Answered5 years ago
What long-term visa options are available for expats moving to Thailand during the pandemic?
Hello,
I’m looking to move to Thailand by the second week of October. I want to stay for a minimum of at least a year without spending a buck load of money for an elite visa. With the tourist visa can I keep getting a new one or renewing for a year? I guess what I’m asking is what visa would I qualify for during the current pandemic or how does the process go to stay long term so I be an start now.
I’m looking to move to Thailand by the second week of October. I want to stay for a minimum of at least a year without spending a buck load of money for an elite visa. With the tourist visa can I keep getting a new one or renewing for a year? I guess what I’m asking is what visa would I qualify for during the current pandemic or how does the process go to stay long term so I be an start now.
Answer summary
A user plans to move to Thailand seeking a long-term stay of at least a year without excessive fees. They inquire about the feasibility of renewing a tourist visa and available options due to the pandemic. Comments suggest obtaining a single entry tourist visa followed by extensions, a COVID-related extension potentially allowing additional months, and considerations for other visa types depending on age and purpose of the visit.
26 repliesnewest first
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Tod *********
and I think at this stage of the game the O/P knows what their options are.
Good luck to them ..
Good luck to them ..
Crypto *******
The extension is 1,900 THB. It’s a good deal!
Tod *********
Your best bet is
Get a single entry tourist visa from the thai consulate in your country before you come here, get stamped in for 60 days, take the regular 30 day extension giving you a total of 90 days in country and while you're here LOOK for longer visa/extension options to further your stay.
Get a single entry tourist visa from the thai consulate in your country before you come here, get stamped in for 60 days, take the regular 30 day extension giving you a total of 90 days in country and while you're here LOOK for longer visa/extension options to further your stay.
Amunet *********
OP@Tod ********
Thank you so much 💙Stephen *********
There is a covid extension at the moment which allows you to extend for two months. This may not be ongoing by the time you get here and your tourist visa runs out though. The border situation for a visa run may not be viable either as it's to far in the future. If it was then you could cross to obtain another tourist visa.
Stephen *********
Depends on your country of origin also. Some nationalities can only apply in your own country.
Amunet *********
OP
Darren *******
@Alan ******
yeah, you get a visa which enables you to stay for longer. Simple really.
Alan *******
@Tod ********
I want to do the same and enter in October, but in the circumstances I'm hoping this covid extension visa will carry on as nobody would be quarantining each time a border run needs to be completed. It's a shame something isn't announced now that is a little more long term. As it is I could get a 60 day tourist visa and extend by 30 days so at this point am reluctant to book tickets knowing I want to stay longer. In my mind the nearer to October we get and if nothing is positively in place meaning i can stay 3+ months easily then I'll have to resign myself to only 3 months stay. I'm sure many people are thinking the same, so surely there must be a way to enable longer stays in the pipeline (I hope!!!) 
Bob **********
@Bobby *******
Exactly, huge challenges. Probably not worth the effort’s and possible pitfallsBobby ********
Taylor Bigsby. Yes if there's a course of study which interests you, that's the better option.
Stephen *********
@Tod ********
yes that's what I said in my original reply.Amunet *********
OP@Bobby *******
from what I’ve been researching the ED visa would be best. The elite is like *****
usd lolBobby ********
Stephen Anthony. That's a bit of a wild statement at this particular juncture. All neighbouring countries are closed and the OP would be required to do 15 days quarantine at each "bounce". Each bounce would require flying to another country, complying with any quarantine requirements there, applying for a new COE, booking ASQ. I actually think the Elite Visa would be cheaper and certainly less hassle!
Tod *********
@Stephen ********
that's going under the assumption that he could get IN to a neighboring country then back into thailand (meeting what ever entry requirements are in place for BOTH countries) on this "go get a tourist visa nearby" idea.Since the covid shit show NO ONE is bouncing out and back in on visa exempt entries OR going to a nearby country to snap up an easy tourist visa to thailad
Stephen *********
@Taylor *******
you will be ok for visa application in neighbouring country then. A 30 day stamp on entry also which can be extended for 30 more. Amunet *********
OP@Stephen ********
how many tourist visas can I obtain in a year?Stephen *********
@Taylor *******
It's discretionary. 
Ismi ******
If you are older than 49 you can apply for retirement visa
@Taylor *******
Amunet *********
OP@Ismi *****
I’m not
Lloyd ********
The best visa would depend on the purpose of your visit.
Lloyd ********
There is no "immersion" visa, so you would have to keep getting tourist visas, which would include trips outside of the country.
Sheralee ***************
@Lloyd *******
definitely not an option for a while longer. Amunet *********
OP@Lloyd *******
so I guess I would be touring so to speak Amunet *********
OP@Lloyd *******
I want to immerse myself into the culture honestly and study Chinese medicine on my own though Sheralee ***************
@Taylor *******
while this sounds great, you're not going to get the most of your trip during our strict lockdown with restricted travel. Most people go to work and home, or work from home. No markets, or visiting much of anything really. Most parks are closed off. Just a heads-upActivity
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