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Thai visas & work permits compared

Purpose, key qualifications and main documents for every route — side by side, with a link to each full guide.

Written by the Thai Legal & Immigration legal team · Last reviewed 2026-11-03 · Editorial policy

Thai Visas & Long-Stay Residency

Thai Visas & Long-Stay Residency comparison
Route	Purpose	Key qualifications	Main documents	Guide
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)	Five-year multi-entry visa for remote workers, freelancers and soft-power participants.	Validity: 5 years, multiple entry Stay per entry: Up to 180 days (+180 extension) Financial evidence: Typically 500,000 THB or equivalent Lodged via: Thai e-Visa (MFA)	Passport with 6+ months validity Recent bank statements Employment contract or freelance contracts Enrolment letter (soft-power track)	Read guide →
Long-Term Resident Visa (LTR)	Ten-year BOI-endorsed residence for high-net-worth individuals, pensioners and professionals.	Validity: 10 years (5 + 5) Reporting: Annual, not 90-day Endorsement: Board of Investment Work authorisation: Digital work permit (eligible categories)	Passport Audited income evidence (two years where required) Asset / investment statements Employer corporate documents (WFT / HSP)	Read guide →
Retirement Visa (Non-Immigrant O / O-A)	Long-stay pathways for applicants aged 50 and over with deposit or pension evidence.	Minimum age: 50 years Deposit route: 800,000 THB in a Thai bank Income route: 65,000 THB monthly pension Renewal: Annual extension of stay	Passport Thai bank passbook and bank letter Pension statements or embassy income letter Health insurance certificate (O-A)	Read guide →
Marriage & Dependent Visa (Non-O)	Residence based on marriage to a Thai national or as a dependant of a foreign resident.	Financial route: 400,000 THB deposit or 40,000 THB monthly income Renewal: Annual extension Interview: Usually required Work: Work permit available separately	Passport Thai marriage certificate (Kor Ror 3) Thai spouse ID card and house registration Bank letter or income evidence	Read guide →
Business Visa (Non-B)	Employment and investment-based residence sponsored by a Thai entity.	Sponsor: Thai employer or BOI company Corporate ratio: 2M THB capital & 4 Thai staff per foreigner (standard) Renewal: Annual extension Linked to: Thai work permit	Passport Employment contract Company affidavit and shareholder list Financial statements and tax filings	Read guide →
Privilege / Elite Visa Advisory	Independent comparison of Thailand Privilege membership against government residence schemes.	Programme: Thailand Privilege Card Duration: 5 – 20 years (tier-dependent) Our role: Independent advisory Comparison: LTR, DTV, Retirement, Non-B	Passport Summary of income and assets Family details	Read guide →
Tourist Visa (TR) & Tourist Extensions	Single- and multiple-entry tourist visas, plus the in-country 30-day extension.	Stay per entry: Up to 60 days Extension: Once, up to 30 days Apply via: Thai e-Visa (abroad) Work allowed: No	Passport valid 6+ months Recent photograph Flight booking Accommodation evidence	Read guide →
Visa-Exemption Entry & 30-Day Extension	Advice on visa-exempt stays and extending them lawfully at immigration.	Permitted stay: Set by nationality policy Extension: Usually once, up to 30 days Pre-arrival: Digital arrival card required Work allowed: No	Passport Onward ticket Accommodation details Proof of funds	Read guide →
Thai Family Visa (Non-O) – Parents & Children of Thai Nationals	Long-stay visas and yearly extensions for parents and children of Thai citizens.	Category: Non-Immigrant O Extension: 1 year, renewable Key proof: Relationship and support Work: Separate work permit needed	Passport Child's Thai birth certificate Thai ID and household registration Custody order if applicable	Read guide →
Education Visa (Non-ED)	Visas for students at Thai universities, schools and accredited language or training institutes.	Sponsor: Accredited institution Extension: Per term / academic year Attendance: Monitored Work: Not permitted	Passport Institution acceptance letter Institution licence documents Proof of tuition payment	Read guide →
Volunteer Visa (Non-O) & Volunteer Work Permit	Visas for volunteers at registered Thai foundations, NGOs and charities.	Sponsor: Registered foundation / NGO Visa: Non-Immigrant O Work permit: Usually required Extension: Up to 1 year at a time	Passport Sponsor letter Foundation registration documents Project approval	Read guide →
SMART Visa (BOI)	Up to four-year stays for talent, investors, executives and start-ups in targeted industries.	Administered by: Board of Investment Stay: Up to 4 years Categories: T, I, E, S Reporting: Annual instead of 90-day	Passport Employment contract Degree and experience certificates Company certification	Read guide →
One-Year Extension of Stay	Yearly extensions for retirement, marriage, family, employment and study visas.	Where: Local immigration office File: Up to 30 days before expiry Bases: Retirement, marriage, work, study Also: Re-entry & 90-day reports	Passport and TM.30 receipt Bank letter and passbook Income or pension evidence Household or lease documents	Read guide →
Change of Visa Type Inside Thailand	Converting from a tourist or exempt stay to a Non-Immigrant visa without leaving the country.	From: Tourist or exempt stay To: Selected Non-Immigrant types Time left: Usually 15+ days Where: Local immigration office	Passport with current entry stamp TM.30 receipt Category-specific evidence Photographs	Read guide →
Thai Permanent Residence	Applications for permanent residency under the investment, employment, family and expertise categories.	Window: Annual, set by notice History: 3+ years of extensions Interview: In Thai Quota: Per nationality	Passport and extension history Personal income tax returns Work permit or marriage evidence Police clearance	Read guide →
Overstay, Blacklist & Visa Problem Resolution	Legal advice when a stay has expired, an extension was refused or a re-entry ban applies.	Urgency: Act immediately Bans: Tiered by overstay length Approach: Confidential legal advice Also: Refusals & cancellations	Passport Any refusal letters Previous extension records Proof of circumstances (medical, family)	Read guide →

Work Permits & Expat Compliance

Work Permits & Expat Compliance comparison
Route	Purpose	Key qualifications	Main documents	Guide
New Thai Work Permit Application	Issue, renewal, amendment and cancellation of work permits for foreign employees.	Authority: Department of Employment Standard ratio: 4 Thai employees : 1 work permit Fast track: BOI / One Start One Stop Format: Digital work permit	Passport with Non-B visa Degree and experience certificates Medical certificate Company affidavit and VAT certificate	Read guide →
Work Permit Renewal	Timely renewal of work permits aligned with your one-year extension of stay.	File: Before expiry Maximum term: Up to 2 years Linked to: Visa extension Checked: Employer compliance	Current work permit Passport and visa extension Company affidavit (recent) Social security filings	Read guide →
Work Permit Amendment – Job Title, Workplace & Employer Details	Amending a permit when your position, workplace or employer details change.	Triggers: New title, location, address Timing: Before the change New employer: New permit needed Format: Digital update	Current work permit Passport Letter describing the change Company documents for new location	Read guide →
Work Permit Cancellation & Employer Transition	Lawful cancellation on resignation or termination, and moving to a new sponsor.	Notify: Within statutory deadline Visa impact: Extension usually cancelled Option: Transfer to new sponsor Serves: Employers and employees	Work permit Passport Resignation or termination letter Company documents	Read guide →
Digital Work Permit (e-Work Permit)	Applying for and managing work permits through the Department of Employment's online system.	Format: Digital, shown in app Filing: Online Replaces: Paper booklet Key risk: Data mismatches	Passport scan Visa page Company certificate Digital photograph	Read guide →
BOI Work Permits (Single Window)	Fast-track work permits and visas for staff of BOI-promoted companies.	For: BOI-promoted companies System: Single Window Prerequisite: BOI position approval Ratios: Standard ratios relaxed	BOI promotion certificate Position approval Passport Degree and experience evidence	Read guide →
One Stop Service Center Visas & Work Permits	Combined visa and work-permit processing for eligible companies and investors.	Where: Bangkok service centre Combines: Visa + work permit Eligibility: Qualifying companies Benefit: Fewer visits	Company qualification evidence Passport Current visa and work permit Company affidavit	Read guide →
Work Permits for Company Directors & Shareholders	Work authorisation for foreign directors who manage or sign for a Thai company.	Applies to: Active foreign directors Salary: Not the deciding factor Company test: Capital and Thai staff Visa: Non-B	Company affidavit Shareholder list Passport and Non-B visa Board resolution	Read guide →
Work Permit Eligibility: Reserved Jobs, Capital & Thai Staff Ratio	Checking that the employer and role qualify before you apply.	Reserved jobs: Thai-only list Capital guideline: 2M THB per foreigner Staff ratio: 4 Thai : 1 foreigner Exceptions: BOI, Thai spouse, others	Company affidavit Social security employee list Draft job description Financial statements	Read guide →
90-Day Reporting	Online and in-person 90-day address notification for long-stay foreigners.	Frequency: Every 90 days of continuous stay Window: 15 days before to 7 days after due date Channels: Online, in person, by agent Late penalty: Administrative fine	Passport copies (photo, visa, entry stamp, TM.6 / previous slip) TM.30 receipt Signed authorisation letter	Read guide →
Re-Entry Permits (Single / Multiple)	Preserve your extension of stay when travelling abroad.	Types: Single or multiple Where: Immigration office or airport Valid until: End of current permission to stay Risk if missing: Extension cancelled on exit	Passport TM.8 form Photograph Travel details	Read guide →
TM.30 Notification of Residence	Landlord and tenant compliance for foreign residents' addresses.	Responsible party: House owner / landlord Deadline: Within 24 hours of arrival Triggered by: New tenancy and return from abroad Legal basis: Immigration Act B.E. 2522, s.38	Owner's ID and house registration (Tabien Baan) Lease agreement Tenant's passport copies	Read guide →
Visa Transfer to New Passport	Transfer of current visa and extension stamps to a renewed passport.	Required when: Passport renewed or replaced Supporting letter: Issued by your embassy Where: Local immigration office Lost passport: Police report required	Old and new passports Embassy confirmation letter Police report (if lost) TM.30 receipt	Read guide →

Summary only. Requirements depend on your case and the deciding office; see each guide and its official sources. Immigration decisions rest with the Thai authorities.

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