thailand tourist visa benefits

The Thailand Tourist Visa Guide (Single & Multiple Entry)

The majority of foreign nationals are able to enter Thailand on a visa exemption stamp.

This means that when you enter Thailand you are given a stamp at the immigration desk that allows you to stay in the country for 30 days.

Okay, so now you're clear on how long you can stay when you arrive without a visa, what if you want to stay for 6 weeks, or 2 even months?

In this case, you can apply for a Tourist Visa before you travel.

In this FAQ guide, I'll answer all common queries regarding the Thailand Tourist Visa, both single and multiple entry.

1. Where can I get a Tourist Visa?

A Tourist Visa can be obtained from a Thai embassy or consulate in your home country, or a country outside of Thailand, if you live abroad or are already traveling.

You can also apply via the E-Visa online system. Indeed, some embassies may no longer accept applications for Tourist Visas and instead require you to apply online.

The E-Visa is delivered via email. You can then print it out and present it to immigration on arrival.

What different types of tourist visa are there?

A. single entry.

The Single Entry Tourist Visa is valid for 3 months from its date of issue. It allows a single stay of a maximum of 60 days.

B. Multiple entry

The Multiple Entry Tourist Visa is valid for 6 months from its date of issue.

It allows an unlimited number of entries within the 6-month validity of the visa. Each entry allows a maximum stay of 60 days.

For example, if you leave Thailand on the 59th day of your stay and re-enter the country a day later, you will be stamped in for a further 60 days.

What documents do I need to get the Tourist Visa?

The requirements may vary slightly between country, but this is usually what's required from your local embassy.

• A completed visa application form with two recent passport type photos attached. The form can be downloaded from your local Thai embassy website.
• Your passport must have a minimum 6 months remaining validity, and at least two blank pages – this is so your visa can be added to the passport, and for entry/exit stamps when entering and leaving Thailand.
• If you reside in a country but are not a citizen of that country, then you will be required to show a visa or residence card that permits you to stay. You will also be required to show evidence of where you live, by way of utility bill, bank account statement, or driving license.
• Two recent passport size photographs. You can get these done at a photo booth (in a mall or store) or at some print services shops.
• Confirmation of travel (flight tickets).
• Proof of accommodation in Thailand: this can be a copy of your hotel booking or a letter from the family or friend you are staying with.
• Copy of bank statement to show proof of earnings. This requirement will differ between countries, and differs for the single and multiple entry visas. For example, for a Single Entry Tourist Visa from a US Thai embassy, you will need a copy of your bank statement showing $700 per person and $1,500 per family. For a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa, you will need a copy of your bank statement for the last 6 months showing a minimum balance of $7,000 (every month).

Thailand's E-Visa System

If you are applying online through the E-Visa system, you will require the following documentation:

• Passport or travel document with a validity of not less than 6 months.
• Photograph taken within the past six months.
• Evidence of travel to Thailand (air ticket paid in full).
• Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family).

Please note that you are not required to submit any supporting documents in person at a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate after completing the E-Visa application. Once approved, a confirmation e-mail will be sent through and you can  print a copy of the confirmation e-mail to present to airline and Thai Immigration officials.

You can apply online here: https://www.thaievisa.go.th

Historically, Thailand's online systems have always fallen way short of expectations, with browser compatibility issues, bugs, broken links, etc., but the new visa system is working pretty well.

For those who deem themselves digitally challenged, there is a comprehensive user manual. This manual is also available as a series of how-to videos, which are very helpful. You can find the manual here.

How much does a Thai Tourist Visa cost?

The cost varies between country, but here is the cost for the US and UK:

• US: Single – $40. Multiple Entry – $200
• UK: Single – £30. Multiple Entry – £150

How long does it take to process a Tourist Visa?

If you attend the Thai embassy in person, the process will take around 5 working days. If you apply by mail, the process will take a minimum of 15 days.

Applying online will take 6-10 working days.

This is a general guideline and will differ between countries, and may be longer or shorter depending on how busy the embassy/consulate is.

I would personally allow 2 weeks if applying in person or online, and 3 weeks if applying by mail. This will ensure you get your visa before your flight date.

When is my Tourist Visa valid from?

The Single Entry Tourist Visa is valid 3 months from date of issue, and the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa is valid for 6 months from date of issue.

When you enter Thailand, you will be stamped in for 60 days.

Note: The expiry date of the visa shows on the visa sticker as ‘ENTER BEFORE'. When you enter Thailand, you will receive a rectangular stamp in your passport stating your date of entry and the ‘ADMITTED UNTIL' date. This date will be exactly 60 days after your date of entry

What happens if I leave Thailand before my 60-day stay is up?

If you leave prior to your 60-day stay ending, the remaining days will be forfeited.

If you think you will want to leave Thailand and re-enter, you should get a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa.

The Multiple Entry Tourist Visa is valid for 6 months from date of issue. You are allowed unlimited entries within the 6-month period of the visa. If you exit Thailand, as long as you re-enter before the visa expires, you will be stamped in for a further 60 days.

Can I extend my visa inside Thailand?

For those who want to extend their stay in Thailand, you can extend the 60-day Single Entry Tourist Visa by 30 days at a local Immigration Office. The fee for the extension is 1,900 Baht.

Under the Multiple Entry Visa, you can extend one of the 60-day stays by a further 30 days. The cost is the same.

Under the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa, by saving the 30-day extension for your final entry, you can accumulate almost 9 month's stay in Thailand.

Can I cancel my visa and get a refund?

No. The visa fee is non-refundable.

Can't I just do border runs instead of getting a Tourist Visa?

Because you are granted 30 days stay on arrival in Thailand, in theory you could just leave over a land border after 30 days and return the same day, activating a further 30 day's stay.

This is known as a border run . People used to stay in Thailand for years just going back and forth over the border.

However, the current rule is that if you enter Thailand over land without a visa, you are allowed a maximum of two 30-day entries within any rolling 12-month period.

With a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa, you can go in an out as many times as you want within the validity of the visa.

Did I miss anything? Got a question? Leave it below.

Tips to Start Planning Your Trip Now:

Book your accommodation.

Best hotel rates are found at Agoda and Hotels.com .

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I never travel without it. I’ve been using SafetyWing for years. You should too.

Thinking about a backpack?

Check out this guide for the best options.

GET MY NEWSLETTER

Join thousands of others who receive my monthly roundup of content & insider tips on how to survive & thrive in Thailand.

Last Updated on January 17, 2024

Comments Sort by : newest | oldest

February 29, 2024 at 5:05 am

Feb 29, 2024 at 5:05 am

TheThailandLife says

February 29, 2024 at 6:30 pm

Feb 29, 2024 at 6:30 pm

March 1, 2024 at 2:34 am

Mar 01, 2024 at 2:34 am

March 1, 2024 at 6:32 pm

Mar 01, 2024 at 6:32 pm

September 4, 2023 at 6:36 pm

Sep 04, 2023 at 6:36 pm

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  Notify me when new comments are added.

We’re sorry, this site is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again in a few moments. Exception: request blocked

Thailand’s Multiple Entry Tourist Visa, Explained

Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, attracting millions of visitors each year. The country offers a wide variety of attractions, from tropical beaches and wild parties to ancient temples and bustling cities.

Many tourists who visit Thailand, however, mistakenly think that they can only stay for a short time on a tourist visa. While yes that’s true for the Single Entry Tourist Visa or Visa Exempt entry, there’s another option for those who want to stay longer in Thailand: the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) .

Everything You Need to Know About Thailand’s Multiple Entry Visa

What is a multiple entry tourist visa for thailand.

Unlike the normal Thailand Tourist Visa (TR) , which grants visitors 60 days of stay with a possible 30-day extension, the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa allows travelers to visit Thailand for up to 6 months (extendable to 9 months) with the ability to enter and exit the country as many times as they like.

What are the requirements for a Thailand multiple entry tourist visa?

First and foremost, to be eligible for the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa, you must be a citizen of an eligible country. A list of eligible countries can be found on the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

In general, though, citizens of Western countries, including the United States, Canada, and EU countries, are eligible for the METV visa.

To apply for a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa, you will need to submit the following documents either online or in person at a Thai embassy or consulate:

• Passport with at least 6 months validity and a blank page for visa stamp
• Completed visa application form
• 2 passport-sized photos
• Proof of financial support (e.g. bank statement)
• Proof of onward travel (e.g. flight itinerary)
• Evidence of hotel reservations or evidence of a host in Thailand (e.g. invitation letter)
• Payment for the visa fee.

How long can I stay in Thailand with a multiple entry tourist visa?

The Multiple Entry Tourist Visa is valid for a period of 6 months. Unlike other tourist visas, that 6-month period starts when the visa is issued–not when you enter the country. Within the validity period, holders of the visa can enter and exit Thailand as many times as they want. Each stay, however, is limited to 60 days, but it can be extended for another 30 days at a Thai immigration office.

So, technically, the METV visa can last nearly 9 months. If the visa holder enters Thailand right before the 6 month validity period ends then he or she can stay 60 more days, and then extend that another 30 days at an immigration office.

So 6 months + 60 days + 30 days = nearly 9 months (if timed correctly).

How do I apply for the multiple entry tourist visa?

The process for applying for a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa is pretty straightforward. You can apply at the nearest Thai embassy or consulate in your home country or in another country if you already happen to be traveling. Or you have the option to apply online .

Make sure to check the website of your home country’s Thai embassy or consulate for specific instructions on how to apply for the METV (each can have different requirements).

It’s also important to submit your application at least a couple of weeks in advance of your intended arrival in Thailand, as processing times can vary depending on your embassy and the volume of applications they receive.

In general, though, most embassies can process a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa application in just a few days.

How much does a multiple entry tourist visa for Thailand cost?

The fee for a 6-month Multiple Entry Tourist Visa for Thailand varies depending on the country of the applicant. In general, though, the fee should be in the ballpark of 6,000 Thai baht ($200). Check with your nearest Thai embassy or consulate to see their specific fees.

METV visas can also be extended 30 days for an additional 1,900 baht ($60) but they can not be renewed. After the 6 months of validity runs out, the next time you leave Thailand you will have to apply for a new Thai tourist visa.

Always make sure you leave Thailand before your tourist visa expires so you don’t have to deal with visa overstay penalties .

Can I extend my multiple entry tourist visa in Thailand?

Yes, as we hinted at before, multiple entry tourist visas can be extended for 30 days each time you enter the country. So each time you enter you can stay up to 90 days if you extend.

Kick Off Your Next Thailand Adventure

Thailand’s Multiple Entry Tourist Visa is a great option for tourists who want to stay in the country longer than a normal tourist visa would allow.

Although it costs more, it gives travelers much more versatility in how they want to travel. They can enter and exit Thailand as they please (great when doing a larger Southeast Asia trip) and can stay for up to 9 months, which is a huge step up from the 90 days granted by the standard tourist visa.

All in all, the METV remains an awesome (albeit lesser-known) choice for travelers heading out to experience all the greatness Thailand has on offer.

Related: 15 Essential Thai Words to Know Before Your Next Thailand Adventure

Things to do ↗

Find the best activities, restaurants, and nightlife in Thailand.

Destinations ↗

Explore the endless destinations Thailand has to offer.

Stay in Thailand ↗

Learn how to extend your stay in the Land of Smiles.

Get personalized trip plans to Thailand that fit your budget and interests

Thailand explained.

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

• Change to white mode
• Change to normal mode
• Change to text yellow mode

How to apply for a tourist visa in Thailand

       Thailand is one of the top destinations for tourists from around the world. There are major destinations that attract visitors in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Hua Hin, to name only a few.

       Foreigners entering Thailand are required to apply for a tourist visa. Supporting documents for the application are the following: 

       Passport or travel document with validity of not less than 6 months;

• A completed and signed visa application form
• Two 2½-inch photos taken with in the past 6 months, with no hat and no sunglasses;
• Evidence showing the applicant will leave Thailand within a certain period of time after finishing traveling in Thailand, such as a confirmed travel ticket or proof of onward travel to a third country;
• Documents from a travel agency or tour operator, in the case of traveling with a tour group;
• The applicant may be asked to submit additional documents or may be interviewed. 

       There are 2 types of tourist visa, namely single entry visa (valid for 3 months), with a fee of 1,000 baht, and multiple entry visa (valid for 12 months), with a fee of 5,000 baht. For both types of visa, upon arrival, travelers are permitted to stay in the Kingdom 60 days per time and must have evidence of adequate finances: 20,000 baht for an individual or 40,000 baht per family.

       For further inquiries, applicants should please contact the nearest Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General in the their area.

Source : Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tel : +66 2203-5000

Most Popular

Bangkok Public Park Guide

Bangkok Cultural and Nature Travel Guide

Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Investment Guide

EEC Investment Guide

New Passport Guide

Kingdom of Thailand’s importing prohibited – restricted checklist items

Guide for Dangers in the City That Tourists Should Be Aware Of

Thailand Visa & Residency Guide

Thailand offers a variety of visas if you want to stay in the country for an extended period. In this post, we’ll go over some of the most popular visas in Thailand and what you need to know to apply for them. Whether you’re planning to study, work, or retire in Thailand, there’s a visa that’s right for you.

Tourist visa to enter the country

For temporary stay (up to 30 days), most nationalities can enter without a visa under the Visa Exemption scheme. If you’re not eligible, you can apply for a 15-day visa on arrival.

A single-entry tourist visa

If you want to stay longer than 30 days, you can apply for a 60-day Single Entry Tourist Visa. You can do it online or in a Thai Embassy in your country of residence.  

Validity:  The visa is valid for three months from the date of approval, which means you have three months to enter Thailand from the date your visa is approved. 

Once in Thailand, you will receive a ‘permit to stay’ stamp in your passport for 60 days. 

The required documents : a current passport with at least six months validity and two blank pages, a printout of the visa application form submitted online, travel booking confirmation, proof of accommodation in Thailand, financial evidence, and confirmation of legal residence in the country where you apply for the visa if you are not a citizen. 

Costs: $30—$50, depending on where you apply.

When you arrive in Thailand, you need to provide your passport with the approved visa attached (if you applied at an embassy), a confirmation letter of visa approval (if you applied online), a confirmed exit flight from the country, confirmed accommodation, and a financial statement or bank statement showing funds available.

If you want to extend your 60-day stay, visit a local Thai Immigration Office before your tourist visa expires.

You must pay 1900 Thai Baht in cash when applying for the extension. Thai Immigration offices are not open on weekends.

Are border runs still an option?

The Thai immigration law limits the 30-day Visa Entries to 2 border runs per year. 

If your nationality is on the Visa Exemption List and you are entering Thailand via border posts at Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Malaysia without securing a prior visa, the border control will give you a 30-day visa exemption stamp two times per calendar year, from January 1 to December 31. That means you can enjoy three total stays a year, each is 30-days long. 

The multiple-entry tourist visa

This visa is valid for six months and allows you to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days at a time.

You can extend your stay for an additional 30 days at an immigration office for a fee of 1,900 THB.

The METV costs $200, and you can only apply outside Thailand. It’s a good option if you travel frequently and want flexibility. However, it’s more expensive than the Single Entry Tourist Visa.

Retirement visa O-A

The Non-Immigrant “O-A” Visa is specifically for retirees aged 50 years and above who wish to live in Thailand long term.

Eligibility:  You must be at least 50 years old, have proof of retirement or pension income of at least 65,000 THB (approximately $2,050) per month, or have a bank account in Thailand with a minimum balance of 800,000 THB (about $25,200), or a combination of both.

Application process:  You must apply at a Thai embassy or consulate outside of Thailand or the Thai Immigration Bureau within the country. Required documents may include a valid passport, proof of retirement or pension income, bank statements, and other supporting documents.

Length of stay:  A retirement visa allows you to stay in Thailand for one year, with the option of renewing for an additional one-year period. After that, you have to re-apply.

Reporting requirements:  Retirement visa holders are required to report their residential address to the Thai Immigration Bureau every 90 days and to update their financial status every year.

Retirement Visa (O-X) for 10 years in Thailand

Purpose:  This visa is for people aged 50 and above who want to stay in Thailand for up to 10 years without working. 

Eligibility:  You must be at least 50 years old, have a passport from eligible countries, such as Japan, Australia, USA, Canada, etc., and apply at the Thai Embassy or Consulate in your home country. You must have no criminal record, no prohibitive diseases, and not be prohibited from entering Thailand. You need to have either 3 million bahts in a Thai bank or 1.8 million bahts in a Thai bank and an annual income of at least 1.2 million bahts. You also need Thai health insurance coverage for outpatient treatment of at least 40,000 bahts and inpatient treatment of at least 400,000 bahts.

Validity:  The visa is valid for five years from the date of issue and can be extended for another five years at the Immigration Bureau. After that, you have to re-apply.

Period of stay:  You can stay in Thailand for up to 5 years at a time, for ten years.

Required documents:  A valid passport, completed visa application forms with photos, a bank statement or proof of income, a letter of verification of no criminal record, a medical certificate, and health insurance.

Health insurance for A-O and A-X visas

When you come to your local immigration office to apply for a retirement extension, you must have a health insurance policy from an approved Thai insurance provider. The approved providers are LMG, The Viriyah, Pacific Cross, Falcon, Thaivivat, AXA Insurance Thailand, Navakij, Dhipaya, Asia Insurance, Aetna and Sompo Insurance.

Your policy must cover a minimum of 40,000 Baht outpatient and 400,000 Baht inpatient costs.

The Thai Elite Visa

This visa is the best way to avoid lengthy bureaucracy and paperwork. You will only need to send the required documents and then turn up in person when the visa is issued at the Thai Embassy abroad, at Suvarnabhumi Airport, or at the Bangkok immigration office, whichever is more convenient for you. In short, you pay a required fee (a membership fee), and an elite visa agent will do everything needed to obtain this visa. 

Required documents : a copy of the profile page of your passport, a coloured ID photo with white background, a completed Thai Elite Visa application form, and a copy of proof of relationship for any family member applying with you.

The application process : Through a specialized agent. The application process takes 4 to 12 weeks.

Here are the costs and benefits of various Elite Visa packages:

Elite Easy Access : Valid for five years, costs 600,000 Thai baht with no annual fee, and no age restrictions.

Elite Family Excursion : minimum two persons, valid for five years, costs 800,000 Thai baht for two people and 300,000 Thai baht for every additional family member. No annual fee.

Elite Family Alternative: valid for five years and renewable for another five years, costs 800,000 Thai baht for the main applicant and 700,000 Thai baht for every additional family member. No annual fee.

Elite Privilege Access : valid for five years and renewable for another five years, costs 1,000,000 Thai baht with no annual fee. For an additional family member, there is a fee of 800,000 Thai baht.

Elite Superiority Extension : valid for five years and renewable three times each time for another five years, costs 1 million Thai baht. No annual fee.

Elite Ultimate Privilege : valid for five years and renewable three times each time for another five years, costs 2.14 million Thai baht. Annual fee of 21,400 Thai baht. Members must be over 20 years old. Plus, some very attractive complimentary services are thrown into this package.

Elite Family Premium : available only for family members of Elite Ultimate Privilege members, valid for five years and renewable three times each time for another five years, costs 1 million Thai baht with an annual fee of 10,000 Thai baht.

The Elite Visa summary

Length of stay:  The Thai Elite Visa holder can stay in the country for up to 1 year on each visit.

Validity : The Elite Visa is a five-year multiple-entry visa with a one-year extendable length of stay per entry.

• The Thai Elite Visa financial requirement (membership fee) is non-refundable.
• The visa doesn’t need to be renewed every year.
• You don’t have to pay income taxes in Thailand as a Thai Elite Visa holder, and you can own condominiums or obtain a long-term lease on the land to build a house.
• A 90-day address reporting requirement can be done on your behalf. 
• Buying healthcare insurance is not a requirement.

Privileges and benefits: the more expensive the package is, the more benefits and privileges you can enjoy, including free access to airport lounges, airport transfers, golf and spa access, complimentary health check-ups, etc.

The long-term resident visa (LTRV)

The Long-Term Resident Visa is only available to four categories of wealthy foreigners: Wealthy Global Citizens, Wealthy Retirees, Work From Thailand Professionals, and Highly Skilled Professionals.

Wealthy Global Citizens must have at least $1,000,000 USD in assets, a personal annual income of at least $80,000 USD in the last 2 years, and make an investment of at least $500,000 USD in Thai Government bonds, foreign direct investments, or Thai property.

Wealthy Pensioners must be over 50 years old and have an annual or stable income exceeding $80,000 USD. If the pensioner earns less than $80,000 USD per year, they must invest $250,000 USD in Thai Government bonds, foreign direct investments, or Thai property.

Work From Thailand Professionals must have a minimum personal income of $80,000 USD per year in the past two years or a master’s degree or above, own intellectual property, or receive Series A funding. They must also work for a public company on a stock market or a private company in operation for at least three years with a combined revenue of at least $150 million USD in the last three years.

Highly Skilled Professionals must have a minimum personal income of $80,000 USD per year in the past two years or a master’s degree or above in science and technology or special expertise relevant to the job assignment in Thailand. They must also work for businesses in any targeted industries, higher education institutions, research institutions, specialized training institutions, or Thai Government agencies.

Family members of LTR Visa holders, including spouses and children under 20 years of age, can also be granted similar visas.

Health insurance is required for all categories of LTR Visa holders, with a minimum coverage of $50,000 USD or a deposit of at least $100,000 USD.

Education visa

If the visas mentioned above don’t tick the boxes, another alternative is an Education Visa.  

Purpose:  With this visa, you can study Thai, martial arts, Buddhism, massage, yoga, Thai cooking or any other discipline in Thailand.

Eligibility : courses must be booked in a school or organization accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Application : You have to apply from outside of Thailand. If you are already in Thailand, you can apply from any neighbouring country once you book the course and receive the confirmation.

Validity : The visa is valid for 90 days

Period of stay:  The initial 90-day visa can be extended to 8 months. If you enrol in a longer course, you must apply for a new ED Visa after eight months to finish the course. 

Required documents : passport valid for at least six months, a completed visa application form, 4cm x 6cm photo taken in the last six months, letter of acceptance from the school, if you are taking a private course, an official letter from the Ministry of Education of Thailand that was mentioned above. Your school will provide a complete list of required documents. There may be other documents. Your school will consult you on this. 

90-day reporting requirement

Holders of Non-Immigrant visas, as a rule, must report their current address to a Thai immigration office every 90 days. This can be done in person at the Thai immigration office, by mail, or through an agent with a Power of Attorney.

If you are outside Thailand on the date your 90-day reporting is due, you do not need to report your status. Your 90-day reporting will begin again from the day you re-enter Thailand.

Other visa options

If you’re married to a Thai national, you can apply for a Marriage Visa . You first need to obtain a non-immigrant visa and then convert it to a Marriage Visa that allows you to stay in Thailand for the whole year without leaving the kingdom or going to the border.

If you want to do business legally in Thailand, you can apply for a Business Visa , also known as a Non-Immigrant Business Visa. With this visa, you can get a work permit and open a bank account, but you’ll still need to do a visa run every 90 days.

Converting your existing visa to a Permanent Resident Visa

Finally, if you’ve been in Thailand for three consecutive years with one-year visa extensions, you can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa. 

There are income requirements. You must present your three years of personal tax statements proving that your monthly income is at least 80,000 Baht.

What’s there for digital nomads?

The main issue with the above options is that nothing caters explicitly to digital nomads. Meanwhile, there’s a big community of digital nomads in the country who usually use a combination of tourist visas and frequent border runs, ED visas or other suitable options from the list.

Re-entry permits for single-entry visa holders

The majority of the affordable options are single-entry visas. If this is your case and you must travel out of Thailand and return during your stay, get a re-entry permit before leaving the country. The permit can be bought at the airport or an immigration office. Currently, the fees are 1,000 Baht for a single re-entry, and 3,800 Baht for a multiple re-entry permit.

Final thoughts on visa and residency options in Thailand

As you can see, the visas available are more geared towards people who want to study, work, or retire in Thailand.

If you plan to retire, there are some solid options residence-wise, with an O-A visa being the most affordable variant. That being said, there are some options available for digital nomads, although the affordable ones only allow for short-term stays and require you to leave the country frequently.

So, if you’re a digital nomad looking to stay in Thailand for a while, you’ll need to do some research and figure out which visa works best for you. It’s not a perfect system, but with a little planning, you can make it work.

You might find useful:

• The Cost Of Living In Thailand – a complete guide
• Best Places To Live In Thailand
• Moving To Thailand Guide
• Best Places To Retire In Thailand
• Didn’t find what you were looking for? Comment with your question, and we will do our best to help.
• Need help relocating to Thailand? Contact us .

Hi Olga, my wife and I have been living on north Cyprus for fifteen years, and have decided to move on, Thailand being one of the places we are interested in.

We are both retired, receiving UK state pensions, and my military pension. We also have some savings.

In short, what would be the best visa, health insurance, to allow us to stay for – could be the rest of our lives? And, can all this be done online, or best to get in country to sort things out?

Regards, Malcolm.

Hi Malcolm, thanks for the comment. Has North Cyrus become a bit too small for you? I lived there for a while and have very sweet memories of the place… Regarding Thailand, the best visa option for you is any subcategory of the retirement visa. Probably, committing to the O-X visa at once is not very wise unless you are absolutely sure that Thailand is your destination. You might want to opt for O-A first. If you want to apply for a retirement visa (let’s say O-A) you can do so in South Cyprus in Nicosia – there’s a Thai Consulate. It might be worth giving them a call and having a chat about the exact list of documents they want. Another options (the easiest) is to enter Thailand as tourists and sort everything out in the country. You will need some help for this. You can find services there to help you, or I can put you in touch with a relocation advisory who has an advisor in Thailand who can organise everything for you from legalities to helping with housing, health insurance, advice on the areas, etc. Let me know if you are interested. Wishing you all the best,

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Your Name *

Your E-mail *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Submit Comment

6 Best Neighborhoods To Live In Pattaya, Thailand

Moving To Thailand: Expat Guide 2024

Top 10 Best Places to Live in Thailand

Best Places To Retire In Thailand: Expat Guide

Cost Of Living In Thailand: Expat Guide

10 Best Neighborhoods To Live In Bangkok

Residency & citizenship by investment, information request.

If you would like more information about getting residency or citizenship via investment please contact us.

• All Articles
• Travel Stories
• Travel Tips
• North America
• Central America
• South America
• Middle East
• Job & Career Resources
• Personal Finance & Budget
• Retirement, Retiring Early, & Semi-Retirement
• Living Abroad & Long-Term Travel
• Digital Nomad Lifestyle
• Adventure Travel
• Pop Culture Travel
• Foodie Travel
• Responsible & Sustainable Travel
• Luxury Travel
• Solo Travel
• Student Travel
• Couples, Family & Group Travel

Thailand Visa Guide: Digital Nomad, Semi-Retired & More

By: Nahla ElKazak / Sarah Stone

Thailand draws us in with its gorgeous beaches, bustling cities, exciting jungles, historic landmarks, delicious food, amazing people…the list goes on. And its foreigner-friendly visa application procedures make it easy to understand why Thailand is at the top of so many expats’ lists. If you’re planning a short stay, a longer visit, or even to live and work—or retire—in Thailand, this guide is here to help.

Read on to learn more about different types of residences in Thailand for long-term travelers, digital nomads, semi-retired travelers and retirees, and more! Be sure to use the table of contents above if you’d like to skip around to different visa types.

Photo by Miro Alt

Tourism and Temporary Residence in Thailand

Thailand has worked hard to position the country as an attractive destination for foreign investors, entrepreneurs, and highly skilled foreigners. The government has therefore introduced new residence visa schemes with the goal to attract more talented people into Thailand—and not just tourists.

Thailand has a relatively large pool of visa options. Thailand visa holders are classified into four broad categories: Tourist Visa , Privilege Entry (Elite) Visa , SMART Visa , and non-immigrant visas . Let’s look at each of these categories in detail.

Thailand Tourist Visa Options

Thailand tourist visa exempt entry.

US nationals and those of some other countries are not required to obtain a tourist visa before you arrive in Thailand, depending on how long you’re staying. If you’re a US Citizen, then you can travel in Thailand for up to 30 days without a pre-approved tourist visa. You’ll also need your passport (valid at least six months after arrival in-country) and an airline ticket showing that you will be leaving the country before your 30 days are up.

Extending Your Stay While In Thailand

When you enter Thailand, you’re allowed an initial stay of 30 days. If you are already in Thailand on your 30-day stay but you’d like to remain in the country a bit longer, you can extend for an extra 30 days for 1,900 Baht at the Thai Immigration Bureau Office.

Thailand Tourist Visa

If you know you’d like to stay in Thailand for longer than 30 days before you arrive in-country, you can apply for a tourist visa , which allows an initial stay of up to 60 days. If you wish to extend your stay for more than that, you have to convert your tourist status to non-immigrant status. You can apply for this visa at the Thai Embassy or at a Thai Consulate in the United States before traveling.

Once you’re in Thailand, you may have the opportunity to extend your stay for an additional 30 days, for a fee of 1,900 Baht. As with the visa-exempt entry option, you’ll need a valid passport that won’t expire for at least six months after in-country arrival, and an airline ticket showing return or onward travel.

Thailand Special Tourist Visa

The Thai Special Tourist Visa was offered to help stimulate the country’s tourism industry during COVID. This was a long-stay visa, and as of September 2022, is no longer offered as COVID travel restrictions to Thailand have been lifted.

Thailand COVID Travel Requirements

As of October 1, 2022, Thailand has lifted its COVID travel restrictions . You don’t need to show proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter, and you don’t have to stay in the sandbox. Of course we recommend exercising reasonable caution during travel to any destination and being respectful of your fellow humans.

Photo by Thunyarat Klaiklang

Thailand SMART Visa

The Thailand SMART Visa program was introduced in 2018 to attract highly-skilled workers and investors working in specific industries . The SMART Visa holder is granted up to four years in residence and a work permit exemption.

This is different from the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa in that the SMART Visa has different application procedures and allows you to stay in Thailand for up to four years, while the new Digital Nomad Visa allows you to stay up to 10 years with different requirements.

Thailand SMART Visa Categories

The Thailand SMART Visa program includes five categories:

• Startup entrepreneur
• Spouse and legitimate children of SMART Visa holders

We’ll look at the individual requirements for applying to Thailand’s SMART Visa program, but in general, you’ll need to put together some application materials for any category, including:

• The appropriate visa application for the SMART Visa category for which you’re applying
• A copy of your passport
• A notarized and clear criminal record issued by the police authorities in your country
• A medical certificate declaring that you have no prohibitive diseases outlined by the Thai government—the certificate must be notarized and the issuance date has to be no longer than three months prior to application
• Depending on the visa, copies of your academic certificates and anything else that proves your expertise in your field—this can be recommendations, publications, or research projects and awards
• Proof of previous employment (if applicable)
• If you’re not submitting the application yourself, then you’ll need to include a power of attorney

Let’s take a closer look at the SMART Visa Categories.

Thailand SMART T (Talent) Visa

The Thailand SMART Talent Visa is for high-level professionals in specific industries related to science and technology. This is a maximum four-year renewable visa, and no re-entry permit is required. Your spouse and children are also granted permission to stay as long as you’re in Thailand, and your spouse can work with no prior permit required. Your 90-day reporting to Immigration is extended to one year on this visa, and as a bonus, you can fast-track service at certain international airports in Thailand.

You must meet the following criteria to receive a Thailand SMART Talent Visa:

• You have to have a minimum income of no less than 100,000 Baht/month. If you’re an expert with an employment contract with a startup, or if you’re a retired expert with an endorsement from a relevant organization, your income must be no less than 50,000 Baht/month.
• An employment or service contract with a Thai entity that works in one of the country’s targeted industries . The contract must be valid for at least an additional year from the date of your application.

You can find the detailed requirements for the SMART Talent visa here .

You can also find the complete list of documents required for the talent visa here .

Thailand SMART I (Investor) Visa

The Thailand SMART Investor visa is for investors who are willing to invest in the targeted industries in Thailand. This is a maximum four-year renewable visa, and no re-entry permit is required. Your spouse and children are also granted permission to stay as long as you’re in Thailand, and your spouse can work with no prior permit required. Your 90-day reporting to Immigration is extended to one year on this visa, and as a bonus, you can fast-track service at certain international airports in Thailand.

You must meet the following criteria to receive a Thailand SMART Investment Visa:

• Direct investment in a Thai company, either individually or via VC, for at least 20 million Baht
• Direct investment in a company endorsed by relevant Thai agencies as an incubator or accelerator, for at least 5 million Baht

You can find detailed requirements for the SMART investor visa here .

You can also find the complete list of documents required for the investor visa here .

Thailand SMART E (Executive) Visa

The SMART Executive visa is for foreigners who are executives in technology-based companies in one or more of Thailand’s targeted industries . This is a maximum four-year renewable visa, and no re-entry permit is required. Your spouse and children are also granted permission to stay as long as you’re in Thailand, and your spouse can work with no prior permit required. Your 90-day reporting to Immigration is extended to one year on this visa, and as a bonus, you can fast-track service at certain international airports in Thailand.

To qualify, you need to:

• Have a minimum income of at least 200,000 Baht/month
• Hold a Bachelor’s or higher with a minimum of 10-year work experience in relevant field
• Hold a senior management role within your organization
• Have an employment or service contract with a Thai entity that works in one of the country’s targeted industries . The contract must be valid for at least an additional year from the date of your application.

You can find the detailed requirements for the SMART Executive visa here .

The complete list of documents for the executive visa can be found here .

Thailand SMART S (Startup) Visa

The Thailand Startup Visa is for foreign entrepreneurs who want to start a business in Thailand’s targeted industries . This is a maximum two-year renewable visa, and no re-entry permit is required. Your spouse and children are also granted permission to stay as long as you’re in Thailand, and your spouse can work with no prior permit required. Your 90-day reporting to Immigration is extended to one year on this visa, and as a bonus, you can fast-track service at certain international airports in Thailand. If you change your job while working in Thailand under this visa, you’ll need to report additional endorsements from a qualifying entity.

To qualify for a SMART Startup Visa, you have to:

• Establish a startup in Thailand certified as a targeted industry by the government
• Hold a minimum of 25% of the company’s capital, or hold the director position of that company
• Deposit at least 600,000 Baht in a Thai bank—and you must have held that bank account for at least three months prior to deposit
• If you’re bringing a spouse or children, you’ll need to make an additional deposit of at least 180,000 Baht per person in a Thai bank account that you’ve held for at least three months prior to deposit
• Provide proof of health insurance that covers your entire stay for you and any accompanying family members

You can find more details about the Thailand SMART Startup visa here .

The complete list of documents for the startup visa can be found here .

Thailand SMART O (Other) Visa

The SMART Other Visa category is for the spouse and children of a SMART Visa holder. Under this category, you as the spouse of a SMART Visa holder can work in Thailand without a work permit. Similar in some ways to the other SMART Visa types, there’s no re-entry permit required, 90-day reporting to Immigration is extended to one year, and can there’s fast-track service at certain international airports in Thailand. As well, you and your children can stay and work in Thailand with no work permit needed by a Thai company. If your SMART Visa holder spouse happens to change their job, you’ll need to get additional endorsements from qualifying entities.

To qualify for a SMART Other Visa, you have to:

• Be a legal dependent of a SMART Visa holder type T, I, E, or S—in this case, both spouses and children qualify as dependents
• As the child of a SMART Visa holder, be under 20 years old (although there are exceptions for children of SMART “T” visa holders)
• For spouses and children of SMART “S” Visa holders specifically: Hold an amount of deposit by your SMART Visa sponsor of at least 180,000 Bahtper person to a Thai bank account  that has existed for at least three months prior to deposit
• For spouses and children of SMART “S” Visa holders specifically: Have proof of health insurance for the entire family that covers the period of your stay

You can find more details about the Thailand SMART “Other” Visa here .

The complete list of documents for the “Other” Visa can be found here .

Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom

Thailand Elite Visa

The Thailand Elite visa program is designed to attract global high-net-worth individuals who want to live in Thailand. As a Thailand Privilege Card member, you’ll be able to stay in-country as a resident, uninterrupted, for up to 5, 10, or 20 years depending on the program you sign up for. A few benefits you’ll get (depending on the membership you opt into) include:

• Options to upgrade to higher-level programs
• Immigration service and assistance with official needs like opening a bank account, obtaining a driver’s license, etc.
• Expedited immigration and passport control processing
• Airport lounge access
• VIP greeting and escort through airports
• Complimentary short-haul limo transfer 24 times per calendar year from international flights to your hotel or home (available only in certain locations)
• 10 t0 24 complimentary spa treatments per calendar year
• 10 to 24 complimentary 18-hole golf rounds per calendar year
• Complimentary annual hospital checkup

To qualify for the Thailand Elite Visa, you must have a foreign passport, have no overstay record in Thailand, have no record of imprisonment, have never declared bankruptcy, and have never been declared a person of unsound mind.

Thailand Elite Visa Packages and Costs

In this section, we will discuss the different packages the Thailand Elite Visa program offers.

Thailand 5-Year Elite Visa (Elite Easy Access)

In addition to the standard benefits of the Elite visa, this elite visa package gives you five years’ residency and an option to upgrade to the Elite Ultimate Privilege option; there’s no minimum age limit for this visa type. The Elite Easy Access visa costs 600,000 Baht, with no annual fee.

Thailand 5-Year Elite Visa for Families (Elite Family Excursion)

The Thailand Elite Family Excursion Visa is a five-year Elite Visa that allows you to add family members to it. This costs 800,000 Baht for two people total, with no annual fee—additional family members can be added for 300,000 Baht each.

Thailand 10-Year Elite Visa for Families (Elite Family Alternative)

The Thailand 10-year Elite Visa for families offers a five-year visa that is renewable for another five years. This costs the same as the Elite Family Excursion Visa for two people, though additional family members

Thailand Elite Privilege Access Visa

The Thailand Elite Privilege Visa offers you a 10-year residence (five years base with option to extend another five years) with more perks. It costs 1 million Baht with no annual fee, and you can add family members for an additional fee of 900,000 Baht per person.

Thailand Elite Superiority Extension Visa

The Thailand Elite Superiority Extension visa offers you a 20-year residence. It costs 1 million Baht with no annual fee.

Thailand Elite Ultimate Privilege Visa

The Elite Ultimate Privilege visa offers a 20-year residency with more extras, and members must be over 20 years old to apply. This visa costs 2.14 million Baht.

Thailand Elite Family Premium Visa

The Thailand Elite Family Premium Visa is available to family members of Elite Ultimate Privilege Visa holders. Benefits are the same as the Elite Ultimate Privilege Visa, and costs 1 million Baht with an annual fee of 10,000 Baht.

Thailand Elite Visa Application Process and Forms

Once you’ve decided which Thailand Elite Visa package is best for your interests, you’ll need to fill out and send the relevant visa application form along with a copy of your passport and a personal photo.

The process can take one to three months. Once you’ve passed the background check and your application has been approved, you’ll receive detailed bank transfer instructions. The amount you will transfer will depend on which Thailand Elite Visa package you’ve chosen. When the bank transfer is complete, you’ll receive your membership card and your visa details.

To apply for the Thailand Elite Visa program, you’ll need to send copies of the required documents to an authorized agent .

Photo by Florian Wehde on Unsplash

Thailand Digital Nomad Visa / Long Term Resident Visa

While Thailand has always been a paradise for digital nomads, the country has recently launched a Long Term Resident Visa aimed specifically for this demographic of travelers. But there are some restrictions.

In September 2022, Thailand announced a 10-year digital nomad / long term resident visa aimed at attracting highly-skilled foreigners who want to work remotely and live in the country. A bit different from the Thai  SMART Visa  and with much longer stay than a standard  Tourist Visa , the Digital Nomad Visa, or Long Term Resident Visa, exists to bring in remote workers of a certain skill type and income level.

A few benefits of this long-term digital nomad visa include:

• Validity for 10 years (five years at initial application with the option to extend for another five years)
• 90-day report extended to one-year report
• Multiple reentry permits
• Personal tax rate of 17%, compared to 35% for other foreign residents
• Tax emption for overseas income
• Ability to bring your spouse and dependents

Qualifications for the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa / Long Term Resident Visa

There are different restrictions for the Long Term Resident Visa, so we’ll break down the basics.

To qualify for a wealth-based visa, you must:

• Have an annual income of at least $80,000 for the past two years
• Have at least 1 million dollars in assets
• Invest at least $500,000 in Thailand
• Have health insurance coverage (which can include Social Security coverage) for at least $500,000, or a deposit of at least $100,000

If you’re retired and would like to live long-term in Thailand, this is a great option—to qualify, you’ll need:

• Have an annual income of at least $80,000 for the past two years when you apply
• If you aren’t employed currently or if you earn less than the above, then you’ll need to at least invest $250,000 in Thailand government bonds, investment, or property

If you’re a digital nomad who’s currently employed with a company not based in Thailand, you’ll need:

• An annual income of at least $80,000 for the past two years (though if you earn less than that, but more than $40,000 per year in the past two years, you’ll need a master’s degree or have Series A funding in a company where you own intellectual property)
• To work with a foreign company that either is publicly traded or that’s a private entity with at least $150 million combined revenue in the past three years
• At least five years’ relevant experience in your field, which can be retroactively applied to the past 10 years (for example, it’s ok if you’ve had a work gap over the past 10 years as long as you have a combined five years’ experience in your area during that time)

A little different from the more straightforward digital nomad on foreign employment, there’s another option where you can apply as a professional or expert in a specific industry, or work for an institute of higher education or research group within Thailand, or even be employed by the Thai government. In this case, you’ll need:

• If you’re not working for a Thailand government agency—annual income of at least $80,000 for the past two years (though if you earn less than that, but more than $40,000 per year in the past two years, you’ll need a master’s degree in a STEM field of special expertise related to your job)
• At least five years’ experience in your industry, unless you have a PhD within your field

Get updates about the digital nomad visa here , and  see some more details about the application process here .

Thailand Long-Stay Non-Immigrant Visas

Despite the SMART and Elite visa types being long-stay visas available for Thailand, they’re not categorized as non-immigrant visas. That is, the SMART visa is a category of its own, and the Elite visa is under the “Privilege Entry” category.

In this section, we will discuss Thailand’s regular non-immigrant visa schemes. The country’s most common non-immigrant visas fall into four categories:

• Business or work
• To join family in Thailand

Thailand Student Visa

If you plan to study or pursue an internship in Thailand, then you’ll need to obtain a Non-Immigrant Student Visa (NON-ED). This allows a 90-day stay in Thailand, and cost $80 for a single entry, or $200 for multiple entries, and you can apply to extend your stay. It usually takes a week or two to process this visa type. The application is relatively straightforward, and you can learn more about the Thailand Student Visa and application requirements here .

Thailand Business Visa (Employment)

Foreigners who enter Thailand with the intention to work—even as travel bloggers or freelancers—must obtain a work permit. This honestly is a bit of a gray area in that the Thai government didn’t consider online work while developing the rules around visas and work permits, and it can be expensive, time-consuming, and not really worth the red tape to obtain if you’re a self-employed online worker and only planning to stay a month or three.

We don’t explicitly advocate skirting the rules, so let’s talk about the Business Visa, and then how you can get a work permit from there.

To apply for a work permit in Thailand, you first need to apply for a Non-Immigrant Business Visa from your country of residence (you cannot apply for this visa type while in Thailand). Even a volunteer needs a Thai work permit. In addition to the B Visa, there also are Business Approved Visas (B-A) and Investment and Business Visas (IB)—but you’re more likely to need just the Business Visa (B).

You can apply for an initial 90-day Non-Immigrant B visa and choose the “Working” category. Your employer will have to submit an application on your behalf, though if you are a freelancer or otherwise self-employed, there are services that can help walk you through the process of getting a work permit on your own. There is a fair amount of paperwork involved here, and it can be a bit confusing to know what exactly you should submit if you’re a freelancer who’s never had to report things like shareholder lists, business tax information, and so on—so in the case of getting a Thailand Business Visa, you may want to check out services that specialize in navigating the bureaucracy.

With a Thailand Business Visa, you can stay up to 90 days, with the option to extend for one year from your first date of entry into Thailand.

Thailand Work Permit

After you’ve been issued the 90-day Non-Immigrant Business Visa for Thailand, you can start applying for a work permit, which takes about a week to process. If you’re employed by a company either outside of or within Thailand (and not applying as a freelancer or otherwise self-employed), both you and your employer must complete different parts of the application for a work permit. There are restrictions for employers within Thailand for applying for work permits—for example, the types of industries that are allowed (so as not to take jobs away from locals) as well as the number of employees they can get work permits for.

Your employer will need to submit information such as a shareholders list, application for VAT, financial statement, letter of employment with salary information, and more. As an employee, you’ll need to submit some basic information such as passport, signed letter of employment, and working address while in Thailand.

If you’re self-employed, it’s not quite as straightforward. There isn’t a freelancer option for Thailand work permits, and you don’t necessarily want to set up a Thai company, which can be prohibitively expensive (you need to employ at least four Thai citizens per foreigner, for example) and not worth the effort. Many digital nomads, remote workers, semi-retired travelers, and retirees opt to just carry out their work under the radar while in Thailand. You can read some stories and advice here to help figure out what you’d like to do as a digital nomad in Thailand.

As with the Non-Immigrant Business Visa, you may want to work with a service or legal firm that understands the ins and outs of work permit applications for Thailand so that you don’t miss any steps.

Thailand Retirement Visa

Thailand offers two visa options for retirees: a one-year retirement visa (Visa O-A) and a 10-year retirement visa (Visa O-X). Learn more about Thailand Retirement Visas here .

Thailand 1-Year Retirement Visa (NON O-A)

You can apply for a one-year Thailand Retirement Visa if you want to stay in Thailand for more than 180 days—it’s valid for one year, and you can renew annually. As with most other visa types, you must report your residential address every 90 days to your immigration office (by mail or in person) or have a service do this for you.

To be eligible for this visa type, you must:

• Be at least 50 years old as of your application date
• Meet certain financial requirements, such as a security deposit of 800,000 Baht to a Thai bank account, a monthly income of 65,000 Baht, or a combination of the two
• Have no criminal record anywhere
• Obtain Thai health insurance with an annual coverage of at least 40,000 Baht for outpatient treatment and 400,000 Baht for inpatient
• Be free of certain diseases
• Not have any type of employment while in Thailand on this visa

Thailand 10-Year Retirement Visa (NON O-X)

Thailand offers a 10-year retirement visa to nationals of select countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and others. This is a five-year visa with the option to extend an additional five years. To qualify, you must:

• Be from one of the approved countries
• Meet certain financial requirements, such as a security deposit of 3 million Baht to a Thai bank account, or an annual income of 1.2 million Baht
• Report to Thailand immigration each year

Thailand Family Visa (NON-O)

Thailand offers a non-immigrant Family Visa to parents, spouses, and children (under 20, unless unable to support themselves due to mental or physical needs) of Thai nationals or foreigners residing in Thailand. This is not extended to other relationships, such as siblings.

A single entry visa will grant you a three-month stay, while a multiple entry visa will be valid for one year—you can also apply for an extension. Learn more about the Family Visa, including required documents .

Photo by Olivier Darny

Thailand Permanent Residency

If you’re ready to make the lifelong move to Thailand, then Permanent Residency is an option. This opens you to a lot more options and freedoms within Thailand that you wouldn’t have as a non-immigrant visa holder. For example, you don’t have to get a visa extension, you can buy property and get work permits more easily, you can get a high-level position with a Thailand-based company, and more.

It can take about a year from application to approval, and only 100 Permanent Residence offers are given per year to each nationality—so the process can be very competitive.

Your basic qualifications for Thai Permanent Residency are that you must:

• Have spent three consecutive years in Thailand on a non-immigrant visa
• Have a valid work permit spanning three years’ minimum from the date of your application
• Earn 30,000 Baht per month if married to a Thai spouse for at least five years, or 80,000 Baht per month if single

You can apply for permanent residency under four categories:

• To qualify for Permanent Residency through investment, you must invest at least 3 million Baht into a Thai company
• You must have had a Thailand Work Visa and Work Permit for at least three years, have worked for your current company for at least one year and can show that you have an Extension of Stay based on your employment, and you must have a monthly salary of at least 80,000 Baht for the past two years, or an annual income of at least 100,000 Baht for the past two years
• You must be an immediate family member (parent, child, or spouse) of a Thai citizen
• To qualify for this option, you must hold a Bachelor’s degree or be employed in your current position for the past three years
• Other categories defined by Thailand Immigration

If you’re interested in citizenship, you’re eligible to apply after having lived as a Permanent Resident in Thailand for five consecutive years.

Thailand visa rules are constantly changing, so make sure to check with the Embassy of Thailand to understand the most current application requirements, costs, and eligibility rules. We will keep updating this post as well with new information!

About the Authors

Nahla ElKazak: Nahla is a freelance writer with a business background that comes from working in the IT industry for over 12 years. She has a BA in English Literature and writes about a variety of topics. When she’s not working on a project, she’s either reading, working out, or hanging out with good company. She often spends her out-of-town time hiking. You can follow her on Twitter and LinkedIn .

Sarah Stone: As the managing director of Frayed Passport, my goal is to help you build a lifestyle that lets you travel the world whenever you want and however long you want, and not worry about where your next paycheck will come from. I’ve been to 20+ countries and five continents, lived for years as a full-time digital nomad, and have worked completely remotely since 2013. If you would like to share your story with our community, or partner with Frayed Passport, get in touch with me at [email protected]!

Featured image via Unsplash .

Related posts:

• 10 Best Online Volunteer Opportunities: Smithsonian & More
• Thailand Tourist Visa: How to Apply and How to Extend Your Stay
• Portugal Digital Nomad Visa & Other Travel Visas: A Comprehensive Guide 
• Thailand SMART Visa: Requirements & How to Apply

This website is managed by Siam Legal International - a law firm in Thailand

Thailand Elite Visa

What is the best Thai Visa for someone wanting to stay long in Thailand? Is it the Thailand Privilege Visa (or Thailand Elite Visa), Thai Retirement Visa, Thailand Marriage Visa, Thailand LTR Visa or a Non-immigrant Business Visa? This featured article will offer a comprehensive look into the world of Thailand visas for foreigners wishing to live in Thailand.

The Thailand Elite Visa is a Privilege Entry Visa given to Thailand Privilege Card members. It is categorized as a long term tourist visa allowing residency in Thailand along with benefits for a period between 5, 10, or 15 years (with a 20-year package only available via invitation) depending on the chosen package in exchange for a membership fee. Thailand Privilege Visa program is managed by the Thailand Privilege Card Company Ltd under the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

• The Thailand Elite Visa is a 5-year renewable multiple-entry visa with an extendable 1-year length of stay per each entry.
• The Thailand Elite visa holder can have an uninterrupted stay in Thailand without the usual need to leave the country every 90 days as with the other visa types.
• The Elite Visa holder can utilize the privilege points to be represented by the Thailand Elite staff on the 90-day reporting as required by Thai Immigration.
• Thailand Elite card holders will receive expedited immigration formalities and passport control processing when arriving in Thailand

Thailand Elite Visa Qualifications

The applicant for the Elite visa program must have and maintain to have the following qualifications:

• Holder of a foreign passport
• Being allowed to stay in Thailand in accordance with the immigration laws, which means the applicant has no overstay record in Thailand
• No minimum age requirement for Thailand Elite Visa program. Applicants under 20 years of age must provide parental authorization during the application process.
• Not having been sentenced by a judgment to imprisonment in any country except for an offense committed to negligence
• Not having been adjudicated bankrupt
• Not having been declared as a person of unsound mind, incompetence, or quasi-incompetence

The application for the Thailand Elite Privilege Card membership and the Thai Elite Visa may take 1 to 3 months.

Thailand Elite Visa Cost

The Thailand Elite Visa cost is based on the membership program. There are different Thailand Elite membership programs available to obtain a Thailand Elite Visa, each varying in validity, benefits, and cost, as follows:

Thailand Privilege Visa: GOLD Package

• Membership program validity of 5 years
• Provides a 5-year multiple entry visa
• It costs 900,000 Thai Baht with no annual fee
• Provides 20 privilege points per year
• No age restriction; Elite members can apply at any age

Thailand Privilege Visa: PLATINUM Package

• Membership program validity of 10 years
• Provides a 5-year multiple entry visa, renewable for another 5 years
• It costs 1.5 million Thai baht with no annual fee (main applicant)
• It costs 1 million Thai baht with no annual fee for additional applicants
• Provides 35 privilege points per year
• No age restriction; members can apply at any age

Thailand Privilege Visa: DIAMOND Package

• Membership program validity of 15 years
• Provides a 5-year multiple entry visa, renewable for another 5 years twice through the 15-year membership duration
• It costs 2.5 million Thai Baht with no annual fee (main applicant)
• It costs 1.5 million Thai Baht with no annual fee (additional applicant)
• Provides 55 privilege points per year

Thailand Privilege Visa: RESERVE Package

• Membership program validity of 20 years or more
• Provides a 5-year multiple entry visa, renewable another 5 years thrice throughout the 20-year membership duration. After the 20 years is up, Thailand Elite members can apply for another 5-year visa
• It costs 5 million Thai Baht with no annual fee
• Provides 120 privilege points per year
• Only available to applicants via an invitation
• No age restriction; members can apply at any age provided they have the invitation

How to Apply for Thailand Elite Privilege Visa

1. application for thailand elite membership and background check.

You can apply for the Thailand Privilege Entry Visa program whether you are in Thailand or abroad. All you need to do is to send a soft copy of your passport and application form to an accredited Thailand Elite Privilege Visa agent.

Siam Legal is one of the authorized general sales and services agent of the Thailand Privilege program. They will work with the Thailand Privilege Head Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Immigration Bureau to do immigration and criminal background checks.

The entire process may take 1 month for most nationalities and up to 3 months for special countries, with 4 to 6 weeks for the background check.

2. Thailand Elite Membership Fee Payment

When the applicant has passed a background check and the application has been approved, the applicant will be instructed to transfer the membership fee. The membership fee ranges from 900,000 Thai baht to 2.5 million Thai baht depending on the membership package the applicant has applied for.

The payment for the membership fee can be made through a bank transfer or credit card payment. The applicant will have 30 days to make the payment.

3. Thailand Elite Membership Acceptance

After completing the payment or bank transfer, the applicant will receive the Membership ID and instructions on how to receive the visa within 5 to 10 working days upon successfully paying their membership fee.

4. Thailand Elite Visa Issuance

The Thailand Elite member can affix the Thailand Privilege visa at the local Thai embassy or consulate in his/her respective country once the membership ID has been received. If it is not convenient for the applicant to collect the visa from the Thai embassy, it is also possible for the Thailand Elite card holder to obtain the Thailand Privilege visa upon arrival in Thailand at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Chiang Mai Airport, or Phuket Airport with the help of an Elite Personal Assistant.

In case the Thailand Elite member is in Thailand, the Thailand Elite agent may arrange the visa issuance at the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok.

Free Consultation

Questions about Thailand Elite Visa?

Call us today at +66 80 005 9642

For General Thai Visa inquiry please call +66 84-021-9800

• I consent to having this website store my submitted information so they can respond to my inquiry. See our Privacy Policy .

Thailand Elite Visa Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Thailand Elite Visa?

The Thailand Elite Privilege Visa is a special visa introduced in 2003 by the Tourism Authority of Thailand that aims to attract affluent visitors, businessmen, investors, and expats to stay in Thailand long-term. It is a visa classified as a Privilege Entry Visa that is valid for 5 years with multiple entries without having to deal with so much paperwork or visits to the immigration office.

The Thai Elite Visa holder will be allowed to stay in the country for up to 1 year on each visit.

How long is the Thai Elite Visa application process?

The Thailand Elite membership program and Thailand Elite Privilege Visa application process may take a total of 1 to 3 months depending on the nationality of the applicant and in case of immigration or criminal record of the applicant. In terms of background checks, the whole process could last between 4 to 6 weeks.

Do any Thailand Elite application documents need a notary stamp or to be certified?

No. It is not required for the Thailand Elite Privilege Visa application forms and copy of passport to be notarized or to be certified. A scanned copy sent through email or photocopy of these documents is sufficient. The application form are also not required to be notarized when applying for the Elite membership.

What is the passport validity that is required for this Elite visa process?

You need to have at least 12 months remaining in the validity of your passport at the time of application. However, in case you have less than 5 years, the Thai Embassy or Immigration Bureau will affix the Thai Elite visa sticker based on the expiration date stated in your passport. The remaining validity of your Thai Elite visa will then be affixed to your new passport. It is also good to note that you need to have at least 3 blank pages in your passport.

Do I have to appear in person for the Thailand Elite application?

No, it is not required to personally appear during the Thai Elite membership application. You will be represented by a sales agent during the membership application. However, your presence is required during the issuance of the visa whether it is at the Thai Embassy abroad, at Suvarnabhumi airport, or at the Bangkok immigration office.

What are the required documents for application for the Thai Elite Visa?

The required documents for the application of the Thailand Elite membership are a copy of the profile page of your passport, a colored ID photo with a white background, a duly accomplished Thai Elite Visa application form, a signed PDPA form, and a copy of proof of relationship for any family member applying with the main applicant.

Is there an income requirement to apply for the Thai Elite visa?

There is no income requirement to apply for the Thailand Elite visa program. The applicant only needs to pay the membership fee which will range from 900,000 Thai baht to 2.5 million Thai baht. Although there is no income requirement, one of the requirements to qualify as a member is that the applicant has not been adjudicated bankrupt.

How does the Thai Elite visa differ from the Thai Retirement visa?

The Thai Elite Visa differs from the retirement visa in such a way that the financial requirement or membership fee is non-refundable. The financial requirement for a retirement visa is deposited in the visa holder’s bank account as his/her own savings. The retirement visa must be renewed every year whereas the Thai Elite visa does not need to be renewed every year. Both Thai Elite Visa and Retirement Visa require 90-day address reporting

Do I have to pay income taxes in Thailand as a Thai Elite visa holder?

The Thai Elite Visa is a privilege visa which falls under the special tourist visa or privilege entry category. The Thai Elite Visa holder does not need to pay income taxes especially when the income was derived abroad. There are instances where a Thai Elite Visa holder may voluntarily pay income tax in Thailand to obtain a tax ID.

Can Thai Elite Visa holders buy real estate in Thailand?

Just like other foreigners, Thai Elite Visa holders can own condominiums in their own name. If applicants wish to acquire land and build a house, they can obtain a long-term lease on the land (for up to 30 years). They will need to apply for a construction permit to build the house in their own name. This way applicants can own the house and have a secured long-term lease on the land.

Why choose Siam Legal as your Thailand Elite Visa Agent?

Siam Legal is the authorized General Sales and Services Agent (GSSA) for Thailand Privilege membership in Thailand. The firm provides the following services on top of the services provided by an Elite agent:

• 24/7 VIP phone number (priceless)
• 2 hours of legal consultation with our legal advisor (value 10,000 THB)
• 2 hours of immigration consultation (value 6,000 THB)
• Free Notary Public service (one document, one-time value 3,000 THB)
• Free Bank Account Opening Service (value 5,000 THB)

Siam Legal does not charge any fee to assist you.

Thailand Elite by Siam Legal

Your Thailand Elite Visa application will be handled by Siam Legal staff in Bangkok

Comparing Other Long-Term Thai Visas for Foreigners with Thailand Elite Visa

Here are other types of long term Thai visas available to foreigners who wish to live or move to Thailand:

Thai Retirement Visa

Benefits of the Thailand Retirement Visa

Having the Thai retirement visa delegates a lot of benefits to those choosing to apply for it. The retirement visa can offer the following perks:

• The retirement visa can be extended every year provided you meet the eligibility requirements. If your visa is about to expire by the end of the year, you need not worry and will only have to renew it to continue staying in Thailand.
• Holders of a Thailand Retirement Visa can stay in Thailand for an entire year uninterrupted. This means you do not need to fly home at one point during the year.
• Thai retirement visas also come with 5 year and 10 year options, as well as options that enable the visa holder to enter and exit the country multiple times within a year.

Advantages of having the Thailand Elite Visa over the Thailand Retirement Visa

The Thailand Elite Visa sometimes will seem more preferable to apply for over the Thailand Retirement Visa. This can be because of the following:

• The Thailand Elite Visa application can be completed entirely online. A representative on their behalf will instead be coordinating with Immigration Officers in Thailand on processing the application. Applying for this saves the time and hassle of having to book flights to Thailand or changing flights back home, and having to present yourself at the embassy. Applying for the Thailand retirement visa usually requires applicants to be stationed in Thailand for the entire process, especially if applying for the O-Retirement visa. This also includes extending the visa. While there are cases of applicants applying for and being approved for it overseas, the chances are much, much lower than if applying for it locally.
• Having insurance, while recommended, is completely optional for the Thailand Elite Visa. Some retirement visa options such as the O-A Retirement visa require health insurance, sometimes ones with a coverage of over 100,000 THB, the amount increasing yearly. Being obligated to purchase insurance on top of the visa can be an expensive endeavor for a lot of people.
• The Thailand Elite Program does not have any financial or medical certificate requirements or bank amount limits that need to be met to be considered for the program. Applicants applying for a Thai Retirement Visa must have 800,000 THB in savings within their bank account for the Non-Immigrant OA visa, while those apply for the Non-immigrant OX visa need 3 million baht. If they lack this amount in their bank accounts, then they need to meet the required monthly income amounts.
• A good benefit of having a Thai Elite Visa as opposed to a Retirement visa is its flexibility. With a Thai Elite Visa, the retiree can choose either a 5 year, 10 year, or even 15 years option. This helps the retiree live in Thailand long enough to decide whether this is the right location for them to retire in. Sometimes retirees will apply for a retirement visa in Thailand and then move over there only to realize after a couple of months that it’s not a right fit for them. This could pose problems for their retirement visa or make it so that the money they spent for it was such a waste.
• Visa holders of a Thai Retirement Visa also do not gain access to the VIP-level perks offered by the Thailand Elite Visa, such as easier 90-day reporting sessions and complimentary immigration fast tracking at airports.

Thai Marriage Visa

Benefits of the Thai Marriage Visa

For those considering the Thailand Marriage Visa , there are benefits involved:

• For one, the marriage visa is extendable every year, so you won’t need to be worried about not being able to continue it after its expiration date. Applying for an extension is also very convenient in the sense that you can apply for it entirely within Thai borders. The fact that you don’t need to leave Thailand can seem very enticing to any foreigner, especially given that it lets them save money on plane ticket costs and also time (traveling to another country is a long, tedious procedure that can take an entire day).
• Being a holder of a marriage visa also allows you to obtain a work permit in Thailand. This enables workers to be able to provide their services to benefit the Thai economy along with local businesses and startups. Having a work permit also provides many options for the visa holder with regards to money making opportunities.
• The marriage visa offers the holder a validity period of one year, but can be renewed annually while the holder is in Thailand. This allows the holder a chance to stay in the country uninterrupted without having to leave.

Advantages of having the Thai Elite Visa over the Thai Marriage Visa

In some cases, it’s preferable to apply for the Thai Elite Visa instead given the following benefits:

• When you apply for the Thailand Elite Visa, you only apply for one visa valid for 5 years. A Thailand marriage visa requires applicants to have applied for a non-immigrant O visa first. Then they will receive a 90-day visa and then you can apply for the marriage visa. The applicant will also need to apply for a re-entry permit. Being forced to complete multiple applications can feel time consuming and expensive to many.
• Both holders of a Thailand Elite Visa and holders of a Thai Marriage Visa will also be required to complete their 90-day reporting while residing in Thailand. Thai Elite Visa however grants holders support from Thai Elite Agents. Thailand Elite members can send their documentation to the agents who will report them on their behalf to the Immigration Officers. This is convenient for those who do not want to present themselves in person.
• Gather documents pertaining to the marriage certificate.
• Get said documentation stamped and verified at the embassy in Bangkok.
• Have the document translated into Thai and then taken to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Take the marriage certificate into an Amphur to obtain Kor Ror 22.
• Apply for the marriage visa.
• Applicants who apply for the Thailand Elite Visa, will not need to fulfill any financial or banking requirements. For the Thai Marriage Visa, applicants need to have at least around 400,000 THB within their savings account or alternatively, they require at least 40,000 THB per month to be transferred into their account on a monthly basis.
• Support in opening a Thai bank account.
• Support in acquiring a Thai driver’s license.
• Access to exclusive VIP lounges at airports.
• Immigration fast tracking via the fast tracking lane.

Thai Business visa

Benefits of the Thai Business Visa

The Thai Business Visa can be desirable based on the following perks:

• Being a holder of a Thai Business Visa comes with the complimentary add-on of being able to apply for a Thai work permit. This is perfect for foreign nationals who not only want the privilege of being able to experience Thailand, but also want to be able to work here.
• A Thai Business visa holder is able to open up a business within the country. This can be extremely enticing towards aspiring business owners.
• The cost to apply is very affordable. If interested, you can choose to pay 2,000 THB for a single-entry visa with 3-months worth of validity, or shell out 5,000 THB for a multiple-entry visa with a years’ worth of validity.
• Non-Immigrant B visa (Business): geared towards foreign nationals that want to apply for a work permit to either work in the country or establish businesses.
• Non-Immigrant B-A visa (Business Approved): geared towards foreign nationals looking to merely invest in or start a business in Thailand.
• Non-Immigrant IB visa (Investment and Business Visa): geared towards foreign nationals hired by the Board of Investments to work on investment related projects.
• Non-Immigrant B (Teaching) Visa: geared towards applicants looking to teach in Thailand.

Advantages of having the Thai Elite Visa over the Thai Business Visa

• Acquiring the Thai Elite Visa is cheaper and more stress-free. Acquiring a work permit as a business owner comes with tough requirements. Starting a business in Thailand is a very expensive venture and business owners will often need 2 million THB worth of capital invested in order to qualify for the work permit, along with having hired at least 4 staff members (all must be of Thai nationality).
• Having a job offer (if you want to work in Thailand).
• Having an investment (if you want to invest).
• Having an invitation entitling the applicant to set up a business venture within the country (if you want to conduct business here).
• Having a sponsorship from either a Thai Business Partner or entity.
• Assistance with the mandatory 90-day reporting.

Thai SMART Visa

Benefits of a thai smart visa.

The Thai SMART Visa comes with a list of benefits for those interested:

• Holders of a Thai SMART Visa will be permitted to only present themselves at immigration institutions for compulsory reporting once every year, rather than every 90-days.
• The Thai SMART Visa holder, their spouse and their children do not need a work permit in order to work in Thailand. This saves them time from submitting an application and having to carefully meet requirements.
• You do not need to apply for a Thai re-entry permit in order to gain access into the country everytime you leave.
• SMART Talent Visa (T) : available to science and technology experts earning 200,000 baht per month and employed by one of the ten targeted industries.
• SMART Investor Visa (I): available to investors who invest 20 million baht into companies using technology in their manufacturing process or deliver services. NOTE: These companies also must be in one of the ten targeted industries.
• SMART Executive Visa (E): available to senior managers with at least a Bachelor’s degree, ten years’ work experience, and earn a minimum of 200,000 baht per month. Senior managers must be employed by companies in one of the ten targeted industries.
• SMART Startup Visa (S): available to entrepreneurs looking to start a business in Thailand. To be eligible, you must deposit 600,000 baht in Thailand, have health insurance, and set up a company in one of the ten targeted industries within your first year.

Advantages of having the Thai Elite Visa over the Thai SMART Visa

• Applicants applying for a Thai Elite Visa can choose from a list of 5, 10, and even 15-year visas. SMART Visas are granted to applicants only for a maximum of 4 years (4 x 1-year extendable visas). After those 4 years are up, the visa holder will need to leave Thailand.
• There are no financial or employment requirements to apply for the Thai Elite Visa. To qualify for the SMART visa, depending on the option you’ve selected, you need to meet certain financial or employment requirements. For instance with SMART Visa Ts, you need at least 100,000 THB income per month (or at least 50,000 THB if you are working for a startup) and need to be a highly qualified professional.
• Access to exclusive VIP lounges at airport establishments,
• Assistance from a representative to open a Thai bank account.
• Assistance in acquiring a Thai driver’s license.
• Special immigration fast tracking at airports.
• Exclusive support for the mandatory 90-day reporting procedure.

Having a Thai visa is essentially your golden ticket into the Land of Smiles and a jumpstart to your Thailand experience. Out of all alternatives, the Thai Elite visa would be the most convenient and hassle-free option if you aspire to live in Thailand long-term. If you ever feel intrigued by the Thai Elite Visa and all the options available, feel free to consult one of our professionals to measure which visa package is best suited to your needs. We can receive any inquiries on the web form above or in the comment section below.

Other Thai Elite Visa Pages

For inquiries about your Thai visa options, please post your comments or questions below.

Related posts.

Thailand Marriage Visa

Thailand and China Set for Visa Waivers from March 1

How to Check the Status of Thailand Elite Application

How to get a Thailand Elite Visa 2024

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This form collects your name, email and content so that we can keep track of the comments placed on the website. By submitting this form, you accepted and agreed on our privacy policy and terms .

50 Comments

Hi Rex, if you are applying to have a Thai company/entity set up in order to conduct business but are not planning on living there (but will occasionally flying back forth) can the Thai Elite Visa be in place of a business visa?

If you will be a managing director of this Thai company, unfortunately a Thai Elite visa will not be issued to you until you remove yourself as director. Having a Thai business visa might be more suitable in your case in this occasion. However, if your part of the company does not require you to have a work permit or the participation in this Thai company is very minimal, you may apply for Thailand Elite visa for you to have a multiple entry long term visa in Thailand.

What are other requirements to get visa? And i’m looking 5 years visa and I have enought money to pay 1 person visa straight away! And i am private trader which means i have my own business and online clients? Can i get visa straight away if i have money to pay it?

Hello Helena,

Yes, you can apply for the Thailand Elite Visa for a 5-year stay for 900,000 Thai Baht (Gold Membership). If you have the funds ready, the process to get the visa typically takes 1-3 months once your application is submitted and all required documentation is in order.

Can I take care of all Elite Visa requirements without visiting a Thai Consulate in my home country (USA)? If this is not required, how then will I receive the official visa to be added to my passport?

I plan to live in Nan Province with my Thai wife once we return to Thailand in 2024. Does Nan Immigration recognize the Elite Visa?

Finally, after paying the fee for my Elite Visa, do I also need to maintain a special Thai bank account for the normally-expected THB 800,000 or is this not required under the terms of an Elite visa?

If you are not a holder of a Thai Elite Visa, you can contact me directly, and I will assist you with the application process.

For the official visa sticker, you have two options: you can either collect it at the Thai Embassy in the USA or upon your arrival in Thailand. This can be done at one of the three airports: Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi), Phuket, or Chiang Mai. To have a smooth process, please inform the Thai Privilege staff of your arrival date so they can guide you through the VIP lane and have the visa sticker prepared.

You don’t need to worry about your Thai bank account; once the payment is made, the process is completed.

I’m interested in the 10 year elite privilege access visa.

Q1. My Australian Passport will be expired in JUNE 2024, is it okay to apply the elite visa RIGHT NOW or should I RENEW my passport then apply it later?

Q2. DURING I AM STAYING in THAILAND as a tourist, can I apply the elite visa and get my visa sticker on my passport, OR should I apply it abroad, ie) in Australia?

Q3. When I pay for the elite visa, can I transfer the visa membership fee FROM MY THAI GF’S BANK ACCOUNT?

Q4. When I apply the elite visa, can I attend your office in person?

I’m looking forward to hearing you soon. Thanks so much.

I recommend renewing your passport before applying for an Elite Visa.

You can apply for an Elite Visa in Thailand or in Australia. If you are in Thailand, I can help you apply and you will get the sticker at the Immigration Office at Chaengwattana in Bangkok.

If you choose to use a different bank account to pay for your Elite Visa, please make sure that you include your full name and specify the purpose of the payment. Alternatively, you can use a credit card linked to your Australian bank account for payment.

Yes, you can come to the office to apply for the Elite Privilege Access visa.

Hello there –

What’s the difference between upgrading from Elite Easy Access to Elite Superiority Extension or Elite Ultimate Privilege?

Thank you for your interest in the Thai Elite Visa. Regarding your inquiry, there are some differences between Elite Superiority Extension and Elite Ultimate Privilege. Elite Ultimate Privilege cost is 1.4 million THB and you can add your family members (They will apply for Elite Family Premium package). There is an annual fee of around 20,000 THB for the Elite Ultimate Privilege. Elite Superiority Extension costs 400,000 THB, and cannot add family members and there is no airport limousine service.

Kind regards,

Is it ok for me to travel to Thailand with a Tourist Visa – (60days) 2-4x in a year?

If so, will I be allowed to extend per trip as well?

Dear Martz,

It is not a problem to do it 2x. However if you will do it 4x in a year, that will make immigration officer doubt that you are a genuine tourist. Thank you.

1. What are the perks I can get for Elite Easy Access, the 600K THB for 5 years.

2. Is there’s any hidden charges? 3. I’m from India can I apply for Elite Easy Access?

With Elite Easy Access, you will receive several perks, including airport services, access to the airport lounge, and up to 24 short-haul (50KM or 80KM) car services per year.

There are no hidden charges.

Yes, you can apply for Elite Easy Access. However, it will take 2-3 months to get approval.

Can I open up a Thai bank account easily if I have a Thai Elite Visa

Yes, Thailand Elite Visa holders can easily open a Thai bank account. Which Thailand Elite program are you interested in?

Is it legal to work on a Elite Visa as a digital nomad in Thailand? I’m registered abroad and also pay taxes there. No business with Thai people.

It is acceptable to be on Elite Visa and continue working for a company abroad. You cannot work for a Thai company nor deal with Thai clients. Thank you.

Does the Elite Family Excursion (minimum 2 persons) include my husband? We have no children, so can myself and my husband purchase this visa to come together?

Dear Holly,

Yes, the application has to be you and your husband. You can apply for the background check at the same time and you can get the visa sticker at anytime you wish after you have received the Welcome Letter. Thank you.

With 5 years Thailand Elite Visa, how many times can I leave and enter Thailand?

Good day. Regarding your inquiry, the 5-year visa sticker is valid for multiple entries. Technically, there is no limit on the number of times you can enter and exit Thailand within this 5-year period. Each entry will allow you to stay for a maximum of 1 to 2 years without the need to leave Thailand. Thank you.

Hello, I would like to apply for the Elitevisa but I have a 5 day overstay on my passport, can I still apply?

Dear Jodie,

Yes, it is possible to apply for the Elite Visa as long as the overstay has been cleared already and you have paid the overstay fine and left Thailand. You can apply for the Elite Visa while abroad or when you return to Thailand. Thank you.

Thanks a lot for sharing this article as I find it amazing and it has been very useful

I’m married a thai national can i a apply for the thai elite visa.

You are allowed to apply for a Thai Elite Visa if you are married to a Thai national. However, you cannot hold both a marriage visa and a Thai Elite Visa simultaneously; it’s a matter of choosing one or the other.

If you’re interested in applying for a Thai Elite Visa, you can complete the application form and provide scanned copies of your passport’s profile page (in color) along with a photograph of yourself against a white background.

Once it’s completed, you can send it over to us and we will send it over to Thailand Privilege on your behalf.

For the Thai Elite Visa, once obtained, do I automatically get permanent residence status in Thailand? If not, then what are the requirements?

Dear Peter,

Good day. No, the Thailand Elite Visa is a long stay tourist visa valid for 5 years allowing you to stay in Thailand for 365 days each time you enter Thailand within the duration of your visa. Thank you.

Thanks Rex for a very informative site! Will see you wonderful people as soon as Thailand open ! choke dee! 🙏

Dear Andreas, Thank you so much for your kind words. Have a good day.

Thanks for share the useful information about Thai Elite Visa.

You’re welcome. Have a great day.

My brother was deported from Thailand due to a minor drug offence and was banned for 2 years but that expires soon and he intends to move back to Thailand. He already has an elite visa so can he just arrive at the airport and enter on his elite visa or does he also need some other type of permission to re enter?

Dear Paul, If the Elite Visa has already been affixed in his passport, he may apply for the COE or Certificate of Entry to Thailand through this page : Thank you.

My wife and I are planning to use a Thai Elita Visa to come to Thailand and make it our home. Are we allowed to do some volunteer work such as helping the soi dogs and helping elderly people?

Rob and Cindy The Netherlands

Dear Rob, Yes, you will be allowed to do some charity work but please make sure that you cannot do some activities that requires a work permit. There is a fine line between charity work and volunteer work. I recommend for you not to get too involved in case too much involvement will require a work permit. Thank you.

Please give me a sugestion. If the expat is holding the Thailand Elite Visa and they would like to work in Thailand. What should they do for this matter? They have to cancel the Thailand Elite Visa along with benefits and apply for the Non Immigrant B visa and Work Permit? or they can still hold their Thailand Elite Visa and just apply for Work Permit?

Dear Natpapha, Good day. If the Thai Elite Visa holder would like to work in Thailand. There is no need to cancel the 5 year visa. He or she just need to leave Thailand, obtain a new Non Immigrant B visa and use it to enter Thailand. While in Thailand he or she can apply for a work permit. If this person wishes to stop working, he or she can leave Thailand and return to Thailand and use the remaining validity of the Thai Elite Visa. Thank you.

Morning Rex, I’m thinking to apply to the Elite Thai Visa, should I be able to enter in Thailand currently under this visa ?

Dear Jason, Good day. Yes, the Thai Elite Visa holder or members were added to the list of foreigners allowed to apply for the COE and permitted to enter Thailand. We will send you an email on how you can sign up for the membership. Thank you.

I am opening a Private School in Thailand. I have Thai business partners and investors in Private Limited company. Can performance requirements in contract require the civil courts to order me provided with a work permit Visa, during pandemic

I have a n “O”(retirement) visa issued in Thailand. Do I have to re- apply for a Certificate of Entry and an O-A visa in order to re-enter Thailand? Thank you

Dear Thomas, Good day. it depends on the location where you are flying from. If you are in the UK, there was a report that Non Immigrant O retirement was issued a certificate of entry. If you are in the US, it was strictly stated that they would only issue a certificate of entry to those with non-immigrant OA visa, so if you do not have it, you may have to apply for this Non immigrant OA visa. I recommend to check with the local Thai embassy in your city or country. Thank you.

Can we apply still for 1 Year non immigrant visa at the moment?

Dear Sutida, Yes, you can apply for the 1 year non immigrant B, O or OA visa from Thai embassy. You may check this page for the list of visas that you or the applicant may apply: https://www.thaiembassy.com/travel/can-you-enter-thailand-now-during-the-covid-19-crisis.php Thank you.

G’day mate.

What is the fastest period of time that a Thai Elite Visa could be issued?

Dear Tom, Good day. Thank you for your message. Regarding your inquiry, the fastest time to complete the membership application and the application of the of the Thai Elite Visa is 1 month. There are factors that you have to consider when applying for the membership for Thai Elite: the nationality, immigration record in Thailand for the past 3 years and the working hours of the Thai Embassy where the Thai Elite visa will be lodged. Have a good day.

Please advise the fees and waiting time to receive each of the following visa types: 1.) One Year Non-Immigrant Visa 2.) Business Visa 3.) Thai Elite Visa

My nationality is South African and I would be seeking employment with schools teaching English and Business English. Any other advice would be welcomed. Thank you.

Dear Mark, Good day. Regarding your inquiry, here are some of the information that you may need: 1. Thai Elite costs 500,000 THB and the processing time is 1 to 3 months. 2. Business Visa does not cost much but you need to have a Thai business partner to sponsor your application. 3. 1 Year non immigrant visa does not cost much but you need to be a condominium owner, have a Thai wife or perhaps a retiree. Based on your information, you may look for a job in Thailand and then you may apply for the Non Immigrant B visa for employment and also apply for the Certificate of Entry from the Thai Embassy in Pretoria. Thank you.

The Straits Times

• International
• Print Edition
• news with benefits
• SPH Rewards
• STClassifieds
• Berita Harian
• Hardwarezone
• Shin Min Daily News
• SRX Property
• Tamil Murasu
• The Business Times
• The New Paper
• Lianhe Zaobao
• Advertise with us

Thailand leads push for six-nation visa to lure moneyed tourists

BANGKOK – Thailand is steering an initiative for a joint visa programme with five other countries that together hosted about 70 million tourists in 2023, as Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin ramps up initiatives to attract more long-haul and high-spending travellers.

Mr Srettha – who has pledged to elevate Thailand’s status as a tourism hot spot into an aviation and logistics hub – has discussed the Schengen-type visa idea with his counterparts in Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar and Vietnam in recent months. The facility is meant to ensure seamless mobility for travellers among the six neighbouring countries.

The Schengen visa allows free travel around the border-free zone within Europe.

With most of the six countries’ leaders positively responding to the single-visa concept, tourism-reliant Thailand aims to generate more revenue per traveller and cushion its economy from headwinds such as sluggish exports and weak global demand that has hurt its manufacturing industry.

The six South-east Asian nations reported a combined 70 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2023, according to official data. Thailand and Malaysia accounted for more than half of the tally, generating about US$48 billion (S$65 billion) in tourism revenue.

The single-visa idea is the most ambitious among Mr Srettha’s line-up of tourism initiatives but targeted for the long term. The industry has served the country well, accounting for about 20 per cent of total jobs and making up about 12 per cent to the nation’s US$500 billion economy.

Barring the pandemic years, tourism has flourished and provided a cushion against a slump in manufacturing and exports, the traditional bulwarks of the economy.

The tourism industry is upbeat, with Ms Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, a former president of the Thai Hotels Association, saying “a common visa could entice long-haul travellers to make an easier decision”. The visa validity will need to be extended to 90 days from the usual 30-day period to make it attractive, she said. 

Mr Srettha’s administration has set a goal of attracting 80 million tourists by 2027. And since taking power about seven months ago, his government has signed a reciprocal visa waiver deal with China – Thailand’s largest market for tourists – and offered temporary visa waivers for travellers from India, Taiwan and Kazakhstan.

It is also mulling over a plan to open casinos inside large entertainment complexes and event-based tourism that will help the country generate more revenue.

If done right, the benefits of visa-free travel will not be confined to tourism alone, as ease of travel would be a boon for business travellers and trade, according to Mr Bill Barnett, managing director of hospitality and property consultancy C9 Hotelworks.

But a Schengen-type visa may be an uphill task given Asean’s poor track record in expediting multilateral policy framework and the group’s standing as a talk shop.

“Country by country seems to be the best way to do it,” Mr Barnett said. “Bilateral agreements, where governments are leading the way for this type of thing, make a lot of sense as they are looking outward and not inward.”

For a joint visa scheme, approvals have to be coordinated and the absence of standard immigration criteria among participating nations, unlike in the European Union, can pose challenges, according to Professor Thitinan Pongsudhirak from Chulalongkorn University’s political science faculty.

Asean as a grouping is a divided body with a poor immigration record, he said.

With Mr Srettha being neophyte in politics, he may lack the clout to push through the joint visa proposal, Prof Thitinan added.

“All the various things he’s been trying to do, I see it as picking low-hanging fruits and picking fruits off the ground,” Prof Thitinan said. “Sometimes, fruits on the ground are rotten.” BLOOMBERG

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards

Spin the wheel now

Benefits of visa exemption policy expected to benefit Thai tourism next year

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has revised down its inbound foreign tourists projection, expecting the total number of Chinese tourists travelling to Thailand throughout this year at 4 million, generating 257.5 billion baht in estimated revenue.

According to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, a total of 2,765,906 Chinese tourists visited the country from January 1 to October 29, the second highest after Malaysia. After the long Chinese National Day holiday earlier in October, an average of 8,000-9,000 Chinese tourists are arriving in Thailand daily.

According to Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, the president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), the total number of Chinese tourists this year is expected to be less than the TAT's latest revised down figure of 4 million, from its initial estimate of 5 million. ATTA predicts that the year will end with approximately 3.5 million Chinese tourists, an increase of 1 million from the first 10 months (January - October) when there were nearly 2.8 million Chinese tourists.

The association believes that the goal of attracting 4 million Chinese tourists to Thailand this year is achievable but unlikely, as attaining the target would mean 1.2 million tourists would have to come in the last two months. Also, the flighty frequency between Thailand and China has not returned to normal. The situation in November was yet to be determined, but conversations with Chinese tour operators suggest that November would be better than October, as Chinese travellers typically start their journeys to Thailand to escape the cold weather at home during this period, the association.

Sisdivachr emphasised the need for government support to strengthen tour companies selling package tours. Although Chinese tourists often book travel packages through tour companies and online travel agencies, they do not usually opt for organised group tours.

For a better recovery of Chinese tourism, the government should promote tour companies to make "series tours" more robust, Sisdivachr said, adding, this was essential because the market relied significantly on individual Chinese tourists, accounting for 90% of the total. Strengthening the tour companies would instil confidence and enable airlines to rely on these companies to fill their planes, he said.

Pushing the free-visa (third phase) policy, which included visa exemptions for travellers from China, Kazakhstan and Russia, the Cabinet recently approved visa exemption for Indian and Taiwanese tourists, too, for six months, starting from November 10 this year to May 10, 2024. Chinese and Kazakh tourists have been granted visa exemption from September 25 of this year to February 29, 2024. Visa exemption for Russian tourists was extended to a maximum of 90 days from November 1 of this year to April 30, 2024.

The association anticipates that these tourism stimulus measures will have a more significant impact next year. While the high season has started, an immediate sharp increase in the number of tourists is not possible. It would take some time, and effective marketing and public relations efforts by tour operators, both domestic and foreign are crucial, Sisdivachr said.

In the remaining two months of this year and the beginning of next year, Thailand is expected to be in the high season for foreign visitors from almost every country, including India and Taiwan. The ATTA sees the need for more flights to India to accommodate the demand from Indian travellers to Thailand. In the absence of high flight frequency and wider reach, the stimulus through the free visa policy would not be effective, the ATTA said.

Taiwan's market is already in continuing growth mode, and providing free visas should increase the influx of Taiwanese tourists to Thailand.

In the first 10 months of this year, Thailand welcomed 22 million foreign visitors, including 505,672 tourists in the past week (October 23 - October 29), averaging 72,239 foreign tourists per day. This generated revenue from foreign tourists' spending, totalling 927.55 billion baht. Malaysia sent the most number of tourists to Thailand in the past week with 75,079 visitors, followed by China with 58,923, India with 32,555, Russia with 27,870, and South Korea with 27,305 visitors.

Tourist data shows numbers on track to reach annual target, ministry says

Increase in arrivals from East Asia boosts Thai tourism numbers to over 14m

Thailand welcomes 11.8 million tourists this year, earns billions in revenue

TAT expects 30-35m foreign tourists in 2024, a full return to pre-Covid levels

With 19 million arrivals so far, Thailand on course to achieve 30m target

Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam: Could Southeast Asia be introducing a Schengen-style visa system?

Local reports in Thailand say a new Schengen-style visa system in Southeast Asia could boost tourism - and the wider economy.

Thailand is looking to boost tourism across Southeast Asia with a new visa scheme.

The Asian nation is advocating for a Schengen-style visa along with five neighbouring countries.

If the proposed system were to go ahead, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos could all become far more easily accessible from Thailand.

Local media reported this week that the Prime Minister of Thailand put forward the plan to improve the country’s chance of achieving its target of 80 million tourists a year by 2027.

What would a Schengen-style visa system look like in Southeast Asia?

Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is said to be pushing for the joint-visa programme, with the aim of attracting bigger-spending tourists from far flung countries.

Talks with leaders of the neighbouring nations are said to have gone well. The six countries were, in total, visited by some 70 million tourists last year, with Thailand and Malaysia playing host to the majority of that number.

Thailand is facing serious economic challenges amidst a faltering manufacturing sector and diminishing exports. Its popularity with travellers has been crucial for its survival, with the tourist industry making up about 12 per cent of its economy as well as accounting for around 20 per cent of jobs.

The other countries set to be included in the Schengen-style scheme would likely benefit from such a boost, too.

Currently, Europeans can visit Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption, with extensions only available at an extra cost and only in certain locations.

Likewise, Cambodia and Laos offer 30-day e-visas or visas on arrival, while Vietnam offers a 45-day stay visa-free and Malaysia offers 90 days. European tourists must apply online for a Myanmar 28-day tourist visa.

Regional travel experts say any new scheme should instead give 90-day-long visas, meaning that tourists would be able to spend more time in each country they choose to visit.

However, the actual implementation of the process might not be so clear cut.

In Southeast Asia, it may well be a slow process, with bilateral agreements taking time to thrash out in the often complicated political world.

• Paws and popcorn: Thai cinema goes pet-friendly
• Stunning beaches, history and world-class bars: The ultimate guide to Thailand's must-see sights

What other changes has Thailand made to international visa agreements?

This week, the Thai authorities revealed that they are planning to remove visa requirements with Australia. While no date has been set as yet, that agreement will likely strengthen the trade deals between two countries as well as boosting tourism.

In March, China and Thailand introduced a mutual, permanent visa-free entry system, meaning citizens can travel between the two countries for stays of up to 30 days. Since put in place, travel bookings have shot up from both nations.

That policy came following a similar implementation in November 2023, where Indian visitors can also travel to Thailand without applying for a visa. These positive moves could inspire more visa-focussed discussions in the near future.

It’s certainly working well for Thailand, which saw a significant increase in international tourists during the first quarter of 2024, welcoming over nine million people.

Chinese tourists - around 1.7 million - accounted for the largest number of visitors to Thailand, followed by travellers from Malaysia, Russia, South Korea and India.

You might also like

Thai New Year returns this month with water fights and parties

Cannabis: Thailand U-turns on legalisation after just 18 months

Thailand’s ‘floating train’ is a unique railway experience

Thailand Leads Push for Six-Nation Visa to Lure Moneyed Tourists

(Bloomberg) -- Thailand is steering an initiative for a joint-visa program with countries that together hosted about 70 million tourists last year as Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin ramps up initiatives to attract more long-haul and high-spending travelers. 

Srettha — who’s pledged to elevate Thailand’s status as a tourism hotspot into an aviation and logistics hub — has discussed the Schengen-type visa idea with his counterparts in Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar and Vietnam in recent months. The facility is meant to ensure seamless mobility for travelers among the six neighboring countries.

READ: Srettha Unveils Plans to Revive Thai Tourism, Build EV Hub

With most leaders positively responding to the single-visa concept, tourism-reliant Thailand aims to generate more revenue per traveler and cushion its economy from headwinds such as sluggish exports and weak global demand that’s hurt its manufacturing industry.

The six Southeast Asian nations reported a combined 70 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2023, according to official data . Thailand and Malaysia accounted for more than half of the tally, generating about $48 billion in tourism revenue.

The single-visa is the most-ambitious among Srettha’s lineup of tourism initiatives but targeted for the long-term. The industry has served the country well, accounting for about 20% of total jobs and making up about 12% to the nation’s $500 billion economy. Barring the pandemic years, tourism has flourished and provided a cushion against a slump in manufacturing and exports, the traditional bulwarks of the economy.

The tourism industry is upbeat, with Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, a former president of the Thai Hotels Association, saying “a common visa could entice long-haul travelers to make an easier decision.” The visa validity will need to be extended to 90 days from the usual 30-day period to make it attractive, she said. 

Srettha’s administration has set a goal of attracting 80 million tourists by 2027. And since taking power about seven months ago, his government has signed a reciprocal visa waiver deal with China — Thailand’s largest market for tourists — and offered temporary visa waivers for travelers from India, Taiwan and Kazakhstan. It’s also mulling a plan to open casinos inside large entertainment complexes and event-based tourism will help the country generate more revenue.

If done right, the benefits of visa-free travel won’t be confined to tourism alone as ease of travel would be a boon for business travelers and trade, according to Bill Barnett, managing director of hospitality and property consultancy C9 Hotelworks.

But a Schengen-type visa, which allows free travel around the border-free zone within Europe, may be an uphill task given Asean’s poor track record in expediting multilateral policy framework and the group’s standing as a talk shop.

“Country by country seems to be the best way to do it,” Barnett said. “Bilateral agreements, where governments are leading the way for this type of thing, make a lot of sense as they are looking outward and not inward.”

For a joint visa scheme, approvals have to be coordinated and the absence of standard immigration criteria among participating nations unlike the European Union can pose challenges, according to Thitinan Pongsudhirak, professor at Chulalongkorn University’s political science faculty. Asean, as a grouping is a divided body with a poor immigration record, he said.

With Srettha being neophyte in politics, he may lack the clout to push through the visa proposal, Thitinan said.

“All the various things he’s been trying to do, I see it as picking low-hanging fruits and picking fruits off the ground,” Thitinan said.“Sometimes fruits on the ground are rotten.”

Most Read from Bloomberg

• Trumpism Is Emptying Churches
• RBC Fires CFO Ahn After Probe Into Personal Relationship
• The Odds of $100 Oil Are Rising as Supply Shocks Convulse the Market
• Saudis Scale Back Ambition for $1.5 Trillion Desert Project Neom
• Turkey Joins NATO Allies in Suspending Europe Arms Treaty

©2024 Bloomberg L.P.

• The Star ePaper
• Subscriptions
• Manage Profile
• Change Password
• Manage Logins
• Manage Subscription
• Transaction History
• Manage Billing Info
• Manage For You
• Manage Bookmarks
• Package & Pricing

Thais favour trips to China for Songkran following visa waiver

Tuesday, 16 Apr 2024

Related News

Foreign arrivals in Thailand surpass 10-million mark this year; Malaysians second biggest visitors after China

Thailand now ranked second in food tourism but still behind frontrunner japan, according to international survey, thailand's democrat party deny they have strike a deal with former pm thaksin in joining govt coalition.

BANGKOK: KTC World Travel Service unveiled insights that during the Songkran festival, Thais have been increasingly travelling to China, particularly Guangzhou and Shanghai, following the introduction of Thai-Chinese visa waivers.

Moreover, total KTC credit card spending in the travel category increased by 15% in the first quarter of 2024, with the travel agent sector leading in spending growth.

Pattheera Anandchotiphatchara, Head of KTC World Travel Service and Airline Travel Marketing, “KTC” or Krungthai Card Public Company Limited, revealed that due to the visa exemption measures between Thailand and the People's Republic of China, there has been a notable increase in travel plans during the Songkran Festival, between April 12, 2024, and April 16, 2024.

Members have shown greater interest in travelling to destinations within the People's Republic of China through KTC World Travel Service.

The 5 main routes for which members have chosen to reserve airline tickets and purchase other travel service products are Hong Kong/ Taipei/ Guangzhou/ Shanghai, and Hanoi/ Seoul, respectively. This shift contrasts with the Songkran festival in 2023, where Taipei City, Hokkaido, and Fukuoka City were the top 3 destinations.

Meanwhile, KTC credit card total spending in the travel category increased by 15% in the first quarter of 2024 year-over-year. The travel category now holds second in the total credit card spending portfolio, following the insurance category.

Among the various spending categories, the travel agent, airline, and hotel categories hold the highest proportion of spending, respectively.

Simultaneously, KTC credit card spending abroad increased by 18% during the first quarter of 2024 year-over-year.

The travel routes with the highest spending were Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore, respectively.

Following the opening of the country, China has experienced significant spending growth and is now ranked among the top 10 countries with the highest spending. - The Nation/ANN

Tags / Keywords: Thailand , China , Songkran , visa , waiver

Found a mistake in this article?

Report it to us.

Thank you for your report!

An overwhelming platinum victory

Next in aseanplus news.

Trending in AseanPlus

Air pollutant index, highest api readings, select state and location to view the latest api reading.

• Select Location

Source: Department of Environment, Malaysia

Others Also Read

Best viewed on Chrome browsers.

We would love to keep you posted on the latest promotion. Kindly fill the form below

Thank you for downloading.

We hope you enjoy this feature!