Visas and Legalization in Thailand

Choose a Thai visa according to the purpose of your trip: a holiday, study, work, life with family, or a long stay. Before preparing documents, compare visa types and permitted lengths of stay. For travel, find out which documents are required for a tourist visa, and if applying online, how to apply for an e-Visa. Conditions may change: before applying, check the requirements and timeframes with official sources.

If you are already in Thailand and want to stay longer, find out in advance how to extend your visa. If you are living in Thailand long term, check whether you need to file a TM.47 report and how to complete the TM.30 notification in your situation. Do not wait until the last days of your permitted stay to check deadlines, especially if you still need to prepare documents.

For work, check the requirements for a work visa and work permit; for study, a student visa; and for moving with children, a family visa. When considering DTV, LTR, or a retirement visa, compare the requirements with your plans and documents. If you are handling document legalization or permanent residence, confirm the process for your specific situation. Before paying an intermediary, find out which steps they will handle and what you will need to do yourself.