Moving to Thailand

Thailand DTV / digital nomad visa

Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)

Remote workers, freelancers and people doing a six-month-plus 'soft power' course (Muay Thai, cooking and similar) with at least THB 500,000 in savings, who want five years of flexible stays.

What you need

• Funds of at least THB 500,000, shown by an official bank statement (the Budapest embassy asks for 6 months of statements; crypto and investment statements not accepted). Payslips or a sponsor letter can also be used at some missions. (THB 500,000)
• Proof of purpose: employment contract and employer letter confirming remote work (employees), incorporation and tax documents (business owners), portfolio (freelancers), or enrolment in a soft-power activity of at least 6 months.
• Criminal record clearance certificate, required for applications submitted from 31 August 2026 (Thai MFA announcement of 28 August 2026).
• Proof of permanent residence in the country where you apply, replacing the earlier 'proof of current location' from 31 August 2026. In practice you apply through the Thai mission covering your country of nationality or permanent residence.

Not for

• Working for Thai employers or Thai clients (no Thai work permit on a DTV)
• Children whose main purpose is school in Thailand (Non-ED visa needed)
• People who cannot show THB 500,000

Where you apply

Online. Online through the Thai e-Visa system (thaievisa.go.th), from outside Thailand, to the mission that covers your nationality or permanent residence (from 31 August 2026).

How long it takes

Not stated on the pages read; varies by mission.

First permit

Visa valid 5 years, multiple entry; up to 180 days per entry.

Renewal

Each 180-day stay can be extended once at Thai Immigration (a law-firm summary says by up to 180 days); then you must leave and re-enter. A new DTV is needed after 5 years.

Family

Spouse and dependent children of a DTV holder can apply for DTV as dependants.

Your passport

Apply through the Thai mission covering your nationality or permanent residence (e.g. Washington/consulates for US, Ottawa/Vancouver for Canada, London for UK).

Thailand LTR remote worker visa

Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa: Work-from-Thailand Professional

Well-paid remote employees of large established foreign companies, earning about USD 80,000 a year (USD 40,000 with a master's degree), who want a 10-year visa and work authorisation for overseas work.

What you need

• Average personal income of at least USD 80,000 a year over the past two years. USD 40,000-80,000 is accepted with a master's degree or higher. (USD 80,000 a year)
• Employer must be a listed company, or a private company operating 3+ years with combined revenue of at least USD 50 million over 3 years, or a qualifying subsidiary.
• Health insurance covering at least USD 50,000, or Thai social security, or at least USD 100,000 held in a bank account for 12 months. (USD 50,000)

Not for

• Freelancers and employees of small or young companies
• Working for Thai employers (this category gets no Thai work permit)

Where you apply

Online. Apply on the BOI LTR portal (ltr.boi.go.th) for qualification; the visa is then issued at a Thai embassy, by e-visa, or in Thailand at the Thailand Investment and Expat Services Center (TIESC).

How long it takes

Not stated on the page read.

First permit

10-year visa; permission to stay granted for 5 years, extendable by 5 more if still qualified.

Renewal

Renew permission to stay after 5 years if you still meet the criteria.

Family

Legal spouse (same-sex marriage recognised) and children under 20, up to 4 dependants; each needs insurance or USD 25,000 in a bank account for 12 months.

Thailand LTR retirement visa

Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa: Wealthy Pensioner

Retirees aged 50+ with pension or investment income of at least USD 80,000 a year (or USD 40,000 plus a USD 250,000 Thai investment) who want a 10-year visa.

What you need

• Aged 50 or over. (50)
• Passive income (pension, rental, dividends, interest, capital gains) of at least USD 80,000 a year. Earned income does not count. (USD 80,000 a year)
• If passive income is USD 40,000-80,000: an extra investment of at least USD 250,000 in Thailand. (USD 250,000)
• Health insurance covering at least USD 50,000, or Thai social security, or at least USD 100,000 in a bank account for 12 months. (USD 50,000)

Not for

• Retirees with mainly earned income
• People under 50

Where you apply

Online. BOI LTR portal (ltr.boi.go.th), then visa issued abroad or at TIESC in Bangkok.

How long it takes

Not stated on the page read.

First permit

10-year visa; stay granted 5 years then extendable 5 years.

Renewal

Extend after 5 years if still qualified.

Family

Spouse and children under 20, up to 4 dependants.

Thailand retirement visa

Non-Immigrant O-A (Long Stay) visa, or Non-Immigrant O visa with annual extension of stay based on retirement

Retirees aged 50+ with THB 800,000 in a Thai bank or THB 65,000 a month in income who do not need to work.

What you need

• Aged 50 or over. (50)
• Bank balance of at least THB 800,000 (O-A from abroad: bank statement; in-country extension: held in a Thai bank, reported as 2 months before applying and kept 3 months after). (THB 800,000)
• Alternative: monthly income of at least THB 65,000. For in-country extensions a combination of income and deposit totalling THB 800,000 a year is reported as accepted. (THB 65,000 a month)
• O-A only: health insurance with an insured sum of at least THB 3,000,000, from a Thai or foreign insurer. (THB 3,000,000)
• O-A only: criminal record clearance certificate from your country of nationality or residence.
• O-A only: medical certificate showing no prohibited diseases.

Not for

• Anyone who wants to work (employment of any kind is prohibited)
• People under 50

Where you apply

From home or inside the country. O-A: apply from abroad through the Thai e-Visa system. Alternative: enter on a Non-O (90 days) and apply for a 1-year extension at a Thai Immigration office, where insurance is not required.

How long it takes

O-A: up to 10 working days at the Doha embassy (example).

First permit

O-A: stay of up to 1 year. Non-O: 90 days, then 1-year extension.

Renewal

1-year extensions at Thai Immigration, renewable each year while the money test is met. 90-day address reporting applies.

Family

A spouse who is also 50+ can apply in their own right; a younger spouse can get a dependant Non-O.

Thailand work visa

Non-Immigrant B visa with Thai work permit

People with a job offer from a Thai employer that meets the capital and Thai-staff ratio rules, typically paying Western nationals at least THB 50,000 a month.

What you need

• Job offer from a Thai company, which sponsors the Non-B and the work permit from the Department of Employment.
• Minimum monthly salary set by nationality for extensions; widely reported as THB 50,000 for US, Canadian and European nationals (based on an older rule; unverified for 2026). (THB 50,000 a month)
• Employer usually needs THB 2 million registered capital and 4 Thai employees per foreign worker, unless BOI-promoted.

Not for

• Remote work for foreign employers (use DTV or LTR)
• Self-employed freelancers

Where you apply

From home or inside the country. Non-B from a Thai embassy, then work permit and 1-year extension in Thailand.

How long it takes

Not verified.

First permit

90 days on entry, then 1-year extension tied to the job.

Renewal

Annual, while employed.

Longer term

Permanent residence after about 3 years.

Family

Spouse and children can get dependant Non-O visas.

General route summary from secondary sources; salary-by-nationality table not confirmed on an official page.

Thailand LTR investor visa

Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa: Wealthy Global Citizen

High-net-worth people with USD 1 million in assets, including USD 500,000 already invested in Thai bonds, companies or property.

What you need

• At least USD 1 million in global or Thai assets. (USD 1,000,000)
• At least USD 500,000 invested in Thailand before applying: Thai government bonds (5+ years to maturity), direct investment in Thai companies, or Thai property. (USD 500,000)
• Health insurance of at least USD 50,000, Thai social security, or USD 100,000 in a bank account for 12 months. (USD 50,000)

Not for

• Anyone who cannot place USD 500,000 in Thailand up front

Where you apply

Online. BOI LTR portal.

How long it takes

Not stated on the page read.

First permit

10-year visa; stay granted 5 years then extendable 5 years.

Renewal

Extend after 5 years if still qualified.

Family

Spouse and children under 20, up to 4 dependants.

Thailand student visa

Non-Immigrant ED visa (education)

People enrolled at a Thai university, school or approved language school.

What you need

• Acceptance letter from a Thai educational institution; documents vary by level of study.

Not for

• Anyone who wants to work

Where you apply

Online. Thai e-Visa system to the mission covering you; extensions in Thailand while enrolled.

How long it takes

Varies by mission.

First permit

90-day visa, extended in Thailand for the course length.

Renewal

Extensions while enrolled. An ED Plus category lets degree graduates stay 1 year after graduating.

Family

Not verified.

Thailand Elite / Privilege visa

Thailand Privilege Entry Visa (Thailand Privilege Card membership, formerly Thailand Elite)

People who would rather pay a one-off membership fee (from THB 650,000 for 5 years) than meet income or age tests.

What you need

• Buy a membership: Bronze THB 650,000 (5 years), Gold THB 900,000 (5 years), Platinum THB 1,500,000 (10 years), Diamond THB 2,500,000 (15 years), Reserve THB 5,000,000 (20 years, invitation only). (THB 650,000)
• Background check by Thai authorities (details not read on the official page).

Not for

• Anyone wanting to work in Thailand (membership gives no work rights)
• People seeking a path to residence

Where you apply

Online. Apply to Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. (state-owned) or its authorised agents.

How long it takes

Not verified.

First permit

Membership of 5-20 years; secondary sources report up to 1 year stay per entry, extendable.

Renewal

Membership is not renewable as such; buy a new one.

Family

Family memberships offered on higher tiers (a 2026 promotion priced extra family members at THB 750,000 on Platinum and above).

Thai marriage visa

Non-Immigrant O visa (spouse of a Thai national) with 1-year extension of stay based on marriage

People legally married to a Thai citizen who can show THB 400,000 in a Thai bank or THB 40,000 a month in income.

What you need

• Legal marriage to a Thai national, registered in Thailand.
• For the 1-year extension: THB 400,000 in a Thai bank account (reported as held 2 months before applying). (THB 400,000)
• Alternative: monthly income of at least THB 40,000. (THB 40,000 a month)

Not for

• Unmarried partners

Where you apply

From home or inside the country. Non-O from a Thai embassy (Washington lists USD 80 for a 90-day single-entry visa), then 1-year extensions at Thai Immigration.

How long it takes

Not verified.

First permit

90 days on the Non-O, then 1-year extensions.

Renewal

Annual extension, with a home visit and interview usual.

Family

Children can be added as dependants.

Thailand visa-free entry

Visa exemption for tourism (30 days)

Scouting trips before choosing a long-stay visa: 30 days visa-free, extendable once by about 30 days.

What you need

• Tourism only. Since 15 September 2026, 30 days per entry (down from 60). Land-border visa-exempt entries are capped at two per calendar year. (30)

Not for

• Living in Thailand: this is not a residence route
• Any work, including remote work

Where you apply

From inside the country. Granted at the border. A Thailand Digital Arrival Card is required.

How long it takes

On arrival.

First permit

30 days.

Renewal

One extension at Thai Immigration, reported as up to 30 days.

Family

Each person enters on their own passport.