If you want to live comfortably in Thailand, you may need a valid long-term Thai visa, depending on your nationality. You have many different visa options, each designed for a specific reason, such as to reside in Thailand. However, some of these visas can be difficult to obtain depending on your circumstances and may include strenuous requirements.
This article explains the different visas that will enable long-term living in Thailand and which ones are the easiest to acquire.
Which Thai Visa allows you to live in Thailand?
Several Thai visas allow you to reside in Thailand for extended periods, ranging from non-immigrant (such as the Thai Business Visa) to long-term tourist visas (such as the Thailand Privilege Visa). Non-immigrant visas allow you to work towards permanent residency in Thailand, and most allow you to get a work permit. In contrast, long-term tourist visas do not allow permanent residency status or work permits but are generally much easier to qualify for.
There are a total of 6 major visas to choose from, which include:
Thai Business Visa
If you want to work or conduct business in Thailand, you can secure a Thai Business Visa. This visa starts as a single-entry 90-day visa and can be extended to a multiple-entry, renewable 1-year non-immigrant B visa. To apply, you must have a job offer from a Thai company.
Thai Marriage Visa
The Thai Marriage Visa, a non-immigrant O visa, is a simple choice for seeking permanent residency in the country. It is a renewable long-term visa that lets you reside in Thailand for extended periods and work for a local company. However, to qualify, you must be married to a Thai national.
Thai Retirement Visa
The Thai Retirement Visa is a non-immigrant visa (known as a non-immigrant OA visa) that also puts you on the path to permanent residency in Thailand. Before applying for the retirement visa, you must be at least 50 years old and meet mandatory insurance and income requirements.
LTR Visa Thailand (Long-Term Resident Visa)
One of the most flexible and profitable visa options is the LTR Visa Thailand (Long-Term Resident Visa), which is valid for up to 10 years. The LTR visa provides many benefits not available with other long-term visas, such as annual reporting (rather than every 90 days) and tax breaks. It is available in four versions, each with entry requirements, and dependent visas are also offered.
DTV Visa Thailand (Destination Thailand Visa)
The DTV Visa Thailand (Destination Thailand Visa) is a recently released long-stay tourist visa valid for 5 years that allows you to remain in the country for 180 days, with the possibility to extend for another 180 days per entry. The visa is more affordable than other options. Still, you can only apply for one if you are moving to Thailand to work remotely freelance or for a foreign company, partake in an approved Thai soft power activity, or seek medical treatment. You also need at least 500,000 baht in your bank account.
Thailand Privilege Visa
Considered the most convenient and rewarding way to stay long-term in Thailand, the Thailand Privilege Visa is provided to all members of the prestigious Thailand Privilege program. This premium tourist visa provides a choice between 5 different membership packages, each valid from 5 to 20 years. On top of this, the visa includes an enormous selection of complimentary benefits and luxury perks to enhance your Thailand experience.
Which long-term Thai Visas are easiest to get?
Every long-term Thai visa offers certain benefits that make building a life in Thailand possible. However, as we have seen, some are difficult or even impossible to qualify for for certain people. Regardless of your background or intentions for living in the country, there is one visa that is the simplest to acquire. While it might not meet everyone’s needs, the Thailand Privilege Visa is the easiest to get.
Why should you choose the Thailand Privilege Visa?
Out of all the available long-term visa choices, the Thailand Privilege Visa has the easiest eligibility requirements and the simplest application process. While the LTR Visa may be enticing with its unique benefits for living in Thailand, its strict eligibility requirements are also the hardest to obtain. The DTV is the cheapest but lacks most benefits, and is still more difficult to get than the Privilege Visa.
Despite higher upfront costs, the Thailand Privilege Visa lacks annual fees and has fewer entry requirements to satisfy. Its application process consists of a single background check done for you by the Thai government.
Benefits of Being a Thailand Privilege Member with a Privilege Visa
The Thai Privilege Visa makes life in Thailand more convenient with a massive selection of benefits:
- You will receive a multiple-entry visa, allowing unlimited trips to the country without needing a re-entry permit.
- You can stay in Thailand consecutively for up to 1 year per arrival.
- You can apply from anywhere in the world, including Thailand, and get your visa at an embassy, the airport, or the Thai Immigration office.
- You have unlimited access to the premium lane at Thai international airports, accelerating your processing through customs and immigration.
- Most memberships include enrollment in the Thailand Privilege Points system, enabling you to customize your experience by spending points to unlock perks.
- Many premium perks, such as special deals and discounts, free domestic flights, discounted hotel bookings, and more, make Thailand more enjoyable and memorable.
- You can consult an Elite Personal Liaison for help with the official tasks necessary to live in Thailand, such as opening a Thai bank account, acquiring a driver’s license, and completing your 90-day reporting.
- And many more benefits.
However, the primary feature that makes the Thailand Privilege Visa the easiest long-term Thai visa is the ability to consult a General Sales and Services Agent (GSSA) for FREE assistance with your application. This is a visa agent partnered with the Thai government to assist prospective applicants like you. They will help prepare your application, gather the required documents, and submit them on your behalf.
Alternatives to the Thailand Privilege Visa
However, consider acquiring the DTV instead if you want a more affordable alternative to the Privilege Visa. Applying for a DTV is a quick and budget-friendly pathway to life in Thailand. However, the higher bar to entry and less flexible visa may preclude you from using this option.
Contact Siam Legal for Professional Assistance
For the simplest way to live in Thailand, contact Siam Legal for professional support with your legal and immigration needs, whether that involves securing a Thailand Privilege Visa or not. We are a government-authorized GSSA and a full-service law firm and visa consultancy with over 20 years of experience. This equips us with the expertise and knowledge to assist you in obtaining a Thailand Privilege Visa swiftly and smoothly.
We handle your application from start to finish so you can focus on planning your trip without any concerns. Most importantly, as a Thailand Privilege Visa Agent, we offer our services free of charge.
Contact a GSSA today and open the door to a convenient and relaxing life in Thailand.