So you’ve been to Thailand and fallen in love with the place. You decide you’re ready to make the move or just push out your departure from the Land of Smiles indefinitely. Then you’re hit with the very sobering question, what visa do I need to stay in Thailand long-term?

That’s when you do a Google search and find VisaThai and click to this article.

We’ll start with high level options and common obstacles.

  • Work Visa – need to be sponsored by a Thai company, if you are here on a tourist visa you might need to leave the country and come back in with a non-immigrant B visa, then you need to get a work permit
  • Student Visa – enroll in a school that can sponsor your non-immigrant ED visa, if you are here on a tourist visa you might need to leave the country and come back in with a non-immigrant ED visa
  • Volunteer Visa – need invitation from a Thai government agency or NGO, if you are here on a tourist visa you might need to leave the country and come back in with a non-immigrant O visa, then you need to get a work permit
  • SMART Visa – go to the BOI SMART Visa website for requirements
  • Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa – go to the BOI LTR Visa website for requirements
  • Elite Visa – if you have the money, this is the easiest way to go. Read details here.
  • Retirement Visa – age 50, proof of minimum THB400,000 in a Thai bank over 2 months prior to application OR proof of minimum THB80,000 in monthly income, if you are here on a tourist visa you might need to leave the country and come back in with a non-immigrant O visa
  • Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) – need to apply from outside of Thailand, go to the Thai e-visa website for details
  • Guardian Visa – one guardian visa per child holding a student visa, if you are here on a tourist visa you might need to leave the country and come back in with a non-immigrant O visa
  • Marriage Visa – marriage registered in Thailand to a Thai spouse, if you are here on a tourist visa you might need to leave the country and come back in with a non-immigrant O visa

There are many ways to make your dream of living in Thailand a reality. It simply requires proper planning so that you are not trying to do everything in a rush, which can be costly.

Do I need to hire a visa agent for my visa?

You do not need to hire a visa agent to apply for a visa in Thailand, however, it is highly recommended. As you would when choosing a doctor or a lawyer, put the time and effort into finding the right visa agent. A visa agent should have a track record of success and be able to answer all of your questions satisfactorily.

Ultimately, the decision to grant your visa comes down to the Immigration Officer, not the visa agent, but the visa agent can help you prepare all necessary documentation and accompany you to Immigration. While each visa has a list of basic requirements, the Immigration Officer handling your application may impose further requirements to process your application, according to their own discretion. Usually a visa agent will know what type of requirements the Immigration Officer may request and plan ahead for your convenience.

For assistance with your visa, please contact us:

Phone: +66 2 651 5449
Whatsapp: +66 89 929 6355
LINE: @visathai
Email: info@visathai.com