So I am planning on visiting Thailand for about 8 months and from what I read the max I can stay is 2 months with renewels (which I'm not too sure how it works also). I'm from the US and my GF is teaching there until April and I would like to be there until then. A friend told me and that all I needed to do was leave the country and re-enter and my Visa is re-newed but from what I read you can stay a max of 90 days within a 6 month term. I read on this forum that some people obtained a 1 year visa but are those work Visas. I do plan on working when I'm there but not too sure what work is there for an American thats non-Thai speaking. Any help will do. Thanks a bunch.

1. The only work for non specialists would likely be teaching English. But you need a degree (type not important) at most places.

2. The best visa would be a non immigrant O multi entry but may not be available - check smaller honorary Consulates for that, explaining your reasons.

3. Next best would be a three or two entry tourist visa which with normal 30 day extensions could cover your stay.

4. Next would be single entry tourist visa/30 day extension followed by 3x30 day border crossings and/or new tourist visas from local Consulates.

5. For work you need a non immigrant visa so if you can obtain para 1 that would be much better - otherwise that would be another item to get if you find work.

1. The only work for non specialists would likely be teaching English. But you need a degree (type not important) at most places.

2. The best visa would be a non immigrant O multi entry but may not be available - check smaller honorary Consulates for that, explaining your reasons.

3. Next best would be a three or two entry tourist visa which with normal 30 day extensions could cover your stay.

4. Next would be single entry tourist visa/30 day extension followed by 3x30 day border crossings and/or new tourist visas from local Consulates.

5. For work you need a non immigrant visa so if you can obtain para 1 that would be much better - otherwise that would be another item to get if you find work.

Thanks for replying lopburi3. So if I did get the entry tourist visa (which is 60 days right?) how hard is it to apply for the 30 day extension.

Also I read that in order to apply for the Visa itself, the Visa office needs to see my round trip airline ticket? Because I don't know exactly when I will be leaving in April that will be kinda hard.

Lastly, if I do decide to do border crossings, do I have to fly out of the country or can I take a bus out to nearby neighboring country. Also is there a length in time that I need to leave for?

These boards have helped alot. You people and these threads are awesome.

Thanks

1. Ticket is not normally a requirement for visa issue with most Consulates - especially for US residents. Call another Consulate.

2. The 30 day extension of a 60 day tourist visa requires you fill out a TM.7 form, attach a 4x6cm photo and pay 1,900 baht - maybe a few minutes wait.

3. You can exit by air or land but if you want to enter without a visa (30 day entry without visa) you may well require an outbound ticket in that time frame. For visa entry this would not be required. There is no requirement to say any time in the other country - just to be stamped in/out properly.