Your complete roadmap to staying legal in Thailand – from tourist entries to long-term residency
If you’re planning to stay in Thailand longer than just a vacation, you’ll quickly realize visas can get complicated. From short-term tourist entries to long-stay retirement options, work permits, and family-related visas, the rules are detailed and often shifting. That’s why I’ve created this Visa Hub — a single place where you can find clear, up-to-date guides and tools designed to help you understand your options.
Here you’ll discover step-by-step instructions for every major visa type, plus practical tips on requirements, renewals, and essential processes like 90-day reporting, TM30, and re-entry permits. Whether you’re a digital nomad, retiree, entrepreneur, or parent raising a family in Thailand, this hub gives you the knowledge and resources you need to navigate Thailand’s immigration system in a clear, practical way.
Start Here
Not sure which visa fits your situation? Begin with the Long-Term Visa Options for Thailand: An Overview for Expats and Retirees
This guide gives you the full picture of what’s available — from retirement and business visas to family, education, and even the new digital nomad options. It explains who each visa is for, the basic requirements, and how to decide which path is right for you.
Think of it as your map to the Thai visa landscape before diving into the detailed guides below.
Quick Access: Visa Tools
Some parts of the Thai visa process start before you even apply. These tools will help you plan and stay on top of your timeline:
- Thailand Visa Finder Tool – Answer a few simple questions and discover which visa type best fits your situation, with direct links to the detailed guides.
- Thailand Visa Stay Calculator – Instantly check when your current permission to stay ends, track 90-day reporting deadlines, plan visa runs, and estimate potential overstay fines.
Tourist & Short-Term Entry
If you’re coming to Thailand for a holiday, family visit, or a short business trip, these are the main options to know. Each has its own rules on eligibility, length of stay, and extensions:
- Thailand Tourist Visa Requirements: Single & Multiple Entry – Application process, requirements, and validity periods (includes exemption and visa on arrival details).
- Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) – What it is and how to complete it correctly before entry.
- Thailand Visa Run: What It Is and How It Works – Legalities, risks, and practical tips for planning one.
Retirement & Long-Stay
Thailand is one of the world’s top destinations for retirees and long-term expats. These visas and residency options are designed for people who want to stay well beyond the standard tourist period:
- Thailand Retirement Visa (O-A) Guide – Benefits, requirements, and how to apply.
- Thailand O-X Retirement Visa (10-Year Visa) – High-balance option for retirees planning a long stay.
- Thailand’s Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa: A Practical Guide – Who qualifies, benefits, and application process.
- Thailand Privilege Visa: Complete Guide – Membership tiers, costs, and perks of the program.
- Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) – Complete Roadmap – New option for digital nomads and remote professionals.
- Thailand Permanent Residency: How to Stay Long-Term Without Visa Hassles – Criteria, process, and quotas.
Work & Business
If you’re planning to work, invest, or start a company in Thailand, these visas and permits are your main pathways:
- Thailand Business Visa (Non-B) – Requirements, employer documents, and application steps.
- Thailand Work Permit Guide – How to apply, renew, and which jobs are restricted.
- Thailand SMART Visa Guide – For highly skilled professionals, investors, and tech specialists.
- Thailand Investment Visa – Long-term stay through qualifying financial investments.
Family & Dependents
Thailand has visa options for those who want to live here with a spouse or support children in school. These visas allow family members to stay long-term:
- Thailand Marriage Visa: Complete Guide – Application process, financial requirements, and 1-year extensions.
- Thailand Guardian Visa: Complete Guide – For parents or guardians supporting a child studying in Thailand.
Education (ED) Visa
For foreigners who want to study in Thailand, the ED visa is the standard option. It’s commonly used for language courses, university programs, and other long-term study.
- Thailand Education Visa (ED) – Overview, requirements, and how to apply.
Visa Processes & Extensions
Getting your visa approved is only the first step. To maintain your legal stay in Thailand, you’ll need to keep up with certain ongoing requirements. These are the most important processes to understand in detail:
- Thai Visa Re-Entry Permit Guide – If you leave Thailand without this permit, your visa may be canceled. Learn when you need one, the difference between single and multiple re-entry permits, and how to apply at immigration or the airport.
- 90-Day Reporting in Thailand: Everything You Need to Know – Every 90 days, long-term visa holders must confirm their address with immigration. This guide explains how to report online, by mail, or in person — and what happens if you miss the deadline.
- TM30 in Thailand: What Foreigners and Landlords Need to Know – The often-confusing “address reporting” rule. We explain who files (tenant or landlord), how quickly it must be done after arrival, and the consequences of failing to report.
Cornerstone Guides for Expats in Thailand
If you’re diving deeper into life in Thailand, these cornerstone articles are a solid starting point. Each guide covers the bigger picture—whether you’re planning long-term stays, retirement, or even starting a business here. They tie directly into the practical realities every expat faces and will give you the foundation to explore the details with confidence.
Best Places to Visit in Thailand Cost of Living in Thailand Thailand Health Insurance Guide Banking & Financial Tips for Expats How to Buy Property in Thailand Retiring in Thailand Pros & Cons of Living in Thailand Starting a Business in Thailand