Answered5 years ago
What visa options do Australians have for the longest stay in Thailand while purchasing a catamaran?
My partner and I are Australian, in our 40’s and want to come to Thailand to purchase a Thai registered catamaran to live aboard.
Can anyone help us with which Visa will allow us to stay the longest in Thailand?
1. Will the 60 day tourist Visa be our only option?
2. Can it be extended once without leaving the country?
3. Which country can do a boarder run or fly into to renew our Visa after 60 - 90 days?
Thank you for your help :)
Can anyone help us with which Visa will allow us to stay the longest in Thailand?
1. Will the 60 day tourist Visa be our only option?
2. Can it be extended once without leaving the country?
3. Which country can do a boarder run or fly into to renew our Visa after 60 - 90 days?
Thank you for your help :)
Answer summary
An Australian couple in their 40s is seeking advice on the best visa options to stay long-term in Thailand for purchasing a catamaran. They inquire about the 60-day tourist visa, its extension possibilities, and alternative visas such as the elite and volunteer visas. Several commenters suggest that the 60-day tourist visa can be extended once for an additional 60 days, but caution against relying on extensions for long-term planning, mentioning the need for careful consideration of immigration regulations and recent COVID-19 policies.
29 repliesnewest first
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Trevor ******
Thai visa advisor. I used them for my volunteer visa and got 12 months plus 3 months entry
Joe ***************
hi please message me
James *******
what if the catamaran doesn't want to live abroad?
Peer *******
After 60 day tourist visa you have option you can make volunteer visa for 1 year with non b 3 month total u get 15 months …
Bessie ******
OP@Peer ******
I haven’t heard of this option, I’ll look into this. ThanksBobby ********
Bessie Fredberg..Be aware the volunteer visa costs 2000 baht. If you are paying upwards of 50,000 baht, it is not a legitimate visa. Whilst it will probably work for you, if you are caught out, it could result in deportation and a long ban on re-entering
Nick ******
I was quoted around 40,000 Baht or so for a volunteer visa, and I know they aren't that expensive. However, they explained that since flights in and out of Thailand (and border runs) were not allowed at the time, that we had to pay extra for staying in Thailand without the travel. Personally, I found an alternative, but I would imagine this is an only option for some.
Nick ******
@Bobby *******
Could you please explain how the visa would not be legitimate? If it's stamped and signed by the immigration officials, isn't that legit? Or are you referring to a different scenario? ThanksPeer *******
@Bessie *********
it’s available now in Thailand it will cost u around 60 k Peer *******
@Bessie *********
ur welcome 
Neil **********
At the moment with the 60 day tourist visa , you go to immigration and they will give you an other 60 day extension due to COVID 19 you can just keep doing that !
Marco ********
@Neil *********
Thanks for the info. Do you know what are the requirements to get the extension? Did already covid extensions with a TR visa last year but immigration asked for a letter from embassy. Would really like to know how i can stay longer than 90 days in Thailand the upcoming winter.Neil **********
@Marco *******
yes not sure about your embassy but I didn’t need one fro the Uk embassy I’m here now on the COVID extension to my 60 day tv , iv been here since April Marco ********
@Neil *********
Thanks for the info. All the best for you.
Jonny *****
@Marco *******
I recently did the covid extension in Bangkok and They didn’t ask for any letter from the embassy. I will say though that I wouldn’t 100% rely on the covid extension to be able to stay long term as each immigration office is different and they could change the rules at any time. Marco ********
@Jonny **********
Thanks for the info. All the best for you.Bessie ******
OP@Neil *********
this is awesome! Thanks so much, I wonder how long this option will last, but could definitely work for us!Bobby ********
Bessie Fredberg. Just be advised the covid extension scheme finishes on September 29. Although it is most likely to be continued for another two months, there is no guarantee it will continue indefinitely. It is not a scheme to be used for long term planning.
Neil **********
@Bessie *********
glad I could help Trevor ******
elite visa for anything more then 4 years
beleive it's 500,000 baht for continuous stay for 5 years ANd can get a re entry stamp I believe if you want to leave and come back on that visa it's the best way to do it if you have the money
beleive it's 500,000 baht for continuous stay for 5 years ANd can get a re entry stamp I believe if you want to leave and come back on that visa it's the best way to do it if you have the money
Trevor ******
there yeah go i knew i was close
Juanda ****
@Trevor *****
600,000 baht for the first 5 years, then pay 400,000 to extend to 20 years.
Jaap ************************
@Juanda ***
what about spouse? (Both non-Thai) 
Stuart *********
An elite visa is an option if money is not an issue. That’s give you 5-20 years be pending on what you pay.
Bessie ******
OP@Stuart ********
thank you, I did see that but it’s not within our means. If we were planning to stay 5 years I guess it would be the best option.Stuart *********
Under 50 your options are limited. A 60 day tourist visa will get you 90 days with the extension (one time in country). There’s currently no borders open so doing a “border bounce” is not an option. You enter via Bangkok and do quarantine or a sandbox scheme like Phuket. Still entails getting a CofE and all the hoops that takes.
Bobby ********
How long do you intend staying in Thailand?
Bessie ******
OP@Bobby *******
we’d like to stay 6 to 12 months
Misiu *******
@Bessie *********
education Visa 12 months no problem... Had the same bevor I open a company and get a work permit Activity
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