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Desperate For Assistance Advice In Moving To Thailand!

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I'm a US citizen and 27 years old. I'm currently a programmer that owns an internet search engine which allows me to travel anywhere I want for work (as long as I have my laptop). I make more than enough to live lavishly in the US, but I would prefer to move to Thailand. I'm very confused on the single-entry,multiple entry, etc. visas. I would like to live at least a few years in thailand. I understand the 90 day "runs". But, If you can only have a few re-entries that means you will be there a maximum of 15 months. Is this correct? Also, a friend told me that I don't have to get a visa until I'm actually in Thailand. Can somebody please head me in the right direction? I need to know which type of visa to get for my situation. When am I supposed to get it? What documentation do I need to get it? Please help. Thanks, Chris. :o

You need to apply for the O & B multiple entries in your home country at a Thai Consulate. Both an muliple entry O & B will give you 12months in the kingdom with border runs every 90 days which on the last run gives you an extra 90 days extending to 15 months. You can then do another border run and get tourist visa's which will give you another 60 - 90 days. (30 day runs) Then it is back home for another O or B.

Or the other way around - Do the tourist thing and if you like it here, go home and get an O or B. A 30 day tourist visa is gained on entry and then a border run is needed. I believe that you can get longer tourist visa if you apply in your home country. There is restrictions on the length of time you can stay in the kingdom on tourist visas. Someone else can advise here as I am on a B

Basically you need business reason for the B. In most cases a letter from a company saying that you are investigating business oportunities and that you expenses will be covered will suffice. It does in Oz. (you can do your own letter if you have a ligite business)

An O is if you are married or have a Thai T/G. One of my mates works offshore and got an O after stating that he wanted to reside in Thailand whilst having time off as Thailand was closer to work.

Good luck.

Edited by Bagwain

1. Non immigrant visa allows up to about 15 months of 90 day stays. Then a new visa would be required.

2. You can not obtain a visa in Thailand for your plans.

3. You can not work in Thailand without a work permit so your on-line employment would have to be hidden.

4. Visas should be obtained just prior to travel as they are valid from issue date for a specific period.

I'm a US citizen and 27 years old. I'm currently a programmer that owns an internet search engine which allows me to travel anywhere I want for work (as long as I have my laptop). I make more than enough to live lavishly in the US, but I would prefer to move to Thailand. I'm very confused on the single-entry,multiple entry, etc. visas. I would like to live at least a few years in thailand. I understand the 90 day "runs". But, If you can only have a few re-entries that means you will be there a maximum of 15 months. Is this correct? Also, a friend told me that I don't have to get a visa until I'm actually in Thailand. Can somebody please head me in the right direction? I need to know which type of visa to get for my situation. When am I supposed to get it? What documentation do I need to get it? Please help. Thanks, Chris. :o

Sounds like to me that you have both time (flexible schedule) and money so why not find an educational institution, such as Walen advertised at the top of the forum, that can offer a minimum number of class hours to qualify you for an educational visa. I believe they can be had for up to 5 years on an annual renewal basis. You can even take the minimum hours of courses per week in one or two days and have the remainder of the week open. How anyone would know you were running a business over the internet is beyond me, unless of course you open your mouth to the wrong person.

If I were you, I would research this route and then go learn the Thai language or something you enjoy as a means to stay in Thailand for the time period you are seeking and without visa runs.

Let me know how it comes out.

Martian

PS Your friend's statement about not needing a visa to enter Thailand is correct but it is limited to 90 days every 180 days and you must make a visa run (exit and then immediately re-enter the country) every 30 days (the old rules had no restrictions and one could stay forever by making 30 day visa runs). He is speaking of the "Visa Exemption" program that allows citizens of certain countries "limited time" automatic entry with their passport. USA is one of the countries in the program.

Edited by Martian

  • Author
I'm a US citizen and 27 years old. I'm currently a programmer that owns an internet search engine which allows me to travel anywhere I want for work (as long as I have my laptop). I make more than enough to live lavishly in the US, but I would prefer to move to Thailand. I'm very confused on the single-entry,multiple entry, etc. visas. I would like to live at least a few years in thailand. I understand the 90 day "runs". But, If you can only have a few re-entries that means you will be there a maximum of 15 months. Is this correct? Also, a friend told me that I don't have to get a visa until I'm actually in Thailand. Can somebody please head me in the right direction? I need to know which type of visa to get for my situation. When am I supposed to get it? What documentation do I need to get it? Please help. Thanks, Chris. :o

Sounds like to me that you have both time (flexible schedule) and money so why not find an educational institution, such as Walen advertised at the top of the forum, that can offer a minimum number of class hours to qualify you for an educational visa. I believe they can be had for up to 5 years on an annual renewal basis. You can even take the minimum hours of courses per week in one or two days and have the remainder of the week open. How anyone would know you were running a business over the internet is beyond me, unless of course you open your mouth to the wrong person.

If I were you, I would research this route and then go learn the Thai language or something you enjoy as a means to stay in Thailand for the time period you are seeking and without visa runs.

Let me know how it comes out.

Martian

PS Your friend's statement about not needing a visa to enter Thailand is correct but it is limited to 90 days every 180 days and you must make a visa run (exit and then immediately re-enter the country) every 30 days (the old rules had no restrictions and one could stay forever by making 30 day visa runs). He is speaking of the "Visa Exemption" program that allows citizens of certain countries "limited time" automatic entry with their passport. USA is one of the countries in the program.

Thanks!!! :D The school thing was a great idea. I'm going to look into enrolling asap. Thanks again!

In context with the school idea, research and find out if you can first enter on a different visa, even your 30 day visa exemption first or the O-A, B option described above so you can get some time under your belt before committing to a school thing. Although the school option might work long term, you might first want to give a long stay a test run before shelling out tuition etc. But if attending classes is in your interest, go for it. Ed visas do require 90 day renewals at 1900 Baht each time but not a border visa run. Looks like the schools will do all your visa paperwork but not the fee, of course....lol.

Good luck!

Martian

In context with the school idea, research and find out if you can first enter on a different visa, even your 30 day visa exemption first or the O-A, B option described above so you can get some time under your belt before committing to a school thing. Although the school option might work long term, you might first want to give a long stay a test run before shelling out tuition etc. But if attending classes is in your interest, go for it. Ed visas do require 90 day renewals at 1900 Baht each time but not a border visa run. Looks like the schools will do all your visa paperwork but not the fee, of course....lol.

Good luck!

Martian

As far as I know, it's not necessary to apply for an ED visa in one's home country so the OP could just enter Thailand on a Tourist visa or with no visa at all and later apply for the ED visa in a neighbouring country...

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