1. Qualifications of applicant
1.1 Valid passport with a Non-Immigrant visa.
1.2 The applicant has lived in Thailand for 3 consecutive years.

2. Time for application
Applications can be submitted only during a specified time period, which is officially announced. It is not a fixed date. Each year, the Cabinet reviews the law allowing foreigners to have residency in Thailand. After it is approved, the Ministry of Interior releases the quota of foreigners to be accepted. After the quota is released, applications may be submitted from that time until the end of the year.

3. Place of Application
Apply at

Section 1, Sub-Division 1,
Immigration Bureau (Room 301) Soi Suanplu,
Bangkok
(Tel. +66 2 287-3117)

or at your local Immigration office.

4. Required Documents
Office brochures are available listing the documents required, depending on the reasons for wanting to apply for a resident's visa:

4.1 For business of work-related purposes.
4.2 For investment.
4.3 As a technocrat or consultant.
4.4 To care for a wife and/or child who has Thai nationality.
4.5 To be under the guardianship/sponsorship of a husband or father who is a Thai national.
4.6 To be under the guardianship/sponsorship of a husband or father who has received residency in Thailand.
4.7 For retirement purposes.

For further information and brochures, please contact the Immigration Bureau (see 3).

5. Fee
5.1 A fee of 2,000 baht for each application.
5.2 An official resident's certificate is issued after the visa has been approved. The fee for the certificate is 50,000 baht. For dependents (i.e., a wife or child not of legal age) of a Thai national or foreigner already holding a resident's certificate. The fee is 25,000 baht.

Note: A foreigner must apply in person as fingerprints and personal interviews are required.

Visa Issuance For Temporary Residence [Non-Immigrant "O-A" (Long Stay)]
This type of visa will be issued to applicants aged 50 years or above wishing to take retreat in the Kingdom at least for the period of one year.

I. Qualification of the Applicant
A foreign national whose age is 50 years or above (on the date of submitting the application).

Not being prohibited from entering the Kingdom under the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (A.D.1979).

Having no criminal record against the security of Thailand and the country of his/her nationality, or the country of his/her residence.

Having the nationality of or the residence in the country where his/her application is submitted.

Not having prohibitive diseases (Leprosy, Tuberculosis, Drug Addiction, Elephantiasis and Third step of Syphilis) as indicated in the Ministerial Regulation No.14 (B.E. 2535).

Not being allowed to work in Thailand.

Ii. Required Documents For Visa Application
A passport with validity not less than 18 months

Three copies of visa application form completely filled out.

Three passport-sized photos of the applicant taken within the past six months.

A personal Data Form

A copy of bank statement showing a deposit at the amount equal to not less than 800,000 Baht or an income certificate (an original copy) with a monthly income of not less than 65,000 Baht, or a deposit account plus a monthy income totalling not less than 800,000 Baht.

In the case of the bank statement, a letter of guarantee from the bank (an original copy) is to be shown as well.

Verification stating that the applicant has no criminal record issued from the country of his/her nationality or residence (the verification shall be valid for not more than three months and should be notorized by notary organs or the applicant's diplomatic/consular mission).

A medical certificate issued from the country where the application is submitted, showing no prohibitive diseases as indicated in the Ministerial Regulation No.14 (B.E. 2535) (the certificate shall be valid for not more than three months and should be notorized by notary organs or the applicant's diplomatic/consular mission).

In the case that the applicant wishes to have his/her spouse stay together in the Kingdom but the spouse is not qualified for the “O-A” visa, their marriage certificate shall also be produced as evidence and should be notorized by notary organs or the applicant's diplomatic/consular mission. (The spouse will be considered for temporary stay under category “O”).

Iii. Channels To Submit Visa Application
Applicants can submit their applications both at the Thai embassy / consular missions where they have their permanent residence or at the Office of the Immigration Bureau in Thailand. (Address : Section 1, Sub-Division 1, Immigration 1, Immigration Bureau, Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road, Sathorn District, Bangkok 10120. Telephone 287-4948 (direct line) or 287-3101-10 ext. 2236)

Applications from aboard
Visa applications to be submitted at a Thai Embassy or Consulate overseas must include the following documents:
- A visa application form.
- Acopy of passport or travel document valid for not less than 1 year and 6 months.
- Evidence of a personal bank account holding the equivalent of not less than 800,000 baht or personal monthly income of not less than 65,000 baht or the combined total of a personal bank account and salary [(monthly income) x 12] equivalent to not less than 800,000 baht.

A Thai Embassy or Consulate will forward copies of the documents requested above to the Immigration Bureau for consideration.

The Immigration Bureau will inform the Visa and Travel Documents Division, Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the results of the application within 7 working days. The Foreign Affairs Ministry will then pass on the application results to the embassy or consulate concerned.

Applications from within Thailand
Visa applications submitted within Thailand fall into 3 categories:

- A hospital or a convalescence institution applies for the foreigner.
- An organization or agency approved by the Immigration Bureau may submit the application for the foreigner.

A parent, spouse or child who is still under the care of the applicant and is part of his/her personal family submits the application.

Please be advised that the following applicants are eligible to apply for this type of visa in the country:
- Applicants undergoing Health Rehabilitation Program in hospitals or Health Centers. These organizations will apply on behalf of the individual applicant.
- Applicants who are spouses / parents / children of applicants above.
- Applicants to whom the agencies or organizations approved by the Office of the Immigration Bureau have applied for visa on their behalf. The above mentioned applicants must have qualifications stated in I and II.
- The Consular missions will be notified to issue visa to the individual applicant when the Office of Immigration Bureau has given approval.

IV. Recommendations for the aliens while staying in the Kingdom
When completing the stay of 90 days in the Kingdom, the alien shall report to the competent authority and repeat it every 90 days with the immigration officer in the alien's residence area, or report to the police station in the alien's residence area if there is no immigration control there.

(In order to report to the competent authority by mail, the alien shall do as follows:
- The Report Form (Tor Mor 47) together with a copy of the passport pages showing the alien's photo, personal details, and the latest arrival visa stamp as well as a self addressed envelop with postage affixed, shall be forwarded, by 7 days before the due date, by acknowledgement of receipt mail to the Immigration Bureau, Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road, Sathorn District, Bangkok 10120.
- In the case of conducting any following reports, the Reply Form for the previous report shall be enclosed as well.

At the end of the one-year stay, the alien who wishes to extend his/her stay shall submit a request for the extended period at the Immigration Bureau with documented evidence of money transfer, or a deposit account in the Kingdom, or an income certificate, at the amount of not less than 800,000 Baht, or an income certificate plus a deposit account at the total amount of not less than 800,000 Baht a year. Extension for one year at a time will be granted to this group of people as long as they meet the requirements as earlier stated and is at the discretion of the Immigration officer.
If the alien's spouse wishes to extend his/her stay as well, the marriage certificate shall be produced.

Regulations Governing the Issuance of Non-Immigrant "B" Visa
I. Visa Issuance
1.1 Foreigners who wish to work/conduct business or undertake investment activities in Thailand must apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa at the Royal Thai Embassies or Consulates abroad. (Information on location and contact numbers of the Thai Embassies and Consulates-General can be obtained through website http.www.mfa.go.th/Embassy/default.htm). Various categories of non-immigrant visa are currently provided to meet the need and qualification of individual business people. These include business visa (category B), business approved visa (category B-A) and investment and business visa (category IB). Visa fee is 500 Baht for single entry with three-month validity and 1,000 Baht for multiple entries with one-year validity.
1.2 Passport holders of Syria, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Palestinian State, Sudan, Algeria, Libya, Yemen, Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Egypt have to apply for visa at the Thai Embassy or Consulate General where they have their permanent residence.

II. Categories of Visa
2.1 Non-Immigrant visa (category “B” – Business) can be obtained from all Thai Embassies and Consulates provided that the following relevant documents are submitted.

Foreigners who wish to work in Thailand
- Visa application Form completely filled out
- Applicant's passport with validity not less than six months and its copy
- Two 4x6 cm. full-faced, bareheaded photos taken within the past six months
- Letter of acceptance from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (Alien Occupational Control Division, Department of Employment, Mit-Maitree Road, Dindaeng, Bangkok 10400 Tel 662-245-2745 / 245-3209 / 617-6578 / 617-6584 Fax. 662-6176576, 245-2593)

[For those foreigners who wish to work in Thailand, their employer in Thailand should submit Form WP3 (Application for applying a work permit on behalf of alien) together with other related documents such as a certificate issued by the Department of Commercial Registration, documentary evidence of educational qualifications, etc. at the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare.]

- Official marriage and birth certificate (In case of the applicant's family members)
- Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family)
- Copy of Work Permit issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (only in case the applicant has previously worked in the Kingdom )

( Remarks 1. An alien who receive a non-immigrant visa can work in Thailand after having received a work permit. Any violation thereof shall make the employee liable for imprisonment not exceeding three months, to pay a fine not exceeding five-thousand Baht, or both penalties.
2. An alien who performs work that is prescribed by the Royal Decree B.E. 2522 (1979) which prohibits alien employment in certain occupations and professions is liable to be imprisoned not exceeding five years, will be fined from 2,000 to 10,000 Baht, or both penalties.)

Foreigners who wish to conduct business in Thailand
- Visa application Form completely filled out
- Applicant's passport with validity not less than 6 months and its copy
- Two 4x6 cm. full-faced, bareheaded photos taken within the past 6 months
- Letter from the applicant's company stating the objective of the visit to Thailand, his/her salary, etc.
- Document showing correspondence with trading partners in Thailand.
- Financial evidence in case that the applicant is doing his/her own business
- Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family)
- Letter of invitation from company in Thailand together with copy of corporate documents comprising of 1) list of shareholders 2) business registration and business license 3) company profile 4) details of business operation 5) list of foreign workers stating names, nationalities and positions 6) map indicating the location of the company 7) Balance sheet, statement of Income Tax and Business Tax (Por Ngor Dor 50 and Por Ngor Dor 30) of the latest year 8) Alien income tax return (Por Ngor Dor 91) and 9) Value-added tax registration (Por Ngor Dor 20), etc. (Copies of company documents must be signed by Board of Directors or authorized managing director and affixed the seal of the company.)
- Document indicating the number of foreign tourists (for tourism business only), or document indicating export transactions issued by banks (for export business only)
- Official marriage and birth certificates (In case of the applicant's family members)
- Consular officers reserve the rights to ask for additional documents as deemed necessary.

In the absence of a required document, a letter indicating the unavailability of such document must be provided.

The applicant must sign on each page of the copy.

Documents in foreign languages must be translated in Thai. If translated into English, it should be notorized by notary organs or the applicant's diplomatic/ consular mission.

The holders of this type of visa are entitled to stay in Thailand for a maximum period of 90 days. Upon completion of such period, an extension of stay for a period of one year counting from the date of arrival in the Kingdom can be applied for at the Office of the Immigration Bureau.

2.2 Business approved visa (category “B-A”) may be applied for at the Embassies or Consulates abroad but approval shall be given by the Office of the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok before visa is issued to the qualified applicant. The company in which the applicant will invest or do business with can also apply for this type of visa at the Immigration Bureau. The validity of stay for B-A type visa is valid for a period of one year counting from the date of arrival in the Kingdom.

2.3 Investment and business visa (category “IB”) is issued to foreign staff working under investment projects promoted by the Board of Investment of Thailand (BOT). The project must benefit the country in the following ways :
- Produce for export
- Increase employment
- Utilize indigenous raw materials
- Locate in provincial areas
- Encourage technology transfer to Thai nationals
- Not compete in such a way as to destroy existing domestic business

III. Additional Information
3.1 After entering the Kingdom, applicants or their assignee must go to the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (Alien Occupational Control Division, Department of Employment) to apply for a work permit and shall pay the income tax accordingly. If the company's applicant is located in other provinces, the applicant must apply at Labour Development Office in that province.
3.2 Applicant's family members, namely; spouse, parents and children who are unmarried and under 20 years old, are eligible to apply for Non-Immigrant Visa (category “O”) and will allow to stay from the period of 90 days up to 1 year.
3.3 Foreigners entering the Kingdom under a Transit Visa (“TS”) or Tourist Visa (“TR”) wishing to engage in business activities may apply for a change to Non-Immigrant Visa at the Immigration Bureau Office located at Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120, Tel (662) 2873101-10 or at website http://www.police.go.th/thaiimb/frconten.htm The extension of stay as well as the change of certain type of visa is at the discretion of the Immigration officer.

IV. One Stop Service Center for Visas and Work Permits
4.1 One Stop Service Center for Visas and Work Permits was established by the Regulations of the Office of Prime Minister which was promulgated on 30 June 1997 with objective to strengthen the procedure to promote good investment circumstances by providing for the one stop service to avoid delay and inconvenience to the foreigners in applying for stay permission in the Kingdom, re-entry permit and work permit. It has been opened since 1 July 1997 onwards and located on 207 Rachadapisek Road, Krisda Plaza, 3-5th Floors, Dindaeng, Bangkok 10310, Tel 662-693-9333-9 and Fax. 662-693-9340.
4.2 Qualification of applicants for work permit at the One Stop Service Center for Visas and Work Permits are as follows :
4.2.1 The aliens who are executives or experts obtaining priviledges according to other laws as follows:

- Investment Promotion Act B.E. 2520 (1977)
- Petroleum Act B.E. 2514 (1971)
- Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand Act B.E. 2522 (1979)

(Remarks: The aliens who work for the enterprises outside Bangkok can submit the application to One Stop Service Center for Visa and Work Permit)

1.2.2 The aliens who are general investors;
- If investing not less than 2 million Baht, will be granted with 1 year approval.
- If investing not less than 10 million Baht, will be granted with two-year approval.
- The applicant must have the location of work or office in Bangkok only.

1.2.3 The aliens who are executives and experts;

- To work at a company with the registered capital or total assets of not less than 30 millions Baht.
- The alien, who comes to work as the foreign press, shall submit a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a copy of ID Press Card issued by Department of Public Relations.
- The aliens who are Researchers and Developers on Science and Technology.
- The aliens who are the officials of Branch Office of Overseas Bank, Foreign Banking Office of Overseas Bank, Provincial Foreign Banking Office of Overseas Bank and the Representative Office of Foreign Bank which were certified by the Bank of Thailand.
- The aliens who work for the Branch of the overseas enterprises.
- The aliens who work on the necessary and urgent basis for a period of not longer than 15 day.

Countries declared yellow fever infected areas
Countries concluded agreement on the exemption of visa requirement with Thail

Tourist Visa Exemption:

According to the Interior Ministerial Announcements dated 6 February B.E.2538 (1995), 8 December B.E. 2541 (1998) 1 October B.E. 2545 (2002) and 20 December B.E. 2545 (2002) , passport holders from 39 countries do not require a visa when entering Thailand for tourism purposes if their stay in the Kingdom does not exceed 30 days.

The applicant must possess instrument of means of living expenses 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family accordingly.

Please also be advised that ordinary passport holders of 39 countries who intend to engage in certain activities are eligible to apply for a visa when entering the Kingdom if their qualifications meet the conditions set forth by the Office of Immigration Bureau. For more information, please contact the Office of Immigration Bureau, Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120, Tel. (662) 287-3101-10 or at website http://police.go.th

List of 39 countries are as follow:

1. Australia: Commonwealth of Australia
2. Austria: Republic of Austria
3. Belgium: Kingdom of Belgium
4. Brazil: Federative Republic of Brazil
5. Bahrain: State of Bahrain
6. Brunei Darussalam: Negara Brunei Darussalam
7. Canada
8. Denmark: Kingdom of Denmark
9. Finland: Republic of Finland
10. France: French Republic
11. Germany: Federal Republic of Germany
12. Greece: Hellenic Republic
13. Hong Kong: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
14. Indonesia: Republic of Indonesia
15. Ireland: Republic of Ireland
16. Israel: State of Israel
17. Italy: Republic of Italy
18. Japan
19. Korea: Republic of Korea
20. Kuwait: State of Kuwait
21. Luxembourg: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
22. Malaysia
23. Netherlands: Kingdom of the Netherlands
24. New Zealand
25. Norway: Kingdom of Norway
26. Peru: Republic of Peru
27. Philippines: Republic of the Philippines
28. Portugal: Republic of Portugal
29. Qatar: State of Qatar
30. Singapore: Republic of Singapore
31. Spain: Kingdom of Spain
32. South Africa: Republic of South Africa
33. Sweden: Kingdom of Sweden
34. Switzerland: Swiss Confederation
35. Turkey: Republic of Turkey
36. United Arab Emirates
37. United Kingdom: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
38. United States of America
39. Vietnam: Socialist Republic of Vietnam

List of countries which are declared yellow fever infected areas

- The Ministry of Public Health has laid down regulations that applicants who have traveled from or through the countries which have been declared Yellow Fever Infected Areas must provide an International Health Certificate providing that they have received a Yellow Fever vaccination.
- The International Health Certificate must be submitted together with the visa application form. The traveler will also have to present the said certificate to the Immigration Officer upon arrival at the port of entry in the Kingdom. As for those nationals of the countries listed below but who have not traveled from/through those countries, such a certificate is not required. However, they should possess concrete evidence showing that their domicile is not in an infected area so as to prevent undue inconvenience.

Following are the countries which are declared Yellow Fever Infected Areas.

1. Angola: People's Republic of Angola
2. Benin: People's Republic of Benin
3. Bolivia: Republic of Bolivia
4. Brazil: Federative Republic of Brazil
5. Burkina Faso: Republic of Burkina Faso
6. Burundi: Republic of Burundi
7. Cameroon: Federal Republic of Cameroon
8. Central African Republic:
9. Chad: Republic of Chad
10. Colombia: Republic of Colombia
11. Congo: Republic of the Congo
12. Cote d' Ivore: Republic of Cote d' Ivoire
13. Ecuador: Republic of Ecuador
14. Equatorial Guinea: Republic of Equatorial Guinea
15. Ethiopia: The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
16. French-Guiana
17. Gabon: Gabonese Republic
18. Gambia: Republic of the Gambia
19. Ghana: Republic of Ghana
20. Guinea-Bissau: Republic of Guinea Bissau
21. Guinea: Republic of Guinea
22. Guyana: Cooperative Republic of Guyana
23. Kenya: Republic of Kenya
24. Liberia: Republic of Liberia
25. Mali: Republic of Mali
26. Mauritania: Islamic Republic of Mauritania
27. Niger: Republic of Niger
28. Nigeria: Federal Republic of Nigeria
29. Panama: Republic of Panama
30. Peru: Republic of Peru
31. Rwanda: Republic of Rwanda
32. Sao Tome & Principe: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome & Principe
33. Senegal: Republic of Senegal
34. Sierra Leone: Republic of Sierra Leone
35. Somalia: Somali Democratic Republic
36. Sudan: Democratic Republic of the Sudan
37. Suriname: Republic of Suriname
38. Tanzania: United Republic of Tanzania
39. Togo: Republic of Togo
40. Uganda: Republic of Uganda
41. Venezuela: Republic of Venezuela
42. Zaire: Democratic Republic of the Congo

List of countries which have concluded agreement on the exemption of visa requirement with Thailand

I. Country which has concluded agreement on the exemption of visa requirement for holders of diplomatic passport with Thailand and permitted to stay for 30 days

The Kingdom of Cambodia

II. List of Countries which have concluded agreement on the exemption of visa requirement for holders of diplomatic or official passport or service/special passport with Thailand and permitted to stay for 30 and 90 days

90 DAYS

1. Argentina
2. Austria
3. Belgium
4. Brazil
5. Chile
6. Croatia
7. Czech Republic
8. Germany
9. Hungary 10. Israel
11. Italy
12. Luxembourg
13. Malaysia
14. Mexico
15. The Netherlands
16. Nepal
17. The Philippines
18. Poland 19. Romania
20. Russian Federation
21. Singapore
22. Slovak Republic
23. South Afica
24. Switzerland (include Liechtenstein)
25. Tunisia
26. Turkey

30 DAYS

1. Mongolia
2. Laos: Lao People's Democratic Republic
3. China: People's Republic of China
4. Myanmar: Union of Myanmar
5. Vietnam: Socialist Republic of Vietnam

III. Country which has concluded agreement on the exemption of visa requirement for holders of diplomatic, official and ordinary passports with Thailand and permitted to stay for 90 days

Republic of Peru

IV. List of Countries which have concluded agreement on the exemption of visa requirement for holders of national passport with Thailand and permitted to stay for 30 and 90 days 90 DAYS
1. Brazil
2. Republic of Korea

30 DAYS

1. Hong Kong SAR
2. Socialist Republic of Vietnam
3. Macao Special Administrative Region

According to the Interior Ministerial Announcements, passport holders from 14 countries may apply for visas at the immigration checkpoints for the purpose of tourism for the period of not exceeding 15 days.

The applicant must possess instrument of means of living expenses 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family accordingly.

The applicant must produce instrument of means of transport (full paid ticket) which is usable within 15 days since the date of entry.

Visa on arrival is provided at 23 designated international checkpoints and applicants should produce the application form to which his/her recent photograph (2 ½ inches) is attached. The application fee is 300 Baht.

Visitors who enter the Kingdom with Visa on Arrival generally cannot file an application for extension of stay except in special cases such as illness which prevents them from travelling, etc. They can submit an application at the Office of Immigration Bureau , Immigration Division 1, Soi Suan Plu, South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120. Tel. (662) 287-3127 or 287-3101-10 ext. 2264-5 or at website http://www.police.go.th/

List of 14 countries are as follow :

1. Bhutan: Kingdom of Bhutan
2. China: People's Republic of China (including Taiwan)
3. Cyprus: Republic of Cyprus
4. Czech: Czech Republic
5. Hungary: Republic of Hungary
6. India: Republic of India
7. Kazakhstan: Republic of Kazakhstan
8. Maldives: Republic of Maldives
9. Mauritius: Republic of Mauritius
10. Oman: Sultanate of Oman
11. Poland: Republic of Poland
12. Russian Federation
13. Saudi Arabia: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
14. Ukraine