What visa options are available for a 37-year-old expat in Thailand?

Mar 1, 2021
4 years ago
Erik *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
As 37 year old, what visa options is there? Only Elite Visa?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A 37-year-old looking for visa options in Thailand can consider several possibilities beyond just the Elite Visa. Some options include the SMART visa for those with applicable skills or investments, the Non-O visa which can be extended, an educational visa for studying Thai language or other subjects, and a volunteer visa. New options, such as the Covid free visa, are also mentioned. It's important to evaluate whether the intent is to work, study, or simply reside in Thailand when determining the best visa type.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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Ryan *********
Get a university visa for 15 months. No need to study on it.
Fahad *******
@Ryan ********
know anyone that has done this?
Ryan *********
@Fahad ******
no, it’s brand new. But the agency offered it to me- they are very reputable and come highly recommended by many expats here in Phuket
Istvan *********
TR and STV example... Or ED..
Oliver ********
if you will be working, volunteering, studying, or just travelling, you can get a visa on that basis. you are too young for a retirement visa but if you are rich enough to be in that position at your age, you can probably buy an elite visa with the spare change in your pockets.
Wayne ********
Get the Elite Visa. The money you spend, and time you waste learning Thai or whatever on an education visa, you could earn the THB2,000 a week the Elite Visa costs you.
Bim *******
@Wayne *******
you cannot work inside Thailand on the TE visa
Wayne ********
@Bim ******
They're not going to know if you work at home on your computer.
Ruth *******
@Wayne *******
but you learn the language of the country in which you live. It’s funny that you consider that a waste of time.
Wayne ********
@Ruth ******
You can learn Thai independently at your own pace at night, while you are working during the day, rather than traveling to a sweaty classroom.
Chinems ************************
There is a school in Chiang Mai that offers short term courses, they issue visas as long as you want... Online
Stu **********
Open a business
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
I do not recommend it, but there are visa companies that can obtain you a volunteer with her. You will have to do the groundwork yourself
Tony *******
Depending where you are.if outside Thailand contact the Thai Embassy if in Thailand try these people Thai visa .com in Bangkok .0642691922
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*****
*****
Azul ******
Very interesting!
Tod *********
are you IN thailand now and asking about visa options or are you in your own country and asking?
Lance *********
@Tod ********
your patience is a virtue I do not possess. 🙏🏼
Erik *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
in own country
Tod *********
@Erik ********
Get a single entry tourist visa from the thai consulate in your country BEFORE you wing your way here, get thru quarantine, then track down one of the bigger agencies/agents that can get you a 90 day Non-O visa and a year extension based on volunteering (you will get a real visa but you won't be volunteering :O) That's an easy option without f*cking around enrolling in a school, pretending to study thai, and getting extensions every 90 days.

With that non-O visa/extension you'll get 3+12, so 15 months in country.
นพดล **************
@Tod ********
You were literally advising me not to do this. Good job I ignored you.
Tod *********
I got no idea what you're on about
@T**
. I rarely recommend visa agents/agencies to anyone and go out of my way to tell people to do all they can to stay above the table rather than resort to paying under the table for their visa extensions.

That you ignored my advice and went to an agent is on you, glad you're happy with it, take care, stay safe (y)
Jay ******
@Tod ********
thanks for the advice

One follow on question though; we still need a return ticket within the original 45 days, right?

Is that ticket just a write off, or is there any other option?
Tod *********
@Jay *****
you don't need it at all to get IN to thailand <- as in no one here is gonna ask for it when you stamp in or go for your extension. It's a requirement to get permission to enter thailand from the embassy you deal with ONLY
Adam ****************
@Tod ********
what agency do you recommend? Thanks
Tod *********
@Ad**
&
@Er**
hands down one of the biggest agencies in the country is Thai Visa Centre.

I think they "push more paper" (get visas/extensions for people) than most of the other agencies combined.

In fact many smaller agencies just add money to TVC pricing and run the passports thru them and you're none the wiser :O
Adam ****************
@Tod ********
do you have their contact details? Or do they have a website? Thanks
Tod *********
@Ad**
I apologize (haven't had my quota of coffee yet today) There was no need for my snarky comment.

Here's the link to their stuff. Good luck with it, take care, stay safe

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Adam ****************
@Tod ********
it's not that I can't search I just wanted to make sure I found the correct one. There are so many agencies with similar names I didn't want to chose the wrong one. Thanks
Tod *********
@Ad**
I edited and linked to it in my earlier post
Adam ****************
@Tod ********
thank you
Terary **********
@Adam ***************
I have a Volunteer Visa. I am in Pattaya - PM if you want a Pattaya Recommendation.

I do not advise the ED visa. A Immigration Officer at the Airport told me its not a good option for my age group (at the time I was 40). (stands for Education NOT Erectile Dysfunction)
BadBad ********
Philip **********
They have a new visa . Covid free visa up to 120 days
Istvan *********
@Philip *********
I want the drog what u using... I see you have a great trip 🤣😂
Ben *******
60 day extensions. After March it goes until end of May.
Tod *********
Thought you weren't gonna post drunk
@Phi***
, what happened?
Philip **********
@Tod ********
Oops sorry Tod Daniels.
Michael ********
@Philip *********
what are you on about ?
Bobby ********
Michael Dawson. I think Philip was on the turps last night! 🤣
Erik *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
is that not only a Unable to travel extension of people already staying in thailand and is unable to travel home or something because of the covid situation?
Bobby ********
Philip Houghton. Really? Do you have a link to that one?
Tony **********
I'm 42 i went for a none immigration visa for 3 months with a chance to extend. Application via thai embasay
Erik *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
yeah, but you cant stay as long as you want on that visa?
Tod *********
@Erik ********
actually you can apply for a year extension IF you meet the requirements.
Shayne **********
Plenty of educational or volunteer visa options. PM.
Devo ********
This is what I was told by my visa agent! And he had no reason to lie about it! The price was the same as the study visa I took!
Duncan *******
@Devo *******
your visa agent was lying about it while probably trying to sell you a different type of visa. Lots of folks on volunteer visas with no problems, just note it has to be with a legitimate organization and you do actually have to put in some volunteer work a few times a month. The scam ones are the ones that claim you don't have to do anything, same with ED visas that promise you don't have to study.
Tod *********
@Duncan ******
, there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of people here on volunteer visas where they don't volunteer even for a second and NOTHING happens to them at all
Duncan *******
@Tod ********
Where do I sign up? ;) Joking but I presume that would be an area ripe for targeting by Immigration such as ED providers have been in the past.
Tod *********
@Duncan ******
, ,It's totally real stamps

Most agencies offer a 3+12 volunteer visa (a 90 day Non-O and then a year extension tacked on) and your passport comes back with both already stamped in. They are indeed real stamps, from a real immigration office, by a real immigration officer, sponsored by a real foundation. :O You just got them by giving an agency a pile of money and your passport and they were issued under the "or at the discretion of the issuing officer" clause that is a catch all :P
Duncan *******
@Tod ********
I never thought they were not real stamps versus they were fudging attendance books if there is similar equivalent with volunteer orgs as there is with some ED providers. I know a few people on volunteer visas and I thought that they were required to rock up on occasion - waves at
@Shayne *********
above :)

With some ED providers (no names), they'll get you to turn up once a month or two to sign a book saying you'd met your minimum attendance requirement when you were never there.
Shayne **********
I have been a volunteer for 11 years with 4 different foundations. The Thai government isn't banning me, actually they like me.
Erik *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
sendt you a PM :)
Devo ********
@Erik ********
whatever you do don’t take any volunteer options! YOU WILL end up being banned from Thailand for an illegal visa!
Steven *********
You could get an educational visa and work to learn Thai or a few other educational paths that are available.
Ruth *******
@Steven ********
I’m actually looking more into this option. I’m wondering if you know where I could learn more. I could qualify for a retirement visa, but I don’t want to lock myself into that and I’m very serious about wanting to learn Thai, if I’m going to eventually settle down in Thailand. Do you know where I can find classes that would qualify for the education visa?
Greg ********
@Ruth ******
Google Duke Language School. They offer ED visa and are actually a very good school to learn Thai
Peter *******************
@Greg *******
Would you happen to know of a good solution in Phuket ? or perhaps online ?
Greg ********
@Peter ******************
Sorry, no idea about Phuket but there is bound to be something.
Peter *******************
@Greg *******
I have been in touch with a few, but every operation seems unprofessional even to the suggestion of being scammy... havent stumbled on anything that seems throughly legit :D
Dan ********
@Peter ******************
I felt the same, but that is just how they are, all small privately owned 'businesses' with interesting contacts. Sales/marketing/communication/smooth operations is not really what they do. And that goes for many thai businesses, in my experience. What is required nowadays by immigration to extend a Visa has forced out many of the bogus 'visa for cash' schools.
Greg ********
@Peter ******************
Yeah you probably have a lot to sift through. Problem is there is a very high % who do not want to learn and only want to buy a visa. Lots of laces cater to this so the teaching quality and set up is poor.
Ruth *******
@Greg *******
places catering to people only looking for visas is precisely my concern.
Peter *******************
@Greg *******
I think you hit the nail on the head, it seems like the education part of the ED is an unwanted part :D
Ruth *******
@Greg *******
thank you
Greg ********
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Greg ********
@Ruth ******
If you really want to go the whole hog look at the Chula Uni intensive course. Quite expensive and very tough. You will come out reading, writing and speaking to a high level. I know a guy who did it and many dropped out. He said the finishers were mostly Korean and Japanese guys sent by companies who would not dare to fail. :-D :-D
Greg ********
@Ruth ******
It is in central Bangkok though - you might not want to live in Bangkok :-)
Ruth *******
@Greg *******
Yeah. I probably should have mentioned that I would prefer a place in Chiang Mai, although I’d be open to other options for learning. Bangkok would not be my first choice, but it’s not out of the question. Given my age, I probably could not handle the intensive. I saw Tod’s comment about people being on educational visas and not really wanting to learn Thai and that has me a bit concerned. I don’t want to be sharing classes with people not serious about learning...feeling a tad bit overwhelmed at the moment. Lol
Beverly **********
@Ruth ******
I am learning Thai online right now, one on one, with a great teacher. Just started but enjoying the hell out of it. When I come back to Chiang Mai, I will also do an ED visa even though I could technically qualify for another retirement visa. I just don't want to use my IRA as the basis for that again. So, my plan is to learn as much Thai as I can right now...and then come over and join a language school, with the ED visa.
Ruth *******
@Beverly *********
I’m glad to meet someone in the same situation. Did you start out with absolutely no Thai (well, aside from basic pleasantries)? I’m struggling to learn from online resources. I don’t think they really approach the language correctly. A one-on-one tutor might be very helpful while I await regular classes.
Beverly **********
@Ruth ******
No Thai, at least none to speak of. Suwadee kah, kohp koon kah, enough to be polite, but not a lot beyond that. That is enough to get by in CM or Bangkok, but not enough for further exploration of Thailand.

One on one is the best way to do it. One on one with my excellent teacher (she is hilarious) forces me to put the words into conversation and teaches me the tones. The language school will be a lot easier once I have moved beyond the beginner stage.

Since the plan is to eventually spend a good deal of my time in Thailand, learning the language is going to be helpful.

I don't really want to use my IRA. I would rather work online and earn the money to put into my Thai bank accounts to use for the future retirement visa. So the ED visa seems the best way to return to Thailand once the "crazy stuff" with the virus is over.
Ruth *******
@Beverly *********
Would you mind PMing wiht me? I’d like to know more about your teacher. I may eventually use the retirement visa, but I just don’t see a reason to have them poking into my finances until I’m ready. I’d like to get to Thailand as soon as I get my vaccine.
Dan ********
@Ruth ******
they dont poke into your finances, they just want to see 800,000 baht in your bank. Or proof of 60,000 a month in pmf
Ruth *******
@Dan *******
to prove the 60,000 a month (or even a balance sheet), they’d need bank account info, no? I’d prefer not to be sending that to anyone.
Greg ********
@Ruth ******
If I was going to do it I would def consider this. Easy to get the visa with a real Uni plus fee's look very reasonable.
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Greg ********
@Ruth ******
Those that do not want to learn do not even attend class so do not worry about them ;-) If I was here to study Thai I would prefer Chiang Mai over Bangkok too. It is a lovely city. I am pretty sure Chiang Mai University have courses.
Bobby ********
Ruth Regal. You can still undertake study whilst on a retirement visa. ED visa requires continual extensions and progress testing by immigration officers.
Josh ***********
There's the SMART visa, if you have the right technical or investment background. There's also the 10 million baht investment visa. Depends on if you want to work / invest or just chill.
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