Long Term visa options in Thailand


Thailand Visa

I’m 64. All I have is my Social Security check I get for $633 a month. I don’t have any other assets. I know a Thai woman who owns a small business, a coffee shop. I want to marry her and live there.

You have 2 options in order to stay long-term in Thailand. As you have plans in marrying your Thai girlfriend, you may apply for a Marriage visa. This type of visa is applicable for those who are legally married to a Thai national and has met the financial requirements of either 400,000 THB in a Thai bank account, monthly income of 40,000 THB, or a combination of both.

Foreigners as well who have reached the age of 50 and above may also have the option to apply for a Retirement visa. Financial requirements is a lot higher than the Marriage visa which is 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account, monthly income of 65,000 THB or a combination of both may be used for this application.

 

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38 Comments

  1. Christina Henshaw
    August 21, 2018
    Reply

    I am 70 years old and I want to go to Thailand on an extended holiday – 3 months.
    Do I need to apply for a visa from your embassy.?
    Are there any application forms?
    Or do I have to go to your embassy in person?
    I will have a return flight ticket.

  2. stevie
    February 21, 2018
    Reply

    I am 56, abd British and thinking of moving to southern thailand, with my Cambodian partner of 7 years. I know of a british couple who just got their 1 year visas in Britain covered for a year.
    My position is slightly different as my partner is Khmer, so wots my/our options for long term
    residency there?

    • June 5, 2018

      In order for your Cambodian partner to be dependent on your retirement visa, you must be married. We do assist in obtaining retirement and dependent visa. You can send us an email at [email protected]

  3. David Gratton
    August 7, 2017
    Reply

    Dear sir or Madame,
    I am 61 years old I have a Thai girlfriend and been together for 1 year, I have been an engineer, a teacher and photographer. I have visited Thailand on 3 occasions the last time was from March 2017 to July 2017 (4 months). I would like to return to study Thai language and also attend a TEFEL course so that I can teach in Thailand, I can live with my partner and have approximately ฿600,000 thb could you advise me on the best visa type to apply for that would enable me to achieve the above. The TEFEL course provider says they can find all successful students a teaching job on completion of the course. Eventually I plan to marry my partner and retire in BKK on a pension of approximately ฿700,000 per annum, thank you for your help.

    • August 10, 2017

      Dear David,

      Your immediate concern is to get an ED visa. You may want to contact a Thai language school where you intend to study and they will assist you in getting the ED visa. This will also allow you to stay longer in Thailand depending on the duration of the study. Usually, you will be asked to get an initial non-immigant ED visa from a Thai embassy abroad and re-entry Thailand with that visa. The extension will be obtained at the end of the 90-day ED visa.
      If your circumstance changes and you are ready to get married, obtain a marriage visa or retirement visa, please let us know so we can assist you.

      Johnc

    • August 10, 2017

      Dear David,

      Your immediate concern is to get an ED visa. You may want to contact a Thai language school where you intend to study and they will assist you in getting the ED visa. This will also allow you to stay longer in Thailand depending on the duration of the study. Usually, you will be asked to get an initial non-immigant ED visa from a Thai embassy abroad and re-entry Thailand with that visa. The extension will be obtained at the end of the 90-day ED visa.
      If your circumstance changes and you are ready to get married, obtain a marriage visa or retirement visa, please let us know so we can assist you.

      Johnc

    • August 10, 2017

      Dear David,

      Your immediate concern is to get an ED visa. You may want to contact a Thai language school where you intend to study and they will assist you in getting the ED visa. This will also allow you to stay longer in Thailand depending on the duration of the study. Usually, you will be asked to get an initial non-immigant ED visa from a Thai embassy abroad and re-entry Thailand with that visa. The extension will be obtained at the end of the 90-day ED visa.
      If your circumstance changes and you are ready to get married, obtain a marriage visa or retirement visa, please let us know so we can assist you.

      Johnc

  4. David Gratton
    August 7, 2017
    Reply

    Dear sir or Madame,
    I am 61 years old I have a Thai girlfriend and been together for 1 year, I have been an engineer, a teacher and photographer. I have been to Thailand on 3 occasions the last time was from March 2017 to July 2017 (4 months). I would like to return to study Thai language and also attend a TESOL course so that I can teach in Thailand, I can live with my partner and have approximately ฿600,000 thb could you advise me on the best visa type to apply for that would enable me to achieve the above. The TEFEL course provider say they can find all successful students a teaching job on completion of the course. Eventually I plan to marry my partner and retire in BKK on a pension of approximately ฿700,000 per annum, thank you for your help.

    • August 10, 2017

      Dear David,

      Your immediate concern is to get an ED visa. You may want to contact a Thai language school where you intend to study and they will assist you in getting the ED visa. This will also allow you to stay longer in Thailand depending on the duration of the study. Usually, you will be asked to get an initial non-immigant ED visa from a Thai embassy abroad and re-entry Thailand with that visa. The extension will be obtained at the end of the 90-day ED visa.
      If your circumstance changes and you are ready to get married, obtain a marriage visa or retirement visa, please let us know so we can assist you.

      Johnc

  5. U Kyaw Khaing
    February 14, 2017
    Reply

    My name is U Yaw Khaing (Myanmar). I want to apply for a retirement visa for long time to stay in Thailand, as I knew that My bank account in Thai bank amount 800,000 baht and monthly income is 65,000 baht. If my wife also need to apply separation or how?

    • March 17, 2017

      Thank you for contacting us regarding your concern. If your wife will apply for retirement visa, she also needs to fulfill the financial requirement separate from yours. Meaning, each of you should have a separate Thai bank account with 800,000 THB each deposited for at least 2 months. Should you have further questions or you require assistance from our Thai visa expert, please send an email to [email protected].

  6. neeraj
    November 11, 2016
    Reply

    I am citizen of India. I applied for ED visa first in Thai embassy India but they stamp void on my visa. Then, again, I applied tourist visa but still they stamp void on my visa but not give any reason why they void both times. I want to meet my friend in Thailand. Can I apply for visa on arrival in Thailand now after two stamp void visa?

    Please suggest.

    • November 15, 2016

      Kindly get in touch with the Thai embassy in India to confirm if you will still be allowed entry into Thailand with a visa on arrival given the stamps you have received.

  7. Sunil
    November 6, 2016
    Reply

    How do I start a tour company in Thailand by my own? Will your government allow an outsider, non Thai, an Indian, to run a tour company as a sole proprietor? Or do I have to tie up with a supplier who is running and managing from the land, Thailand? I need to come and go multiple times to establish my tour career. What type of visa application do I have to apply to?

    • November 8, 2016

      For information about the proper visa applicable to the purpose of your stay and travel to Thailand, kindly get in touch with the Thai embassy or consulate near your residence.

      Should you need information about setting up a company in Thailand, ​you may send an email to [email protected].

  8. Sunil
    November 3, 2016
    Reply

    Dear Administrator,

    Thank you for your reply.

    Last time, before visiting Thailand I sent an email to [email protected] requested them to guide me to get a TR visa but unfortunately didn’t get a reply till today.

    I did travel but on short tour trip getting visa on arrival. Now, I am requesting you to guide me get a proper live and work visa to stay long turn and experience explore the beautiful and natural country Thailand.

    • November 3, 2016

      In order to obtain a visa to work in Thailand, you need to be employed by a Thai company who will sponsor your visa application. You will need to contact the Thai embassy where you will apply for the visa to obtain the list of requirements for the Non Immigrant B Visa.

  9. Sunil
    November 1, 2016
    Reply

    I am 50 years old, a healer, holding an Indian passport. I wish to live and work in Thailand. What type of visa application do I need to fill?

    • November 2, 2016

      Kindly get in touch with the Thai embassy or consulate near your current residence for the best visa option applicable to your purpose of travel to Thailand.

  10. NEERAJ
    October 27, 2016
    Reply

    Hi, I am citizen of India. I want to know that if I come on a tourist visa in Thailand and stay more longer on the basis of marriage visa, do I have to leave Thailand first? Or my tourist visa can be converted for long stay in Thailand without leaving Thailand?

    • October 28, 2016

      Depending on the province where you will reside and if you are able to meet the requirements to convert your visa, you may be able to change your tourist visa to the initial 90-day Non Immigrant O visa based on marriage without leaving Thailand. Once you have the 90-day Non Immigrant O visa, you can then extend this to a 1-year marriage visa.

  11. Pamela
    October 19, 2016
    Reply

    I am from Zimbabwe and I have a tourist visa but I wish to work here. How do I get a work permit? Do I need to go back to Zimbabwe then come back?

    • October 20, 2016

      You can apply for a work permit from the Ministry of Labour in Thailand. However, you must first obtain a Non Immigrant B visa based on employment from the Thai embassy or consulate in your home country.

      Please note that your application for both the work permit and the Non Immigrant B visa must be supported by your employer in Thailand.

  12. Victor
    September 5, 2016
    Reply

    I am Myanmar Citizen working in Thailand for 3 years, holding Thai Non-O Visa. Now I have to visit French for 3 days in relate with work and so I need to apply for French Visa.

    Do I need to go back to Myanmar (French Embassy) to request French Visa or can I get french visa directly from Thailand?

    If yes where? French Embassy in Bangkok? or any other options?

    • September 8, 2016

      If you are currently holding a Thai work permit, you may apply for the visa from the French embassy in Bangkok.

  13. Hai
    August 25, 2016
    Reply

    Hi,
    I’m a 41 years old Australian citizen and like to stay in Thailand long term. I have enough saving to live in Thailand for as long as I like. What are my visa options, if any?
    Thanks

    • August 31, 2016

      The visa must be based on the purpose of your stay. Since you have no valid reason to stay in Thailand other than tourism, we can only suggest the 6 months multi entry tourist visa which you can obtain in your home country.

  14. Surendranath Nambiar
    July 25, 2016
    Reply

    I am Indian but I live and work in Dubai, UAE. I would like a one year multiple entry visa. What do I need for this?

    • August 1, 2016

      Kindly contact the Thai consulate in Dubai to inquire about their procedures and requirements.

      ​Royal Thai Consulate-General, Dubai
      ​​A​ddress:
      Villa 35, Street No. 16, Community 366 Umm Suqeim 3, P.O. Box 51844
      Dubai, United Arab Emirates
      (Near Raffles International School West. Opposite Jumeirah Beach Hotel)

      Consular Section
      Telephone: +971 4 348 9550 Ext. 18, 31, 32 (between 2 pm-4 pm)
      Email: [email protected] (visa inquiries)

  15. Bill
    April 1, 2016
    Reply

    I am 45 years old and too young for a Retirement Visa. I have an income of $3700 USD a month after taxes and I want to move and live in Thailand. What kind of Visa do I need? Or how do I go about doing this?

    I am a USA Citizen.

    Thank you

    • April 6, 2016

      We may be able to help you obtain a 1 year visa to Thailand. Please provide us with your phone number or email address and we’ll get back to you for further details about our service.

  16. Talbi
    February 18, 2016
    Reply

    I am foreigner married with thai women and living in Thailand. I got a visa for One year according to all the the process 400,000 Baht in my account bank.

    When my visa will expire, can I ask for long term visa or the law allowed only 1 year or year by year?

    With my best Regards
    Abel Talbi

    • March 3, 2016

      There are some options on how you can obtain a visa that’s valid for more than a year in Thailand such as visa issued to members of Thai Elite club, or those who have invested in a 10M condominium, etc. If, however, you are only referring to the same visa that you have acquired originally, then you will only be able to apply for 1 year visa every time.

  17. Petraq ceku
    December 7, 2015
    Reply

    I want to move to Thailand and also invest , I have a healthy stock account and over 100.000 $
    What do I do to get the proces for permanent visa or working visa ?
    Regards
    Petraq ceku

    • December 17, 2015

      You will be able to apply for a non-immigrant B (Working) visa if you are either employed in a Thai company or you own a business in Thailand. If you wish to invest in a company, it is best to seek legal assistance from a lawyer who has the experience and expertise on this matter. If you want us to refer you to someone, please leave your contact details and we will try to get back to you soon.

  18. okunorobo osahenrhunmwen Abraham
    September 5, 2015
    Reply

    Am a pharmacist from Nigeria. How can I get a work and stay in Thai.

    • September 9, 2015

      You will need to apply or secure an employment in a Thai company if you wish to work and stay in Thailand.