Hello,

I am a 23 y/o Australian looking for a long term stay (6-18 months) in Thailand. I am fit and healthy but not really looking for employment, just a long stay in another country to soak up the culture. I have about 20k Australian dollars (approx 600,000 baht) which is sufficient for a lengthy stay in Thailand. I'm not sure what visa to apply for, i do not have any Thai ancestory nor any friends or family living in Thailand. I am currently residing in Christchurch (New Zealand)

Any information would be greatly appreciated

Regards

James

You'll have to go for a double entry tourist visa to start out (not sure if the issue triple entry visa's in Oz).

This gives you 60 days on entry, after which you get 30 days extension at a local immigration office (1,900 Baht).

When that one is up you do a border run. leave Thailand and come straight back in (or of course visit the other country a bit longer if you want), which will activate your second entry.

Total stay is just under 6 months that way. If a triple entry would be available this procedure can give you around 8.5 months of stay.

If some how you would be able to get hold of a copy of an ID card of a Thai person, along with a note inviting you to visit them in Thailand, you'd be able to get a multi-entry non immigrant O visa, which would enable you to stay up to 15 months with a border run every 90 days.

You'll have to go for a double entry tourist visa to start out (not sure if the issue triple entry visa's in Oz).

Just to clarify that issue of double vs. triple tourist visas:

Yes, in Perth I obtained a triple-entry tourist visa last year, although yet to complete the first allotment of sixty (60) days, and I have been told to be sure and mention the 60 days at the border to make sure of another 60 days rather than 15 by accident.

In addition, while single entry tourist visas are apparently free up until early March, the double and triple entry visas are $90 and $135 respectively, but Perth consulate were happy to offer the triple-entry visa.

With a flight back to Perth for a few days inclusive of Tuesday and Thursday to visit the consulate once more before returning to Thailand for stint number two, that 8.5 months x two should allow for 17 months in total. should it not?

With a flight back to Perth for a few days inclusive of Tuesday and Thursday to visit the consulate once more before returning to Thailand for stint number two, that 8.5 months x two should allow for 17 months in total. should it not?

Yes it should. If of course Perth gives you another triple entry visa!

Normally Perth is one of the easiest consulates in that area.

And correct to note that they are only open 2 days a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) so plan accordingly!

If you want to be sure, shoot them an e-mail, they usually always answer promptly.

http://thaiconsulatewa.org.au/index.php?lang=EN

Sounds good guys, will send an email to the Perth consulate and see if i can get a triple entry visa. Although my permanent residence is in Adelaide and im currently living in Christchurch.

Thanks for the help.

Get an ED Visa from a Thai Language school - will cost 25,000-30,000 baht plus a few more k baht in immigration fee's. You will need to go to 4 hours per week of Thai language classes if you want to follow_the_spirit_of_the_law. You wont have to leave the country just report to immigration every 90 days and pay 1,900 baht. Paperwork is a pain in the arse and takes some time to put together but your language school should handle most of it.

Or get a 60 day tourist visa in Australia and extend it for 30 days at immigration - then leave the country and repeat every 90 days.

Edited January 11, 201016 yr by DegenFarang

Only a suggestion make your paper work at home and when visiting Immigration all goes smooth as Thai silk, if you are lucky.