Which Thai visa is right for you?
The biggest visa mistake I see is people ending up on one that doesn't suit their circumstances. Answer six questions and I'll point you to the right one, and the one to avoid.
By Shane Ruddle20 years in Pattaya · rules as of October 2026What's the main reason you're coming?
Thai visas at a glance
Visas marked "From my experience" are ones I've written about from 20 years here. The others come from official sources, so check before applying.
Retirement visa
For anyone 50 or over who can show the money
- How long
- 1 year at a time, renewed here
- Money to show
- ฿800,000 in a Thai bank, ฿65,000 a month income, or a mix
- Cost
- ฿1,900 for each yearly extension
- Can you work?
- No
DTV (Destination Thailand Visa)
Five years for remote workers, with 180-day stays
- How long
- 5 years, up to 180 days per entry
- Money to show
- About ฿500,000 in savings
- Cost
- About ฿10,000 (set by each embassy)
- Can you work?
- Remote work for clients abroad only
Thailand Privilege (Elite)
Pay once, skip most of the paperwork, but you can't work
- How long
- 5 to 20 years, depending on the package
- Money to show
- No savings test, you pay a membership fee
- Cost
- From ฿650,000 for 5 years
- Can you work?
- No
Business visa and work permit
The one you need to work or run a business here
- How long
- 1 year at a time, while you have the job
- Money to show
- The company has to qualify, not you
- Cost
- Varies. Most people pay an agent
- Can you work?
- Yes, with the work permit
LTR (Long-Term Resident)
Ten years for high earners, wealthy pensioners and skilled professionals
- How long
- 10 years (5 + 5)
- Money to show
- Around US$80,000 a year income, or US$1m in assets
- Cost
- About ฿50,000
- Can you work?
- Yes, with a digital work permit (most categories)
Marriage visa
For anyone married to a Thai, at any age
- How long
- 1 year at a time, renewed here
- Money to show
- ฿400,000 in a Thai bank, or ฿40,000 a month income
- Cost
- ฿1,900 for each yearly extension
- Can you work?
- Yes, with a work permit
Education and guardian visas
For students, and parents of children at school here
- How long
- Up to a year at a time, while studying
- Money to show
- Course fees. Guardians: about ฿500,000 in a Thai bank
- Cost
- School or course fees, plus ฿1,900 per extension
- Can you work?
- No
Visa exemption (30 days)
Fine for a holiday or a first look, not for living here
- How long
- 30 days, plus one 30-day extension
- Money to show
- None in practice
- Cost
- Free. ฿1,900 to extend
- Can you work?
- No
Choose for the next few years, not just now.
Someone I know bought an Elite visa, now called Thailand Privilege. It cost him close to a million baht. Then he decided he wanted to work. It isn't a work visa, and there was no way to convert it, so he had to walk away from it.
He's now on a Non-Immigrant B visa alongside a work permit, like me.
Thai visas: short answers
Which Thai visa is best for living in Pattaya?
It depends on your age and what you'll do here. Retirees 50+ use a retirement visa, remote workers use the DTV, and anyone working or running a business needs a Non-B visa with a work permit.
What's the biggest visa mistake people make?
Getting bad advice, and ending up on a visa that doesn't suit their circumstances. Think about what you might want to do here in a few years, not just now.
How long can I stay in Thailand without a visa?
For most Western passports, 30 days since 15 September 2026, down from 60. You can usually extend once by up to 30 days.
Do I need a visa agent in Pattaya?
You don't have to use one, but I always have. There are plenty around the city, and they make the whole experience a lot less painful.
Ask Shane
Not sure which visa is right for you?
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