If you want to live in Thailand, you need a visa which fits with your requirements and length of stay. There are several visa possibilities, and each type requires its own paperwork. Basically there are five types of visas available for visitors and residents to Thailand.

Entry Stamp
This is not really a visa, but an immigration stamp at arrival. Valid for 30 days. After this period you have to leave to country and re-enter for getting another 30 days. New Immigration Rules in October 2006 apply, and now it is only possible to re-enter 3 times within a period of 6 months. After your 3rd entry expires you are not allowed to enter Thailand for at least 2 months.

Tourist Visa
For the frequent traveler/ visitor this is often preferred. This visa is valid  for 14 to 60 days and issued at a Thai embassy obtained outside Thailand.

Non Immigrant visa
Non Immigrant visas are issued at an issued at an embassy outside Thailand and valid for a 90 day stay. (Some embassies issue Non Immigrant Type O visas which are valid for 6 to 12 months, but you are still required to not overstay a 90 day period at a time). Non Immigrant visas may be extended within Thailand for periods up to one year at a time.  If you hold a Non-Immigrant visa, you should obtain a Re-Entry permit if leaving the country if you do not wish your visa to lapse.

There are three basic grounds to obtain and renew a Non Immigrant visa:

1. That you are employed (and have a work permit) in Thailand.
2. That you have Thai family.
3. That you are retired and can prove adequate pension or other financial means to support yourself.

Thailand Elite Membership

Thailand Elite is the world´s first country membership. This exclusive club offers it´s members several privileges and benefits. One of the privileges is the Visa
Privilege. We reccommend property buyers consider purchasing this benefits card. Members are entitled to stay in Thailand for lifetime. However, they will receive a 5-year multiple entry tourist visa which will be automatically renewed at the end of each term. The visa can be arranged either in Thailand or from the members home country. A member who resides in Thailand for more than 90 days uninterrupted will have the visa endorsed and extended by the local immigration office without the requirement to leave Thailand. Immediate relatives of the member will be permitted to reside in Thailand for the same period of time as the member.

Resident Visa

Resident visas are issued on a very selective quota basis. Qualification requirements are 5 years in Thailand, a solid and transparent financial status and Thai references. An application for Resident status normally requires 3 prior consecutive extensions of a single Non-Immigrant visa associated with a work permit.

Ownership (or long lease) of property has no bearing on the extension of a Non-Immigrant visa.

Thailand Home Guide works closely together with experts who can assist you obtaining the right visa!