Originally Posted by
FlyingSloth
Hello, U.S citizen here.. I lived and worked in Thailand years ago. That was long before they changed it to 30 days visa-exempt. I used to do 90 days and then visa runs every 90 days. Things have changed a lot! I haven't been back to Thailand in 15 years but I know the situation has changed.
What is the longest visa I could currently obtain for Thailand and what would be the best visa to get? I am interested in being an expat in Thailand again.. either doing business in Thailand (no business yet) or just a long extended tourist stay.
Would I currently be able to get a longer visa for Thailand while still in the U.S.. or in Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, or Japan? These are a few options I have. There used to be a Thai consulate near Seattle looks like they closed that one.. so I guess it's all electronic now and no need to get mail anything. that's good. Would a 6 month or 1 year tourist or business visa be possible anywhere?
Judging from your circumstances, I can see that you are looking to enter as a long-term resident with no intent of seeking employment or studies?
My take on it is that the best visa for you will probably be a 1 year non-immigrant visa, it enables you to enter on a MULT basis, up to 90 day(s) per entry. A business visa also offers the same conditions of leave, except you can use that to apply for a bank account, set up a business, etc.
If you have a Thai family member, there is a lesser-known visa that enables you to extend to one year on top of your 30-day visa exemption leave. This costs THB 1,900 if I recall correctly and can be done in Chaeng Wattana immigration office. You do not have to leave the country and then come back the next day.
... and then there's the EDU visa – all you had to do is find a school (muay thai, cooking, thai language, etc.) that can sponsor you for a one year residence permit. Costs can vary from institution to institution, but once this visa is approved – you'll have the right to remain here for one whole year. I am not sure about other requirements, like whether one would also need to apply for a re-entry permit or not, but I'd presume so. Again, this visa may or may not be for you, but I'm including it here anyways because this visa is precisely how a large minority of foreigners managed to secure temporary residency here.
I also do not recommend doing those 'tourist' visa runs. You might be able to get away with it for 3-4 months (aka 3-4 entries), but if you're looking to live here successively on a tourist visa, chances are high that you'll be sent to secondary inspection one day and eventually get removed for breaching the conditions of your leave.
If you wish to apply for an entry clearance from a Thai representation in a third country, you can do so. The Thai consulate will not force you go to back to the U.S. to apply for your visa.
OR... be rich and pay up for that ELITE visa!