Last update:
- August 30, 2024
At LUMA, we strive to give access to the right information to our members. We try to be as updated as possible but might encounter some delays.
Please note this page is for informational purpose only. We strongly encourage you to double check with your respective embassy in your country of residence.
Whether you’re visiting Thailand for holiday, work, study or personal reasons, you’ll need a visa and there are a number of long stay visas in Thailand. In this Thai Visa handy guide, we break down which visas are issued for whom and what.
Thailand issues a visa on arrival for many international passports, which generally speaking allows you 30 to 60 days in The Kingdom, which is fine for short holidays or trips passing through.
Most other types of visas must be applied for and issued at a Thai Embassy or Consulate outside Thailand so that you already have it in your passport by the time you enter the country. It’s worth noting that consular officers reserve the right to refuse to give a visa and do not have to provide a reason nor refund for any fees paid. Also, the fee for each visa may be subject to change.
Furthermore, it’s worth checking on your own country’s government website for guidance about travel overseas.
TOURIST VISA
Tourist Visas are for visitors who want to spend more time in Thailand than a visa on arrival will allow, and are good for long holidays. Working on a Tourist Visa is not allowed in Thailand.
Duration of a Tourist Visa: Upon arrival, visitors with a Tourist Visa can stay for up to 60 days, with the option to apply to extend for a further 30 days at the Office of Immigration Bureau in Government Center B, Chaengwattana.
Price of a Tourist Visa: 1,000 baht
How to apply to a Tourist Visa
1. Apply Online
Go to Thai e-visa website (available for almost every country and nearly every type of visas for online application).
2. Apply at the Thai Consulate or Thai Embassy in your country of Residence (outside Thailand)
You’ll need to present:
• Passport or travel document that is valid for at least 6 months
• Completed visa application form
• A recent 4x6cm photograph
• Evidence of flight itinerary into and out of Thailand
• Evidence of adequate financial support (20,000 baht per person or 40,000 baht per family)
At present, 93 countries are under the Visa Exemption rule meaning passport holders of these countries can enter Thailand without a tourist visa. They will be granted a maximum of 60 days in Thailand when entering the country via an international airport or a land border check-point from bordering countries (and can be extended for another period not exceeding 30 days).
TRANSIT VISA
This type of visa is issued to applicants who are transiting through Thailand en route to their country of destination or participating in amateur sports activities in Thailand. Working in Thailand is not permitted with a Transit Visa.
Validity of a Transit Visa: 3 months
Duration of a Transit Visa: 30 days with the option to apply to extend for a further 30 days at the Office of Immigration Bureau.
Price of a Transit Visa: 800 baht
How to apply to a Transit Visa:
At the Thai consulate or embassy in your country of origin (or outside Thailand), you’ll need to present:
• Passport or travel document that is valid for at least 6 months
• Completed visa application form
• A recent 4x6cm photograph
• Evidence of flight itinerary into and out of Thailand
• Evidence of adequate financial support (20,000 baht per person or 40,000 baht per family)
• Visa of a third country in a passport or travel document
• Letter of invitation stating the application’s participation in sports activities in the Kingdom
NON-IMMIGRANT VISA
These long stay visas in Thailand are issued for a variety of purposes, all of which are designated in the individual letter code. Depending on the circumstances, applicant and category, the length of stay allowed by and validity period of the visa will vary, but usually covers at least one year, though Non-Immigrant Visa holders may be required to check in with Thai immigration every ninety days throughout their stay. All Non-Immigrant Visas must be applied for and are issued at Thai embassies or consulates outside Thailand.
Categories of Non-Immigrant Visa:
F (Official): For visitors performing official duties
B (Business): To carry out business or to be employed in Thailand
IB (Investment with Bureau of Investment): To make investments in businesses
ED (Education): To study in Thailand, take part in a study tour of government agencies, to participate in projects, seminars, conferences or courses by government agencies or international organisations, to participate in certain Buddhist activities (as approved by the government).
R (Religion): To perform missionary work or religious activities, with the approval of appropriate government agencies.
EX (Expert): To work as a specialist in a particular field.
RS (Research): To conduct scientific research, training or teaching in a research institute (with approval from the National Research Council of Thailand).
NON-IMMIGRANT VISA “O” – Highlights
This Thailand long stay visa is also issued for a number of reasons, and must be applied for at a Thai embassy or consulate outside Thailand. Depending on the purpose, the length of stay allowed may vary.
Reasons for applying for a Non-Immigrant Visa “O”:
• To stay with Thai family members
• To volunteer or work with social welfare organisations
• For former Thai citizens to stay in Thailand
• To receive medical treatment in Thailand
• To take part in a judicial process
• To retire in Thailand
• For family members of a foreigner residing in Thailand with a long-term visa
Retirement Long Stay Visas
NON-IMMIGRANT VISA “O-A”
The “O-A” is for foreign retirees to stay in Thailand for a year, without the intention of working.
Eligibility for OA Visa: Applicants must be aged 50 or over at the time of application
Length of stay for OA Visa: 1 year
Required Documents for OA Visa Application:
• Financial evidence showing monthly income of no less than 65,000 THB or having a current balance of 800,000 THB (bank statements, proof of earnings or any other proof).
• Certificate of criminal record clearance from the country of nationality or the country where the application is submitted.
• A medical certificate issued from the country where the application is submitted, showing no prohibitive diseases as indicated in the Ministerial Regulation No. 14 (B.E. 2535) – The certificate needs to be valid and issued not more than 3 months before application.
• A Health Insurance issued by a Thai or Foreign Insurer for general illnesses (including Covid-19), with an insured sum of no less than 100,000 USD or 3,000,000 THB.
Quick links:
o List of approved Thai Insurers by the Thai General Insurance Association (TGIA) for OA Visas
o The Foreign Insurance Certificate which needs to be completed, signed and stamped by the Insurer
NON-IMMIGRANT VISA “O-X”
Under a relatively new scheme, the Thai government allows nationals from 14 countries to take up a long stay in Thailand for up to 10 years. Applicants can apply for Non-Immigrant Visa “O-X” (Long Stay) at the Thai embassy or consulate in their own country or at the Immigration Bureau in Thailand.
Length of stay for OX Visa: 5 years per visa, up to 10 years
Price of OX Visa:10,000 baht
Required Documents for OX Visa Application:
• Financial evidence with a fixed deposit of no less than 3,000,000 THB or no less than 1,800,000 THB together with a monthly income of no less than 1,200,000 THB per year in a Thai bank located in Thailand
• Certificate of criminal record clearance from the country of nationality.
In case the applicant has a permanent residence in another country, such records are needed from both the country of nationality and country of permanent residence.
• A medical certificate issued from the country where the application was submitted, showing no prohibitive diseases as indicated in the Ministerial Regulation No. 14 (B.E. 2535) – The certificate needs to be valid and issued not more than 3 months before application.
• A Health Insurance issued by a Thai Insurer with Inpatient Benefits of no less than 400,000 THB and Outpatient Benefits of no less than 40,000 THB.
• Biography
Quick links:
o List of approved Thai Insurers by the Thai General Insurance Association (TGIA) for OX Visas
o The Foreign Insurance Certificate which needs to be completed, signed and stamped by the Insurer
DESTINATION THAILAND VISA (DTV VISA)
Required Documents for DTV Visa Application:
• Document indicating the current location
• Financial evidence: amount of no less than 500,000 THB, e.g. bank statements, sponsorship letter
Additional documents depending on the option chosen when applying:
1) Digital nomad/Freelance
An employment contract or employment certificate in their country or professional portfolio showcasing digital nomad, remote worker, foreign talent or freelancer status
2) Thai Soft Power Attending Thai language classes, Muay Thai Gym, etc.
Proof of confirmation to attend the activity or letter of appointment from hospital/medical center
3) Spouse and Children under 20 years old of DTV applicant
• DTV visa of the DTV holder
• Proof of relationship to the DTV visa holder, e.g. a copy of marriage certificate/birth certificate/certificate of adoption
LONG-TERM RESIDENT VISA (LTR VISA)
LTR visa targets 4 main segments being: Wealthy Global Citizen, Wealthy Pensioners, Work-from-Thailand Professionals, and Highly skilled Professionals.
Spouse and children of LTR visa holder can apply for dependent visa.
Price of LTR Visa: 50,000 baht
How to apply to a LTR Visa:
• Register with the BOI
• Documents required depend on the type of category stated above. In general, a health insurance with a minimum of 50,000 USD coverage is needed unless you can prove a sufficient deposit. Find more information on our dedicated Long Term Resident Visa (LTR) article.
DIPLOMATIC/OFFICIAL VISA
In some circumstances, and upon request by the appropriate sources, people with diplomatic passports may be granted visas in order to carry out diplomatic missions or related activities. These kinds of visas usually require particular documentation supplied by the foreign government or international organisation.
COURTESY VISA
Courtesy visas are usually issued to diplomatic personnel, though sometimes also to people with ordinary passports, who need to visit Thailand for personal reasons. Similarly, the application for courtesy visas must be supported with documentation from the foreign government.
This content was brought to you in partnership with our Partner Assist Thai Visa. 
