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What visa options do my girlfriend and I have to live in Thailand long-term?

Visa Options LONG STAY VISA Thailand Immigration NON-B Visa ED Visa METV Elite Visa Smart Visa Rental Options in Thailand Living in Thailand Expats in Thailand

May 4, 2023

2 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Me and my girlfriend would like to live in Thailand for the forseable future, what visa is necessary? 

Anyone know of any sites to look for places to rent on a monthly basis?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The original post inquires about the necessary visa for living in Thailand long-term for a couple. Comments suggest several visa options including the METV (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa), ED visa (for studying), a work visa (if teaching), Elite visa (for those who can afford it), and Smart visa (for certain job categories). It is advised to check eligibility with the Thai embassy or relevant visa agencies. Suggestions for rental accommodations include using platforms like Airbnb and negotiating rates with hotels.

Colin ***************

My girlfriend and I.

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Kanyarat *********

I’m a staff from Boreiko language school,Located in Phuket.if you go with ED visa,we can help you.🙏😊

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Donna *******

Hi Joe, my husband and I use Airbnb for monthly bookings, also you can book direct with some hotels and negotiate a monthly rate depends on what your looking for. Airbnb just look to see if utilities and cleaning is included in price or if you need to pay at end of month.

We swap between hotels and condos as still travelling around between Thailand, Vietnam and Bali not yet settled for one spot.

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Joe *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

awesome thanks Donna I’ll look into using airbnb, I thought that was my a holiday trip type thing I was wrong haha

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Joe *******

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David ***********

Depends on your location

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Cj *******

Get a non B and that's you done for a year

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Joe *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

non B is that a tile of visa

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Cj *******

yes a type of visa lasts for 1 year and can renew it

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Joe *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

awesome thanks

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Cj *******

but some agents will charge you a lot to get it, give me and shout and I can point you in the right direction

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Cj *******

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Cassandra ******

Try Smart visa, less Hussle you're allowed to work as well. Check with the agency if you are qualified this is their Line ID: smart_visa

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Joe *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Cassandra *****

okay thank you Cassandra

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Joe *******

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John **********

You can get an elite visa each if you have the money. Otherwise I suspect your looking at finding work for one of you assuming long term means for the foreseeable future

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Darren *******

@John *********

as they're both 20 the chances of them finding legal work here are slim to non-existent.

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Joe *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

why’s is so hard to find legal work

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John **********

it depends on your skill set to be honest. Many jobs are reserved for Thais. Teaching jobs require a degree. If you have a unique or rare skill to offer then it's not so hard

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Joe *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

okay cheers John

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Darren *******

because at the age of 20 you won't have a degree nor the years of experience required to get a work permit.

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Joe *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

okay I get you

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Joe *******

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John **********

their chances of being able to afford elite visas are probably slim too but we shouldn't judge 😉

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Joe *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

don’t make assumptions boss man

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Joe *******

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Alistair **********

METV is a good option to give you up to 9 months if timed perfectly, add a couple of border runs and you're at 12 months. ED visa is another option, but you'll have to actually attend and study. Or if you need income then a work visa is an option teaching English at a school.

Elite visa is another option. Bit pricey, but simple and allows you to live here long term. Probably best to live here at least a year first before committing to a 5+ year visa though.

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Joe *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Alistair *********

I’ll look into METV, thanks alistair

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Joe *******

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Stuart *********

What age are you? What is your nationality? And that of your girlfriend?

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Joe *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

both 20 years old and British

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Stuart *********

Not so many options open to you at that age. An Ed visa perhaps to learn Thai or Muay Thai

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Joe *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

thanks, can you expand on learning Muay Thai

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Stuart *********

you find a Muay Thai school that you want to train at. They can possibly get you a visa to do so.

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Joe *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

ahh awesome

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Joe *******

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Frank **********

Go to the Thai Embassy site in your country and see what you qualify for.

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Joe *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Frank *********

no worries thanks frank

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Joe *******

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