How To Stay In Thailand For 2 Years ?

[JCDentonMale]

Hello everyone, I have a question

I'm French, 25 years old in april 2008 and currently living in China with my girlfriend. She is chinese and 21 year old in march 2008. We are not married yet.

In june 2008, she have to continue her studies abroad in Thailand, for 2 years. No problem for her, her current university arranges all the papers and visa in cooperation with a Thailand university.

Of course, I'd like to follow her !

I read some information about how to stay in Thailand, but if I understand well, Thailand don't very want foreigners stay for other purpose than tourism.

I have a monthly income of about 700€. I don't have any judicial record in any country. I don't have any Thailand company invitation. No work permit.

To live in China I'm used to go to Hong Kong for getting the magic 6 month multi-entry business visa. But unfortunately it seems there's no Hong Kong for thailand visas.

My question is : if possible, how can I accompany my girlfriend during her studies ? Is there a magical way ? If I marry her for example, does this help ?

Please tell me some good news about this... I'm so afraid to lose her !..

Thanks !

Gabriel

[fritiof]

You can stay here on Tourist visas which you get from a thai embassy outside of thailand. You may have to leave thailand for a few days every 90 days to apply for a new one. There are no offical limit on tourist visas, atleast not yet...

[Deesurin]

Something I've been thinking about....any interest in learning Thai? If BKK is where your gf is studing, consider taking a Thai course at "Walen school of Thai" for 29,500 bt a year and get a one year ED visa ( up to 3 years in row) . May not be the best route to follow but it's one way.

beware ...these forum folks may chew my head off for this advise,but i'm considering it as a easyer way to stay. and learn Thai to boot

[JCDentonMale]

Something I've been thinking about....any interest in learning Thai? If BKK is where your gf is studing, consider taking a Thai course at "Walen school of Thai" for 29,500 bt a year and get a one year ED visa ( up to 3 years in row) . May not be the best route to follow but it's one way.

beware ...these forum folks may chew my head off for this advise,but i'm considering it as a easyer way to stay. and learn Thai to boot

You sure of what you say ? If it's real, for sure I'd like to learn Thai language, I don't plan to go there with the purpose to learn nothing

Anyone can be eligible for this course ? I mean I'm not a native english speaker. Could be this a problem ?

More and maybe problematic : if this Thai course full time of just some hours in the week ? Because I need some time to do my job, my funds are not illimited

Thank you for your idea, if there's other ideas I will take them too with enthousiasm !

Today I go to the Thailand Ambassy of Nanning to get some infos, could be useful to go there.

Gabriel

[lopburi3]

You are aware of the legal requirement to have a work permit when doing any kind of work in Thailand I hope.

[Lite Beer]

Something I've been thinking about....any interest in learning Thai? If BKK is where your gf is studing, consider taking a Thai course at "Walen school of Thai" for 29,500 bt a year and get a one year ED visa ( up to 3 years in row) . May not be the best route to follow but it's one way.

beware ...these forum folks may chew my head off for this advise,but i'm considering it as a easyer way to stay. and learn Thai to boot

You sure of what you say ? If it's real, for sure I'd like to learn Thai language, I don't plan to go there with the purpose to learn nothing

Anyone can be eligible for this course ? I mean I'm not a native english speaker. Could be this a problem ?

More and maybe problematic : if this Thai course full time of just some hours in the week ? Because I need some time to do my job, my funds are not illimited

Gabriel

Look at the sponsers advert at the top of the page.

As Lopburi said, Do not even think of working in Thailand without a work permit.

[JCDentonMale]

Look at the sponsers advert at the top of the page.

As Lopburi said, Do not even think of working in Thailand without a work permit.

I've never said that I want to work in Thailand without a work permit.

Is getting a ED visa not compatible with getting a work permit ?

If not, how possible the foreign students could pay their studies, their food and the renting money of an appartment ?

What kind of work the work permit is required on ?

Is working for companies outside Thailand requires a work permit, or working for companies inside Thailand, or both ?

Today me and my girlfriend gone to the Royal Thai Ambassy of Nanning and a woman working here told me that the only way to stay in Thailand for such a duration - 2 years - is to study in a school in order to get the ED visa. This for now seems to be the best solution for me. But if it's forbidden to have an income of money with a ED visa (this would be strange !) then I must find another solution.

Thank you all for your help ! I will still waiting for alternative solutions, if there's any. If there's not then I will try the ED visa, as I will have no other choices...

Gabriel

[Mahout Angrit]

With a Chinese girlfriend I would think learning a Chinese language may be more useful to you. I'm sure it would be possible to learn a Chinese language in Thailand and hence qualify for an ED visa.

[thairookie]

You can stay here on Tourist visas which you get from a thai embassy outside of thailand. You may have to leave thailand for a few days every 90 days to apply for a new one. There are no offical limit on tourist visas, atleast not yet...

I'm not sure if you're altogether correct. If you're apply for a follow-up tourist visa after the initial one has expired, the Thai Embassy in Singapore demands that you stayed outside Thailand for 2 months before they would consider approving a second tourist visa.

[Deesurin]

The Walen school of Thai is the easyest way to stay,with a ED visa for up to three years. They say it's a guarentee to get once you sign up for classes. They have been helpful to me.They teach from all countries,so should speak French. Thier link is at the top of this page.

I'm thinking this is the best way to stay for me and learn Thai as well. Talk to them and see if it works as well for you.

Good luck

[Briggsy]

From what source do you derive your monthly income of 700 Euros? Is it investment income, rental income or perhaps income from a trust. Or are you teaching in China? When you move to Thailand, will your income cease or continue? 700 Euros a month is easily enough for me in Thailand, will it be enough for you? Will you have to fund your girlfriend's lifestyle? If you provide this info, your situation will be clearer for those who can give you advice.

The education visa carries some stipulations about attending classes that you may not be so happy with. You can stay here on tourist visas for 2 years providing you leave the country every 90 days and either return on a visa waiver or get another tourist visa from Vientiane/Penang/Hong Kong etc.

[elektrified]

You can stay here on Tourist visas which you get from a thai embassy outside of thailand. You may have to leave thailand for a few days every 90 days to apply for a new one. There are no offical limit on tourist visas, atleast not yet...

"There are no offical limit on tourist visas, atleast not yet..."

Is this true?

[Lite Beer]

You can stay here on Tourist visas which you get from a thai embassy outside of thailand. You may have to leave thailand for a few days every 90 days to apply for a new one. There are no offical limit on tourist visas, atleast not yet...

"There are no offical limit on tourist visas, atleast not yet..."

Is this true?

Yes. No limit officially.

Although certain Consulates are imposing there own limits.

[MART]

I've never said that I want to work in Thailand without a work permit.

Is getting a ED visa not compatible with getting a work permit ?

I am pretty sure it is, you won't get a work permit with an ED-visa...

If not, how possible the foreign students could pay their studies, their food and the renting money of an appartment ?

well, some people do not need to work, neither in Thailand nor anywhere else in the world...

What kind of work the work permit is required on ?

for ANY kind of position which foreigners are allowed to occupy...

Is working for companies outside Thailand requires a work permit, or working for companies inside Thailand, or both ?

From what I read: BOTH!

But I would like to ask other board members about that because there is one thing which I do not understand. Why do thai embassies issue 1 year B visas for businessmen coming to Thailand to make appointments with actual or potential Thai partners then? Is making appointments on behalf of a foreign company actually not working? So these businessmen should apply for a work permit as well, shouldn't they? Maybe I am wrong but I was sure that work permits were only issued to people having paperwork stating that they are going to be employed by a Thai company...

Today me and my girlfriend gone to the Royal Thai Ambassy of Nanning and a woman working here told me that the only way to stay in Thailand for such a duration - 2 years - is to study in a school in order to get the ED visa. This for now seems to be the best solution for me. But if it's forbidden to have an income of money with a ED visa (this would be strange !) then I must find another solution.

Applying for a 1 year B visa, creating a Thai company and applying for a work permit might well be the only way to go in your situation if you definitely want to be on the safe and legal side. But it also definitely is a bit pricey and time consuming.

[JCDentonMale]

To answer every body :

- I'm already learning Chinese language

- 700 euros/months by working though the internet.

- My gf likes to save my money

- Wallen School and Legal Siam seems to be the best solutions for now.

But I'm open to any other solution !

Thanks to everybody,

Gabriel

[ConfusedFarang]

I too make money from the internet like gabyla and most of it comes in wether i use the internet or not. I could be in prison for a year or a coma and that money would still come in. What is thai rules on this? Is this considered working in thailand still even though the money is going into an american bank account and im not doing anything in thailand?

Also thank you to Deesurin, I read these forums all the time and nobody ever suggested learning thai could get you an education visa and a way to stay in thailand without worrying about visa runs etc. This should be mentioned more often on these forums I think.

Edited January 21, 2008 by ConfusedFarang

[MART]

Can anybody comment on this please?

Is working for companies outside Thailand requires a work permit, or working for companies inside Thailand, or both ?

From what I read: BOTH!

But I'd like to ask other board members because there is one thing which I do not understand. Why do thai embassies issue 1 year B visas for businessmen coming to Thailand to make appointments with actual or potential Thai partners then? Is making appointments on behalf of a foreign company actually not working? So these businessmen should apply for a work permit as well, shouldn't they? Maybe I am wrong but I was sure that work permits were only issued to people having paperwork stating that they are going to be employed by a Thai company...

[tattoodrob]

I too make money from the internet like gabyla and most of it comes in wether i use the internet or not. I could be in prison for a year or a coma and that money would still come in. What is thai rules on this? Is this considered working in thailand still even though the money is going into an american bank account and im not doing anything in thailand?

Also thank you to Deesurin, I read these forums all the time and nobody ever suggested learning thai could get you an education visa and a way to stay in thailand without worrying about visa runs etc. This should be mentioned more often on these forums I think.

if your not doing anything in thailand ie internet work then of course you dont need a work permit as you are not working...are you? if you are making money by actually using the internet while in thailand then could be classed as working but im pretty sure nobody cares if you are in your room or wherever and internetting......its not easy to prove what you are doing and police wouldnt know either unless its porn or gambling which could be a problem!!!!

i still dont understand how so many people make money on internet and basically do nothing.....do you have to be a computer geek first as i can only just about open my email!!!

anybody wanna share this secret with me...i understand about ebay etc but not this other stuff..pm me

[Lite Beer]

Also thank you to Deesurin, I read these forums all the time and nobody ever suggested learning thai could get you an education visa and a way to stay in thailand without worrying about visa runs etc. This should be mentioned more often on these forums I think.

This subject is on here all the time.

Look at the sponsers banner at the top of this page.