Your Travel Guide to Thailand
All information & tips to prepare your trip in Thailand
Informations about non-tourist visa for Thailand
What other visas that the tourist visa ?
If the majority of people who go to Thailand do it for vacation and simply need a tourist visa (see details on the tourist visa for Thailand here), there are other visas. And for every visa type, it has been mandatory since May 1, 2025, to create a Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), a digital arrival card for Thailand. This takes only a few minutes and can be done online on the official website.The student visa, the visa for retirees, the visa to work in Thailand.... Here are some information about each type of non-tourist visas for Thailand.
The student visa for Thailand
This visa is also called Educational visa (category Ed) and to get it you have to bring proof of your enrollment in a thai university. You will then get a 90 days visa for a start and have to renew it for one year. Students completing internships in Thailand and did not study need a letter from the employer stating the internship.See what documents to provide to get your educational visa on this Royal Thai Embassy website.
Retirement visa for Thailand
You can request for a retirement visa (category O-A) from the age of 50. It is valid for one year and renewable. You must complete a number of conditions including the level of your financial resources to get it. These conditions vary quite regularly.List of required documents for applying for an O-A retirement visa :
- Passport page with personal details (the passport must be valid for at least 18 months on the date of departure)
- Official color ID photo (photo booth), taken within the last 6 months
- Proof of residence in France dated within the last 3 months for European passports (electricity, mobile phone, or internet bill), and a residence permit if you are not an EU citizen
- Proof of monthly income (pension certificate, payslip) of at least €2,000 or an official bank statement showing a balance of €24,000 in a non-blocked account over the past 3 months
- Medical certificate confirming that you are in good health and free from contagious diseases (legible handwritten documents, issued within the last 3 months)
- Health insurance with minimum coverage of USD 100,000 or THB 3,000,000, including COVID-19 treatment, valid from arrival in Thailand and covering 1 year
- Foreign Insurance Certificate form covering 1 year, completed by the insurer, signed and stamped, with minimum coverage of THB 3,000,000 (see: https://longstay.tgia.org)
- Clean criminal record from the country of origin (and the country of residence if different)
- Visa fee: €175
In the case where the accompanying spouse is not eligible to apply for the Category ‘O-A’ (Long Stay) visa, he or she will be considered for temporary stay under Category ‘O’ visa. A marriage certificate must be provided as evidence and should be notarised by notary organs or by the applicant’s diplomatic or consular mission.
See documents required on this Royal Thai Embassy website.
Business visa
Business visa (category B) allows a foreigner to obtain a visa to work in Thailand as an expatriate. A business letter is necessary. The visa is issued for 90 days and renewable (only if you got a work permit) . Note that there is also a special visa for the spouse and children of expatriates.See documents required on this Royal Thai Embassy website.
The DTV Visa (Thailand Destination Visa)
The DTV Visa (Destination Thailand Visa) offers two main categories depending on your situation:
Option 1: Digital Nomad (remote work)
This option is intended for people who work online for clients or a company based abroad. You can be a freelancer, entrepreneur, or employee working remotely. The idea is simple: you live in Thailand, but your income comes from abroad.
Option 2: Soft Power (activities in Thailand)
This option applies to people coming to Thailand to take part in cultural or wellness activities. This may include:
- Muay Thai classes
- Thai cooking courses
- training programs (massage, yoga, etc.)
- cultural programs
For the required documents for the DTV visa, see the Embassy website.
Remote visa request
Some agencies can do the visa request process for you. You can easily find them on Google. Just check reviews first as some are not lefal or serious companies or even canbe scammers.Tourist visa for Thailand
For information about the tourist visa for Thailand and cases of visa exemption, check out our tourist visa for Thailand page.
