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It is not surprising that a lot of foreigners are eyeing Thailand as one of their priority travel destinations. In 2013 alone, the country welcomed nearly 27 million tourists1 playing testament to Thailand’s growing attractiveness to international travellers.
Some of these visitors went to and stayed in the Kingdom under visa-free period, depending on which country they are from, that range between 15 days to 90 days.
In relation to this, whatever the reason for travel to Thailand, be it for employment, retirement and or business as long as the period of stay is more than what is determined for the country where he is from for a visa-free travel to Thailand, the individual must secure the necessary visa fitting to his purpose.
There are at least five (5) visa categories that Thailand is issuing to qualified applicants:
The Thai marriage visa or more appropriately known as the One Year Extension of Stay Based on Marriage allows its holder to stay in Thailand for a year without even needing to exit the country every 90 days. The holder of this visa may also be allowed to work in Thailand provided that he is legally married to a Thai national plus he must be able to meet other prescribed immigration requirements such as:
The items mentioned above should have supporting documents such as the applicant’s bank book and bank certification.
The Thai retirement visa (Nonimmigrant “O-A” Long Stay Visa) allows its holder to stay in Thailand for a year. It is renewable every year although another set of requirements should be complied upon by the applicant (including financial statements). The applicant, if qualified, may be issued with a single entry or multiple entry retirement visa.
The following are the basic requirements for a retirement visa:
Even if the applicant is eligible for this visa basing on his financial capacity and clean police and medical records, if he is not yet 50 years old by the time he submits his application, he would be considered not qualified to be issued with one as the age factor is the primary determinant for the retirement visa.
Like that of the marriage visa, the financial requirement should be supported with an updated bank book and a bank-issued letter certifying the amount and duration of the deposited amount on such account.
The Thai Nonimmigrant "B" Visa is issued to an applicant who has an intention to start a business or apply for a job in the Kingdom thus the said visa further being subcategorized to:
This is issued to foreigners wanting to start a business in Thailand. It can be issued as a 90-Day Single Entry Visa or a One-Year Multiple Entry Visa.
If the applicant has the intention to work in Thailand, he will be first issued with a 90-Day Nonimmigrant (Employment Category) Visa and upon his arrival in Thailand with such visa, he should then apply for a work permit. The work permit is needed as he cannot actively look for work or start his employment in the Kingdom if he does not have a valid work permit.
The work permit is also required upon his application for a One-Year Nonimmigrant “B” Visa.
Also, the holder of this visa is required to report to an Immigration Office every 90 days.
This type of visa allows its holder to, depending on the purpose, have a long term stay in Thailand. It has a validity period of one year basing on the date of its issue and may even be extended up to 3 months.
Nonetheless, this visa requires its holder to exit and then re-enter Thailand every 90 days.
See Law Firm Thai One-Year Multiple Entry Visa page.
Only citizens or permanent residents of the following countries may apply for this visa although citizens of other countries may still apply but under several circumstances:
The requirements for this visa includes:
Issued to foreigners who wants to enter Thailand to study, do business and retire among other reasons, the Thai 90-Day Nonimmigrant Visa has a validity period of 90 days starting on the date of its issue. Note that the Thai 90-day Non-immigrant visa is different from the Thai tourist visa.
When granted with such visa, its holder will have an option to extend it to a One-Year Immigrant Visa.
It is open to citizens of Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, United States and other European countries although citizens of non EU countries can still apply but several circumstances do apply.
Applicants should seek the advice of reputable immigration firms for proper guidance when it comes to visa application as the information mentioned above are general in nature and the application process may be very confusing to them.
The immigration lawyer can also provide any applicant with a more detailed information about the visa type he is applying for. Also, the said lawyer can brief the applicant with his responsibilities as a Thai Visa holder by the latter in case his application for a particular visa is granted.
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I have to apply for 90 day visa in my home country yes? I cannot apply in Thailand?
And if I get 90 day visa, can I have multiple entries in that period. thanks.
The obtaining of 90-day non immigrant visa inside Thailand can be a complex subject. First, you will need to qualify for a certain category of visa in order to be considered with the visa application at the immigration office. Second, other factors are also considered such as the current type of your visa, remaining number of days until expiration of your current visa and the city or province where you are located in Thailand.
We recommend that you consult with one of our Visa Specialists to better assess your circumstances. Please leave your contact details to talk to us.
I hold a non-o single entry marriage visa. I have just been offered a 6-month job in Vietnam and I think I need some sort of exit form which I can pick up at immigration in Chiang Mai.
But what about my 90-day reporting? Do I have to leave Vietnam and process back in Thailand or can I visit the Thai embassy or consulate in Vietnam?
Thanks
You are not required to do reporting when you are outside Thailand. Just make sure that you have applied for a re-entry permit before you leave Thailand so that your non-immigrant O visa will not get cancelled.
I am an Australian citizen and I am currently in Thailand on an 30 day tourist visa that has been extended for another 30 days. I am 72 years of age and I went to the local immigration office to apply to change my visa to a non-immigrant type "o" spouse visa, the immigration officer told me I must go to Laos to apply but as my Thai wife is still in Australia concluding her work and business arrangements I have been advised by friends here in Thailand that my wife must be present with me when I apply and they told me to apply for a 90 day visa and change it to a retirement visa after I have opened a Thai bank account and obtained a yellow book and Thai drivers licence. Today I have been told not to go to Laos but to return to Australia to apply for the 90 day visa as my application would be rejected in Laos
It would be best that you contact the Thai embassy or consulate in Laos to confirm if they will be able to provide you the 90-day Non Immigrant O visa. Otherwise, you will need to apply at the Thai embassy or consulate in your home country.