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What Visa Options Are Available for Long-Term Stay in Thailand?

Visa OptionsThailandExpat LifeEducation VisaTourist VisaMultiple Entry Tourist VisaRetirement VisaThai Language SchoolMuay ThaiJob in ThailandThai EmbassyLong-Term Stay
Jun 2, 2023
a year ago
James **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello everyone. Just had my first trip to Thailand a few weeks ago and fell in love with the place. Im kinda throwing around the idea of quitting my job in the U.S. and staying in Thailand for about a year to see if its something I would like to do long term. So question is, is there an easy Visa for one year or might as well get the regular tourist visa and just go through the hassle of extensions when they're needed and or leave the country then returning?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user seeks advice on obtaining a long-term visa for Thailand after falling in love with the country during a recent visit. Suggestions offered include utilizing the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) for extended stays with border runs, pursuing an education visa through Thai language or Muay Thai courses, obtaining a work visa if employment is secured, or applying for a retirement visa if over 50. Respondents emphasize the importance of thorough research and consideration of financial aspects before making a move.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Albert ********
Retirement visa
a year ago
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Nicolas ********
Haha somebody fell in love with a bar girl! She loves you so much! 🥰 did you even learn to count to 10 in Thai? Did you even learn to say thank you? 🤦🏻‍♂️
a year ago
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James **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nicolas *******
 funny stuff, no I don't drink and don't go to bars but thanks for guess
a year ago
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John *********
@Nicolas *******
 Possibly.
a year ago
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John *********
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Polo *********
Everything you need to know about this topic you will find on the website of your nearest or on any website of a Thai embassy.

You will find there really detailed information - partly with download facilities about every kind of visas issued by Thai embassies in your country.

Read that information carefully first!

I'm sure 99% of all your questions will be answered in detail there!

...and: Don't believe and rely on everything you can read here or on one of the many other Thailand sites and groups on facebook!

Good luck!
a year ago
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Bob **********
Did you fall in love with Thailand or the things that we do over here??At your age I would apply for a Multi entry Tourist Visa (METV) and if you got a GOOD JOB try and keep it I did it at 56 quite the best job of my life and moved here after two 1 month trips I had great investments and received SS Disability so no worries but if your short on funds don’t come you will not have a good time prices are going up not only here so I might come for 2-3 months check it out and what ever you do DON’T FALL IN LOVE good luck
a year ago
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Jarkko *********
Hold on to that feeling. Once felt, lost forever.
a year ago
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Jeremy ********
you could always fly back to your passport holding country(s) or a country you’re a legally recognized resident (permanent or other) and apply for the 6 month METV and with strategic border bounces and extensions get 9 months out of it….
a year ago
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Alistair **********
METV is your best bet to get a year in the country with a couple border bounces added in.
a year ago
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Henrik ****
@Alistair *********
, but an METV does not give you one year...
a year ago
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Alistair **********
@Henrik ***
 but it does............
a year ago
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Henrik ****
@Alistair *********
, how does 3 times 2 months become 12 months? You can get up to 9 months from it but not 12.
a year ago
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Alistair **********
@Henrik ***
 how? By actually reading what I wrote. Add 2 border bounces which can be extended by 30 days each and you get up to 390 days
a year ago
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Michael ********
@Alistair *********
 he is still not reading it
a year ago
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Henrik ****
@Alistair *********
, ok, sĂĄ what you mean is METV plus a few extended visa exemptions. This will mean quite a few border bounces as the METV takes a few also. You obviously take the risk of being denied entry at some point.
a year ago
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Alistair **********
@Henrik ***
 yeah that's the standard way to get a year out of a METV. Use a border run company and you should be fine.
a year ago
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Alistair **********
@Henrik ***
a year ago
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Henrik ****
@Alistair *********
, but how do you make 3 x 2 months into 12 months? You can get 9 month by reenter just before it expires and then extend it by 30 days.
a year ago
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Alistair **********
@Henrik ***
 it's not rocket science. Look up the countless posts on METVs in this group
a year ago
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Alistair **********
@Henrik ***
 yeah and when it's done, you go on a border run. You get visa exempt entry. You then go to immigration and get a 30day extension. You can do 2 visa exempt land border crossings per year. That combined with the METV which if timed perfectly gives you 270 days. That's how you get 390days potentially
a year ago
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Brandon ************
@Alistair *********
 I'd expect to be hassled or denied with a border bounce after spending 9 months in Thailand.
a year ago
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Maxim ***********
@Brandon ***********
 Wait .. what!? Border bounce = land entry. You won't get denied after 9 months, lol. Been here 12 years and still did a bounce last month, easy, just avoid Poipet
a year ago
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Brandon ************
Maxim Thibodeau good thing you've spoken to every immigration agent at every land border and gotten assurances from each one that the op and anyone else can enter as much as they want and spend as much time in Thailand as they want. That way when the op or anyone else runs into trouble they can say that the guy from Facebook told them there would be no issues and they'll apologize and roll out the red carpet.

Or are you offering to pay for any expenses caused by a denied entry?
a year ago
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Maxim ***********
@Brandon ***********
 You are creating fear mongering in situations where people want practical advice. And u are also exaggerating the risk based on intuition rather than reported data.
a year ago
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Henrik ****
@Maxim **********
, lucky you. What you are doing is what they call "misusing the visa rules"... Then I agree with
@Alistair *********
 that you better pay someone to make it happen...
a year ago
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Maxim ***********
@Henrik ***
 And using a company who babysit you at the border is not a "misuse of visa rules?, lol! Naive guy. Which rule btw? There are no rules regarding the quantity of visas.
a year ago
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Henrik ****
@Maxim **********
, PS. you have no right to enter Thailand if you are not a Thai national. They are fully entitled to deny you entry if they feel like it.
a year ago
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Maxim ***********
@Henrik ***
 So how will a fixer or border company run help then? They can still deny you. No they can't. These schemes are money grabbing targeting scare foreigners. Worse case... If u get denied, then use a company... but you don't have to use it if u don't need it
a year ago
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Henrik ****
@Maxim **********
, I don't think I have to explain how bribing works, do I?
a year ago
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Brandon ************
@Maxim **********
 if you get denied it's already too late to use a company.
a year ago
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Maxim ***********
@Brandon ***********
 No, it's not. Who told u that lie?
a year ago
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Alistair **********
@Maxim **********
 I mean your earlier point is already wrong. A tourist visa or visa exempt entry whilst not having a limit. Does not permit you to live in Thailand. It's very clear on the conditions of entry.

People come in and out plenty of times. It's extremely common to start encountering issues after about 6 months of back to back entries. It's very very widely reported, I have personally experienced this like clockwork. Border run companies use specific borders and pay people off. It's Thailand, have an encounter with the police and you'll experience the same thing. Very common....
a year ago
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Henrik ****
@Maxim **********
, I guess you know what money moves in Thailand?
a year ago
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Alistair **********
@Brandon ***********
 I'd use a land border with a company and should be fine
a year ago
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Reply to
Alistair **********
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John **********
If you're under 50 there's not many visa options available to you. I'd suggest getting a multi entry tourist visa which is good for 6 months from your home country before travelling, if used carefully you can get nearly 9 months inside Thailand from it.
a year ago
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Brandon ************
Living in Thailand on short term visas is not an option because eventually you will be stopped when trying to enter and denied entry.

Most people would get an education visa which allows you to stay for up to a year while actively studying in person. Most often Thai language or Muay Thai.

Another option is getting a job in Thailand.

If you're over 50 you could get a retirement visa.

There's the multiple entry tourist visa that you can only get in your home country and if you time things right you can get about 9 months out of it but you'll need to leave the country at least 2 times.

If under 50 then you could pay for an elite visa. Starts at 600,000 baht for 5 years.
a year ago
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James **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 I'm 42 so can't retire yet and $
*****
for five years is probably not on the table. Might look into the education visa, learning Thai would not be a bad idea anywhere.
a year ago
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Sophie *********
@James *************
 The education visas aren't working for people as once they were....
a year ago
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Henrik ****
@James *************
, you need to be a little careful with the ED visa that you do actually study. There are still many offers around for faked ED visas, but you might end up getting banned from entering Thailand or getting another long stay visa later on...
a year ago
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Henrik ****
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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