

Any advice?

Please and thank you 😁
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An expat in Bangkok is seeking long-term visa solutions to remain in Thailand with his girlfriend who has a job opportunity. Currently, he struggles with frequent tourist visa extensions. Suggestions from the community include obtaining an education visa for language courses, exploring employment opportunities, considering the Thailand Elite Visa, or even marriage for residency, although marrying solely for a visa is discouraged.
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Tod *********
okay I believe the O/P has an idea of what they might be able to do to stay longer.

Good Luck (y)
Mehran ******
Muay thai visa
Mehran ******
Jason Silverman it's pretty easy to know that I mean Ed visa through a muay thai academy approved by the MoE. Geez
Jason ***********
@Mehran *****
: There is no “Muay Thai Visa”.
Garry *******
I notice on your website you had a teacher position in. China, you could look into doing the same here, if not then a ed visa for learning Thai would be your option.
Tonio ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I've got 3-4 years teaching experience, but I've taken a break from teaching to focus on my writing career again (screenwriting and copywriting). If I can find a teaching position that offers me a work permit sponsor, but that doesn't consume my whole work week, then I would consider it, but part time teaching positions that offer work permits seem scarce.
Nathan ******
Get a job
Barry ******
in bkk there is a higher chance of doing a non teaching job if you are a foreigner
Tonio ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is the job market open to foreigners outside of the teaching sector?
Ադամ ********
Thailand Elite.
Mike ******
Get married to her.
Robert *******
I think marry a person just for visa reason is not the best option.
Jason ***********
Education visa. Eventually immigration will call you out for using a tourist visa excessively.
Robert *******
You are not married, i guess under 50 years of age, than the only options you have is the Thai Elite Visa, or enroll in a University study to cover the next few years.
Tod *********
@Dan ********
You have an admin/moderator of this group blocked.

You have three choices, unblock them, leave the group on your own or be invited to leave by the moderating team.
Tod *********
@Dan ********
In Bangkok you're not gonna pull an ED visa extension for 3 years studying thai.. :/ The MOE limits it to 15-16 months now. Then you pick a new language.
Robert *******
@Dan ********
Correct, never needed an ED visa, but I do read lot of advice like this: Tod Daniels In Bangkok the way it works for studying thai, straight from the MOE's mouth is:

You get a 90 day ED visa and get 6 months of extensions (taking you to 9 months) to study the beginner and intermediate levels, then you go get a NEW 90 day ED visa and 3 months of extensions (taking you to 6 months) to study the advanced levels for a total of 15 months. Then you're done with that language.
Robert *******
Dan Geisser In the neighbor countries he only gets a Single Entry Non Immigrant ED visa, the max time on a language course is 1 year. He asked about 2 to 3 years, This means learning 3 languages. I like the way you like to promote this language school, but we are here to give Thai visa advice, not for promoting a specific school.
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