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Live in the Kingdom: Options to consider when you decide to stay longer in Thailand

Read on below to contemplate the options you can consider to have a more extended stay here in Thailand.

There are several reasons to love Thailand that invite people of other nationalities to consider staying longer in the Kingdom. It might be the country’s nature and tourism, or they like to work here. Family is another reason to think about spending more time in this beautiful place.

Either way, you will need to apply for a visa the first time you come here, and you can use a professional visa agent to guide you in acquiring the entry permit.

Read on below to contemplate the options you can consider to have a more extended stay here in Thailand.

Spend your rest days via non-immigrant O retirement Visa
You can apply for this kind of visa if you are a retiree and already above 50 years of age who wants a price considerate option.

A Retirement Visa is one of the options with the least required documents wherein you only need to meet the age requirement, and you must have a balance of 800,000 Baht in your Thai bank account.

A visa like this could make you stay without any nuisance for a whole year, but you can extend it based on your liking. There is also a five-year stay option under this visa, but it requires a higher bank account balance, and another set of paperwork needs to be accomplished.

Aside from the age and bank balance requirement, a retirement visa could cost you some money based on longevity and origin country. Estimated amounts are listed below:

  • 2,000 Baht for a 1-year single-entry visa
  • 5,000 Baht for a 1-year multi-entry visa
  • 10,000 Baht for a 5-year visa

As the name implies, a retirement visa is only for those who wish to spend some of their retirement days in the Kingdom, so working under this visa is prohibited.

Stay with your family via non-immigrant O Marriage Visa
You can opt for this visa if you are a foreigner with a Thai spouse and/or a legal/adopted child. Like a retirement visa, you will still have to oblige with your immigration duties. However, time commitment and financial aspects are kept at a minimal level.

A marriage visa allows an individual to work inside the country, given that they can obtain a work permit from the local Department of Labor.

In terms of requirements, a minimum of 400,000 Baht should be in your Thai bank account for two months or longer. You also need documents to certify your marriage with your spouse or any other legal documents to prove your relationship. This is applicable when you have a child with your spouse.

You also need to prepare 2,000 Baht for a 1-year single-entry visa. It is also essential to know that a 1-year multi-entry visa which costs around 5,000 Baht, should be applied outside of Thailand. These visas are extendable if you wish to stay for a little longer.

Be a long-term resident (LTR)
The government of Thailand introduced the Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa last September 2022. It is best for “work-from-anywhere” professionals and wealthy individuals.

This visa is divided into four categories which are named below:

  • Wealthy Global Citizen
  • Wealthy Pensioner
  • Work-from-Thailand Professional

High-skilled professional
Being a long-term resident visa holder would make you a subject for benefits such as no 90-day cycle reports or extensions. You will also gain access to a premium lane at the airport for a fast-track service.

You are also permitted a multi-entry pass with your LTR visa, so going in and out of the country would be easy.

LTR visa holders can also bring up to four dependents under their name so they can be with their families.

You are also allowed to work under this visa after you obtain a digital work permit from the One Stop Service Center for Visa and Work Permit in Chamchuri Square Building.

An LTR visa costs around 50,000 Baht, and an additional 3,000 Baht for the work permit. This amount is regardless of your LTR visa category.

Be a permanent resident
Being a permanent resident of Thailand means you would no longer need any visa to establish your life in the Kingdom. This also means you will not experience immigration problems after becoming a permanent resident.

You can now start a new life in Thailand, where you can choose whether to work, start a business, or enjoy life in this wonderful country.

Permanent residency is divided into four categories: Business, Family, Investment, and Expert. The business class is considered the easiest to apply to because of its short list of requirements, while the other three share the minimum standards.

These include three successive years on a current non-immigrant visa, paid taxes from a salary range of 80,000-100,000 Baht when applying for business, and the ability to converse in the local language for about 15 minutes straight.

If you are married to a Thai, the price for a permanent residency is 95,700 Baht and 191,400 Bath for those under the business category.

Be a Thai citizen
Be one of the proud citizens of Thailand if you genuinely love the country and decide to stay here permanently. Citizenship would no longer require a visa, so you can leave and return without fuss.
You will also not be required to obtain a work permit to perform a job after you acquire citizenship.
Moreover, applying for Thai citizenship would require rigorous paperwork, and requirements should be met. There is a general list of required legal documents online, but it is also subject to change depending on which branch office you apply to.

Show Aristocracy with an Elite Visa
You can stay in Thailand effortlessly while receiving 5-star treatment if you can obtain an Elite Visa.
To start your luxurious stay, the government will have concierge services for your driving licence, bank account opening, and others. You will also be escorted through a limousine to and from the airport.
As an Elite visa holder, luxury hotels for accommodation and 5-star spas are also at your disposal.
However, work is not allowed when you are under this type of visa. Moreover, you can choose to stay in the country for 5, 10, or 20 years and the price would range from 600,000 to 2,140,000 Baht.

Conclusion
After considering the different options for staying longer in Thailand, it is now up to which one suits you the best. Take note of your work status, financial capabilities, and commitment to stay in the Kingdom so you can know which documents to prepare and requirements to fulfil.

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