Thailand long-stay
Staying in Thailand for months rather than weeks now takes more planning than it did a year ago. Since 15 September 2026, visitors from 60 countries and territories, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia and the EU, get a 30-day visa exemption instead of 60 days, and since 31 August 2026 the popular Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) has had stricter rules on where and how you apply. If you are relocating, treat the exemption as a scouting trip and arrange a long-stay visa from home.
Who this route suits
Thailand's long-stay routes suit remote workers and freelancers (the DTV), well-paid remote employees of large overseas companies (the LTR), and retirees aged 50 or older, who have a separate retirement visa and an LTR pensioner category. It suits people less well if they hope to run back-to-back border trips: visa-exempt land entries are generally capped at two per calendar year, and repeat entries draw scrutiny.
The main options at a glance
| Option | Best for | Length | Key requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-day visa exemption | Short scouting trips | 30 days, one discretionary extension of up to 30 days (1,900 baht) | Onward ticket within 30 days, proof of funds, TDAC arrival card |
| Tourist visa (TR) | Stays of two to three months | 60 days, extendable once by 30 days | Bank statements, itinerary, accommodation |
| DTV | Remote workers, freelancers, soft-power activities such as Muay Thai courses | Five years, multiple entry, up to 180 days per entry, extendable once per entry by 180 days | 500,000 baht in funds, police clearance, apply where you hold nationality or permanent residence |
| LTR (Work-from-Thailand Professional) | Remote employees of large overseas companies | 10 years, as two five-year stays | US$80,000 average yearly income, qualifying employer, US$50,000 health cover; 50,000 baht fee |
The order to tackle things
- Understand the short-stay rules first. Read Thailand's 30-day visa exemption and staying longer, including why an onward flight booked for day 45 can get you refused at check-in.
- Choose a long-stay visa. Most remote workers will start with the Thailand DTV visa requirements. Applying from a Thai embassy in a neighboring country on a short trip no longer works for most people, so get your police certificate and apply through the mission covering your home country.
- Check whether you qualify for the LTR. If you earn well and your employer is publicly listed or has at least US$50 million in combined revenue over three years, the Thailand LTR visa guide explains the Board of Investment application, which aims to decide within 20 working days and replaces 90-day reporting with a yearly address report.
- Choose where to live. In Bangkok, living within a 10-minute walk of a BTS or MRT station matters more than the neighborhood name. The best neighborhoods in Bangkok for expats compares Thonglor, Ari, Sathorn, the riverside and On Nut with typical rents.
What to watch out for
- Working on the exemption. Its stated purpose is tourism, and official sources conflict on business use; don't rely on it for work.
- Assuming an extension. Exemption extensions are at the officer's discretion, so apply early enough that a refusal still leaves time to leave legally.
- Letting LTR conditions slip. Employment, income and insurance must be maintained for the life of the visa.
All 4 guides in this series
- Articles
Thailand's 30-day visa exemption in 2026: your options for staying longer
Since 15 September 2026, visa-free visitors to Thailand get 30 days instead of 60. Here is how the one-time extension works and which visas to use if you are relocating rather than visiting.
- Visa guides
Thailand DTV visa requirements after the August 2026 document changes
Since 31 August 2026, DTV applicants must apply where they hold nationality or permanent residence and include a police clearance certificate. Here is the full document checklist, the 500,000 baht rule and what applicants report.
- Visa type
- Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
- Processing
- Processing: About 15 working days; longer if documents are requested
- Visa guides
Thailand LTR Visa Guide: Long-Term Resident Visa for Remote Professionals
How Thailand's 10-year Long-Term Resident visa works for remote employees of large overseas companies, what the Board of Investment checks, what it costs and what applicants report about the process.
- Visa type
- Long-term resident (Work-from-Thailand Professional)
- Processing
- Processing: About 20 working days for BOI endorsement, then visa issuance within 60 days
- Articles
Best neighborhoods in Bangkok for expats: where to live and what it costs
A practical comparison of Bangkok's main expat areas, from Thonglor and Phrom Phong to Ari, Sathorn, the riverside and On Nut, with current rent ranges, transit links and who each one suits.