Getting a Muay Thai Visa in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Maybe you’ve visited Thailand on vacation and now want to have a go at living in the laid back southeast Asian country.
Maybe you have never been but know you are ready to take on the stay long term. Maybe you’re somewhere in between.
Either way, you are now probably searching for the best way to extend your stay and I’d like to offer up my experience on the matter.
In deciding to stay in Thailand long term, your options for the most common visas include learning Muay Thai martial arts or the Thai language or working as a digital nomad or for a company in Thailand (this includes teaching with TEFL certificates).
I have been in Chiang Mai, Thailand for 6 months on an Educational Visa through Chiang Mai Muay Thai fighting gym in the heart of Old City, Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai Muay Thai is the most popular fighting gym to get an educational visa from in Thailand but there is also a self defense gym in Chiang Mai that you can attain the same educational visa from.
Prices for a 6 month visa will be around 28,000 baht ($800usd) with an additional 5900 ($170usd) due every 3 months upon extension.
Your options for the term of stay range from 3 months up to 1 year or so. Thailand visas can be tricky so make sure to do your research beforehand and look into some visa groups (Thailand Visa Advice is a great start) and/or ask a few expats when deciding.
I mention the trickiness because if you have already been to Thailand, additional restrictions may apply to you depending on how long you stayed and how much time is riding between the last time you were there and the time you are now planning to go.
If you are staying for 6 months or less, I really recommend to just get a 3 month tourist visa beforehand and extend it at immigration for another 3 months. It is a lot less of a hassle, its way cheaper and takes out the middle man.
If you are interested in learning the process of extending your visa whether you go in on a 30 day visa or a 3 month visa, check out my blog Extending your Visa on Arrival in Chiang Mai, Thailand https://www.naturallynami.com/blog/extending-your-visa-on-arrival-in-chiang-mai-thailand
Things to know in getting your Muay Thai Visa
It is important to note a few key factors in obtaining your visa:
You will need to plan for a visa run to a neighboring country's Thai embassy in order to get your actual visa.
Some cities like Vientiane, Laos are quick and easy and others are more tedious - check in the visa facebook groups for recommendations on which one provides the easiest process.
You will be required to stay in the neighboring country for a certain amount of time while you wait for your visa application to be processed and your visa to be accepted (the embassy website may provide you with the processing time but if not, you can find out through the facebook groups).
There is an option sometimes to stay in the country and just pay a fee for the stamp. Usually the fee is hefty and will be a few hundred dollars. Make sure the gym knows that this is what you would like to do as they will process it otherwise and you will grant yourself an unexpected trip out of the country.
The processing time can be a minimum of 3-4 weeks or a maximum of 6+ weeks. HAVE A BACK UP PLAN. 30 day visa on arrivals can only be extended once so you will have a maximum amount of 60 days before you will need to border hop. Plan accordingly.
Stay up to date with the process of renewing your visa. Your visa needs to be renewed every 3 months by the gym and they will need your paperwork ahead of time. Do not expect a reminder from them, your visa is your responsibility.
If you are interested in more tips, visit my blog on the things you should Know B4 You Go!
