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5 Visa Options to Stay in Thailand Long Term

Thailand is a popular destination for travelers, but many people also dream of making it their long-term home. Indeed, one question many have after a wonderful holiday is, “How can I stay here long term?”

Fortunately, there are several visa options that allow foreigners to stay in the country for extended periods.

In this article, I detail five visas that offer a long-term stay in Thailand, including the requirements, benefits and application process for each.

Whether you're looking to retire in Thailand, start a business, or simply enjoy the tropical lifestyle, this guide will help you navigate the visa options available to make your dreams a reality.

For a more in-depth look at each visa option, follow the links posted throughout the article below the relevant visa.

1. Non-Immigrant O (Retirement Visa)

The Non-Immigrant O Visa (based on retirement) is for people who are 50 years or older and want a long-term stay in Thailand. It is one of the easiest visas to obtain.

The O visa (retirement) is obtained from a Thai embassy or through the eVISA system (depending on your home country).

The visa provides a 90-day stay upon entry to Thailand. Within this 90 days you can obtain a 1-year extension based on retirement at an immigration office in Thailand. You must meet the financial requirements 60 days prior to doing your extension of stay (see below).

Benefits:

  • Allows for a one-year stay in Thailand (once the extension is done inside Thailand).
  • Extendable each year.
  • No requirement to leave the country every 90 days.
  • Can open a Thai bank account.

Requirements:

  • Age of 50 or above.
  • Proof of financial means: 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank account (60 days prior to extension) or monthly income of at least 65,000 Baht.
  • Report to immigration every 90 days (90-day reporting).

Cost:

  • 2,000 Baht for the initial O visa.
  • 1,900 Baht for a yearly extension.

* Please note: There is an O-A visa, which enables you to obtain your 1-year stay immediately by applying for the visa in your home country. However, the requirements are more in-depth, and the majority of people use the Non Immigrant O Visa pathway outlined above because it is less work. More on the OA visa here.

+ Read more about the Retirement Visa here

2. Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)

The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), also known as the “digital nomad visa,” is designed for freelancers, digital nomads, remote workers and foreign talent who wish to work from Thailand.

This visa also caters to those interested in “Thai Soft Power” activities, such as Thai boxing or cooking classes, sports training, medical treatments, short-term educational courses, seminars, or artistic and musical festivals.

Benefits:

  • Extended Stay: Stay in Thailand for up to 180 days per entry, with the option to extend for another 180 days once per year.
  • Multiple Entries: The visa is valid for 5 years, allowing multiple entries.
  • Diverse Application Categories: Engage in various activities, including work, sports, education, and cultural experiences.
  • Family Inclusion: Provisions for legal spouses and legitimate children to accompany the visa holder.

Requirements:

  • Passport or travel document
  • Passport photograph
  • Document showing current location (application not allowed from inside Thailand)
  • Evidence of financial assets (minimum 500,000 THB or equivalent in other currencies)
  • Proof of purpose of visit (employment contract, professional portfolio, confirmation of activity participation, etc.)
  • Proof of relationship for dependents (marriage certificate, birth certificate, adoption certificate)
  • Age: Applicants must be at least 20 years old.
  • Work Permit: Visa holders cannot apply for a work permit.

Cost:

  • Visa Fee: 10,000 THB per visa.
  • Extension Fee: Additional 10,000 THB for extending the 180-day stay by another 180 days once per year.
  • Family Provisions: Details for family members accompanying the visa holder will be provided.

+ Read more about the DTV here

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3. Non-Immigrant O (Marriage Visa)

There are a number of categories of O visa and the Non-Immigrant O Visa based on marriage is another way to stay long term in Thailand. It is known as the marriage visa because it is granted to foreigners who want to stay in Thailand with their Thai spouse.

This visa allows a stay of one year, with the option to extend annually. You are allowed to work in Thailand on this visa, if a work permit is acquired.

As is the case with the aforementioned retirement O visa, you will be given a 90-day stay upon arrival in Thailand, which you can then extend by one year once you have the financial requirements in place.

Benefits:

  • Allows for a one-year stay in Thailand.
  • Extendable each year.
  • No requirement to leave the country every 90 days.
  • Can open a Thai bank account.

Requirements:

  • Married to a Thai national.
  • Proof of financial means: 400,000 Baht in a Thai bank account (60 days prior to extension) or monthly income of at least 40,000 Baht.
  • Marriage certificate.

Cost:

  • 2,000 Baht for single-entry; 5,000 Baht for multiple-entry.

* Please note: If you get a multiple entry O visa based on marriage, you don't have to do to the 1-year extension of stay. You can, instead, leave every 90 days and return to Thailand to be stamped in for a further 90-day stay. The pathway outlined above is based on a single entry Non Immigrant O Visa, which provides a stay of 90 days.

+ Read more about the Marriage Visa here

4. Long-Term Resident (LTR)

The Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa is designed for professionals who work remotely and wealthy individuals. The three most popular categories of the LTR visa are Wealthy Global Citizen, Wealthy Pensioner, and Work-From-Thailand Professional (remote worker).

This visa is an option for those interested in making Thailand their second home or want to experience living in the country for several years. The visa comes with a number of perks such as the ability to use the Airport Fast Track Service, report to immigration just once a year, and fly in and out of Thailand without a re-entry permit. Depending on the category of LTR you apply for, there are other associated benefits.

The initial visa is for five years, with the possibility of extending it for an additional five years, allowing a total stay length of up to 10 years. The key requirements vary depending on which category one applies for. All visa classes require a minimum of $40,000-$80,000 annual income for two years prior to application.

Benefits:

  • No reporting to immigration every 90 days.
  • Work in Thailand without the need to work for a company to get a permit.
  • Fast track airport service.
  • Easier route to citizenship.

Requirements:

  • Health insurance policy.
  • Minimum income of of $40,000-$80,000 (depending on category).
  • Other requirements are category specific (see link below).

Cost:

  • When obtained inside Thailand the cost of the visa is 50,000 Baht. Abroad, at Thai embassies and consulates, the cost is approximately 1,600 USD (depending on exchange rate).

+ Read more about the LTR Visa here

5. The Education Visa (ED

The Education Visa (ED) enables foreigners to stay long-term in Thailand for the purpose of pursuing studies, attending a Thai language course, or doing research in an educational institution in the country. The ED visa is valid for up to 1-year and can be extended for subsequent years, as long as the educational program remains ongoing.

Holders of the ED visa are required to attend classes or study regularly, and maintain a minimum attendance rate of 80% to avoid the risk of having their visa revoked.

Benefits:

  • Stay up to a year while studying.
  • Holders of the ED visa can also open a bank account in Thailand and apply for a Thai driving license.

Requirements:

  • You must be enrolled in a legitimate educational institution in Thailand that is recognized by the Thai Ministry of Education.
  • You must provide a letter of recommendation and sponsorship from the place you are studying.
  • 90-day reporting.
  • You must obtain a re-entry permit to leave the country and re-enter during the validity period of your visa (to keep the visa active).

Cost:

  • The application fee for the ED visa is 2,000 Baht (approximately $60 USD).
  • Additional costs may include tuition fees for the educational program, textbooks, and accommodation expenses.

+ Read more about the Education Visa here

6. The Elite Visa

The Thailand Elite Visa is a multiple-entry visa that is valid for up to 5, 10, or 20 years, depending on the chosen package. The visa allows you to stay in Thailand for extended periods without the need for frequent visa runs or extensions.

Holders of the Thailand Elite Visa are entitled to a range of benefits and privileges, including VIP immigration clearance, airport limousine transfers, access to exclusive golf courses, and more.

Benefits:

  • Expedited immigration clearance, complimentary airport transfers, and discounts and special offers at partner hotels, resorts, and shopping malls.
  • Access to a dedicated concierge service, which can assist with a range of tasks such as arranging accommodation, transportation, and leisure activities.
  • 90-day reporting taken care of by an Elite Visa agent (major cities only)
  • Free annual medical checkup
  • Banking privileges
  • Benefits are dependent on the type of Elite Visa you choose (see link below)

Requirements:

  • Available to applicants from any country.
  • No age limit or financial requirements.
  • Submit an application form along with a passport-sized photograph and supporting documents such as your passport and a letter of employment or proof of financial status.

Cost:

  • Costs depends on the package chosen. The most affordable package, the “Elite Easy Access,” costs 500,000 Baht (approximately $16,000 USD) for a 5-year visa.
  • The “Elite Ultimate Privilege” which offers a 20-year visa with a range of exclusive benefits, can cost up to 2 million baht (approximately $64,000 USD).
  • There are also additional fees associated with the visa, including a one-time application fee of 60,000 Baht (approximately $1,900 USD) and an annual fee ranging from 15,000 to 30,000 Baht (approximately $500 to $1,000 USD) depending on the package.

+ Read more about the Elite Visa here

In Summary

These are the main long-term visa options for staying in Thailand. Of course, there is always permanent residency, and even citizenship, but few people ever get that far, or can be bothered to try.

Generally speaking, most people can find a way to stay for a year at a time, using one of the options above. However, all stays beyond 30 days require a visa, and usually 90-day reporting, which means going to an immigration office with a bunch of documents to have your circumstances approved.

If you only want to stay for a couple of months, check out the Tourist Visa option here.

Other than that, drop any questions you may have below in the comments section.

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  1. Paul Van Eyden says

    Hi,
    My partner and myself are wanting to know which visa we need to apply for to travel through Thailand for approx 6 months. We have looked on the website for the Thai embassy here in Australia but it doesn't give out enough information as in how long we can stay, when does the visa time start, do we have to leave the country and then return, cost of visa etc ?
    Any information you could provide will be greatly appreciated.
    Regards
    Paul Van Eyden
    0413671151
    Reply

    • JamesE says

      There are no good six-month options. In the current environment your best bet is to come in visa-exempt for 60 days, extend another 30 at immigration, and then leave the country for a few days and return. Repeat the process. If you and your partner are over 50 you could get an O-A visa which would give you up to a year without leaving. The O-A does have some financial requirements and some extra hoops to jump through.
      Reply

  2. Paul Haynes says

    Hi All l am returning to the UK. Tomorrow 26th April. I currently have a retirement visa which expires 27 th February next year , l shall be returning Thailand beginning of November this year. I do not wish to leave my 800k in my Thai bank account so l will not be renewing my retirement visa. Can l extend my stay in Thailand from the date my retirement visa finishes 27 th of February for 60 days . When do l have to report to immigration when l arrive Thailand and is my retirement visa till 27th February as l then will not have funds in bank for retirement extension
    Reply

  4. DaiM says

    Hello,

    I want to visit my Thai wife in Thailand for a few months. When I apply online in the UK you have to have a flight booked and submit the departure and return dates. If I want to travel on a standard 60 day tourist visa with the intention of applying for a non immigrant O (retirement visa), will I get a problem on arrival at Bangkok immigration if I don't have a visa beyond the 45 day limit i.e. will they ask "Why is your return date beyond the 45 day limit" ?

    Is it possible to enter Thailand without a return ticket ? Ideally I'd like to get an outward single ticket and then get a single ticket to get back when I decide to return but the website requires you to specify a return date. Would they refuse entry if I don't have a specified return date on arrival at immigration on an outward journey ?
    Reply

    • JamesE says

      The problem you’ll encounter is that the airline won’t let you board without a return flight on any kind of Tourist entry. You can resolve this through a fully refundable ticket, a rental ticket (onwardticket.com, eg.), or a throwaway ticket to a nearby country. Is there a reason you don’t want to apply for the non-O as your initial visa?

      It’s basically the same answer for the application. As a tourist, they want to know when you plan to be gone.
      Reply

      • DaiM says

        A Non-O marriage visa is only for 3 months, so I assume I will have to go to apply for an extension anyway as I want to stay for longer than 3 months. I think this would be easier, being able to talk face to face with someone, than having to use the UK website which is error-prone.

        I did start a visa application; the official Thai Embassy website is dire. Every time I put in a date it changes it, either to the current date or a mixture of the correct year but the current day and month, or a similar combination.

        You have to wait ages for a reply if you have a query; when I last had to contact them three years ago because their website had an error which wouldn't allow me to upload personal details. I never got a reply. As a result I couldn't get a visa and went on a tourist visa. My return flight was cancelled as it was the start of the Covid epidemic and I had to do two border runs; the second one ended badly.

        Also you have to purchase your flight and enter the details at the start of the application process; if you have a problem later on when submitting additional documents, because the system is unhappy with the information or there's an error in the way the website works, you've already bought your tickets and then you've got a problem; I don't have enough faith in the online application process for it to be resolved in a reasonable amount of time.

        Getting a tourist visa is more straightforward and you don't have to supply supporting additional documents; there are fewer things to go wrong !

        So I suppose the main reason is I don't trust the official website; if I encounter a problem, I will have no idea when it might be resolved. If it's relatively straightforward to extend my stay by visiting an Office of Immigration Bureau, I think that would be more hassle-free.

        The website also says that you are recommended to apply for a visa at least 4-8 weeks before the travel date. I want to go before the end of the year
        so I would need to be sure that I'd get the visa in time.

        So, I could buy a return ticket which allows me to change the return date, then visit an Office of Immigration Bureau to get a Non-O marriage extension and then change my return flight.

        As an aside, presumably I could get a single outward ticket with one airline and a single ticket back with a different airline in advance. Is this allowed ?
        Reply

        • JamesE says

          You have some valid concerns if the system isn’t working properly. Thai embassies and consulates are notoriously difficult to get a straight (or any) answer from. Yes, you’re free to travel on two different tickets, though you’ll have to have both in hand for your initial travel.
          Reply

  5. Richard says

    I'm still trying to sort through the merits of getting the Non Immigrant O verses the O-A. I've given up on the idea of doing either conversion in Thailand and will return to my home country to complete the process legitimately.
    I've been told that the annual renewal process in Thailand for the O-A is more difficult because it has a medical insurance requirement that must be met. On the other hand it doesn't ( I believe) require the 800k Baht bank deposit. The Non Immigrant O requires the 800K Baht deposit but has no medical insurance requirement at renewal. In terms of documentation required in my home country both Visas require almost identical documentation support. So for a retiree whose looking to make a long term move to Thailand which Visa is the better option?
    Reply

    • JamesE says

      You can't convert to an O-A. They're only issued in your home country. The O (Retirement) can be converted within Thailand. The 800K in Thailand is a requirement for the extension of either. The O-A just allows your initial visa to be based on that amount in a bank in your home country. The O-A also gives you almost an entire year to move the money into Thailand. As far as documentation the O-A requires a medical report and a police background check by a state or federal agency. The O-A, as you note, also requires ongoing medical insurance where the O (Retirement) currently doesn't.
      Reply

      • Richard says

        I spoke to the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles and they told me that the finger print/police check and the medical exam letter were a requirement of both the O and the O-A.
        So bottom line, if the timing of the 800k Baht deposit is not an issue and the documentation required for both Visas is about the same and I'm doing this in my home country anyhow. Which option overall do you think is best, O or O-A. I'm 70+ and have read mixed things about even getting insurance coverage at my age and even worse things about getting a Thai Insurance company to honor their policies if a claim is made.
        Reply

        • JamesE says

          Here's the requirement list for the O (Retirement): https://washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en/page/non-o-retirement

          And here's the O-A: https://washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en/page/non-oa

          Completely different.

          My experience with the Thai Consulate in LA is that they don't understand the questions asked of them.

          The biggest benefit is that the O-A requires insurance in perpetuity - for as long as you keep the visa active. The O (Retirement) only requires if for 90 days. Insurance is actually pretty readily available up until age 75 and - compared to prices in the US - pretty inexpensive. In the range of $2K - $3K/year. Once you have it many agencies will continue to write the policy into your 90s. (Pacific Cross is one that I know for sure). This is important because, with the current visa readjustment attitude, the O (Retirement) could start requiring insurance at any time. I think that if you get a good policy underwritten by a reliable insurance company getting them to pay is not an issue.
          Reply

          • Ken F says

            You are not kidding about the consulate in LA. In fact, back when I was applying for my visa I had to email various people there quite a bit during the process and it became very frustrating as I always felt like they were answering a completely different question than the one I had actually asked. They seriously had me wanting to scream into a pillow at times. Speaking of which, my girlfriend recently mentioned that she might want to get a job in the consulate, and I just laughed and told her that she was way too smart and spoke English way too well to ever get hired there.
            Reply

            • Richard says

              But you know, at least they pick up the phone and try to be helpful. Try calling any Thai Consulate in China, especially Kunming. They are worse then horrible but then again, worse then horrible is the standard for Customer Service in China.
              Reply

    • JamesE says

      You can only open a Thai bank account from within Thailand. So, if you're applying for a visa from your home country, your best bet will be to apply for a Non-Immigrant O (Retirement) visa, which is good for 90-day entry. Once you arrive you open your bank account and fund it within the first month. Then, after the money's been in the bank for two months, you can apply for a one-year extension of the visa.

      Documentation needed is your visa, a certificate of residence from immigration, and (possibly) a copy of your lease. It will vary by bank (and by branch) so get the details from the banks' websites.
      Reply

  7. christophe says

    Hi Peter, for a non immigrant O ( retirement visa) can I enter first with a tourist visa before applying to the O visa ? second with this O visa, can we leave and re-entry the country as much as we want or or we need to apply and pay each time for an exit re-entry ? many thanks, Christophe
    Reply

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