Hi,

I'm an American, 47 years old, looking for a cheap, quiet place to relax for six to eight months while working on some writing projects. Is this possible any more in Thailand?

I've heard that Thailand's visa requirements have gotten crazy. I have no problem with going to a consulate in the U.S. a few months before I leave and paying for a visa (so that I don't need to do visa runs every two weeks), but it sounds like it's not possible to get one for any real length of time any more, just 60 days, or maybe 90?

Also, I will have to go to Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, and possibly Japan for a few days at a time. Can I get a multi-entry tourist visa that lets me mostly sit around and do my stuff for six to eight months, while exiting once in a while to see some other places?

Thanks,

Rob

How often will you be going abroad? If its once a moth say, and you fly (which would be the case for several of the countries you list) then you will get 30 days on waiver on entry from the airport.

Note also, that I would not mention working at all - even if its writing and going to be taken back home as it would still require a work permit, so stay legal and just relax here instead. You may want to look at stayingin Indonesia and coming here for a few weeks at a time etc - and the other places - they are easier with their visas I understand.

Get at least a tourist visa, you will need a visa anyway to travel to Thailand, unless you have proof that you will leave Thailand within 30 days of arrival. Otherwise the ailine might not take you with them.

Get at least a tourist visa, you will need a visa anyway to travel to Thailand, unless you have proof that you will leave Thailand within 30 days of arrival. Otherwise the ailine might not take you with them.

A double entry tourist Visa would give you 6 months, 60 day + 30 day extemsion = 90 days. Get this BEFORE you leave the US and you should be fine and it will allow you to leave once to another country and re-enter to activate the second 60 day entry and for the last 30 day you can travel to a second country and get the normal 30 day visa exempt on return.

So you would have, 60 day plus 30 day extension at immigration = 90 days, leave to another country, comeback activate second 60 days, when thats up go to another country, comeback get usual 30 day visa exempt entry = 180 days in total.

So it all a matter of getting your timing right.

Edited July 8, 201115 yr by CharlieH

So you would have, 60 day plus 30 day extension at immigration = 90 days, leave to another country, comeback activate second 60 days, when thats up go to another country, comeback get usual 30 day visa exempt entry = 180 days in total.

Or, get a 30 day extension on your second 60-day entry, then, at its expiration, do the 30 day visa exempt entry -- for 210 days in total.

Or, better yet, get a triple entry tourist visa for an extra $35 (Portland, for one, issues triple entry tourist visas). Then, instead of 210 days, per above, you'll have 240 days, including a 30 day extension to your last 60 day entry. (You can't get an extension on your second tourist entry, 'cause that would put you past the visa expiration date, thus nullifying the use of your third tourist entry.)

Or 270 days, with a last out-and-back for a 30 day visa exempt entry.

Lots of ways to skin this cat. Just make sure the multiple entry tourist visa is good for 180 days (a related thread is discussing some potential pitfalls in this area).