How to choose the right visa for a trip to Thailand?

Overview of visa options in Thailand

Thailand offers a variety of visa options for foreign tourists wishing to visit this amazing country. Among the main visa categories that travelers may encounter are visa-free entry, various types of tourist visas, and special long-term visas.

Visa-free entry

The visa-free regime for citizens of certain countries allows them to stay in the kingdom without the need to obtain a visa in advance. The conditions for visa-free entry depend on nationality and may change over time. For example, currently, citizens of Ukraine and Kazakhstan can stay in Thailand without a visa for up to 30 days, while citizens of Belarus, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan must obtain a tourist visa and apply at the consulate in Moscow or Ankara.

Changes in the visa-free regime

The Thai government periodically updates the visa-free entry rules, especially before the start of the tourist season, allowing more countries to enjoy the beaches and resorts. Currently, Russians can stay in Thailand without a visa until March 31, 2024, making them one of the largest groups of tourists among non-Asian nations. However, after May 2024, this period will be reduced to 30 days.

Tourist visa

As for obtaining a tourist visa, it can be issued at the consulate of the Kingdom of Thailand located in your country. The standard tourist visa allows you to stay at popular resorts such as Pattaya or Phuket for 60 days, with the possibility of extending it for another 30 days, which in total allows you to stay in the country for up to 90 days.

• The estimated cost of a tourist visa is about40 US dollars.
• The visa extension will cost approximately1900 baht.
• The list of required documents may vary depending on citizenship.

The "visa run" procedure

If your desire to spend more time on Thai beaches exceeds the specified 90 days, you can take advantage of the "visa run" procedure. This requires leaving the country and re-entering under a new visa. Usually, neighboring ASEAN countries such as Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, or Myanmar are chosen for such trips.

But it is important to remember that frequent trips may attract the attention of border officials, so it is better to limit the number of such trips.

Special visas

In addition to standard visas, there are also special categories of visas designed for specific groups of foreign citizens, such as retirees, students, or businesspeople.

• Thailand Elite Programoffers long-term visas valid for a period of 5 to 15 years.
• Smart visasdesigned for highly skilled workers and investors.
• Smart visas are divided into two types: for investors and for startups.

Additional visas

In addition, there are visas designed for retirees, work visas for employees and company founders, as well as investment visas that allow for a longer stay in the country.

It is important to follow the rules of stay after obtaining a visa to avoid any issues and ensure a comfortable vacation or work experience in Thailand.

A tourist multiple-entry visa (METV) is a unique type of visa that allows for a longer stay in Thailand. With this visa, foreign nationals can stay in the "Land of Smiles" for six months with one exit, or up to seven months if it allows for three exits.

When you first arrive in Thailand, you are given a stamp for two months, with the option to extend it for another 30 days at the local immigration office. After that, you can leave the country and use visa run services, then return for an additional 60 days, with the possibility to extend the visa for another 30 days by paying 1,900 baht.

Scheme of stay with a multiple-entry visa

As for the scheme that allows you to stay for seven months, it involves alternating periods of staying in the country and leaving. That is, you first get 60 days, then you do a visa run, after which you get another 60 days, following this process until you reach the required duration.

One of the advantages of a multiple-entry visa is that after several visa runs, you won't get a red stamp in your passport, as is the case with regular tourist visas. You can only apply for a multiple-entry visa in your country of citizenship or in neighboring countries, such as Laos.

Long-term visas for living in Thailand

Now let's look at longer-term visas that allow you to stay in Thailand for more than one year. These visas are also divided into tourist and non-tourist categories. Among them, the "Thailand Elite Visa" deserves special attention.

This visa is intended for wealthy foreign citizens who wish to enjoy all the pleasures of life in Thailand without complicated bureaucratic procedures. This visa not only grants the right to enter but also offers the status of a VIP club member.

Advantages of the "Thailand Elite" visa

• Duration of residence:from 5 to 20 years depending on the chosen package.
• Unlimited opportunities for crossing the border:This makes the visual comparable to a multivisa.
• Quick access to services:For holders of this visa, the process of opening a bank account is significantly faster.
• 24/7 support:Participants can contact the call center for assistance with any questions.
• Discounts and bonuses:offered in community organizations, stores, and golf clubs.

The program's partner network allows participants to accumulate points, which can then be used to pay for various goods and services.

Personalized service

Personalized service in airport VIP lounges and expedited processing at immigration control are additional important advantages of this type of visa. "Thailand Elite" is suitable for those who do not intend to engage in work activities in Thailand, making it quite relevant for digital nomads as well as for people with passive income.

The program includes four categories of visas, one of which is the "golden visa" for a duration of five years at a cost of only 900,000 baht. This is an individual visa that does not allow for family members to be included.

Thus, Thailand's visa policy offers foreigners a variety of opportunities to combine work and life, allowing them to enjoy all the charms of this amazing country.

Platinum visa

The "Platinum Visa" offers the opportunity to reside in Thailand for up to ten years. To obtain it, a person must invest 1.5 million baht, and for each family member joining them, an additional 1 million baht is required.

Diamond visa

There is also a "Diamond Visa," which is valid for 15 years. The cost for the main applicant is 2.5 million baht, while for other family members it is 1.5 million baht.

Invitation visa

For those interested in obtaining an invitation visa, a 20-year visa is available. However, its issuance is only possible through the "Thailand Elite" program, which will independently select suitable candidates. The cost of such a visa is significantly higher: it amounts to 5 million baht for the main applicant and 2 million baht for each family member.

It is also worth noting that starting from January 2024, higher fees for participation in the "Thailand Elite" program have come into effect.

Documents for obtaining a visa

To apply for this type of visa, you need to submit several documents. The main requirements include:

• Electronic copy of the passport.
• Filled out questionnaire.
• A photograph in digital format.

Please note that the passport must be valid for more than 12 months, and at least three blank pages are required. Even small mistakes in these seemingly insignificant details can lead to a visa denial.

Requirements for applicants

Applicants are also subject to certain requirements. The following must be present:

• Age 20 and older.
• No criminal record.
• Absence of bankruptcy.
• Mental health issues.
• No issues with Thailand's immigration services.

Application process

The application process is carried out exclusively in a remote format. The candidate sends all the necessary documents and the completed questionnaire to their immigration representative. After that, a deposit of 50,000 baht must be made. If the application is approved, this amount will be deducted from the total cost of the visa, and in case of rejection, it will be refunded.

Application processing time

The review process can take from two to three months. After a successful document analysis, you will receive a notification of a positive decision, although a denial is also possible at times.

Once you receive approval, you will need to arrive in Thailand (by prior arrangement) to complete the visa processing. At the airport, they will affix the visa to your passport and provide you with a membership card for the "Thailand Elite" club.

Obtaining a visa for Thailand

If you are currently in Thailand, you will be offered to visit the immigration office in Bangkok to obtain your visa. It is important to remember that purchasing real estate does not provide grounds for obtaining a visa; however, some construction companies may cooperate with the "Thailand Elite" program. In such cases, if you decide to invest in housing, there is a possibility of obtaining a visa at a reduced price or even including its cost in the total purchase amount.

Visa denials

Although cases of visa denial are not very common, they do occur. The main reasons include:

• Previous issues with the immigration services.
• Problems with the police or traffic inspection.
• Errors made by applicants, for example, the passport validity is less than 12 months.
• Insufficient free pages.
• Providing false information, such as having a criminal record or bankruptcy.

Additionally, it is important to consider the possibility of typos or errors in the questionnaire.

Checking all aspects

All aspects require careful verification! A student or study visa is a specific type of visa available for both adults and children. This type of visa is becoming an increasingly popular way to legalize one's stay in Thailand.

Student visa for adults

As for adult applicants, they can obtain a student visa after enrolling in an English or Thai language course at an accredited language school. It is important to note that immigration authorities strictly monitor class attendance and may conduct checks, so simply enrolling in a course for the purpose of obtaining a visa will not be sufficient.

It should be noted that the possibility of employment in the country on a student visa is not available. This type of visa can only be obtained at a migration office within Thailand. The cost of obtaining the visa along with the educational program varies from50,000 to 65,000 baht.

A student visa is issued for a period of time.15 monthsHowever, it should be updated everythree months.

Student visa for children

Children studying in Thai educational institutions also have the right to a student visa. One of the parents can apply for a type of visa.non-oto accompany the child. Schools provide assistance in gathering the necessary documents for obtaining a visa; however, there are certain financial requirements that one of the parents must meet.

• There should be at least a certain amount in the parent's account at the Thai bank.500,000 baht
• The funds must be transferred no later thanthree monthsbefore submitting the visa application

Retirement visa (o-a)

Next, it is worth discussing the pension visa intended for citizens who have reached50 years oldThis type of visa is in high demand among foreigners. To obtain it, several conditions must be met:

• There should be at least800,000 bahtper person
• The funds must remain in the account for no less thanthree monthsbefore submitting the application

As an alternative, a certificate of stable monthly income, which is at least65,000 bahtor an equivalent amount in another currency. The application for a retirement visa can be submitted at the Thai consulate in your country (cost —200 dollars) or at the local migration office (cost —2000 baht).

If only one of the spouses has reached retirement age, the other can apply for a partner visa, but there must be twice the required amount of funds in the account. It is important to note that working in Thailand with a retirement visa is prohibited. This visa is issued foryearwith the possibility of extension.

Labor migration in Thailand

In Thailand, government authorities do not seek to create competition in the labor market between local citizens and foreign workers. There is a list of professions that are restricted or completely closed to foreigners. The legislation against illegal immigration is quite strict: violators may face significant fines, and in some cases, may be deported.

However, if you have found an employer in Thailand willing to offer you a job, you have the opportunity to obtain a work visa. To do this, you first need to apply for a three-month visa in your home country, and upon arrival, you can obtain a work permit, which will serve as the basis for receiving a one-year work visa with the possibility of extension.

Business visa in Thailand

Individuals interested in starting their own business in the country can expect to obtain a business visa. To do so, it is necessary to register a Thai legal entity. This process will require your presence in the country, where you will need to find a qualified lawyer to assist you with the company registration. On average, this procedure will cost around 150,000 to 180,000 baht.

Next comes the stage of obtaining a three-month visa and work permit, which will cost about 100,000 baht. Each year, you will need to renew the visa, and this will cost around 30,000 baht. If you have at least one employee, the total expenses for running the business will be approximately 120,000 baht.

The fee for processing and extending the visa for the spouse of the main applicant, as well as for children under 20 years old, will be 10,000 baht for each.It's interesting that such family members also gain the right to work in Thailand.

Comparison with the "Thailand Elite" program

If you add up all the costs of obtaining and renewing a business visa over several years, they can be comparable to the cost of the "Thailand Elite" program. However, the latter has its advantages in terms of ease of processing, as the visa application process under this program is much less complicated. For those who do not plan to do business in Thailand but simply want to legalize their stay, the "Thailand Elite" program may seem like a more convenient alternative.

The authorities' attitude towards business visas

It is important to note that the authorities' attitude towards business visas has become more critical. This is due to the increase in the number of fraudsters who created fake employment in Thai companies or set up "shell companies" to legalize migrant workers.

Investment visa

There is also the possibility of obtaining an investment visa (non-ib), however, the requirements for minimum investment measures are quite high, and few people dare to pursue it. To obtain a long-term residence permit in Thailand through investment, it is necessary to:

• to purchase real estate for an amount starting from 10 million baht;
• to arrange a long-term lease (leasehold).

However, it is important to consider the limitations: the property being purchased can only be in the form of apartments in condominiums, villas are not accepted, and the apartments must be located in new buildings.

In addition, investments can be made in Thai government bonds or bonds of state-owned companies in a similar amount, or funds can be deposited in a Thai bank (though not all banks are suitable for this purpose). The investment visa is granted for one year with the possibility of subsequent extension.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the legalization process in Thailand can turn out to be quite lengthy and costly. Therefore, before making a final decision, it's worth carefully considering all the pros and cons. Your choice among the various visa categories will depend on the goals you set for yourself by deciding to stay in this country.

Family visa and long-term visa LTR

Family members of the main applicant, which may include spouses and children up to 20 years old, can apply for a special family visa that allows them to work in the country. There is also information about a long-term visa known as the Learn Term Visa (LTR), intended for foreign citizens with a high income, granting them a ten-year status. This visa covers four main categories of migrants.

Categories of LTR visa

• First group:Wealthy individuals with a global reputation. To qualify for this visa, the applicant must:
  • To have assets of at least 1 million dollars.
  • Have a verified annual income of at least $80,000 for the past two years.
  • Make an investment of 500,000 dollars in Thai government bonds or in Thai real estate.
• Second category:Wealthy retirees. Applicants need to:
  • Be over 50 years old.
  • To have a fixed annual income of at least $80,000.
  • For incomes between $40,000 and $80,000, there is an opportunity to apply provided that there is an investment of $250,000 in government bonds or real estate.

  Important:Income from active labor activities is not taken into account — only passive income.

• Third category:Professionals working remotely for international companies. Key requirements:
  • The annual income must be at least $80,000 for the last two years.
  • Candidates with an income between $40,000 and $80,000 are eligible if they have a master's degree or higher.
  • Candidates must have at least five years of experience in their field.
  • The employer must be a registered entity on the stock exchange or a private company with more than three years of experience.
• Fourth category:Highly qualified specialists in priority sectors. Key requirements:
  • Annual income of at least $80,000 for the past two years.
  • Candidates with an income of $40,000 to $80,000 can also submit documents if they hold a master's degree in natural sciences.
  • A minimum of five years of professional experience or a doctoral degree is required.

  Important:For applicants seeking to work at state universities or research centers, minimum income requirements are not always mandatory.

Conclusion

It should be noted that the requirements for obtaining an LTR visa are quite strict and require careful adherence to all conditions.

Advantages of the smart visa in Thailand

The visa we are talking about offers many benefits, in addition to the ability to stay in Thailand for 10 years with the option to extend. This visa allows you to work in the country and provides a range of business privileges. One important feature is the exemption from the proportional hiring rule: you do not need to hire four Thais for every foreigner when registering a business in Thailand. It is also worth noting that the income tax is17%...which is much lower than the usual progressive rates, reaching...35%.

Speed of processing

Among other advantages, the smart visa offers a high speed of documentation processing at airports. This visa regime is designed for investors, highly skilled professionals, managers, researchers, and entrepreneurs working in key sectors of the economy. Please note that you can only obtain a smart visa if you are employed by a startup registered in Thailand or if you are the initiator of such a project.

Target areas for the smart visa

Now let's take a look at which areas are considered target areas. These include:

• advanced technologies in the automotive industry
• intelligent electronics
• medical and relaxation tourism
• agronomy and biotechnology
• products of the future
• automation and developments in the field of robotics
• aviation and logistics industry
• biofuels and biochemical developments
• digital technologies
• the development of human resources in the scientific and technological fields
• management of ecological processes and the use of renewable energy sources

Validity period and conditions of the smart visa

The smart visa is issued for a period of up to4 years...and it can be extended for both the primary holder and their spouse, as well as for children up to...20 yearsFamily members who have reached18 years oldThey can work in Thailand without the need for a permit.

Types of smart visors

There are four categories of smart visas, each with its own requirements.

1. Smart visa for talented specialists

To obtain this visa, your monthly income must be at least100,000 bahtor an equivalent in another currency. A contract with a legal entity in Thailand for at least one year is also required, along with qualifications in the field of science or technology.

2. Smart visa for investors

This type of visa is intended for those who are ready to invest funds in a business focused on the IT sector and other targeted areas. The conditions for obtaining it include investing at least20 million Thai bahtin the technology business or at least5 million bahtin a startup or an incubation/acceleration program in Thailand, approved by the relevant authorities.

3. Smart visa for top managers

The smart visa for top managers requires an income of at least200,000 bahtper month or its equivalent, with an education level not lower thanbachelor's degreeand at least10 yearsExperience in the relevant field is required. A labor contract with a legal entity in Thailand for a minimum of one year is also necessary, along with the status of chairman of the board or executive director in that company.

4. Smart visa for startups

Finally, the last type is the smart visa for startups, which is intended for those who want to open or have already launched a business in Thailand in one of the targeted sectors. Depending on the stage of your project's implementation, you may be granted a visa for a period of6 monthsto2 years.

Conclusion

Thus, the smart visa is an excellent tool for those who aspire to long-term professional activities and the development of their business in Thailand.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I want to emphasize that the entry options to Thailand, the various visas, and programs offered to foreigners create many opportunities for those who want to spend time in this amazing kingdom. For example,visa-free entryFor citizens of CIS countries such as Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan, temporary relief is provided for a period of up to 90 days. However, it is important to remember that conditions may change, and it is best to check the current information on official resources in advance.

Types of visas

For those planning a longer stay, there are various types of visas available, including:

• Tourist multiple-entry visawhich allows staying in the country for up to 7 months with the requirement to leave.
• Thailand Elite Visaproviding VIP privileges.

This visa is perfect for successful individuals who are not tied to a specific workplace and want the ability to move freely around the country.

Important points

It is worth noting that every visa decision requires careful consideration of all requirements and conditions. This will help avoid unnecessary troubles and enjoy all the delights of life in Thailand, whether it be:

• Pristine beaches,
• Exotic cuisine,
• The kindness of the local residents.

I hope the material provided will help you choose the right option for your plans in Thailand. Whether you decide to spend a short vacation here or make it your permanent home, there is something for everyone. Visa nuances are just a part of what makes a trip memorable; the process of discovering a new culture and living in a different part of the world is the most valuable experience. Safe travels!