Thailand
Explore Thailand visa types and entry requirements.
13 visa types · 11 guides · 7 forms
Immigration to Thailand — at a glance
Thailand's immigration system is run by the Immigration Bureau of the Royal Thai Police, with consular issuance handled by Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates abroad. The Board of Investment (BOI) administers the SMART Visa programme; the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa is jointly handled by the Immigration Bureau and BOI; and the Department of Employment under the Ministry of Labour manages all Work Permits separately from visas. Most long-stay foreigners deal with at least three of these institutions every year.
Tourism remains the headline route. As of late 2024, Thailand expanded visa exemption to citizens of 93 countries, granting 60 days on entry — the most generous tourism regime among major Southeast Asian economies. Beyond visa-exempt entry, the Tourist Visa (TR), Visa on Arrival (VOA, 15 days for selected nationalities), Destination Thailand Visa (DTV, introduced 2024 for digital nomads and Thai-soft-power participants), and the Thailand Privilege/Elite visa (premium 5–20 year multi-entry) cover most long-stay tourism scenarios.
For working and living long-term, the main routes are the Non-Immigrant B (employment), Non-Immigrant O (family/marriage/retirement), Non-Immigrant ED (education), Non-Immigrant O-A (retirement, age 50+), and the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa for high-skill or high-income foreigners. The LTR — launched in 2022 — gives 10-year multi-entry residence for wealthy global citizens, retirees, work-from-Thailand professionals, and high-skill workers, with a 17% personal income-tax cap on Thai-sourced income for the wealthy-pensioner category. The guides in this hub focus on the 90-day reporting, re-entry, and TM30 address-registration steps that determine whether long-stay residence runs cleanly.
After arrival, three obligations run in parallel: 90-day reporting at the local Immigration office (online for many categories), TM30 address registration by the property owner within 24 hours of arrival, and — for working roles — Work Permit collection at the Ministry of Labour before any work activity begins. Re-entry permits are required to keep a long-stay visa or extension valid when leaving the country, even briefly. Most long-stay visa holders use a multiple re-entry permit to avoid every-trip filings, and dual nationals must use the same passport for departure and return to avoid breaking their permitted stay.
Main pathways into Thailand
Pick your route based on intended length and activity: visa-exempt (60 days), TR/DTV/Elite for tourism and remote work, Non-Immigrant B for salaried roles, Non-Immigrant O for family/retirement, and the LTR for high-net-worth or high-skill workers. Most long-stay statuses still require a separate Work Permit if you are working in Thailand.
- Visa Exemption60 days for citizens of 93 countries (as of late 2024); 30-day extension at Immigration possible.
- Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)180 days renewable; 5-year multi-entry for digital nomads and Thai-soft-power activities.
- Non-Immigrant BFor salaried foreign workers; required to obtain a separate Work Permit.
- Non-Immigrant O / O-A (Retirement)For retirees aged 50+ with Thai income, savings, or pension at the prescribed levels.
- Long-Term Resident (LTR)10-year multi-entry visa for wealthy citizens, retirees, work-from-Thailand pros, and high-skill workers.
- Thailand Privilege Visa (Elite)Premium 5–20 year multi-entry visa via membership programme; non-employment.
Key facts about Thailand immigration
Quick reference for the agencies, currencies, and rules that govern most applications.
As of
Issuing authority
Royal Thai Embassies (consular) + Immigration Bureau, Royal Thai Police (in country)
Currency
THB (฿ / Thai baht)
e-Visa portal
thaievisa.go.th (consular online application portal)
Visa exemption
60 days on arrival for citizens of 93 countries (extension to 90 days at local Immigration possible).
Work Permit
Required separately from visa for any work activity in Thailand; issued by Ministry of Labour.
90-day reporting
Required for foreigners staying continuously over 90 days, online or in person at local Immigration.
TM30
Property owner/host must report foreign tenant's presence within 24 hours of arrival to Immigration.
Permanent residence
Restricted; offered annually with limits per nationality and minimum continuous residence requirements.
Typical fees and processing windows (Thailand)
Indicative ranges drawn from official authority pages. Confirm the exact figures on the agency website before applying.
As of
| Pathway | Typical fee | Typical processing |
|---|---|---|
| Visa exemption (visa on arrival) | Free | Granted at the port of entry; 60 days allowed. |
| Visa on Arrival (VOA, 15-day) | THB 2,000 | Issued at airport on arrival; 15-day stay for eligible nationalities. |
| Tourist Visa (TR, single-entry, 60 days) | Approx US$40 / THB 1,400 | 3–7 working days at most consulates |
| Non-Immigrant B (90-day single-entry) | Approx US$80–US$100 | 1–2 weeks at most consulates |
| LTR Visa (10-year multi-entry) | THB 50,000 visa fee + THB 10,000 work-permit fee where applicable | ~20 working days at BOI; visa stamping at Immigration after approval |
| Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) | THB 10,000 | ~2–4 weeks at most consulates; e-Visa available |
Start with your goal
Choose what you want to do in Thailand and get a tailored guide.
Explore visa types
13 visa types with step-by-step guides, requirements, and official sources.
Which Thai route fits your situation?
Pick the situation that best matches you to see the most common starting point in Thailand.
Situation 1
I want to visit Thailand for tourism for under 60 days.
Use visa exemption — 60 days on arrival for most Western, ASEAN, and major Asian passports. Extension of another 30 days available at any Immigration office.
Situation 2
I work remotely with overseas income and want to spend extended time in Thailand.
Apply for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) with proof of overseas employment and 500,000 THB in available funds. 5-year multi-entry, 180 days per entry, extendable.
Situation 3
I have a job offer from a Thai company.
Apply for the Non-Immigrant B visa at a consulate; the employer files the Work Permit application separately. Plan for 90-day reporting and TM30 once you settle.
Situation 4
I am over 50 and want to retire in Thailand.
Choose between Non-Immigrant O-A (annual renewal, 800,000 THB savings or 65,000 THB monthly income) and the LTR Wealthy Pensioner category (10-year multi-entry).
Situation 5
I am a high-net-worth individual or executive.
Look at the LTR Wealthy Global Citizens / Highly Skilled Professionals or the Thailand Privilege Visa (Elite) for premium 5–20 year multi-entry options.
Recent Thailand immigration updates
Editorial summaries of policy changes our team has tracked. Always confirm details with the relevant agency before submitting an application.
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) launched
The DTV provides up to 180 days per entry and 5-year multi-entry validity for digital nomads, Thai-soft-power participants (Muay Thai, Thai cooking, sports training), and dependants. Applicants must show 500,000 THB in funds.
Visa exemption expanded to 93 countries with 60-day stays
Thailand expanded visa-free entry to 93 countries (up from 57) and extended the standard visa-free stay from 30 to 60 days. The 30-day extension at Immigration remains available.
Thailand immigration FAQ
The questions readers ask most about applying to live, work, study, and visit Thailand.
How does Thailand visa exemption work?
Citizens of 93 countries (as of late 2024) can enter Thailand without a visa for stays of up to 60 days, simply by presenting a valid passport at the airport. The stay can be extended once for another 30 days at any Thai Immigration office for a fee of THB 1,900. Visa exemption is for tourism only — you cannot work or stay long-term on it.
What is the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)?
The DTV is a 5-year multi-entry visa launched in July 2024 for three categories: digital nomads / remote workers (with proof of overseas employment), Thai-soft-power participants (Muay Thai students, Thai cooking trainees, sports training), and dependants of the above. Each entry allows up to 180 days, extendable for another 180 days at Immigration. Applicants must show 500,000 THB in available funds.
How does the LTR visa work?
The Long-Term Resident visa is a 10-year multi-entry visa launched in 2022 for four categories: Wealthy Global Citizens (US$1M+ assets, US$80,000+ income), Wealthy Pensioners (age 50+, US$80,000+ pension/income), Work-from-Thailand Professionals (US$80,000+ income, top-500 employer), and Highly-Skilled Professionals (US$80,000+ income in targeted industries). The LTR offers a 17% personal income-tax cap on Thai-source income for the wealthy-pensioner category and waives 90-day reporting.
Do I need a Work Permit to work in Thailand?
Yes — for almost every type of work, including digital-nomad activities sometimes interpreted as "work in Thailand." The Non-Immigrant B visa entitles you to apply for a Work Permit at the Ministry of Labour; the LTR visa includes a Work Permit for the highly-skilled and work-from-Thailand categories. Working without a Work Permit can lead to a fine, deportation, and a multi-year ban.
What is 90-day reporting?
Foreigners staying continuously in Thailand for more than 90 days must report their address to Immigration every 90 days. This can be done online for many visa categories, by post, or in person at the local Immigration office. Missing a 90-day report attracts a THB 2,000 fine and complicates renewals.
What is TM30?
TM30 is the obligation on the property owner or host to report a foreign tenant's presence to the local Immigration office within 24 hours of arrival. Long-stay foreigners often need TM30 acknowledgements when filing 90-day reports, extensions, or new visa applications. Hotels typically file TM30 automatically; private rentals require the landlord to file (or empower the tenant to file).
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