Thailand Visa

Thailand offers numerous types of long-term visas for foreigners who wish to stay in Thailand for a long-term period. Foreigners may apply for the following long term visas:

• Thailand Elite Visa
• LTR Visa Thailand
• Retirement Visa Thailand
• Marriage Visa Thailand
• One-Year Multiple-Entry Non-Immigrant Visa

Thailand long-term visa valid for longer than 1 year

If you’re interested in staying in Thailand for longer than a year, your best options are two visa programs that are open to the public with relatively low entry requirements:

Thailand Elite Visa

The Thailand Elite Visa is a long-term visa given to the Thailand Privilege Card members. It is categorized under Tourist Visa (Privilege Entry Visa "PE") allowing residency in Thailand along with benefits for a period between 5, 10, or 20 years depending on the chosen package in exchange for a membership fee.

• The Thai Elite Visa is a 5-year renewable multiple entry visa with an extendable 1-year length of stay per entry. For membership valid for 10 years and 20 years, the 5-year visa will be issued every 5 years.
• The Thai Elite visa holder can have an uninterrupted stay in Thailand without the usual need to leave the country every 90 days as with the other visa types.
• The Elite Visa holder will be represented by the Thai Elite staff on the 90-day reporting as required by the Thai Immigration.
• Thai Elite Visa holders will receive expedited immigration formalities and passport control processing when arriving in Thailand.

To learn more about staying in Thailand for 5, 10 or 20 years, please check our Thailand Elite Visa page.

Long-Term Resident Visa Thailand

This visa allows you to stay in Thailand for up to 10 years for a much more affordable price, provided you can meet the more stringent eligibility criteria, which involve high-level employment, minimum income and asset levels, and/or investments in Thailand. It is a choice that’s perfect for you if you have significant professional work experience, investments, or property ownership.

The LTR Visa consists of 4 streams, each providing roughly the same benefits but with distinct eligibility requirements:

• Thailand LTR Visa for Wealthy Global Citizens
• Thailand LTR Visa for Work-From-Thailand Professionals
• Thailand LTR Visa for Highly-Skilled Professionals
• Thailand LTR Visa for Wealthy Pensioners

In addition, you can bring along up to a total of 4 family members to accompany you while on this visa.

If you’re interested in the Thai LTR visa, please check our LTR Visa Thailand page for more information.

One-year Extension of Stay

When you arrive in Thailand, one of the easiest visas to apply for is a 90-day single-entry non-immigrant visa. If you intend to stay in Thailand for a specific reason, you may be allowed to extend the duration of your non-immigrant visa from 90 days to 1 year.

You will be able to complete the extension if you qualify for one of the following categories:

Thai Retirement Visa

If you’re over 50 years of age, the Retirement Visa Thailand gives you the chance to spend your golden years in Thailand with fewer hassles. Before acquiring it, you will need to apply for a Non-Immigrant O Visa before converting it to a Thai Retirement Visa, which will allow you to extend your visa up to a year. You can also renew it every year, allowing you to extend your stay indefinitely, as long as you continue to meet the requirements.

Marriage Visa Thailand

If you have married a Thai national, the Marriage Visa Thailand entitles you to stay within the Kingdom and legally obtain a work permit, among other privileges. After registering your marriage in Thailand, you can apply for an initial 90-day Non-Immigrant O visa which can then be extended into a 1-year Marriage Visa. While the marriage visa lasts for a year, it is renewable on an annual basis, letting you stay indefinitely within the country as long as your marriage remains valid.

Thailand Business Visa

The Thailand Business Visa allows you to work in Thailand or conduct business within the country. If you obtained a single-entry 90-day Non-Immigrant B visa, you have the option to upgrade it to a 1-year Non-Immigrant B visa if you receive an employment offer from a Thai company.

One-Year Non-immigrant Visa Thailand

A One-year Non-immigrant visa enables you to travel into and out of Thailand multiple times without the hassle of having to apply for a one-year extension of stay. With this visa, you’ll be able to stay in Thailand for up to a year but also have the opportunity to extend it for 3 months.

This type of visa is unobtainable in Thailand and must be collected from a Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate while abroad. While you can stay in Thailand for up to 1 year, you can only stay up to 90 days consecutively. However, you can simply reset the clock by flying out of the country and back the next day, every 3 months.

Thailand One-Year Non-immigrant Visa Requirements

To be considered eligible for a One-year Non-immigrant visa, you will need to provide the following list of documents:

• A valid passport with at least 18 months validity remaining in it
• An official letter confirming what your intention is for traveling to Thailand
• Proof of finances
• Proof you have paid the embassy fee
• A copy of your travel itinerary
• Travel insurance (not mandatory but recommended)
• Supporting documentation (if requested by the Thai Embassy)
• Proof of relationship documents (if a family member will be joining you or if you’re heading to Thailand to meet a relative there)

Depending on which kind of one-year visa you apply for, you might have to send in even more documents.

Buy AXA Travel Insurance Thailand!
CLICK HERE

Thailand One-Year Visa Application Process

To acquire a 1-Year Non-Immigrant Visa, you will need to complete these basic steps:

• Gather and prepare all the documents required for the application.
• Submit the documents to the Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate within your home country. This can be done either by mail or in person.
• Pay the embassy fees. You can pay the fees with a cheque, cash, or debit card.
• Wait for the Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate to review and process your application. This usually takes about 5 to 10 business days but can last longer depending on which country you’re applying in.
• If you are approved, collect your new visa from the relevant consulate or embassy, either in person or by mail.

Contact Us

If you need any assistance determining which long-term visa is right for you and applying for it, then reach out to us at Siam Legal International. With the close support of our Thai visa team, we provide peace of mind knowing that you will easily earn your visa with minimal risk of delays or rejection. With over 20 years of experience in Thailand and a team of legal and immigration experts, we offer quick and intuitive service in guiding you through any long-term visa application.

Contact our Thai visa services team today to get started.