What visa type is the best fit for a 44-year-old planning a long-term stay in Thailand?

Question

Hi friends, I would like to know which visa is better for me in my case. I am 44 years old and want to move to Thailand since I am not yet at retirement age. I need a long-term visa for the next 6 years. If I choose a student visa, can I do it year after year and thus spend 6 years, or is it limited in times? And if I want to change to an elite visa after a year or two, does it put me at risk that they won't approve me?

Ask Thailand · Answer

A 44-year-old looking to relocate to Thailand for a long-term stay of 6 years is exploring visa options. The consensus suggests that an Elite Visa is a reliable choice, particularly since they currently allow younger applicants. While a student visa could extend to 6 years through enrolling in degree programs, it might complicate future transitions to an Elite Visa. Concerns exist regarding limitations on extending student visas and the ability to switch to an Elite Visa after a year or two. Additionally, securing employment as an English teacher at an international school is recommended as a viable alternative, providing work permits and stability.

Christina **** · Answer

I’d get a 5 year elite visa and travel a lot + mix with a few tr60s on the nose/tail end to breach that gap. You have a year go see the world

Ken ****** · Answer

if you are serious，you better do it asap, there has been talk or rumour in social media or internet about   tightening visa application or raising the requirement.Elite visa already raised the bar. On the  other hand: thailand will implement worldwide tax for long stayer starting JAN next year, impact on retirement demand to be assessed

Terary ********** · Answer

I did back-to-back tourist visa for years.  I also had a few other visas.  I have had very few issues living in Thailand.  I am now 49.

Many people do student visas I have not.  The last I knew the big issue with the student visa was that they required people to go to class.

My recommendation would get a long-term multiple entry visa, if possible, come here, hang-out for 9 months then figure out your next steps.  The METV will still require you to do border bounces every 90 days

Andy ********** · Answer

If you got enough money to retire just go there and disappear

Craig ******** · Answer

Also you cannot change from Education visa to Elite visa until 3 years after your Education visa has expired.  Don't know why, but that's the rule as I understand it.

Craig ******** · Answer

LTR or Elite are your best options for long term stay in the Kingdom before age 50 or before marriage to a Thai national.

Jorge **** · Answer

You could find work. There are *many* foreigners living in Thailand, employed, usually at schools as language teachers. If they do well and keep both school staff and students happy, they may be here for years. International schools pay the best. These intl schools also hire math, science, social studies, and IT teachers too. Check out [url redacted] and look up "Dave's ESL Cafe" website too. Also look at the pic below to get an idea of what a university offers (sorry, appl time has passed for this one). Steady job, monthly income, work permit, no visa runs... it is a good arrangement. They do require a 4 yr degree about 99.9% of the time. Good luck!

Jarek ************ · Answer

Elite is probably the safest bet, too bad you didn't get it couple of months ago when it was way cheaper.

Roberto ********* · Answer

I think you need to ask to ask the Oracle Tod Danielss but I remember reading a few years back that under the five year elite visa, if you border-bounced towards the expiry date, you'd get stamped in for a year, effectively giving you almost six years. I don't know if this concession still exists because it was a few years ago, and it may not apply to the new scheme.

Marty ********* · Answer

I know someone who got their 5 year Elite Visa at 44. He then had an 18 month gap until he turned 50. He chose to upgrade to the 20 year Elite at the old price. In your case one option is to get the 5 year Elite now and then figure out what to do about the gap later.

Brandon ************ · Answer

The only way you'd be able to do education visa for 6 years would be if you go to a degree seeking university program or more than one to get to 6 years.

For informal education about 2 years will be the most you can do and it may very well cause issues with Elite visa in the future

What visa type is the best fit for a 44-year-old planning a long-term stay in Thailand?

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