The STV Visa is still one of the best ways to stay in Thailand for up to 9 months if you are under 50 years old. There are a few downsides to the visa, such as not being able to leave and re-enter Thailand, or to transfer to another type of visa
But for young people wanting to spend more than 3 months in Thailand, it's the best game in town.
But there are 3 things that you need to do that many people balk at. Let's talk about them.
The STV Visa needs you to have paid up accomodations for at least 3 months. This is because you need to renew the visa every 3 months while in Thailand. So how do you do this without getting an expensive hotel room for 3 months?
We recommend renting an inexpensive condo for at least a 6 month lease. This means you can use the condo as a base and travel around Thailand. When you are ready to renew your visa, you can use that address. This requires you to pay the first 2 months deposit and a month's rent -- standard in Thailand when renting a home.
Another way is to book multiple hotels around Thailand for at least 3 months. If you change your mind you can cancel the bookings, get back your money, and make other arrangements when you arrive in Thailand. You only need to show paid-up bookings for your visa application.
Depending on the country you're coming from, you need to prepare a criminal background check. In the USA this means an FBI Report.
Now that may sound daunting, but really, if you have no criminal background, then you can get one in 3 to 5 business days. In the UK, you can get one in a few hours, and in Australia is also a few days. Most countries make a criminal background check available for a nominal fee online or offline and there are also many private companies that can get it for you within 24 hours.
Just google "Criminal Background Check [country name]" and you will find many sources for this report.
Thailand is very conversative, and still wants to check folks for long term visas entering the kingdom. You have to do test for Leprosy, Tubercolosis, Elephantitis, Drug Addiction and Syphillis. Most of these are pretty rare diseases and you would wonder why this is needed.
In any event, when you go through Thai Kru, we will give you a single form that you can take to a local testing laboratory, doctor, clinic or hospital and get these tests done in a couple of days.
The rest of the requirements are pretty normal. All the other requirements are similar to a standard tourist visa.
If you need help to apply for your STV, let us know and we will be glad to help you!
