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What are the best options for long-term stays in Thailand for those without sufficient income for an O-A visa?

Visa Options Thailand Visa Types Long-term Stay Education Visa STV METV Thailand Elite Visa

Mar 25, 2021

4 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I'm trying to stay in Thailand as long as possible. I don't earn enough monthly for an O-A. I was planning on a STV but the new limitations on extensions ruins that. What is my best option?

Any info on the return of the METV?

What's my best option for long stay?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is seeking options to stay in Thailand long-term but does not meet the financial requirements for an O-A visa. Other users suggest alternatives like the Education Visa, which allows studying at approved language schools, and the Thailand Elite Visa for long-term stays without stringent financial requirements. The user also mentions concerns about the STV visa due to new limitations on extensions and queries about the METV's return.

Pelle Eriksson

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Luca G.

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Muhammet *****

How does poeople get effected with this change, who they completed 10 days already ? Am I free at the end of 10 th day ?

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Lhee *********

For tourist long stay visa 5-20years is "Thailand Elite visa", multiply entry visa.

No need to show any financial statements.

600,000THB (20,000usd) for 5yrs TEV

The STV will be quit this sept 2021.

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Benjamin ******

The STV visa is bad. Enter on an TV visa, contact a good language school like Duke Language, and get an extension of stay based on studying Thai.

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Jim *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I'm just now starting to research converting a TV to an Education Visa and enrolling in this online language class. They say they can help in the process.

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Mike *********

any good language center will be able to help you. Just make sure their prices are competitive and do your research. Good luck mate!

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Mike *********

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Mike *********

Education VISA could be an option for you Jim.

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Maxim ***********

Bottom line is if you are broke there is no hope staying long term in Thailand. The world as not yet reopen, and probably won't before 2022 (METV in 2022 probably, etc). With money, anything can be sorted out, money rules the world.

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Maxim ***********

Volunteer visa required to be on Non-O first, so that agent was probably trying to scam you. The price of 30-35k baht seem adequate tho, it's what most people pay with an agent and it's legit, the stamp is legit, etc. Ed Visa is a bit lower price but not too far off. You can get a medical visa for around 15-18k baht but it's only 3 months.

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เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******

@Maxim **********

It's legit until you get busted

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Jim *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Maxim **********

I've got a ton of friends who did the switch. It's legit. Everyone I know who stayed used the same agent for the switch

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Jim *********

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Jim *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Mike ***********

if you have any info on an ed visa please shoot it my way

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Garrett ***********

What agency? You need to be really careful with those, 30k baht for a 1 year volunteer visa is really cheap and sounds a bit off.

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Garrett ***********

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Jim *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Mike ***********

I've found a agent who can get me a volunteer visa if I arrive on a tourist visa but the cost is 1k USD. Trying to find a better option.

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Mike *********

it involves studying Thai language classes. 200 Hrs of classes + 12 month VISA usually costs approx 25-30k THB. There's loads of language centres that offer this service. Worth a look.

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Mike *********

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Daniel ************

you have 800k thb to put in a bank?

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Daniel ************

David Broadfoot sure you can - depends your embassy and if they issue a paper

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Jim *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

nope. Can't qualify financially for the O-A.

I get a 1,000 USD pension but that isn't enough for the financial requriment

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Karim ***************

an agent can get you sorted as Daniel suggested.

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Daniel ************

you can mix bank and retirement money - Non O - not oa - by the way for about 20k a year - an agent help with the bank issue 😉

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Jim *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Daniel ***********

I was thinkig once on the ground I would find "agent to help with bank issue" but just don't want to spin my wheels and not find help.

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Jim *********

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