Best Long-Term Thai Visas for Foreigners Visiting Thailand
There are several types of Thai long-term visas that you can apply for to stay in Thailand for a long period of time. These include the Elite Visa Program, the SMART Visa, the Thai Retirement Visa, and the Long-Term Resident Visa.
Thailand Elite Visa Program
If you are looking for the best long-term Thai visa, look no further. There are numerous options available to you. You will need to consider your own needs and personal budget when choosing the most appropriate visa.
For foreigners who are planning to live in Thailand for longer than a month, the best long-term Thai visa is the Thailand Elite Visa. It's a membership program that offers a wide range of exclusive benefits.
The program was established to promote Thailand as a destination for tourists and businessmen. Applicants can choose from five, ten, or twenty-year packages. TPC is a subsidiary of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
As a member, you will receive VIP services like airport limousine service, exclusive lounge access, special dining experiences, and even discounts at shops. Plus, you will enjoy the benefits of having a dedicated elite personal assistant.
Whether you are looking to buy real estate in Thailand, or just want to stay in the country for a few months, a student visa is a great option. Student visas are not as expensive as they seem.
Thailand Long-Term Resident Visa
The Thailand Long-Term Resident Visa (LTR) provides a unique opportunity for foreigners to spend a long period of time in Thailand. This visa scheme is aimed at attracting a new group of global citizens, namely those who are highly skilled in a particular industry, as well as wealthy pensioners and individuals with high net worth.
As of September 2022, Thailand is offering the LTR visa to four categories of foreign nationals. These include work-from-Thailand professionals, wealthy pensioners, highly skilled professional workers, and high-net-worth foreigners who have made investments in Thai government bonds.
The new visa will provide various tax benefits to its holders. It will also attract new talents to Thailand. Moreover, it aims to help the country's economy and improve its standing as a regional hub.
Those who are eligible to apply for the visa must meet the following requirements. First, they must have a minimum personal income of 1.2 million bahts per year. In addition, they must have a bank deposit of at least 1.5 million bahts in Thailand.
Thai Retirement Visa
A retirement visa in Thailand allows a foreigner to live and work in the country for one year. Unlike some other long-term residency options, it does not require a job or a partner. The best part is that the process is relatively straightforward.
To apply for a retirement visa in Thailand, you should visit your local Thai Embassy or Consulate. Be sure to carry a copy of your passport with you. You may also want to bring a financial statement from your home country, as this is one of the easier ways to demonstrate you have the required funds to live and work in Thailand.
There are several types of retirement visas, and each requires different paperwork. For instance, a five-year non-immigrant OA visa requires a minimum balance of 1.2 million baht in a Thai bank. If you're traveling on a long-term visa, you should also make sure that you have the appropriate health insurance.
The basic cost of living in Thailand ranges from $7,800 to $20,400 per year. However, this varies based on the lifestyle you choose.
Thailand SMART Visa
If you are looking for a long-term visa to visit Thailand, you may want to consider a Thailand SMART Visa. This visa is designed for business investors and executives, and it will provide you with up to four years of permission to stay in the country.
There are five types of SMART visas to choose from. Each category has its own requirements. For instance, the SMART Visa "E" requires a senior management position in a technology-based company. It also requires an investment of at least 200,000 THB in an incubation or acceleration program in Thailand. Applicants do not need to have a Bachelor's degree to qualify. Similarly, the SMART Visa "O" does not require any academic qualifications.
The Smart S visa is the best option for digital nomads. These individuals must have a contract with a foreign company and must earn at least $80,000 a year. Moreover, their ideas must be innovative and not saturated in the Thai market.