Fellow Forum Readers:

• I have been weighing my options for a "longer term" say in Thailand.
• I'm 37, not married to a Thai and not interested in an ED visa, BUT, I can live comfortably (long term) without working either in Thailand or the United States. I am financially secure, but not extraordinarly wealthy.
• Previous posters have suggested the Elite/EasyAccess card. UKrules andUbonjoe's comments have been particularly helpful in this regard.
• The card remains "a" solution for me -- that is clear. However, I agree with many posters that it is worth exploring other options too. This just makes sense even if one is fortunate enought to afford the card.
• Accordingly, there is what I call "Option 2." This option is to spent 6 months annually (and consistently) in Thailand on a single double entry tourist visa. I would utilize the 2 60 day entries and 2 30 day extensions as follows: Thailand September, October, November. Then, say, 14 days away on a break to a neighboring SE Asian country. Then, December 15-March 15 back in Thailand.
• The rest of the year I would spend either in the USA or another non SE Asian country.

Questions:

• It seems from reading Ubonjoe's, PAZ's, and other poster's comments that this would work fine. Is that the broad consensus of the visa gurus here?
• The double entry would always be issued from a US based consulate.
• I just wonder if this can be done on a consistent basis, year after year without raising the ire of immigration or the consulate? If so, what is the best US Consulate. I have heard Portland, Oregon is helpful by mail.

Thanks in advance to everyone as I seek the best solution to my needs.

The current regulations would allow you to do it with no problems. What happens in the future is a "crap shoot"! Portland has been very friendly in the past. The rules have changed regarding mail in applications. Here's the info on the Portland Consulate. Contact Mary by telephone, not email, and ask her about the current policy.

Visa application porcedures, Portland Oregon.doc

I guess "future" is a relative term. Presumably there will be some changes at some point -- maybe for the better or worse. My immediate timeline takes me out to 2023 -- 9 years from now when a non-compete intellictual property agreement to which I am a party expires. (I sold a fruit packaging invention to an agri-business conglomorate). I might again do some work, but we'll see. I'll be 46 at the time. How about other forum members' options on "Plan 2" as above? I'd like the greatest consensus of opinions from the "visa gurus" I can get

Edited September 3, 201411 yr by NewDirection

Keep in mind a double tourist visa has a use by date. I dont know about ones issued in the US but the ones issues in Laos would not allow any 14 day break between if you wanted a full 6 months.

Keep in mind a double tourist visa has a use by date. I dont know about ones issued in the US but the ones issues in Laos would not allow any 14 day break between if you wanted a full 6 months.

Hmmm. That is news to me. Can you or one of the others clarify a bit. I understood that initial entry into the Kingdom must be within 90 days of visa issuance, but I didn't realize there was an "end" expiration date

The ones I have gotten in Laos is both entries must be made within 90 days. I am curious as well if there is a longer use by date if gotten in the US.

You could always just get a single in the US and get a new single when in Asia.

I see no problems especially since you are leaving for 6 months before repeating.

Vientiane is on of the few places in the world that issues a 2 entry visa with only a 90 day validity.

In the states it will be 6 months.

You could also get a 3 entry visa that could give almost 9 months of total stay.

Vientiane is on of the few places in the world that issues a 2 entry visa with only a 90 day validity.

In the states it will be 6 months.

You could also get a 3 entry visa that could give almost 9 months of total stay.

I can live with a double entry and spending 6 months in Thailand and the balance elsewhere. My bigger concern is the ability to get the double visa annually, year after year. Is there not some limit to this in terms of duration? (i.e. hey, "you've been staying in Thailand for the last 6 years for 6 months. That's too much!!, etc.) Seems like one time shot you want to live in Thailand for 9 months -- get the triple. But, every year -- would the double be safer?

You can get a 2 or 3 entry visa every year for as long as you want there is no limit.

The 3 entry would give you a longer stay and/or more flexibility for how you use your visa.

Vientiane is on of the few places in the world that issues a 2 entry visa with only a 90 day validity.

In the states it will be 6 months.

You could also get a 3 entry visa that could give almost 9 months of total stay.

Very good to know! Thanks for that. 90 days was a bit short.

You can get a 2 entry visa every year for as long as you want there is no limit.

TV should start a forum that's titled "Ask Ubonjoe Your Visa Questions". Would give people accurate information and cut down on the number of clueless posters that jump onto every visa discussion thread with their own set of "facts".

Carry on, mate. Nice work.

You can get a 2 or 3 entry visa every year for as long as you want there is no limit.

The 3 entry would give you a longer stay and/or more flexibility for how you use your visa.

Thanks Ubonjoe. We'll I guess I am just going to have to accept "Yes" for an answer LOL I figured this scenarion might only work for a few years, but you are the expert, not me. For clarification, just so I understand, the difference between myself and the Russian poster (of this morning) who is concerned about his 5th visa from Laos, is the fact that I will have a break in visas. Is that correct? I undersand you felt there were still options for him, but you seemed more hesitant about his situation. Is the key difference then that one has a break in terms of there visa issuance (i.e. leaves for 6 months, etc?) Is another key difference that the visa is issued from your home country's soil?

You will have a break between your visas plus you will be getting them in the states. There are people that have been staying here for years on 3 entry visas by going back home for a few weeks to get a new one.

My post post in the other topic is a completely different case from yours.

You will have a break between your visas plus you will be getting them in the states. There are people that have been staying here for years on 3 entry visas by going back home for a few weeks to get a new one.

My post post in the other topic is a completely different case from yours.

You sure know this stuff! Thanks again.

I assume a triple entry gotten in the US will have a longer "use by" date? If only 6 months it would be tricky to get 9 months out of it. Your timing would need to be perfect.

A 3 entry would have 6 months validity.

To get the most out of any visa you need to get it as close to your departure date as possible because the validity starts on the date of issue.

I could of said almost 270 days. But in reality it would probably be about 260 days dependent upon how many days early you got your visa.