What visa options are available for staying in Thailand for 12 months?

Mar 21, 2024
9 months ago
Angel ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello, is there any way to obtain some type of visa to be able to stay in Thailand for 12 months? thank you
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TLDR : Answer Summary
There are several visa options to stay in Thailand for up to 12 months. Options include the Long Term Residence (LTR) visa, which provides long-term stay, the Elite visa, which is more expensive but allows extended residence, and the education visa for studying Thai language, which could allow for a year of stay if enrolled in a course. Additionally, a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) can be utilized to stay for nearly 9 months through border crossings and extensions. However, options may vary based on nationality, age, and marital status.
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Jay ****
Learn thai language. 12 months ed visa. There are some cheap part time classes. They'll help u with paperwork.
Robert *****
Over 50 maybe. Elite visa, marriage visa, retirement visa. With some inventive maneuvers you could do 9 months if you’re under 50. This would require visiting immigration and leaving and coming back…etc.
Luc ************
Enough funds to stay 12 months?
Angel ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Luc ***********
Yes, there is no problem with this. I already lived in Bali, now in Brazil, and several other countries. Every year I usually change countries, but I try to find options to be able to stay for 12 months, I'm already a little older or lazy 🤣🙏🏻
Jan ******************
If you’re below 50 years old your options is a bit limited. Multiple entries tourist visa (METV) gives you possibility to stay for almost nine months, but you’ll need to do two border crossings.

Elite visa, but it’s expensive.
John **********
How old are you and what passport do you hold?
Angel ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Spain and my partner Belarus,we are less than 40 years old. thanks
Jan ******************
@Angel *******
This is the LTR.

A multiple entries tourist visa (METV) gives you 60 days with possibility for 30 days local extension every time you enter within six months. But you can only apply from Spain if you pd have a permanent residence in Spain, or else you’ll need to apply from your country of origin (passport).

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John **********
@Angel *******
your options are limited by your age and the fact there are 2 of you (I assume you are not married as you say partner).

You could both get elite visas but they are expensive

You could both get jobs but you need experience and skills

You could both sign up to learn thai with an approved school

You could both get multiple entry tourist visas which can give you up to 9 months in Thailand but are only available from your home countries
Angel ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
thank you!!!!!
Angel ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
"multiple entry tourist visas which can give you up to 9 months" is this the LTR visa?
Kool *******
@Angel *******
no it is not. The multi-entry tourist visa can only be gotten in your home passport country, or the country you have official written residency in. It is valid for 6 months, and can give you almost 9 full months in Thailand by only crossing the border twice, and getting the 30 day extensions. At the end of this you could go to a neighboring country, and get a single entry for 60 days, then the 30 day extension would take you to almost a full year.
John **********
@Angel *******
no it's a 6 month tourist visa valid from the date of issue that is multi entry. Each entry stamps you in for 60 days and can be extended by 30 days then you have to leave and re-enter. If your last entry is the day before the visa expires you will still get stamped in for 60 days and can extend for 30 hence almost 9 months
Angel ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Oh, We obtain the visa at the Thai embassy in Spain (although I think my partner would have to obtain it in Russia) then enter the country, I can stay for 60 days, extend for 30 more days. I leave the country and re-enter (after a few days for example), I have another 60 days that I can extend another 30 days (it will be a few less, discounting the days I was abroad, those that remain to complete the 180 days/6 months of the visa ). But if I enter Thailand on day 179 of my visa, can I extend it again? I didn't understand this well. Thanks for the explanation.
Bob **********
Angel ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
?
Angel ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Well, we are a de facto couple in Spain, but I think that does not apply outside of Europe. We are both painters, but we do not have an employment contract or an extensive resume. Yes, I think that the student visa would be a good option, but they told me that this visa is not multi-entry.
John **********
@Angel *******
defacto couple counts for nothing in Thailand, you are either married or treated as individuals. The student visa is quite strict these days so you have to attend school and learn, generally it's given for a number of 90 day periods and attendance etc is assessed by immigration for the next period. People leaving and returning on this visa tend to get a hard time from immigration
Angel ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
Wow, yes, and I thought it was cheaper, in the end it costs the same as being in Indonesia/Bali and renewing a visa every two months, and more freedom
Graham ******
@Angel *******
If on an Education Visa you could well be questioned when re-entering Thailand as to why you left and were not attending classes to study
Angel ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
ah, that makes sense :) maybe only leave the country if there are official holidays for example or on a weekend. Being in Thailand I won't have much need to leave the country, but maybe a short trip to Malaysia, Cambodia etc. Thank you
Graham ******
@Angel *******
A letter from your school approving of your travel plans would also help
Angel ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
thank you"!!!
Ian **********
Education, thai fighting or get a teaching qual
Paul ********
Elite visa is an option. Google it
Dave **********
@Paul *******
if you're a millionaire
Phil ******
@Angel *******
yes a longer Long term Visa
Angel ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
is easy to obtain?
Phil ******
@Angel *******
really depends on your passport age and financials
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