When it comes to living in Thailand long-term, you have a lot of options. Choosing the right one for you will depend on your individual goals, financial situation and preferences. To help you out, we have compiled this list of six different ways to stay in Thailand for years. Each option is ranked based on key decision factors, including benefits, requirements and difficulty, and price.
The most popular way to stay in Thailand long-term is through the Non-Immigrant O visa, commonly referred to as the retirement visa. It is available to those who are at least 50 years old, and it allows them to stay in the country for up to five years at a time, with extensions possible. This option is also the cheapest of our list, making it an attractive choice for those who are looking to save money while still having access to all the comforts of home.
Another option is the Thai marriage visa, which can be applied for by foreigners who are married to a Thai citizen. This visa, which is technically a Non-Immigrant O Dependent visa, is also tied with the retirement visa as the cheapest long-stay option. It does have some immigration obligations, but they are not as stringent as those associated with other visas on our list.
A new visa category launched in 2022 is the High-skilled Professional visa, which aims to attract highly-qualified professionals who want to live and work in Thailand. This visa is available to individuals who are working in a scientific or technical field, and it offers the same five-year extension options as the other three types of long-stay visas on our list.
In addition to the above, there is also the Investor Visa, which can be applied for by those who own a company or organization that invests in Thailand. This visa also carries the same extension possibilities as the other long-stay visas on our list, and it is available to citizens of nine different countries, including the United States.
Those who want to apply for any of these visas should contact the relevant Thai embassy or consulate in their home country to find out how to do so. In most cases, applicants will be required to attend an interview at the embassy or consulate before their application is processed. However, in some instances, this is not necessary. For those who are unable to visit their local embassy, there are also online services that can help them to get their visa. These services can vary in cost, so it is important to research them carefully before making a final decision. A good place to start is this website. Thailand long stay visa