I will be coming to Chiang Rai to live for awhile (for as long as I can stay actually) within the next couple of months and was wondering how the Mae Sai border was for making runs for visa renewals...Any problems I should be aware of...? I will be living with my fiance...She has never had to deal with visa stuff before so she is not familiar with the hassles and procedures. Anyone...? Would like to meet up with people that have been doing this after I arrive...Would like to meet some other USA expats...Thanks...

PLENTY of information on this forum, do a search.

Edit: See the sticky in this same forum for starters (for the search impaired: )

Edited June 20, 201115 yr by Jdietz

It's a good idea to try to get a visa before you leave you country of residence. Get in touch with your local embassy or consulate to see what's available

The border run begins to be a hassle after a while considering they only give 2 weeks and if you have a lot of entries they will ask you to get the proper visas and that means travelling to Laos or another country.

I'm not American but glad to help.

Get a Non Immigrant O before you leave the states. (90 day) When you get here you can apply for a one year extension (assuming you qualify). DO A LOT OF READING here and elsewhere. If you need specific answers to specific questions then you need to provide enough detail that people can answer your questions. Don't ask broad questions and expect useful answers. Good luck.!

If you are over age 50 and have a annual income of 800,000 baht or more you are better off to apply for a retirement visa. With the retirement visa you do not need to make the 90 day border runs, all you have to do is to report to the local emigration every 90 days.