Complete Guide to Thai Visa:
Choosing the right visa can help you start a new life abroad.
Moving to Thailand starts with choosing the right visa! Whether you're retiring, starting a business, or buying property, New Vista helps you seamlessly integrate into Thai life.THAILAND VISA GUIDE
Four Types of Thai Long-Term Residence Visas: Understand Them All at a Glance
From retirement and business to property investment, each visa corresponds to a different life plan. First, understand the basic requirements and residency duration.
01
Thailand retirement visa
RETIREMENT VISA (OA)
The non-immigrant Open Account (OA) long-term visa can be applied for if the applicant is 50 years of age or older and has proof of savings or a stable income.
Application qualifications
Age 50+
Residence Permit
1 yr, renewable
02
Thailand Elite Visa
THAILAND PRIVILEGE
Pay a one-time membership fee to obtain a multi-year residency permit and enjoy VIP privileges such as fast-track airport clearance.
Application qualifications
One-off fee
Residence Permit
5–20 years
03
Thailand LTR visa
Long-term Resident
The Thai government has launched a long-term residency program to attract high-potential talent and wealthy individuals, which includes tax incentives.
Application qualifications
Asset & income review
Residence Permit
10 years
04
Thailand Investment Visa
INVESTMENT VISA
Investing in qualified projects such as real estate in Thailand allows one to apply for long-term residency as an investor.
Application qualifications
From THB 3M
Residence Permit
1 yr, renewable while held
Find the right visa based on your life goals.
Whether you're looking to enjoy retirement, travel for business, develop your career, or purchase property for long-term residence, choose the option that best aligns with your goal and see the suggested directions.
01
50 years and older
Retirement life
Recommended Visa | Retirement Visa
Focus on cost of living and long-term renewal
Foreigners aged 50 and above who wish to enjoy a high-quality retirement life in Thailand.
02
Business/Vacation
Frequent round trips
Recommended Visa | Elite Visa
Emphasis on convenience and exclusive privileges
Entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals, several nomads, or those who love to vacation in Thailand.
03
High assets/professional
Talent Development
Recommended Visa | LTR Visa
Emphasis on long-term residency and tax advantages
Affluent citizens worldwide, wealthy retirees, and highly skilled professionals and specialized technicians interested in working in Thailand.
04
Real estate investment
Property purchase and long-term residence
Recommended Visa | Investment Visa
Emphasis on simultaneous planning of assets and residency
Investors with a certain budget who wish to have a stable residence in Thailand or overseas assets.
Comparison of application requirements and advantages
The list of suitable candidates, application requirements, and core advantages is presented side-by-side to help you quickly determine which option best suits your needs.
Visa types
Visa Introduction
Suitable for
Application threshold
Core advantages
The top choice for a healthy and happy life for senior citizens
Thailand retirement visa
The Thai retirement visa (non-immigrant OA visa) is a high-value option designed specifically for seniors. With its world-class healthcare and relatively low cost of living, Thailand has become a global retirement paradise.
Foreigners aged 50 and above who wish to enjoy a high-quality retirement life in Thailand.
You need to prove that you have sufficient financial means to live in Thailand, such as having at least 800,000 Thai Baht in savings, or a fixed monthly income of 65,000 Thai Baht (or the sum of savings and annual income can reach 800,000 Thai Baht), and you need to undergo a medical examination and purchase medical insurance.
With an approachable visa threshold, you can extend your stay an unlimited number of times as long as you meet the renewal requirements, allowing you to enjoy Thailand's rich culture and friendly community atmosphere with peace of mind.
Unrestricted VIP privileges
Thailand Elite Visa
If you are a businessperson who frequently travels to Thailand or a high-net-worth individual, the Elite Visa can save you from cumbersome administrative procedures and provide you with the highest level of exclusive privileges.
Entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals, several nomads, or those who love to vacation in Thailand.
A one-time membership fee is payable based on the membership plan, which varies by duration and level.
They can enjoy long-term residency rights ranging from 5 to 20 years. This includes numerous national-level VIP privileges such as expedited airport clearance, luxury car transfers, golf, and exclusive discounts at top-tier spas.
Exclusively for top talents and the wealthy
Thailand LTR visa
The LTR (Long-Term Residency) visa is a 10-year long-term residency program launched by the Thai government to attract "high-potential" expatriates from around the world. It offers high flexibility and generous tax benefits, making it an excellent choice for high-achieving individuals to expand their overseas presence.
Affluent citizens worldwide, wealthy retirees, and highly skilled professionals and specialized technicians interested in working in Thailand.
There are high eligibility requirements based on personal assets, annual income, or investment amount in Thailand (such as real estate investment or government bonds).
Successful applications grant residency for up to 10 years, along with certain tax exemptions on overseas income, fast-track airport clearance, and the option to bring your spouse and children along, perfectly balancing career and family.
A win-win strategy for property purchase and long-term residence
Thailand Investment Visa
The "buy a property, get a visa" deal often mentioned in the market refers to this highly attractive investment visa policy. For investors intending to purchase property in Thailand, this is a high-value shortcut that solves residency issues once and for all and deeply binds their assets.
Investors with a certain budget who wish to have a stable residence in Thailand or overseas assets.
This applies to foreign nationals who invest at least 3 million Thai Baht in the Thai real estate sector (such as directly purchasing apartments or long-term rentals). *The 3 million Thai Baht threshold requires certification from the relevant authorities; those who do not meet this threshold will be subject to a higher investment requirement.
There are no geographical restrictions on the investment project. As long as the property remains in your name, you can continue to apply for annual renewals. In addition, eligible spouses, parents aged 50 and above, and children under the age of 20 can also apply together, making it easy to relocate the whole family.
Confirm before applying
Purpose and duration of stay / age and family members / assets, income and investment plans
※ Visa eligibility, fees, and regulations may be subject to change. Please refer to the latest announcements from the Thai authorities and the assessments of professional consultants for the actual application requirements.
Thailand Elite Visa | Membership Plans
Choose a plan based on your length of stay and tier of privileges, pay the membership fee in one lump sum, and enjoy multiple entries for 5 to 20 years and VIP privileges.
BRONZE
Bronze Card
5 years | 650,000 baht
Membership fee
650,000
Thai baht
Validity period
5
years
Privilege Points
—
No points
GOLD
Gold Card
5 years | 900,000 Thai Baht
Membership fee
900,000
Thai baht
Validity period
5
years
Privilege Points
20
points/year
PLATINUM
Platinum Card
10 years | 1.5 million Thai Baht
Membership fee
1.5 million
Thai baht
Validity period
10
years
Privilege Points
35
points/year
DIAMOND
Diamond Card
15 years | 2.5 million Thai Baht
Membership fee
2.5 million
Thai baht
Validity period
15
years
Privilege Points
55
points/year
RESERVE
Supreme Card
20+ years | 5 million baht
Membership fee
5 million
Thai baht
Validity period
20++
years
Privilege Points
120
points/year
5-20 year multiple-entry visa
Airport fast clearance & private car transfer
Annual Privilege Points & Redemption Benefits
Golf, spa, health check
90-day check-in/extension assistance provided by dedicated staff
New Vista co-organizer
Partner professional service companies - no handling fees
Application qualifications
No age or income restrictions
Family members added
Platinum cardholders and above can apply for family cards.
* Membership fees are in Thai Baht, plus an application fee of 50,000 Thai Baht (which will be deducted upon approval); Family Card: Platinum 1 million, Diamond 1.5 million, Supreme 2 million Thai Baht per person. The details of the program are subject to the latest announcement from Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd.
Five steps to complete the visa application
From initial consultation and document preparation to visa issuance and renewal, New Vista provides dedicated personnel throughout the entire process, ensuring clear and transparent progress.
01
Needs Consulting
Learn about your purpose of stay, age, family members, and asset planning.
02
Scheme Evaluation
Based on your individual circumstances, compare the four visa options and recommend the most suitable application path.
03
Document Preparation
Provide a list of required documents to assist in verifying the completeness of the information.
04
Application for submission
Assist with submitting applications and tracking the review progress, providing timely updates.
05
Issuance and Renewal
After obtaining the visa, you will be reminded of the visa renewal schedule and matters to be handled during your stay.
Before applying, you may want to know
We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked visa questions from our clients. If you have any other questions, please feel free to schedule a consultation with a specialist.
How do I apply for a Thai retirement visa?
Any retired resident of Taiwan who is at least 50 years old, or any foreign national holding a Taiwan Permanent Resident Card, who wishes to apply for a multiple-entry Non-Immigrant Visa “O-A” for a stay in Thailand not exceeding one year may do so.”
- Taiwan ID card, passport, 2-inch passport photo
- An English-language certificate of deposit and a certified copy of the passbook showing detailed current account transaction history for at least three months (the passbook must be updated through the day before the application date, and the balance must remain at least 800,000 Thai baht (or the equivalent in foreign currency))
- Original copy of a medical examination form from a Taiwanese hospital (must be valid for no more than three months)
- A Certificate of Entry and Exit Dates issued by the National Immigration Agency of Taiwan’s Ministry of the Interior (covering records for the one-year period prior to the date of application).
- Taiwan Criminal Record Certificate (Certificate of Good Conduct) valid for three months
- When purchasing health insurance, the medical insurance plan must cover a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 and have a maximum benefit limit of $100,000.
- You can apply online in Taiwan; please visit the website of the Thai Trade and Economic Office.
Note:
- Prohibited from Working in Thailand
- The applicant must not be a person subject to an entry ban.
- Visa fee: 5,600 yuan
- Applicants who wish to sponsor their spouse to live with them in Thailand must submit an original and a copy of their marriage certificate if the spouse does not meet the requirements for a “Non-O-A” visa (the spouse may apply for a “Non-O” visa).
What is the Elite Card? What qualifications are needed to apply?
- The Elite Card is a privileged VIP service offered to expatriates who love Thailand and wish to reside there long-term, freeing them from excessive formalities. It includes airport transfers and other VIP services. The application process is simple and fast, with 5-year, 10-year, and 20-year card options available. Our company has partnered with this service provider, waiving processing fees and offering introductions to Elite Card contact points.
- As long as you have no issues with overstaying your visa in Thailand and no major criminal record, your application for the Elite Card can be approved.
Appointment ConsultationSchedule a one-on-one visa consultation
Leave your contact information and travel plans, and a specialist will assess the most suitable visa option.Leave your contact information and stay plans, and a specialist will assess the most suitable visa option based on your age, family, and assets.