Kingdom of Thailand visas
Thailand routes most long-stay foreigners through the Immigration Bureau and Thai embassies (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), with employment authorised separately by the Ministry of Labour's Department of Employment. The Board of Investment runs the higher-end Long-Term Resident (LTR) and SMART visa programmes, while the Non-Immigrant "B" plus work permit remains the standard employment route. Newer options include the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) for remote workers and soft-power activities.
6 routes · 5 without a sponsor · 0 lead to settlement
Official portal
Primary source
Thailand e-Visa (official application portal) ↗ · Immigration Bureau (Thailand)
Link last verified:
Regulators of immigration advice
- Lawyers Council of Thailand (LCT) — Statutory regulator of the legal profession in Thailand; lawyers advising on immigration matters are admitted and disciplined by the Council.
Visa routes (6)
Non-Immigrant Visa "B" + Work Permit
Thailand's standard employment route: a Non-Immigrant "B" visa from a Thai mission plus a separate work permit issued by the Department of Employment.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa
A 10-year BOI-administered visa for high-potential foreigners across four categories, with a digital work permit and tax and re-entry benefits.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
SMART Visa
A BOI visa for talent, investors, executives and startup founders in targeted industries, granting up to four years of stay with no separate work permit required.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 12 July 2026
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
A five-year multiple-entry visa launched in 2024 for remote workers (workcation) and Thai soft-power activities, allowing 180-day stays per entry.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Non-Immigrant Visa "O-A" (Retirement / Long Stay)
A long-stay retirement visa for applicants aged 50 and over with the required savings or pension income; employment of any kind is prohibited.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Non-Immigrant Visa "O" (Family / Spouse of Thai National)
A family visa for foreigners married to Thai nationals or accompanying close family, with an initial 90-day stay extendable yearly; it does not grant the right to work.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 10 July 2026
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does Kingdom of Thailand have?+
We cover 6 Kingdom of Thailand visa routes in these categories: sponsored work, general residence, skilled migration, digital nomad, and family. Each one links to its primary government source and carries a last-reviewed date.
Which Kingdom of Thailand visas do not need an employer sponsor?+
5 of the 6 Kingdom of Thailand routes we cover can be pursued without an employer sponsor, which helps if you do not have a job offer yet. The remaining 1 are employer-sponsored.
Which Kingdom of Thailand visas lead to permanent residence?+
The Kingdom of Thailand routes we cover are temporary rather than direct settlement routes.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in Thailand