I Think Ive Got It On Visas...But?

[Eamon1965]

My wife and I are both UK passport holders, and under 50, so I know we dont qualify for type "O" Visa.

We want to move to Thailand full time, but it seems the only visa open to us is a type "B" one, but to get that, it means obtaining work or opening a business....am I correct so far?

Even if a type "B" is granted, my understanding is that it is valid for a year, but every 90 days you have to leave Thailand, and re-enter for another 90 days...is that correct?

Can you just keep popping in and out like this indefinitely?

Or only 3 times in the year, then renew your Visa?

Ive also read, that to renew your yearly Visa, you have to physically travel out of Thailand to do this...is that correct?

If this is the case, if I am granted a type "B" visa in the UK (for example), can I fly to a nearer country, such as Oz to renew, or back to UK?

OR, are there "other" methods?

Many Thanks

ps. Are there any other ways of staying in Thailand, if I dont get a type "B" ?

[lopburi3]

You would both have to obtain such a visa and if for work have to be hired by a Thai company and have work permits - a very complex process and not cheap and likely to be a money loser. And unless meeting specific extension of stay criteria have to leave every 90 days or less. Another possibility would be non profit work but that would be almost full time I suspect and many such places seem to be run to obtain profit for others rather than helping people. You would still need to obtain work permits.

Currently the best option for those not wanting to spend too much time seems to be study - and for Thailand study of the language is a normal activity. 90 day stays can be extended for 90 days for years this way with only additional cost tuition and 1,900 baht extensions.

[Mario2008]

Volunteering requires a minimum of 4 hours a week, same as studying. Difficulty will be finding a NGO that is willing to support your WP aplication.

There are a lot of organisations that offer volunteer work, where you have to pay them for volunteering. They are not generally speaking not cheap and personally I would stay clear of them.

Study is another option to stay in Thailand. Can eb anything, as long as the school is aproved. Inquire with the school first if they can support you for an ED-visa or not.

[moe666]

There are several language schools advertised here