Moving to Thailand - How to Immigrate to Thailand? (2024)

Thailand, known as the “Land of Smiles”, for years, has been attracting people from across the world with its tropical beauty, temples, ancient structures, unique cuisine, and vibrant nightlife.

In Thailand, expats can find a home among a large community of fellow foreigners. Moreover, it is not surprising that Thailand welcomes millions upon millions of foreign tourists and residents each year because of its low cost of living and laid-back lifestyle.

The following guide will provide all the information you need to know about moving and living in Thailand if you plan to relocate there.

Facts About Thailand

Some basic facts about Thailand are:

Do I Need a Visa to Move to Thailand?

You must apply for a visa to move to Thailand. Thailand offers different types of visas, but to move there, you must apply for a Thailand Non-Immigrant visa. The non-immigrant visas are for long-term stays.

How Do I Move to Thailand?

To move to Thailand, you are required to apply for a Thailand non-immigrant visa. In addition, if you are staying longer than 90 days, you must submit a 90-Day Report to the Thai Immigration authorities. This implies that you must visit your local Thailand Immigration Department location every 90 days while you are still residing there to report your current address, even if it is still the same.

Non-immigrant visas are usually issued for a maximum of 90 days. Therefore, if you want to stay longer, you have to get a one-year visa extension from the Bureau of Immigration in Bangkok. Moreover, you should also get a Re-Entry Permit, which can be issued for single or multiple entries.

If you want to move to Thailand for over three months, the following ways are the right choice:

• Move to Thailand for work.
• Move to Thailand to study.
• Move to Thailand for marriage.
• Move to Thailand for retirement.

Moving to Thailand for Work

If you want to move to Thailand and work, you need to apply for a Thai work visa in your country from an Embassy or Consulate. However, regardless of the work visa, to legally work and live in Thailand, you must obtain a work permit and an extension of your stay.

You must apply for a work permit at the Department of Employment in Thailand. The work permit’s validity is one year or as long as the duration of your work contract.

You can start working after your work permit application has been approved. Nevertheless, you must request an extension of your stay at the Immigration Bureau in order to remain in Thailand long-term. You are entitled to an extended stay for one year starting the day you enter Thailand. After that, you can extend your stay for three years; then, you are eligible for a permanent residence permit.

Moving to Thailand to Study

Suppose you have been accepted into a Thai educational institution. In that case, you must apply for a student visa to pursue your studies. Moreover, to be eligible for the student visa, you also have to:

• Take at least three courses.
• Have at least 15 hours of classes per week.

A Thai student visa is valid for 90 days, but you can extend your stay at the Thailand Immigration Department. If you are staying in Thailand long-term, you must report your address to the Immigration Department of Thailand every 90 days.

Moving to Thailand for Marriage

If you are married to a Thai citizen and want to join your spouse, you will need to apply for a Thailand marriage visa. The visa is usually issued for 90 days.

In order to stay long-term in Thailand after entering on a Marriage Visa, you must first obtain an extension of your stay. After that, you must apply for a re-entry permit, which allows you to exit and re-enter without losing your visa. Last but not least, you must report your address and stay to the Immigration Department every 90 days you continue living there.

Moving to Thailand for Retirement

If you are over 50 and want to retire in Thailand, you must apply for a Thailand Retirement Visa. Thailand offers two types of retirement visas:

• The One-Year Thailand Retirement Visa (“O-A”). It is issued to all foreigners, valid for a year, and can be renewed annually.
• The Ten-Year Thailand Retirement Visa (“O-X”). It is issued to foreigners of certain countries, valid for five years, and can be renewed once more for a maximum of ten years.

The Thai retirement visa is the only visa for which having adequate Thai health insurance coverage is mandatory. Upon receiving a Thailand retirement visa, you can enter the country for the duration of the visa. Then you must apply for a Thai re-entry permit to leave and enter the country without any problems. Moreover, you have to report your address every 90 days to Immigration.

How Can I Become a Permanent Resident in Thailand?

You can become a permanent resident in Thailand after three years of legally staying in the country. To do so, you must apply for a permanent residence permit at the local Thailand Immigration Office. The residence permit never expires.

In addition, you have to apply for a Thailand residence certificate. The application can occur at the embassy in your country or the local Immigration office. The residence certificate is issued to anyone living in Thailand. The document states your address in the country and confirms the legal status of your residence.

How Can I Get Thai Citizenship?

You can get Thai citizenship after living in Thailand for five years as a permanent resident. Nevertheless, you can win Thai citizenship after three years of living in Thailand without becoming a permanent resident if:

• You are the husband of a Thai citizen.
• You held Thai citizenship before.
• You have done something that benefits Thailand.
• You are the spouse/child of someone who holds Thai citizenship through naturalization.

Does Thailand Allow Dual Citizenship?

Thailand allows dual citizenship. You are not required to renounce your citizenship after obtaining Thai citizenship. However, your home country also has to allow dual citizenship.

How to Move My Belongings to Thailand?

Depending on your home country and the money you are ready to spend on shipping, you can move your belongings by land, air, or sea. The easiest way to move them is by sea. You are required to have a few documents to ship your belongings:

• A draft import declaration.
• A passport.
• A letter issued by the Immigration Department confirming that your annual temporary stay is granted.
• A work permit.
• A letter from the government agency confirming that the non-immigrant visa is granted.
• A bill of lading.
• An invoice.
• A permit for restricted goods.
• An application for duty exemption.

Dutiable items include the following:

• Brand new items.
• Musical instruments.
• Bicycles.
• More than one electrical item of the same type.
• Computers and laptops.
• Toys.
• Marble items.
• Exercise equipment.
• Cosmetics.
• Plasma televisions.

Prohibited items include:

• Narcotic drugs.
• Firearms and ammunition.
• Radio transmitters.
• Seeds.
• Plants and dried floral arrangements.
• Medicinal products.
• Explosives and fireworks.
• p*rnography.
• Medical equipment.

Can I Move With My Pets to Thailand?

You can move with your pets to Thailand if they are at least four months old. Moreover, they will not be quarantined if they do not show any illness. Other requirements include the following:

• All pets need to be microchipped with an ISO-compliant microchip.
• All pets must have a health certificate. The certificate must state that the pets are healthy. The certificate is valid for ten days after the date of issuance.
• All pets must be vaccinated for rabies (21 days before traveling).
• All pets must be vaccinated for leptospirosis (21 days before the date of departure).
• All pets must be vaccinated for Distemper, Hepatitis, and Parvovirus at least 21 days before traveling.
• All pets must be treated for internal and external parasites.
• Before traveling, all pets entering Thailand must have an Import Permit from the Department of Livestock Department.

Note: Pitbull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier breeds are prohibited from importing to Thailand.

What Are the pros and Cons of Moving to Thailand?

Here are some pros and cons for you to consider before moving to Thailand:

What Are Some Popular Places for Expats in Thailand?

Some of the most popular cities where expats can move to in Thailand include:

• Bangkok
• Chiang Mai
• phu*ket
• Koh Samui
• Hua Hin

Bangkok

Bangkok is Thailand’s capital city. It is a cosmopolitan city with over eight million people. Bangkok is known for its vibrant street life, nightlife, temples, and palaces.

Although Bangkok is a popular tourist destination in Southeast Asia, it is also home to thousands of expatriates who appreciate the affordable cost of living, a stable economy, easy business transactions, vibrant Thai culture and warmth, and a laidback lifestyle.

Other aspects of expat life, such as healthcare and education, should also be considered. For example, Thai hospitals are becoming more popular with foreign visitors as Thailand promotes itself as a medical tourism hub. Moreover, many of the nation’s schools, including international ones, can be found in Bangkok.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is home to thick tropical forests, ancient structures, and hill trekking. This city also has the most active Buddhist temples in the country. Compared to the previous city, Chiang Mai is smaller but more remarkable, with hills topped with temples and beautiful, distinctive wooden buildings.

The city is filled with cinemas, shopping malls, and international cuisine, but it is a more varied Westernized place. It also has a superb food scene with dozens of vegetarian restaurants and cheap food stalls.

There are also several advantages to living in this beautiful city, including its low cost of living. Eating out and buying fresh produce at the local markets are both affordable. Further, there is excellent medical care and a safe environment.

phu*ket

phu*ket is known worldwide as a destination for beach vacations. It has the most visited beaches in Thailand. phu*ket is Thailand’s largest island and is quite diverse, with food, wildlife, serene sands, to luxury hotels.

Depending on your lifestyle, your living expenses in phu*ket can vary greatly. Housing and food will be your two most significant expenses. Even though phu*ket is the most expensive province in Thailand, you will still have a much lower overall living expense than in New York, London, Sydney, or Helsinki. Furthermore, transport in phu*ket is best handled by having your vehicle.

Koh Samui

Koh Samui is located about 50 miles from Thailand’s mainland, in the southern part of the country. The island is easily accessible by ferry and speedboat, both provided on the mainland. This city is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the country. It is home to huge rainforests, breathtaking sunsets, luxury resorts, and some of the best beaches in Thailand. Nevertheless, Koh Samui is not just a sunbathing heaven; it offers plenty to expats.

Expats come to this place for the sun, beaches, and sand, but they decide to stay due to the affordable living costs and the laid-back lifestyle. The island of Koh Samui is very affordable, and some of its beaches offer reasonably priced beach huts. On the other hand, if you plan on staying on the island for a more extended period, you can find a comfortable apartment for rent for around $500 per month. Thai cuisine is also very cheap, with a delicious meal costing about $1.5. The cuisine is quite diverse, with different vegetables and spices.

Hua Hin

If you want to avoid crowds and sunbathe peacefully, Hua Hin might be your best destination. Hua Hin is located on the eastern coast of Thailand and has about 85,000 people. It might feel like a beach town, but it has modern conveniences like any cosmopolitan city.

Hua Hin has numerous positive qualities. For example, you can relax by the beach or participate in any sports or events available. Moreover, maintaining a healthy diet is simple due to the abundance of fresh products in the markets. The prices are also lower compared to what it would cost in North America, for instance.

Finally, you can come across many other expats here. The expat population is increasing every year. Approximately 3,000 to 5,000 expats live in Hua Hin. Expats are mostly retirees because of the peace and low crowds.