Move to Thailand

Street food, temples and islands in Southeast Asia's classic expat base

Thailand is still one of the easiest places in Asia to live long-term as a remote worker thanks to the 5-year Destination Thailand Visa (DTV). Since 15 September 2026 visa-free stays have been cut from 60 to 30 days, and since 31 August 2026 DTV applicants must also show proof of permanent residence in the country where they apply plus a police clearance certificate. Retirees over 50 and wealthy professionals have dedicated long-stay routes (O-A/O-X, LTR).

Routes we checked
7
Digital nomad visa
Yes
Budget from
$850 a month
Language
Thai
Currency
THB
Last checked
30 October 2026

Digital nomad visaWork permitStudent visaRetirement visaPassive income visa

Ways to live in Thailand

These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.

Programme details are shown in English.

Digital nomad visa Digital nomad visas →

Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)

Multiple-entry visa for remote workers and freelancers with foreign clients, and for activities such as Muay Thai, Thai cooking courses or medical treatment.

What you need
At least 500,000 baht (about $15,000) in the bank over the last 3 months, plus proof of remote work or income from foreign clients; no Thai employers. Since 31 August 2026 you also need proof of permanent residence in the country where you apply and a police clearance certificate.
Savings
about $15,000
How long
5 years, multiple entry; up to 180 days per entry, extendable once by 180 days
Renewable
No
Cost
10,000 baht (paid in local currency abroad, e.g. £300 in London, $350 in Moscow)
Processing time
Depends on the embassy
How to apply
Online at thaievisa.go.th from outside Thailand; handled by the embassy in your country of residence
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Not a route to permanent residence; after 5 years you need a new visa.

Official page

Work permit Work permits →

Non-Immigrant B visa and work permit

For people hired by a company in Thailand. The visa lets you enter; you then need a work permit before starting work.

What you need
Job offer and company documents from the Thai employer, a passport valid 6 months, and at least 20,000 THB in funds (40,000 THB per family). The work permit is issued by the Department of Employment after arrival.
How long
Visa 3 months (single entry) or 1 year (multiple entry); with a work permit the stay is extended for up to 1 year at a time
Renewable
Yes
Cost
2,000 THB single entry, 5,000 THB multiple entry
How to apply
Online via thaievisa.go.th or at a Thai embassy
Family
Family members can come with you

Official page

Student visa Student visas →

Non-Immigrant ED visa (education)

For students at Thai universities, schools and accredited language or other courses.

What you need
A letter of acceptance from a school or institution approved by the Ministry of Education, a criminal record certificate and proof of funds.
Renewable
Yes
Cost
2,000 THB single entry
How to apply
Online via thaievisa.go.th or at a Thai embassy

Official page

Retirement visa Retirement visas →

Non-Immigrant O (retirement) + 1-year extension

For people aged 50+: a 90-day Non-O visa that can be extended in Thailand for one year at a time.

What you need
Age 50+. For the extension: 800,000 baht (about $24,000) in a Thai bank, income of 65,000 baht (about $2,000) a month, or a mix totalling 800,000 baht a year; no work.
Income
from about $2,000 a month
Savings
about $24,000
How long
90 days on entry, then 1-year extensions
Renewable
Yes
Cost
Visa fee depends on the embassy; extension 1,900 baht
Processing time
Depends on the embassy
How to apply
Thai e-Visa portal or embassy; extend at a local immigration office
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Retirement extensions are not a standard route to permanent residence.

Official page

Non-Immigrant O-A (Long Stay)

One-year multiple-entry retirement visa issued abroad for people aged 50+.

What you need
Age 50+; 800,000 baht in the bank for 3 months, income of 65,000+ baht a month, or a mix totalling 800,000 baht. Health insurance (many embassies require $100,000 cover), police clearance and a medical certificate; no work.
Income
from about $2,000 a month
Savings
about $24,000
How long
1 year, extendable yearly in Thailand
Renewable
Yes
Cost
Depends on the embassy
Processing time
Depends on the embassy
How to apply
Thai e-Visa portal or the embassy in your country of residence
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Not a standard route to permanent residence.

Official page

Non-Immigrant O-X (10-year long stay)

10-year retirement visa for people aged 50+ from 14 countries: Japan, Australia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, Canada, US.

What you need
3,000,000 baht (about $91,000) in a Thai bank, or 1,800,000 baht plus an annual income of 1,200,000 baht; the money must stay for a year (then at least 1,500,000 baht). Health insurance; no work.
Savings
about $91,000
How long
10 years in total, 5 years per stay permission
Renewable
No
Cost
Depends on the embassy
Processing time
Depends on the embassy
How to apply
Thai embassy or e-Visa portal in an eligible country
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Not a standard route to permanent residence.

Official page

Passive income visa Passive income visas →

Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa

10-year visa from Thailand's Board of Investment for wealthy people, pensioners, highly skilled professionals and well-paid remote workers of large foreign companies.

What you need
Remote workers: $80,000 a year ($40,000+ with a master's degree) from a listed or large employer; pensioners 50+: $80,000 a year passive income (or $40,000 plus $250,000 invested in Thailand); wealthy people: $1M in assets plus $500,000 invested in Thailand. Plus $50,000 health insurance or $100,000 in the bank.
Income
from about $6,667 a month
How long
10 years (5 + 5), multiple entry
Renewable
Yes
Cost
50,000 baht per person (more if issued abroad)
Processing time
Board of Investment approval in about 20 working days, then the visa
How to apply
Online at ltr.boi.go.th
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Long-term status; permanent residence is a separate application.
Tax
Foreign income is tax-exempt, and highly skilled professionals pay a flat 17%, per the Board of Investment.

Official page

Cost of living

Monthly amounts in US dollars.

One-bedroom flat$290
Two-bedroom flat$670
Bills$40
Typical local salary$450
Budget for one person$850

Cities to consider

Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.

What life is like

Programme details are shown in English.

Why people move

Bangkok is huge and endlessly lively, Chiang Mai is the relaxed northern favourite of remote workers, and Phuket and Koh Samui offer island life. Street food is cheap and excellent, and Thai warmth makes settling in easy.

Day to day

Domestic flights, trains and buses connect the country cheaply, and Bangkok has a good metro. Private hospitals are excellent. QR payments are everywhere and internet is fast. Thai is the language, but English works in tourist and expat areas.

Trade-offs

Burning season brings heavy smoke to the north each spring. Roads are dangerous, especially on scooters, and Bangkok's heat and traffic can wear people down.

Before you move: visa-free entry

Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:

Visa rules for every passport

Questions

Does Thailand have a digital nomad visa?

Yes. Thailand offers: Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).

How much money do I need to live in Thailand?

A single person can live on from about $850 a month. A one-bedroom flat costs about $290 a month.

How can I move to Thailand?

The routes we have checked are: Digital nomad visa, Work permit, Student visa, Retirement visa, Passive income visa.

Can I retire in Thailand?

Yes, through: Non-Immigrant O (retirement) + 1-year extension; Non-Immigrant O-A (Long Stay); Non-Immigrant O-X (10-year long stay).

When was this information checked?

The residence routes for Thailand were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

Sources and last check

Residence routes for Thailand were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.

Other countries in Southeast Asia