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What visa options are available for a French national planning to stay in Chiang Mai for 9 months?

Thai Visa Expat Visa Tourist Visa Education Visa Thai Elite Visa Visa Requirements Chiang Mai Immigration Thailand

Apr 7, 2022

3 years ago

Augustin ***************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello,  I am French I plan to leave for Chiang Mai in October 2022. The goal is to stay in Chiang Mai for 9 months or more and to be able to return to France about once a year.  Can you tell me if there is a possibility for Visa (knowing that in my case the work visa is not possible.)  thank you in advance

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A French national planning to stay in Chiang Mai for 9 months or more has several visa options. The Special Tourist Visa (STV) is recommended for stays of up to 9 months, but it requires insurance and accommodation bookings. For longer stays, an Education Visa obtained through enrolling in a Thai language or martial arts program is suggested. Alternatively, the Thai Elite Visa is available, but it's essential to clarify that there is no financial requirement for this visa beyond the fee. Interest in these options was supported by various community suggestions, addressing misconceptions about requirements.

Brad *********

I second the thai elite visa but you'll need to ensure you meet the requirements which I believe you need to have atleast 1millionbht to be considered

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Brad *********

@Garrett **********

not being funny but I think I'd listen to the HEAD of buriram IO offices tbf I've also read it on many sites online aswell

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Stuart *********

just to weigh in here, the head of Buriram IO is wrong or mistaken with what he thinks you are asking.

There is no financial requirement for the Elite visa other than the fee you have to pay to get one.

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Brad *********

@Stuart ********

either way they aren't free and there are requirements to be met lol

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Brad *********

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Garrett ***********

Lol, there are no requirements for the Thai Elite visa, other than you cannot have overstayed in the past 7 years.

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Brad *********

@Garrett **********

not what I've read or seen lol

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Garrett ***********

Okey...

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Brad *********

@Garrett **********

I've even asked buriram IO the head of the IO and he said the same but maybe I'm wrong I guess 🤣

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Garrett ***********

Yes, you are wrong..

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Brad *********

@Garrett **********

as the thai elite visa is part of the thailand tourist authority it's a programme/scheme

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Garrett ***********

Here's the official site guy, have fun. Let me know when you find the requirements.

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Brad *********

@Garrett **********

I go to the thai embassy site thanks

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Brad *********

@Garrett **********

ow my bad it starts from 600,000 depending on which you choose and there are also other things to consider

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Garrett ***********

That's the cost of the visa, there's no registered capital requirement, like I said...

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Brad *********

@Garrett **********

oooww I said requirement instead of payment either way there is upto a 1milbht fee lol with your are required to pay so is that not classed as a requirement??

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Garrett ***********

Brad Gourley Actually the top tier is 2m baht. Again, read the website instead of just telling everyone what you think someone told you.

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Brad *********

@Garrett **********

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Brad *********

@Garrett **********

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Brad *********

@Garrett **********

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Brad *********

@Garrett **********

okay so is the IO saying you need a registered amount of

*****

00bht wrong??? Hmmmmm

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Garrett ***********

Buriram doesn't issue PE visas, immigration officers make up stuff all the time.

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Garrett ***********

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Paul ******

The Thailand Education visa might work mate. Minimum 4 hours a week study to meet your requirements. Visa is cheap and you can study thai cooking, language, massage, budism, kick boxing or hand to hand combat. You can get a tourist visa and convert it to a ed visa in country but it needs to be renewed every 3 months. Was thinking of doing it myself

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Jeffrey ************

Thai elite visa

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Ashley ********

Marriage visa

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Garrett ***********

For 9 months or less, the STV(special tourist visa) would be your best option. You'll need insurance and booked accomodations for the first 3 months (can be refundable). But note, after 9 months the visa cannot be changed to anything else in country, you'll need to leave.

Longer option would probably be entering on a tourist visa and then finding a Thai language or Muy Thai school for a 1 year education visa. Expect to pay around 50k baht for that visa.

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Bobby ********

Garrett Greenwald. People entering after July 3rd cannot extend beyond the first 90-day period, and the STV finishes on September 30th

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Michael ********

@Garrett **********

that is if they extend it in September

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Augustin ***************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Michael *******

OK thank you in my case I think option number 2 is better!

Should I take a visa and do paper in Muy Thai school when I come in Chiang my or I should do it before?

Have you an address?

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Michael ********

@Augustin **************

Core Combat have a very good reputation.

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Garrett ***********

I can give you the names of a few schools you can reach out to, it's difficult to get ED visas approved to Non university based programs outside of Thailand though. Much easier to enter on an exempt or tourist visa and deal with it once you're here.

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Augustin ***************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Garrett **********

OK nice I will take you adress 👌

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Augustin ***************

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Garrett ***********

I bet you they'll end the STV before they do the covid extensions 😂😂😂

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Garrett ***********

@Michael *******

Oh yeah, forgot that was still a temporary visa.

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Garrett ***********

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