Sup everyone!? So I've been living in Thailand for ~8-weeks now and wanted to leave a quick note about getting a long-stay visa in Thailand. It's kinda weird, but here are your options (for US citizens). I know that I haven't written abt my time living in Budapest or Lisbon yet, but it's coming. This isn't my official blog post on Thailand, just some friendly info as I learn about the visa programs here. I've chosen "Option #4 - 12-month Self-Defence Education Visa". Ok, let's get started...
Option #1 - 30-days Visa Free
You get this at the gate with basically no questions asked. You can stay in Thailand and aren't "supposed" to work. Of course there are 100's of Digital Nomads (DNs) working in cafes and co-working spaces. I'm currently on this visa and haven't had any issues. Uou may only extend by 30 days for 1,900 baht. Like all other countries, they get suspicious if you try to come too many times using this tourist visa (~3x/year)
Option #2 - The 60-day tourist Visa
You will need to apply at a Thai embassy outside of Thailand and it doesn't have to be the one in your home country. This gives you twice the time as the visa free entrance at the gate and can also be extended for another 30-days at immigration for a cost of 1,900 baht for a total of 90-days. I believe you can only use this TWICE/year before the authorities start to question you.
This is literally the visa application (varies by country):
Option #3 - 6-year Thai Language Education Visa
Basically you spend a few hours/week in a 6-month course learning how to speak, listen, read and write in the Thai language. This is still the most popular option, but a few years ago the Thai government started applying written and spoken tests every 3-months for the quarterly check-up (because nobody was attending the classes). Also, recently it was reduced from 12-months to 6-months. The gov is making it more difficult to keep and with a shorter life cycle. Needless to say, DN's are looking for alternatives.
Option #4 - 12-month Self-Defence Education Visa
Since nobody likes to take stupid government tests, a new visa is starting to become popular. Learn hand-to-hand self-defense combat techniques in a setting approachable for all ages and fitness levels. Oh yeah, class attendance is "flexible: ;)
Option #5 - 12-month Retirement Visa
Not gonna go in to detail here because almost none of you are >50yo. Retirement visas are the #1 choice for people 50 years of age and older looking for a low-maintenance, option-rich long-term solution without the need for a work permit.
Option #6 - 12-month Volunteer Visa
Again, this visa (they say) is getting much more difficult to get. Even though you'll be acting in a volunteer capacity, a non-immigrant visa and work permit is mandatory for working legally with any officially-registered NGO in Thailand.* That's right, you can't come and help needy kids in Thailand without the government considering it "work".
Option #7 - 90-day Non-Immigrant Visas
There are 10 different kinds of Non-Immigrant visa. All are issued by Thai embassies outside of Thailand to foreigners wishing to enter the Kingdom of Thailand to study, retire, conduct business, invest, or a variety of other purposes.*
Option #8 - 12-month Thai Marriage Visa (renewable)
Yeah, good luck. You might find a massage w/ a happy ending, but how are you going to trick a sexy Thai girl to marry you. If you aren't worried about finding love, this might be an option for you. It gives you a 12-month visa which must be renewed each year. Moving right along...
Option #9 - The 5-20 Year Elite Visa
This is probably the best visa, although it comes at a cost. You can apply for 5, 10 and 20 year visas with multiple-entry stamps. I believe it starts at ~$15k USD and the 20-year visa is upwards of $40k USD. If you're crypto rich, then this could be your dream ticket to staying in Thailand with top-tier service and treatment.
Remember fellow travelers, the Thai government, like any government, is full of nonsense, unexplained fines and restrictions and possible JAIL time if you don't follow the rules.
Tips on the mandatory 90-day reporting for most visas.
https://chiangmaibuddy.com/visa-heaven/90-day-reporting-service/
*some text and images courtesy of www.chiangmaibuddy.com. I have NO affiliation with them.
Hope this was helpful and see ya again soon!
In Liberty,
Ashe