Greg Stanton immigrated to Thailand in 2024 with his family to start a new life. However, after eight months, due to visa issues and challenges of managing a business remotely, he decided to return to Utah.
Immigration and Initial Challenges
Greg Stanton and his wife decided to try living abroad after the birth of their child in 2023. After conducting research, Thailand was chosen as a suitable destination for living. The family took a 10-day trip to Thailand to select their place of residence and ultimately chose the city of Pattaya for their life.
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However, upon arriving in Thailand, Greg realized there was a significant problem regarding the visa. He thought they had 90 days to sort out their visa, but in reality, they were only given 30 days. This situation forced his family to search for other options.
Visa Challenges and Return to Utah
After failing to obtain a long-term visa in Thailand, the Stanton family went to Malaysia. There, Thailand introduced a program called the Thailand Destination Visa, which was a five-year visa for remote workers and digital nomads. Eventually, after several trips and visa applications, Greg and his wife received entry permission to Thailand, but their child's visa application was delayed.
When they went to the airport for their flight to Manila, they received news of their child's visa approval. However, after stressful and challenging experiences during the trip, Greg and his wife decided to return to Utah. He felt that he could no longer continue and needed a break.
The return to Utah was accompanied by mixed emotions for the Stanton family. They were warmly welcomed by their families, but Greg felt he had failed in this experience. Nevertheless, these eight months had strengthened their relationship, and Greg had developed a greater appreciation for his wife.
Looking to the Future
Despite the challenges they faced in Thailand, the Stanton family still has an interest in the country and its culture. They recall their positive experiences in Thailand and the kindness of its people, believing that if everything had gone smoothly, they would still be in Thailand. Greg stated that their visa is valid for five years, and they still hope to return to Thailand.
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