Thai visa types — find the right one
Thailand has dozens of visa and immigration categories, and the rules change often. Here is each one in plain English — who it suits, how long it lasts, what it costs and what to watch out for.
Tourism & short stays
Visiting Thailand for holidays or short trips.
Visa exemptionVisa Exemption (Visa-Free Entry)
Lets passport holders of eligible countries enter Thailand for tourism without obtaining a visa in advance — permission to stay is stamped at the border, with no application fee. There is nothing to apply for, so this is informational guidance only.
Read moreTourist visa (TR)Single-Entry Tourist Visa (TR)
A single-entry visa, obtained before arrival, for tourism. It permits one entry and a stay of up to 60 days, extendable once by 30 days. Applied for from outside Thailand, now overwhelmingly through the official Thai e-Visa system.
Read moreMETVMultiple-Entry Tourist Visa (METV)
A 6-month, multiple-entry tourist visa. Within its validity the holder can enter Thailand any number of times, each entry permitting a stay of up to 60 days (extendable once by 30 days). More document- and finance-intensive than a single-entry tourist visa.
Read moreVisa on ArrivalVisa on Arrival (VOA)
A short tourist visa issued at the immigration counter on arrival to nationals of a limited list of countries not covered by visa exemption. It costs 2,000 THB, grants a 15-day stay for tourism only, and is paid in cash at the border. There is nothing for us to apply on your behalf.
Read moreLong stay & remote work
Live in Thailand while working remotely.
Work & business
Employment, business and skilled professionals.
Non-BNon-Immigrant Visa “B” (Business / Employment)
The standard entry visa for foreigners coming to work or do business with a Thai company. The initial visa is single-entry, valid 3 months, granting a 90-day stay. It is only the first step: you then need a work permit from the Ministry of Labour and an in-country Non-B extension to stay and work long-term. A named, qualifying Thai employer is mandatory.
Read moreLTR Work-from-ThailandLong-Term Resident (LTR) — Work-from-Thailand Professional
One of four sub-categories of Thailand’s 10-year Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa, run by the Board of Investment (BOI). It targets high-earning remote workers employed by established companies based outside Thailand. Issued for 5 years, renewable for a further 5, with annual reporting instead of 90-day, no re-entry permit, and an optional Digital Work Permit.
Read moreLTR Highly-SkilledLong-Term Resident (LTR) — Highly-Skilled Professional
One of four sub-categories of Thailand’s 10-year LTR visa, run by the Board of Investment (BOI). It targets foreign experts employed by a Thai entity (or government agency) in a BOI target industry. Its standout benefit is a flat 17% personal income tax rate on Thai employment income, versus the normal progressive rates up to 35%.
Read moreSMART VisaSMART Visa
A special long-stay visa from the Board of Investment (BOI) for high-value foreigners working in or investing in Thailand’s targeted (S-curve) industries. Its defining benefit is that it bundles the stay permit and work authorisation into one credential — no separate work permit for endorsed roles — plus annual reporting and no re-entry permit. Five sub-types: T (Talent), I (Investor), E (Executive), S (Startup), O (Dependants).
Read moreRetirement
Long-stay options for those aged 50 and over.
Retirement O-A / O-XNon-Immigrant O-A / O-X (Long-Stay Retirement, embassy-issued)
Embassy-issued long-stay retirement visas applied for from outside Thailand, distinct from the in-country annual retirement extension. The O-A is a renewable one-year visa for applicants aged 50+. The O-X is a 10-year visa (5 + 5) for applicants aged 50+ from 14 eligible countries, with substantially higher financial thresholds.
Read moreRetirement extensionRetirement Extension of Stay (annual)
The annual, in-country renewal of permission to stay for retirees aged 50 and over who hold a Non-Immigrant O visa. Renewed each year at a Thai immigration office.
Read moreLTR Wealthy PensionerLong-Term Resident (LTR) — Wealthy Pensioner
A 10-year long-stay visa (5 years + a 5-year extension) administered by the Board of Investment (BOI), for retirees aged 50+ with stable passive income. Headline benefits: 10-year multiple-entry validity, annual reporting instead of 90-day, no re-entry permits, airport fast-track, and dependants included.
Read moreFamily & marriage
Joining a Thai spouse or family member.
Marriage Non-ONon-Immigrant O — Spouse of a Thai National (initial, embassy-filed)
A 90-day single-entry Non-Immigrant O visa for the non-Thai spouse of a Thai national, filed at a Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate abroad (or via the e-Visa portal). It is the first step in the marriage route: obtain the Non-O abroad, enter Thailand, then apply for the in-country annual marriage extension in the last 30 days.
Read moreMarriage extensionAnnual Marriage Extension of Stay
A one-year extension of stay, filed inside Thailand on form TM.7, for a non-Thai national married to a Thai citizen, under Order RTP 327/2557 § 2.18. It follows the initial Non-O and is renewed annually with marriage, residence and financial evidence. Unlike the retirement extension, it permits applying for a work permit.
Read moreDependent visaDependent Visa — Non-Immigrant O (Spouse / Child of a Visa Holder)
A Non-Immigrant O (Dependent) visa for the spouse and children of a foreigner who holds a qualifying Thai visa (most often a Non-B work-permit holder). It lets the family stay tied to the primary applicant’s permission of stay. Distinct from the marriage-to-a-Thai-national route, where the sponsor is a Thai citizen.
Read moreStudy
Education, language and training in Thailand.
Premium & long-term residence
Privilege and long-term resident programmes.
LTR Wealthy Global CitizenLong-Term Resident (LTR) — Wealthy Global Citizen
A 10-year long-stay visa (5 years + a 5-year extension) administered by the Board of Investment (BOI) for high-net-worth individuals. The Wealthy Global Citizen category has no age limit and no employment requirement and is asset-driven. Multiple-entry, annual reporting instead of 90-day, no re-entry permits, and dependants included with no cap.
Read moreThailand PrivilegeThailand Privilege Visa (formerly Thailand Elite)
A paid long-stay membership run by Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. (a state enterprise under the Tourism Authority of Thailand). A one-time fee buys a Privilege Entry (PE) visa valid for 5–20 years depending on tier, with multiple-entry rights, airport VIP/fast-track, and a tier-based annual Privilege Points allowance. It does not confer the right to work and is not a path to permanent residency or citizenship.
Read moreStaying compliant
Reporting and permits while you live here.
90-day report90-Day Report (Form TM.47)
A mandatory notification of address that every foreign national staying in Thailand for 90 consecutive days or more must file, then repeat every 90 days while they remain. It is not a visa, an extension, or a re-entry permit — it simply tells Immigration where you currently live. The 90-day clock runs from your most recent entry stamp. Legal basis: Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979), §37(5).
Read moreRe-entry permitRe-Entry Permit (Form TM.8)
Preserves an existing single-entry permission-to-stay when you leave and re-enter Thailand. Without it, departing on a single-entry visa or extension cancels that permission the moment you leave — on return you are admitted only as a fresh arrival, losing your long-stay status, 90-day clock and extension. It comes in single and multiple forms, and does not change your “admitted until” date. Legal basis: Immigration Act B.E. 2522.
Read moreTM.30TM.30 Address Notification
A notification of residence: the house owner, occupier, possessor or manager of any premises where a foreign national stays must notify Immigration of that foreigner’s presence within 24 hours of arrival. The legal duty sits with the host/landlord/hotel, not the foreigner. Legal basis: Section 38 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979). MyWorldVisa explains the obligation but does not file it.
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