Staying In Thailand

[MysteryX]

Hey guys, these Visa laws seem really complicated. Thanks for helping me clear it up! I'm a 23 years old Canadian and I plan to go to Thailand for a while in January. I work free-lance for my company in Canada as a programmer. Thus, I have enough income working remotely without the need to get a job in Thailand.

I'd like to stay there for up to a year. What are the options?

From what I understand, I can stay there without Visa for 30 days, then I can leave/re-enter for another 30 days, but for no more than 3 months out of 6. What better options are there?

Thanks!

Etienne

[lopburi3]

A tourist visa allows a 60 day stay and can normally be extended for another 30 days without leaving Thailand - you obtain them from a Consulate outside Thailand and they may be limited in quantity. The best is a multi entry non immigrant O visa which allows stays of 90 days for a year but do not believe they are available in Canada currently without having family here.

[MysteryX]

They ask for the plane ticket before applying for the tourist Visa. If I get a round-trip for a year (and I'd go in other countries in that area), would it be a problem?

Also, since the flight is already fixed, what happens if I don't receive the Visa before taking the plane?

Edited October 22, 2007 by MysteryX

[lopburi3]

Most Royal Thai Consulates do not require an airline ticket to provide a tourist visa - especially if home country. Often they list it but do not really check it. Obviously you would have to have time to obtain a visa prior to travel - normally next day issue. You did say your trip was in January? And you are in Canada?

[Fun2Fun]

They ask for the plane ticket before applying for the tourist Visa. If I get a round-trip for a year (and I'd go in other countries in that area), would it be a problem?

Also, since the flight is already fixed, what happens if I don't receive the Visa before taking the plane?

No big problem, you can easily stay for awhile in nabouring countries like Malaysia, Vietnam or Cambodia while waiting for the return ticket time to arrive....

//Edit: off-topic. It is the Thai consulate in Canada that asks for the return ticket.

Edited October 22, 2007 by Maestro
Added edit note - Maestro

[MysteryX]

What about student visas? I'd like to learn Thai, and I'd like to do diving. Do you need to study full-time to get a visa?

Etienne

[Jingthing]

What about student visas? I'd like to learn Thai, and I'd like to do diving. Do you need to study full-time to get a visa?

Yes.

[Maestro]

What about student visas? I'd like to learn Thai, and I'd like to do diving. Do you need to study full-time to get a visa?

No. Minimum four hours per week. You can get extensions of stay of 90 days at a time (cost: 1,900 Baht each extension), but you would have to find out if there is a Thai language school in the place you plan to live for diving.

--

Maestro

[stevemiddie]

What about student visas? I'd like to learn Thai, and I'd like to do diving. Do you need to study full-time to get a visa?

No. Minimum four hours per week. You can get extensions of stay of 90 days at a time (cost: 1,900 Baht each extension), but you would have to find out if there is a Thai language school in the place you plan to live for diving.

--

Maestro

Incorrect.

It depends on the area you are in. Chonburi requires 12 hours per week. ( please refer to new guidlines regarding ED visa,s and the interpretation of that by the local offices. )

Edited October 22, 2007 by stevemiddie

[MysteryX]

OK. Let's make things simpler. The options:

A) Without Visa, I go there and leave every month, I can stay 3 months out of 6.

B ) With tourist Visa, I ask for it in Canada and it takes 1 day to deliver(?), it allows me 60 days and can be extended up to 90 days.

Can I only ask for it from Canada?

Can I get it several times? What are the limits?

Cost?

C) With student Visa. Gives me 90 days for 1900 baht.

Restrictions?

What kind of courses apply? I want to learn Thai, Kung <deleted>, diving (probably just trying)

How many times can I renew?

How many hours per week are required?

I have to ask for it in Canada or in Thailand? I renew it in Thailand?

How much time to deliver visa?