A Thai retirement visa is available for foreign nationals over 50 years of age who wish to retire in Thailand. This visa can be applied for in Thailand or while overseas, at a Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate. When applied for within Thailand it is officially known as a Non-Immigrant O-Long Stay Visa. When applied for outside of Thailand it is known as a Non-Immigrant OA-Long Stay Visa.
A Thai retirement visa will allow you to stay in Thailand for a period of 1 year (12 months), and it can be renewed annually. There are no limitations on the amount of times you can renew a Thai retirement visa as long as you continue to meet all the visa requirements. This visa can be applied for as a single or multiple-entry visa.
Important: A Thai retirement visa does not allow you to work in Thailand. Foreign citizens who hold a Transit Visa (“TS”) more then 30 days or Tourist Visa (“TR”) 60 days and wish to engage in business activities in Thailand may apply for a change of type of visa (from Tourist Visa to Non-Immigrant Visa). The granting of change of type of visa and extension of stay is at the discretion of the immigration officer.
Step 1: Apply for a Non-Immigrant-O visa Or Non-Immigrant-OA visa
Step 2: Apply for validity of one year in Thailand
It is important to note that renewal of a Thai retirement visa is subject to the same requirements as when applying for the visa for the first time. In addition to this, any proof of funds in your Thai bank account must have been deposited and cleared at least 3 months prior to your visa renewal application date.
A foreign national who marries a Thai national and plans to live in Thailand or travel to Thailand frequently after the marriage is eligible for the Non-Immigrant O Visa, also known as a Thai marriage visa. This visa can be applied for in Thailand or while overseas at a Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate. When applied for within Thailand it is officially known as a Non-Immigrant O Visa.
See Thai marriage visa requirements for your nationality here.
A Thai marriage visa will allow you to stay in Thailand for a period of up to 1 year (12 months) and can be renewed annually. There are no limitations on the number of times you can renew a Thai marriage visa, as long as you continue meeting all the visa requirements. This visa can be applied for as a single or multiple entry visa.
If you were married overseas, your marriage certificate needs to be translated to Thai language and certified at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to submit it to the local Thai district where you live. Then you can apply for the marriage visa in Thailand.
Important: Foreign citizens who hold visa-on-arrival (“ผ30”) for more than 30 days or a Tourist Visa (“TR”) for 60 days, need to apply for a change of type of visa (from Tourist Visa to Non-Immigrant O Visa). The granting of change of type of visa and extension of stay is at the discretion of the immigration officer.
Step 1: Apply for a Non-Immigrant-O visa
Step 2: Apply for a 12-month marriage visa in Thailand
It is important to note that renewal of a Thai marriage visa is subject to the same requirements as when applying for the visa for the first time. In addition to this, any proof of funds in your Thai bank account must have been deposited and cleared at least 2 months prior to your visa renewal application date.
A non-Thai citizen who has a child with a Thai citizen, whether married or not married, and plans to live in Thailand or plans to travel to Thailand often, can apply for a Guardian Visa. This visa can be applied for in Thailand at an immigration office or while overseas at a Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate. When applied for within Thailand, it is officially known as a Non-Immigrant O Visa.
A Thai guardian visa will allow you to stay in Thailand for a period of 1 year (12 months), and it can be renewed annually. There are no limitations on the number of times you can renew a Thai guardian visa as long as you continue to meet all the visa requirements. This visa can be applied for as a single or multiple-entry visa.
If you have not registered your marriage to a Thai national but you have a child, then you need to have a document from a local Thai district with your name as the father or mother in the Register of Child (Kor.Ror.11).
Important: Foreign citizens who hold an on-arrival visa (“ผ30”) for more than 30 days or Tourist Visa (“TR”) for 60 days, need to apply for a change of visa type from Tourist Visa to Non-Immigrant O Visa. The granting of the change of visa type and extension of stay is at the discretion of the immigration officer.
Step 1: Apply for a Non-Immigrant O Visa
Step 2: Apply for a one year Guardian Visa in Thailand
It is important to note that renewal of a Thai Guardian Visa is subject to the same requirements as when applying for the visa for the first time. In addition to this, any proof of funds in your Thai bank account must have been deposited and cleared at least 2 months prior to your visa renewal application date.
A non-Thai national who has a child studying in Thailand can apply for a Guardian Visa to follow the child. This visa can be applied for in Thailand at an immigration office or while overseas at a Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate. When applied for within Thailand it is officially known as a Non-Immigrant O Visa.
A guardian visa will allow you to stay in Thailand for a period of 1 year (12 months), and it can be renewed annually. There are no limitations on the number of times you can renew a guardian visa as long as your child is studying in Thailand. This visa can be applied for as a single or multiple-entry visa.
When your child applies for a Non-Immigrant ED Visa at a Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate in your home country, we recommend you apply for the Non-Immigrant O Visa at the same time.
Important: Foreign citizens who hold an on-arrival visa (“ผ30”) for more than 30 days or Tourist Visa (“TR”) for 60 days, need to apply for a change of visa type from Tourist Visa to Non-Immigrant O Visa. The granting of change of visa type and extension of stay is at the discretion of the immigration officer.
Step 1: Apply for a Non-Immigrant O Visa
Step 2: Apply for a one year guardian visa in Thailand
It is important to note that renewal of a Guardian Visa is subject to the same requirements as when applying for the visa for the first time. In addition to this any proof of funds in your Thai bank account must have been deposited and cleared at least 3 months prior to your visa renewal application date.
A non-Thai national who plans to study in Thailand at a Language School, Thai Boxing Academy, Primary School / Elementary School, High School, College or University can apply for Student Visa. This visa can be applied for in Thailand at an immigration office or while overseas at a Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate. When applied for within Thailand it is officially known as a Non-Immigrant ED Visa.
A Thai Student Visa will allow you to stay in Thailand for a period of 1 year (12 months), and it can be renewed annually. There are no limitations on the number of times you can renew a Thai Student Visa as long as you continue to meet all the visa requirements. This visa can be applied for as a single or multiple-entry visa.
Important: When you enter on your Non-Immigrant ED Visa for the first time you will be granted 90-days to stay in Thailand. This will be extended to 1-year when you apply for a one-year student visa and you must first complete your course registration and pay your tuition fees in full, presenting immigration with a school/institute issued letter confirming you have done so.
Step 1: Apply for a Non-Immigrant ED Visa
Step 2: Apply for a one year Student Visa in Thailand OR three months Student Visa
The school or institute at which you will be studying needs to supply you (or supply directly to the embassy or consulate at which you are applying) with the following:
When applying to a private educational institute you must supply an official letter from the Ministry of Education of Thailand, or other sub-authorities concerned, approving the enrollment of foreign students and a copy of the registration certificate of the concerned academic institute are required.
It is important to note that renewal of a Student Visa is subject to the same requirements as when applying for the visa for the first time. The Student Visa allows a family member to apply for a visa (Non-Immigrant O Visa) to follow the child.
Non-Thai nationals who want to engage in a charitable or voluntary activity in Thailand need to have a valid Non-Immigrant O Visa. This v can be applied for in Thailand at an immigration office or while overseas, at a Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate. When applied for within Thailand it is officially known as a Non-Immigrant O Visa.
The holder of a Non-Immigrant O Visa is granted with an initial period of stay not exceeding 90 days unless otherwise instructed by the Office of Immigration Bureau. Depending on the length of time the foreigner needs to participate in the voluntary work, they can obtain an extension of 1 year stay on a discretionary basis.
Important: Foreign citizens who hold an on arrival visa (“ผ30”) for more than 30 days or Tourist Visa (“TR”) for 60 days need to apply for a change of visa type from Tourist Visa to Non-Immigrant O Visa. The granting of change of visa type and extension of stay is at the discretion of the immigration officer.
Step 1: Apply for a Non-Immigrant-O visa
Step 2: Apply for a Work Permit in Thailand
Step 3: Apply for a one year Volunteer Visa in Thailand OR three months Volunteer Visa
It is important to note that renewal of a Thai Volunteer Visa is subject to the same requirements as when applying for the visa for the first time.
Foreigners who wish to work in the Kingdom of Thailand can apply for a one-year working visa only after obtaining a work permit at the Office of Foreign Workers Administration, Department of Employment, and Ministry of Labour. The one-year working visa is the last step.
Important: There are no limitations on the number of times you can renew the working visa, as long as you continue to meet all the visa requirements. This visa can be applied for as a single or multiple-entry visa.
Step 1: Apply for a Non-Immigrant-B visa Click here
Step 2: Apply for a work permit Click here
Step 3: Apply for a one-year working visa in Thailand
If you hold a work permit for more than 3 years, then you can apply for a Thailand Resident permit.
Foreigners who wish to work, conduct business or undertake investment activities in Thailand or attend business meetings in Thailand, must apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa at the Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Honorary Consulate-General. Various categories of the Non-Immigrant Visa are currently provided to meet the needs and qualifications of individual business persons. These include business visa Category “B”, business-approved visa Category “B-A” and investment and business visa Category “IB”. A holder of this type of visa wishing to work in Thailand must be granted a work permit before starting work.
Important: Business visa Category “B”, can also be applied for in Thailand at at the Immigration office if you entered with a tourist visa. The Non-Immigrant B visa applied for in Thailand may be granted for 90 days, after which time you need to apply for a work permit and a one year working visa.
Step 1: Apply for a Non-Immigrant-B visa
Step 2: Apply for a work permit Click here
Step 3: Apply for a working visa for one year in Thailand Click here
Those who receive a Non-Immigrant visa can work in Thailand once he or she has obtained a work permit.
Foreigners who wish to work, conduct business or undertake investment activities in Thailand or attend business meetings in Thailand, must apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa at the Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Honorary Consulate-General. Various categories of the Non-Immigrant Visa are currently provided to meet the needs and qualifications of individual business persons. These include business visa Category “B”, business-approved visa Category “B-A” and investment and business visa Category “IB”. A holder of this type of visa wishing to work in Thailand must be granted a work permit before starting work.
Important: Business visa Category “B”, can also be applied for in Thailand at at the Immigration office if you entered with a tourist visa. The Non-Immigrant B visa applied for in Thailand may be granted for 90 days, after which time you need to apply for a work permit and a one year working visa.
Step 1: Apply for a Non-Immigrant-B visa
Step 2: Apply for a work permit Click here
Step 3: Apply for a working visa for one year in Thailand Click here
Those who receive a Non-Immigrant visa can work in Thailand once he or she has obtained a work permit.
Professional Visa and Travel Service (PVTS)
Bangkok Branch:
888/12, Floor M, Mahatun Plaza Building, Phloen Chit Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok
Phuket Branch:
273 Yaowarad Road, Tambon Talat Yai, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Phuket Province