Types of Visas for Foreigners Residing in Thailand
Thailand offers several types of visas for foreigners who wish to reside in the country long-term. The type of visa required depends on the purpose of stay. Below are the main visa categories:
1. Non-Immigrant Visas (For Temporary Residence)
This category is suitable for foreigners who wish to stay in Thailand for specific purposes, such as work, retirement, study, or family-related matters.
1.1 Non-Immigrant O Visa (For Family, Retirement, or Volunteer Work)
• Suitable for:
• Spouses or children of Thai citizens
• Retirees who want to live in Thailand
• Foreigners engaged in volunteer work for non-profit organizations
• Required Documents:
• Passport valid for at least 6 months
• Visa application form (TM.7)
• Passport-sized photo (4x6 cm)
• Proof of financial stability (Bank account with a minimum of 800,000 THB for retirees)
• Proof of family relationship (for spouses or children of Thai nationals)
• Letter of certification from a non-profit organization (for volunteers)
1.2 Non-Immigrant B Visa (For Business and Work)
• Suitable for:
• Foreigners who want to work in Thailand
• Investors establishing a business in Thailand
• Required Documents:
• Passport valid for at least 6 months
• Visa application form
• Passport-sized photo (4x6 cm)
• Job offer letter from a Thai company
• Work Permit or approval from the Ministry of Labor
• Company registration certificate from the Department of Business Development
1.3 Non-Immigrant ED Visa (For Students or Training Programs)
• Suitable for:
• Students enrolling in Thai educational institutions
• Individuals attending training programs
• Required Documents:
• Passport
• Enrollment letter from an accredited institution
• Approval from the Ministry of Education (if required)
1.4 Non-Immigrant O-X Visa (10-Year Long-Stay Retirement Visa)
• Suitable for:
• Individuals aged 50 and above who wish to stay in Thailand long-term
• Key Requirements:
• Minimum bank deposit of 3 million THB in a Thai bank
• No criminal record
• Valid health insurance policy as required by Thai authorities
2. SMART Visa (For Investors, Experts, and Startups)
• Suitable for:
• Startup entrepreneurs
• Investors
• Foreign experts in technology and innovation sectors
• Types of SMART Visas:
• SMART T – Talented experts
• SMART I – Investors
• SMART E – Executives
• SMART S – Startup entrepreneurs
• Required Documents:
• Passport
• Approval certificate from the Board of Investment (BOI)
• Financial proof and business-related documents
3. Investment Visa (For Foreign Investors in Thailand)
• Suitable for:
• Foreigners investing at least 10 million THB in Thailand
• Required Documents:
• Passport
• Investment proof (property ownership, business investment agreements, etc.)
4. Thailand Elite Visa (For Long-Term Premium Residency)
• Suitable for:
• Foreigners who want long-term residence without the need for annual visa renewals
• Individuals seeking VIP privileges in Thailand
• Types of Elite Visas:
• Elite Easy Access (5 years) – Membership fee of approximately 600,000 THB
• Elite Ultimate Privilege (20 years) – Membership fee of approximately 2 million THB
• Required Documents:
• Passport
• Medical certificate
• Proof of payment for the membership fee
Summary
Visa Type Suitable For Duration Key Requirements
Non-O Visa Family, Retirement, Volunteer Work 1 year 800,000 THB deposit (retirement)
Non-B Visa Employment, Business 1 year Job offer or business registration
Non-ED Visa Students 1 year Enrollment in an accredited institution
Non-O-X Visa Long-term retirement (10 years) 5+5 years 3 million THB deposit
SMART Visa Investors, Experts 4 years Approval from BOI
Investment Visa Investors (10 million THB) 1 year Investment in property or business
Elite Visa Long-term premium residence 5-20 years Membership fee payment.