Long-term Stay?

[cyclone6]

Hi...

I'm 45, and would like to live in Thailand. I have the finances to meet the retirement visa requirements, but am not yet 50.

It used to be that I could get a non-O here in town, but they have stopped issuing those visas without a Thai wife or a bunch of paperwork.

So the only thing I can think of is to get a tourist visa, spend 2 months in Thailand, go to Cambodia, and then apply for another tourist visa. And on, and on...

Is there any reason the Thai embassy would stop issuing tourist visas if you've had 6 in a row issued to stay a whole year?

Is there an easier way?

Thanks...

[PhilHarries]

Assuming you can't get a job teaching English, or don't want to you could get an ED visa and learn Thai. Walen school of Thai advertise 1 to 5 year visas so that would get you through to 50, and you'd learn Thai into the bargain. There are other places with same/similar offers, it costs and I don't know the details but it must be worth considering.

[jdinasia]

where is "here in town" ?

With just a bit of work your first non-imm-multi should not be too difficult from overseas, that will get you through 15 months. After that? Well currently there is no problem with being in Thailand continuously on Tourist Visas (forget about Cambodia though) or you can further explore options at that time.

[samui04]

where is "here in town" ?

With just a bit of work your first non-imm-multi should not be too difficult from overseas, that will get you through 15 months. After that? Well currently there is no problem with being in Thailand continuously on Tourist Visas (forget about Cambodia though) or you can further explore options at that time.

In Italy even after 50 years they do not give non-imm multi, only 3 month.

But in 5 minutes they give you a dual entry turist, so i do not see any value doing paperwork for a non turist shorter than 6 month.

[cyclone6]

Here is Denver, CO USA. It used to be (up until last year) that the Thai consulate here would give you a multi non-O with no questions asked - $40. Then the price went to $125 - but you could still get it. Now you can't get it anymore.

Somebody mentioned forget Cambodia for the tourist visa. Is there a problem getting them in Phnom Penh?

[jdinasia]

I got my non-imm multi in Denver (but I had adequate paperwork etc as well as being able to document living here) just over a year ago ... They had certainly tightened up though. Contact Houston.

Cambodia is notorious about giving people a hard time for any type of Thai visa ... but every other embassy around is easier. (Double entry tourist visas are common in Laos at this time)

A run to Oz (several choices) for a new non-imm-multi isn't a bad option once you are living in Thailand.

All that being said ... the only thing you should think about from the beginning is getting that first one. Maybe getting a sponsor letter from someone like Sunbelt etc etc

[ubonjoe]

Hi...

I'm 45, and would like to live in Thailand. I have the finances to meet the retirement visa requirements, but am not yet 50.

It used to be that I could get a non-O here in town, but they have stopped issuing those visas without a Thai wife or a bunch of paperwork.

So the only thing I can think of is to get a tourist visa, spend 2 months in Thailand, go to Cambodia, and then apply for another tourist visa. And on, and on...

Is there any reason the Thai embassy would stop issuing tourist visas if you've had 6 in a row issued to stay a whole year?

Is there an easier way?

Thanks...

A 60 day 2 or 3 entry tourist visa can be extended 30 days at immigration here. So after 90 days you do a border run use an entry and start another 90 cycle. If visa is valid for 6 months a 3 entry would give you almost 9 months without doing a visa run. You can get as many tourist visa's as you want without a problem. Forget Cambodia for visa run border runs are ok though. Vientiane will issue 2 entry visa.

You might try Houston for the non-o multiple entry.

[thykeeper]

A 60 day 2 or 3 entry tourist visa can be extended 30 days at immigration here. So after 90 days you do a border run use an entry and start another 90 cycle. If visa is valid for 6 months a 3 entry would give you almost 9 months without doing a visa run. You can get as many tourist visa's as you want without a problem...

I have a 3 entry tourist visa at 60 days each and I don't see how that could amount to almost 9 months. I see 6 months + 1 30-day extension = 7 months. This is my first tourist visa so maybe I'm missing something. Likewise, at Vientiane we can get 4 months (2 entries @ 60 days each) + 1 extension = 5 months, correct? thanks for clearing this up.

[Lite Beer]

I have a 3 entry tourist visa at 60 days each and I don't see how that could amount to almost 9 months. I see 6 months + 1 30-day extension = 7 months. This is my first tourist visa so maybe I'm missing something. Likewise, at Vientiane we can get 4 months (2 entries @ 60 days each) + 1 extension = 5 months, correct? thanks for clearing this up.

Each entry can be extended for 30 days. Just make sure you do not go over the Visa expiry date.

[ubonjoe]

I have a 3 entry tourist visa at 60 days each and I don't see how that could amount to almost 9 months. I see 6 months + 1 30-day extension = 7 months. This is my first tourist visa so maybe I'm missing something. Likewise, at Vientiane we can get 4 months (2 entries @ 60 days each) + 1 extension = 5 months, correct? thanks for clearing this up.

If the validity or use before date is 6 months you can use the 3rd entry just before that date and get almost 9 months. That is why it is very important to talk to the conulate about what the validity date will be before asking for a 3 entry visa.

You can still get a 30 day extension of stay after the visa expires. What counts is the permitted to stay until xxxx date stamp. You just can't use the visa to do another entry. So with a 2 entry you can get almost 6 months.

[thykeeper]

I must not be counting correct as I'm not following. My first entry was my arrival date: July 15, 2nd) September 12th. 3rd) November 10th. So when that last entry expires it will be 6 months. But according to the previous poster I should have extended each arrival 30-days and that's how you get the 9 months? But I seem to remember the consulate general in USA telling me making these extensions are "how people get into trouble". Either way I missed my chance to extend my first 2 entries...

[Lite Beer]

I must not be counting correct as I'm not following. My first entry was my arrival date: July 15, 2nd) September 12th. 3rd) November 10th. So when that last entry expires it will be 6 months. But according to the previous poster I should have extended each arrival 30-days and that's how you get the 9 months? But I seem to remember the consulate general in USA telling me making these extensions are "how people get into trouble". Either way I missed my chance to extend my first 2 entries...

Yep , you should have extended the first two stays.

[Maestro]

...But I seem to remember the consulate general in USA telling me making these extensions are "how people get into trouble"...

Nobody gets into trouble for applying for an extension of stay after entering with a tourist visa. You misunderstood the consular official or he didn’t know what he was talking about.

--

Maestro

[thykeeper]

...But I seem to remember the consulate general in USA telling me making these extensions are "how people get into trouble"...

Nobody gets into trouble for applying for an extension of stay after entering with a tourist visa. You misunderstood the consular official or he didn’t know what he was talking about.

--

Maestro

They really don't know to be honest and furthermore they have never even been to the country. But thanks for that great information everyone, I appreciate it and you saved me time + money.