Answered5 years ago
What long-term visa options are available for under 50s in Thailand, excluding retirement visas?
Anyone can recommend me the appropriate visa to stay in Thailand for long term? I am under 50 so retirement visa is not suitable for me. I am considering ed visa/volunteer visa, but agents in Pattaya seems don’t selling these visa anymore. Or if you get these visa recently, please let me know which province you are in. Otherwise, elite visa is the only option, please share the pros and cons of the elite visa. TIA
Answer summary
The post explores long-term visa options for individuals under 50 seeking to stay in Thailand, excluding retirement visas. Suggestions include considering the ED (Education) visa, volunteer visa, STV (Special Tourist Visa), and Elite visa, while discussing the challenges in obtaining these visas due to regulatory issues in certain provinces. Users share personal experiences and opinions on the benefits and drawbacks of various visa types, including the Elite visa's cost versus convenience.
17 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Jennifer ****
Con for Elite - it is expensive and the application is an annoying process and takes over a month.
Pro for Elite - after it’s done you basically never have to worry about your visa.
If you want peace of mind that is what you are buying.
Pro for Elite - after it’s done you basically never have to worry about your visa.
If you want peace of mind that is what you are buying.
Duncan *******
ED or volunteer visa is fine but you don't "buy one" from an agent (a likely scam) versus sign up with a school or NGO/volunteer organization to get one. Plenty of schools around covering things like learning Thai or self-defense you can sign up to.
Gordon *******
#
Michael Breadman
How come there's so many Visa agency's in Pattaya and Bangkok if they're illegal
Michael Breadman
How come there's so many Visa agency's in Pattaya and Bangkok if they're illegal
Duncan *******
@Gordon ******
if they're signing you up for say an ED on Non-Imm O (volunteer) visa (which most of them do) and you're not attending classes or actually volunteering, that's illegalGordon *******
Yes, I wasn't thinking of that type of visa, more the retirement visa Duncan
Michael **********
"agents in Pattaya seems don't selling these visas anymore".......for anyone considering 'buying' one of these visas know that they are illegal and if caught you will be deported and banned from ever coming back to Thailand. There are no legal visas that will cost you 50k baht.
Michael **********
The issue isn't buying said visa, its trying to leave the country with said illegal visa. You enter on a 30 day tourist visa and then 2 years later your trying to go somewhere and showing a 'volunteer' visa AND you don't think that will raise any red flags? Common "McLovin" lets get real
Philip **********
Marry a bar girl then get a marriage visa. Well worth the money. 🤣🤣
Rio ******
@Philip *********
If he does that, it's a straight ticket to hell for you and him 😂🤣Philip **********
@Rio *****
I’m going to hell in every religion anyway. 🤣🤣
Helen ********
STV, must be in your home country to apply. Is the SMART visa an option? Not sure if the ever started with the Digital Nomad visa.
Jonathan *******
@Helen *******
they just approved a SMART Visa for nomads, not available yet though. Should be soonHelen ********
@Jonathan ******
someone managed to get it back in December 2021 so it might be available now? **************************************************************************
**********
**********
*****
*****
*****
3/permalink/*****
*****
*****
9/Duncan *******
@Helen *******
the guy you link to got a smart visa - they already exist. The extension of that to cover digital nomds still doesn't.Jonathan *******
@Helen *******
There are a few different types of SMART Visa available (Types T,I,E,S and O). The new one for digital nomads is slightly different and will be coming soon :)
Bobby ********
Elite Visa. 5 years is 600k baht. Works out at $10 (US) per day. No headaches.
Lisa ********************
STV visa. 90 days. Can be extended x 2 = 270 days. Or Tourist visa 60 days, can be extended x1 30 days more.
Activity
11 joined11
people
Related
25What visa options are available for someone married to a Thai citizen who frequently visits Thailand for extended stays?
3.9k32427mo
What are my visa options for returning to Thailand for longer stays due to PADI courses?
1.5k1551y
What are the long-term visa options for a dual citizen planning to stay in Thailand?
5.8k52491y
What are the experiences and recommendations for obtaining an ED visa in Thailand after entering on a tourist visa?
2.3k17182y
What long-term visa options are available in Thailand for marrying a Thai citizen?
2.2k16192y
What are the best visa options for moving to Thailand if I'm under 50 and not looking to retire?
1.4k1033y
What are the options for obtaining residency in Thailand?
2.2k17133y
What long-term visa options are available for my husband in Thailand?
2.6k21163y
What visa options are available for a British national moving to Thailand with a Chinese spouse?
3.8k31333y
What are the long-term visa options for living in Thailand without a job?
1.8k1283y
What are the best SIM card and internet options for a new apartment in Thailand?
2.5k19164y
What visa should I apply for if I want to return to Thailand to get married after my education visa?
925554y
What is the most affordable and feasible way to obtain long-term residency in Thailand?
3.6k26404y
What visa options do I have to stay longer in Thailand after my volunteer visa expires?
807294y
What are the current visa options for a UK national over 50 planning to stay in Thailand for an extended period?
1.2k6124y
What are the long-term visa options available in Thailand for someone on a COVID extension?
731295y
What are the best options for extending my stay in Thailand as an Australian without a visa?
1.1k595y
Can I apply for the STV visa to stay in Thailand for 9 months, and what are my options for a long-term tourist visa?
2.1k17135y
What long-term visa options are available for my Chinese wife if she cannot apply as a dependent on the O-X Visa?
740425y
What visa options are available for my wife as my dependent under an OA/OX retirement visa in Thailand?
1.9k16115y
What are my visa options in Thailand after my Non-B visa expires?
2.2k17165y
What visa options do I have to stay permanently in Thailand if I don't meet the retirement visa requirements?
10.5k791376y
What are my options for obtaining a new ED visa in Thailand after my previous one expired in August 2020?
3.1k30146y
What are the options for extending an APEC card visa in Thailand without leaving the country?
2.4k16246y
What options do I have for obtaining a long-term visa in Thailand after currently being on a tourist visa?
2.4k20149y
Resources
Need help with your retirement visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served