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Thai Visa Guide for Expats and Foreigners
From tourist visas and transit visas to non-immigrant visas and long-term visas, there are several types of visas available for expats and foreigners. As a popular destination for tourists, expats, and retirees alike, a common question is “What kind of visa do I need to live in Thailand?”
As an expat moving to Thailand, understanding the differences between visa types is crucial for avoiding the consequences and penalties of overstaying your visa. Whatever your reason for wanting to make Thailand home, you’ll have to figure out the bureaucracy that is Thailand visa requirements.
As it can be very confusing and frustrating, Pacific Prime Thailand has compiled a Thai visa guide for you, telling you all you need to know about the types of visas in 2023 (including the newly-opened long-term visa) and the requirements to apply.
Moving to Thailand: A Word about Visas
If you’ve been to Thailand as a tourist before, chances are you’ve not had to get a tourist visa, as citizens of these countries can benefit from a visa exemption/waiver. This gives you 30 days in the country, with the option to extend your stay once you arrive.
However, this is only for tourism purposes, which means you’ll still need a visa to study, work, retire, or live in the country long-term. Additionally, even though some digital nomads do ‘visa runs’ or exit the country and re-enter to get additional days of stay, this is not recommended.
Getting a Visa: Popular Thai Visa Types and Requirements
Whether you’re after a tourist visa for a short stay or a non-immigrant visa for something more long-term, a completed visa application form and a valid passport are a couple of basic requirements. But to fulfill the requirements, you need to understand what visa types are available first.
Some visas require you to apply at your local Thai embassy/consulate before traveling to Thailand, while others can be applied for, switched to, and extended from within the country. This section provides an overview of the different types of Thailand visas and their requirements.
While it isn’t possible to give all Thai visa costs, as this will depend on the country you’re applying from, this visa fee list from the Royal Thai Embassy in the United States gives you a rough guide. For the most accurate information, please check with your nearest Thai diplomatic mission.
Transit Visa
A transit visa is applicable for those traveling to Thailand to engage in sports and for those who are part of the official support team of the sportsperson. The single-entry visa has a 3-month validity from the issue date.
Transit visa holders can stay in Thailand for up to 30 days or 90 days, depending on the visa type. To apply for the visa, you’ll need:
- Passport/travel document with at least 6 months validity
- Completed visa application form
- Evidence of flights into and out of Thailand
- Evidence of adequate financial support (THB ฿10,000 per person and THB ฿20,000 per family)
- Letter of invitation stating the applicant’s participation in sports activities in the Kingdom
Tourist Visa
If you’d like to spend more time visiting the Kingdom than arriving without a visa allows, then you should opt for a 60-day tourist visa. Tourist visas are also ideal for those seeking medical treatment with registered hospitals and Meeting, Incentives, Convention & Exhibitions (MICE) participants.
A single-entry tourist visa has a 3-month validity, while a multiple-entry tourist visa has a 6-month validity from the date of issue. Both single- and multiple-entry tourist visas give 60 days of stay in the country, with the option to extend it for 30 days once in the country.
To apply for the visa, you’ll need:
- Passport/travel document with at least 6 months validity
- Completed visa application form
- Evidence of flights into and out of Thailand, and arrangements for accommodation
- Evidence of adequate financial support (THB ฿20,000 per person and THB ฿40,000 per family)
Non-immigrant Visas
Long stays will require a non-immigrant visa. While it is generally possible to get a one-year non-immigrant visa in Thailand, the validity period can vary depending on the circumstances, applicant, and category of non-immigrant visa.
What’s more, visa holders may be required to check in with Thai immigration every 90 days throughout their stay in the country. The most popular non-immigrant visas include:
- Non-immigrant O visa
- Non-immigrant O-A visa
- Non-immigrant O-X visa
Non-immigrant O Visa
If you’re wondering whether you can live in Thailand if you marry a Thai citizen, the answer is yes. But marriage is only one purpose that this non-immigrant O visa covers. You can also apply for a non-immigrant O visa if you’re traveling to Thailand for one of the following reasons:
- Visit family and friends
- Voluntary work with NGO/Charity/Association (without salary)
- Access long-term medical treatment (i.e., longer than 60 days)
- Attend a judicial process
- Work as a diplomat’s housekeeper
Since the non-immigrant O visa applies to several scenarios, the documents required will vary depending on the purpose of stay, though a valid passport document is necessary for all. Non-immigrant O visas are valid for 3 months, with visa holders granted an initial 90-day stay in most cases.
Non-immigrant O-A Visa
Retirement visas in Thailand for those aged 50 and above are known as the non-immigrant O-A visa. These visa holders are permitted to stay in Thailand for 1 year, and employment is strictly prohibited. Applicants are required to show the following documents:
- Passport/travel document with at least 6 months validity
- Completed visa application forms
- Medical certificate showing no prohibitive diseases such as Leprosy, Tuberculosis, Elephantiasis, drug addiction, or third stage of Syphilis.
- Criminal record clearance
- Evidence of adequate financial support, either:
- Monthly income of at least THB ฿65,000
- Current balance of at least THB ฿800,000, which has been in the bank account for a minimum of 1 month
- Health insurance covering at least THB ฿3 million
Note: Accompanying spouses of foreign retirees can also apply, but they will be issued a non-immigrant O visa instead of a non-immigrant O-A visa.
Non-immigrant O-X Visa
10-year retirement visas in Thailand for those aged 50 and above are known as non-immigrant O-X visas, and differ from non-immigrant O-A visas in terms of the length of stay, among other differences. Applicants must also come from one of the 14 approved countries, including the US and the UK.
Applicants for a non-immigrant O-X visa, also known as the long stay 10-year visa, must show the following documents:
- Passport/travel document with at least 1-year validity
- Completed visa application form
- Medical certificate showing no prohibitive diseases such as Leprosy, Tuberculosis, Elephantiasis, drug addiction, or third stage of Syphilis
- Criminal record clearance
- Evidence of adequate financial support, either:
- Fixed deposit of at least THB ฿3 million
- Fixed deposit of at least THB ฿1.8 million AND certificate of an annual income of at least THB ฿1.2 million. Once the applicants enter Thailand, they must have at least THB ฿3 million in their bank account within 1 year.
- Health insurance, covering:
- Outpatient coverage of at least THB ฿40,000
- Inpatient coverage of at least THB ฿400,000
Note: Accompanying spouses and children (below 20 years old) of foreign retirees can also apply for the non-immigrant O-X visa.
Other Types of Thai Non-immigrant Visas
There are also other types of non-immigrant visas for Thailand as outlined below.
- F (Official)
- B (Business)
- IB (Investment with Bureau of Investment)
- ED (Education)
- M (Mass Media)
- R (Religion)
- RS (Research)
- EX (Expert)
Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa
Fortunately for those who’d like a 10-year visa for Thailand, the country opened applications for its new long-term resident (LTR) visa on September 1st, 2022. The LTR visa is targeted at 4 categories of foreigners, including:
- Wealthy foreigners
- Wealthy pensioners
- Highly-skilled professionals
- Work-from-Thailand individuals
Spouses and dependents of LTR visa holders also qualify for the visa, which provides a number of tax and non-tax benefits, including fast-track service at all international airports in Thailand, multiple re-entry permits, 17% personal income tax for highly skilled professionals, and more.
To apply for the LTR visa, applicants must first submit their applications and documents online to the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), which will consider and approve your application. After BOI approval, applicants can apply for a long-term resident visa via the Thai e-Visa platform.
Documents needed will depend on the category of foreigner you’re in. Check out our article on Thailand’s long-term resident visa to find out more about eligibility requirements and documents.
Conclusion
Now that you understand the differences between Thai visa types, you probably know which one you should apply for. From there, you can start preparing the required documents, such as health insurance for certain Thai non-immigrant visas.
Whether you’re looking for health insurance for Thai visa purposes, for your own peace of mind, or both, Pacific Prime Thailand can help! With over 20 years of industry experience, we’ve helped scores of expats, retirees, and more navigate Thailand visa policy and health insurance requirements.
What’s more, our highly trained advisors will give you impartial consultation and a tailored plan comparison, as well as help you select an appropriate plan for your needs and budgets. If you’re ready to secure insurance or would simply like to learn more, contact us today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the new visa for foreigners in Thailand?
Launched on September 1st, 2022, the long-term resident (LTR) visa is the latest Thai visa available to foreigners wishing to live, work, and do business in the Kingdom.
How can I obtain a 10-year Thai visa?
Foreigners must submit their applications and supporting documents to the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI). After receiving approval from the BOI, applicants can apply for a long-term resident visa through the Thai e-Visa platform.
Can I leave Thailand and return using the same tourist visa?
If you plan to leave Thailand and re-enter, you should obtain a multiple-entry tourist visa. With a multiple-entry tourist visa, you can stay in Thailand for 60 days per trip within a 6-month period from the date of issue.
How can I acquire a 6-month visa for Thailand?
You can apply for a 6-month visa for Thailand, or Thailand Multi-Entry Tourist Visa, online at https://thaievisa.go.th/home by creating an account and submitting the required documents, such as travel booking confirmation and financial evidence.
Jantra curates and reports on the results of Pacific Prime’s monthly newsletters, as well as manages Pacific Prime’s Deputy Global CEO’s LinkedIn posts. Complemented by her background in business writing, Jantra’s passion for health, insurance, and employee benefits helps her create engaging content - no matter how complex the subject is.
Growing up as a third-culture kid has given her a multicultural perspective that helps her relate to expats and their families while 8 years of working remotely have given her unique insight into hybrid work arrangements and enthusiasm for employee benefits.
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