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What long-term visa options are available for foreigners wishing to live in Thailand for over 3 months without starting a business, studying, or marrying a Thai citizen?

Thailand VisaMultiple Entry Tourist VisaThai Elite VisaCondo PurchaseLong-term StayVisa ExtensionThai ImmigrationEducation VisaChiang MaiChinese Citizens in Thailand
Jul 17, 2018
6 years ago
Tom ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey guys, i don't really know a whole lot about Thailand Visas, I currently live in China with my Chinese wife and we're looking into buying a condo in Chiang Mai. I've visited Thailand several times, i just don't quite know what steps i should take and which type of visas we should work toward getting. Is there a way to get a visa longer than 3 months without starting a business / marrying a thai women or studying in thailand? Any advice / info would be appreciated.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster seeks guidance on long-term visa options for living in Thailand with their Chinese wife. Suggestions include the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV), which allows for 9 months of stay in 60-day increments, and the Thailand Elite Visa, which provides longer stays but comes at a high cost. Discussions also touch on the possibility of extending a tourist visa, options for purchasing a condo, and the benefits of an Education Visa (ED), which includes attending Thai language classes. The respondents emphasize checking the specific visa requirements at Thai embassies, especially for Chinese citizens, and caution about the contentment of condo ownership regulations.
Tod *********
I think the best thing you could do would be to get a 6 month METV <- multi-entry tourist visa from a thai consulate in your country before you come here. That way you could come here, scope things out and actually stay 9 months (in 60 day increments) on that visa.

There wouldn't be a gun to your head to sort out this or that visa at first and it would buy you time to see what's what.
6 years ago
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Dick **********
@Tod ********
 , thank you :)
6 years ago
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Tod *********
@Dick *********
 posted on the website of what ever thai consulate you're using.. :O They vary, check the consulate you're applying at for their requirements.

This is what Perth requires

AUD$8,000 or 200,000 Baht if applying for Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV).
6 years ago
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Dick **********
@Tod ********
, and the financial requirements for that is?
6 years ago
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Tod *********
If you couldn't get that 6 month METV in china, the closest thai consulates that will sell it without a residency requirement would be the one in Perth Australia. They'll sell it to non-Auzzies, just meet the financial requirements and you'll get the visa. That's the closest place around though.
6 years ago
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Tod *********
@Tom *******
 If you LEGALLY live in china you should be able to use the thai consulates there.

I'd check the requirements at the thai consulate that serves the area in China where you live.
6 years ago
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Tom ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
As an American citizen there is 100% no way to do this from China right? I would definitely need to go back to USA to get it all sorted?
6 years ago
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Tom ********
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Tom ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I was more or less looking into buying a Condo, which wouldnt entail buying any land, i thought this would be okay?
6 years ago
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Robert ********
You're very welcome Tom and good luck with your life in Chiang Mai...fyi: property agents in this country have no licenses or certification, so best retain 1 or 2 of the large international property brokers when shopping for your new condo...and get a good lawyer!
6 years ago
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Tom ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ***********
 Ya it's just insanely pricey. Thanks for the info though everyone.
6 years ago
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Barry *******
@Tom *******
 well 60 day tourist visas with extension would be the next best thing I would tbink
6 years ago
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Robert ********
I explained to you before Samuel Fila, both are official, but only one features the graph for easier comparison of the different membership options.
6 years ago
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Robert ********
Or as Sammy prefers:
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6 years ago
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Robert *******
Samuel Fila Please keep to the question asked. We know how you feel about this link, you don't have to mention it every time when posted.
6 years ago
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Robert ********
I would consider the Elite family Excursion option...scroll dow to the bottom of this link to see the useful chart...
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6 years ago
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Robert ********
@Tom *******
, if you and your wife intend on commuting between PRC and Thailand, the Elite visa option is a great choice for you both!
6 years ago
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Teck ***********
@Robert ***********
 Good to hear from your perspective. Many heads better than one. Always learning in this group ^_^
6 years ago
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Robert ********
Teck Leng Tan I am an Elite member and would NOT recommend the membership thru property purchase option. You are very limited in condo selection via that choice.
6 years ago
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Teck ***********
Samuel Fila Yes i agree it is a marketing tactic, that why I mentioned "assigned" condo project. Since the OP is looking to purchase a condo and long term stay, it may just fit in to what's he's looking at. Just have a look anytime ^_^
6 years ago
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Teck ***********
This group has very helpful admin such as
@Tod ********
 and
@Robert ******
. So feel free to ask anything here and we will all chip in to help in whatever we can ^_^
6 years ago
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Tom ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Teck **********
 I'll definitely be looking into that as well. thanks a lot
6 years ago
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Teck ***********
Deanna Lynn Denis has a good suggestion about the ED (Education) visa. Since both of you will be here for the long term, it will good to pick up the Thai language and learn about the culture. You will enjoy your stay more and meet new people in classes.
6 years ago
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Deanna *******
@Tom *******
 My daughter did the ED visa, and it was nice. She went to a Thai class 2 days a week, and learned to speak the language. It's really not a bad option, and the school does the paperwork.
6 years ago
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Tom ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
They only sell property in Pattaya?
6 years ago
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Teck ***********
Hope it fits what U are looking for. Good luck and see U in Thailand soon ^_^
6 years ago
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Tom ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Sounds ideal, checking it out now, thanks
6 years ago
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Teck ***********
Check out the "Free Visa" option on the website. U can get a Thailand Elite Visa for Free if U purchase a condo under the assigned condo project. This may work out for U.
6 years ago
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Tom ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I checked it out a bit, it seemed like something quite expensive and not sure it would be something i could afford.
6 years ago
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Teck ***********
As what
@Robert ******
 has suggested, the Thailand Elite is the best bet for both of you for long term stay. Check out the link that I attached earlier. As what it says on the Thailand Elite website "This Is The Ultimate" ^_^
6 years ago
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Tom ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Teck **********
 From what i've seen the Chinese visa is the same, can stay for 90 days, we've used that before when visiting
6 years ago
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Teck ***********
Your wife is a Chinese citizen so it will be best for both of you to check with the Thai Embassy in China on Chinese citizen travel to Thailand. China citizens and some nationalities have certain restrictions applied by the Thai Immigration so make it your 1st priority to confirm this before proceeding any further.
6 years ago
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Teck ***********
How about this option - Thailand Elite? Great for long stay when U can afford it.
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6 years ago
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Tom ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Teck **********
 Ya but im not trying to visit, i want to live in thailand permanently
6 years ago
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Teck ***********
U and your wife can apply for a single entry 60 days tourist visa each which can be further extended by another 30 days at Thai Immigration when both of U are near the end of the 60 days, Thereafter U can take a short trip to nearby country like Laos or Malaysia which gives U another 30 days (for flights in/out of Thailand).
6 years ago
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Tom ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Teck **********
 Ya the issue for me isnt buying the condo, the issue for me is figuring out how my wife and i can stay there for longer than 3 months at a time, without studying or running a legitimate business there
6 years ago
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Teck ***********
U can and it depends on the composition of the owner type ie 49% foreign ownership of a condo while the rest are for Thais.
6 years ago
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Robert *******
Yes, you can.
6 years ago
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Robert *******
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Robert *******
Thanks, only option is the Multiple Enty Tourist visa which gives you 270 days of stay in sections of 60 days. You live in China, so best is to check this on the website of the Thai Embassy there. Not many other options for long stay than the Thai Elite Visa, or doing every 90 days visa runs for new 60 day Tourist Visa and extension of 30 days or as you wrote ED visa.
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6 years ago
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Robert *******
To get a Non Immigrant B visa you need to run an official business.
6 years ago
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Tom ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 With that USA - Thai treaty business plan, doesnt that mean i have to run an authentic business as well as hire thai people? Or could i just run some independent solo online business as a front?
6 years ago
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Robert *******
Paying airport people sounds not the way to do it. If you have a Non Immigrant visa you can apply for 1 year Extensions of Stay at local Immigration offices and than indeed you do not have to leave Thailand.
6 years ago
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Robert *******
You are an American citizen, you can use the treaty between USA and Thailand to set up a business 100 % on your name and get the Non Immigrant B visa and needed work permit. Yes, that's all I can say, more information about this you have to find yourself on this world wide web.
6 years ago
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Tom ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Trevor *****
 I learned about it from a foreigner who owns a resort in Koh Chang. He told me you can basically just buy your way to anything. He suggested i call the airport visa people and pay them to extend my visa without leaving thailand..
6 years ago
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Trevor ******
I'm curious bout this
6 years ago
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Tom ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
It may not be permitted to talk about here but i had heard from other foreigners that you can setup some insignificant online business with some business cards and basically pay your way to getting a business visa without really running a business in thailand. Is there any validity to this?
6 years ago
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Tom ********
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Tom ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm 25, my wife is 26, I'm an American citizen and shes a chinese citizen
6 years ago
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Robert *******
What is your age?
6 years ago
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Robert *******
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