The best way to obtain a long-term visa in Thailand depends on your individual circumstances, nationality, and purpose for staying in the country. Here are some common ways to acquire a long-term visa:
- Retirement Visa:
- Eligibility: Citizens of certain countries, typically 50 years or older with a monthly income of at least 65,000 THB (2,100 USD) from a foreign source.
- Requirements: Submit an application at the Thai embassy or consulate in your home country, along with supporting documents such as a police certificate, medical certificate, and proof of income. Upon approval, enter Thailand on a non-immigrant “O” visa and apply for a retirement visa at a local immigration office within 90 days.
- Marriage Visa:
- Eligibility: Spouses of Thai citizens or people who have been married to a Thai national for at least five years.
- Requirements: Submit an application at the Thai embassy or consulate in your home country, along with supporting documents such as a marriage certificate, birth certificates of children (if applicable), and proof of financial support. Upon approval, enter Thailand on a non-immigrant “O” visa and apply for a marriage visa at a local immigration office
within 90 days.
- Education Visa:
- Eligibility: Foreign students accepted into a Thai educational institution.
- Requirements: Submit an application to the Thai embassy or consulate in your home country, along with supporting documents such as a letter of acceptance from the educational institution and proof of financial support. Upon approval,
enter Thailand on a non-immigrant “ED” visa and apply for an extension at a local immigration office during each academic year. Some Thai boxing schools for Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu have programs that qualify.
- Work Visa:
- Eligibility: Foreign workers employed by a Thai company or working under a work permit.
- Requirements: The Thai employer must first obtain a work permit from the Labor Ministry, then sponsor the employee’s work visa application to the Thai embassy or consulate in their home country. Upon approval, enter Thailand on a non-immigrant “B” visa and register with the local immigration office within 90 days.
- Elite Visa:
- Eligibility: High-net-worth individuals who can demonstrate a minimum monthly income of 800,000 THB (26,500 USD) or have assets worth at least 3 million THB (99,000 USD).
- Requirements: Submit an application to the Thai embassy or consulate in your home country, along with supporting documents such as proof of income, bank statements, and property deeds. Upon approval, enter Thailand on a non-immigrant “O” visa and apply for an elite visa at a local immigration office within 90 days.
- Investor Visa:
- Eligibility: Foreign investors who have invested in a Thai business or have plans to invest in the country.
- Requirements: Submit an application to the Thai embassy or consulate in your home country, along with supporting documents such as proof of investment, company registration, and financial statements. Upon approval, enter Thailand on a
non-immigrant “O” visa and apply for an investor visa at a local immigration office within 90 days.
Check with the Thai embassy or consulate in your home country for the most up-to-date information and to ensure you have all necessary documents before applying.