What type of visa should my husband and I apply for to stay in Chiang Mai for 6 months while working online?

Thailand Visa Visa Types METV Tourist Visa Expat Life Chiang Mai Digital Nomad Work Visa Regulations

March 22, 2019

6 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi 

My husband and I are coming to Chiang Mai on 9th April and want to stay for6 months or more.

We work online with our own business. Should we organize the visas in Australia and what type of visa should we apply for?

Many thanks

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A couple planning to stay in Chiang Mai for over six months in April should consider applying for a Multi-Entry Tourist Visa (METV) from a Thai consulate in Australia. While working online is common among expats, it's important to note that legally, foreign individuals cannot work in Thailand without the appropriate visa. Staying in Thailand can be facilitated through a series of 60-day tourist visas, extended with border runs, providing a way to stay for nearly 9 months in total.

Tony *******

You cannot work legally in Thailand but there are a great many who work online as teachers, writers etc.

6 years ago

Steve *****

Pm send

6 years ago

Tod *********

KEEP conversations ON the group

@Steve ****

...

6 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

get a 6 month METV <- multi-entry tourist visa from a thai consulate in your country BEFORE you wing your way here. That visa (if utilized correctly) could give you almost 9 months of stay in the country (in 60 day increments).

6 years ago

Tod *********

@Amanda *********

you get a 6 month METV, enter the country, get stamped in for 60 days, when that runs down you go to the border, stamp out of thailand, stamp in&out of another country and then right back into thailand for a new 60 day stamp.

You do that for the validity of the visa.

It is NOT a costly endeavor but it does take time.

6 years ago

Amanda **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

We have to return to OZ after the first 6 months for a family wedding so we can get another METV for the following 6 months.

6 years ago

Amanda **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks Tod. When you say in 60 day increments..does that mean we have to do a visa run every 60 days?? Sounds costly.

6 years ago

Reply to

Amanda **********

John **********

You cannot work in thailand. So forget that, best bet 60 day tourist + 30 day extension ×2 via border run,, try that

6 years ago

John **********

@Amanda *********

i would suggest a very discrete approach to any and all activities you might engage in whilst a guest of a host country!! As they say..... if you cant carry a big stick wear a big hat!!

6 years ago

Amanda **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks

@Jo**

, we work on a blog and I'm a virtual assistant, no different than half the expats in Chiang Mai. I have heard that as long as we aren't overt about it there isn't a problem. Have things changed?

6 years ago

Reply to

Amanda **********

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