Visa exemption (tourist entry without a visa): US passport holders are on the visa exemption list. The 60 day scheme that ran from July 15, 2024 was revoked by Ministry of Interior announcements published in the Royal Gazette on August 31, 2026 (Volume 143, Special Issue 207), effective September 15, 2026; entries made before that date keep the stay granted on arrival. The exemption is for tourism only under the revised scheme. All foreign arrivals must file the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before arrival; it is free and is not a visa. Officers may ask for proof of funds and onward travel, but the amounts published by different official posts are not consistent, so no figure is recorded here.
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Living in Thailand long term
Thailand gives US passport holders 30 days visa free for tourism since September 15, 2026, tourist visas at 60 days per entry, and a 5 year Destination Thailand Visa for remote workers who can show THB 500,000. Longer and more stable stays run through the retirement routes from age 50, the Board of Investment Long-Term Resident visa in four high income or high investment categories, and the Thailand Privilege membership from THB 650,000. No visa on this page is itself permanent residence or citizenship; both are separate, discretionary processes.
Numbers on this page apply to holders of a US passport. Page last verified: 2026-10-15
Rules change. Confirm the current rules with the official source or the consulate for Thailand before you apply, pay a fee, or book travel around a date in this table.
Every route, with the math
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| Route | Income required | Investment required | Total cost | Processing time | Days allowed | Renewal rules | Tax residency trigger | Years to permanent residency | Years to citizenship | Last verified | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa exemption (tourist entry without a visa) Tourist allowance | Not applicable | Not applicable | No fee for visa exempt entry. The one extension of up to 30 days costs THB 1,900 at an Immigration Bureau office, per the U.S. Embassy in Thailand. | None. There is no application; the immigration officer stamps the permission to stay on arrival. | 30 days per entry for tourism, for entries on or after September 15, 2026 | One extension of up to 30 days can be requested at an Immigration office in Thailand; approval is discretionary. Repeating visa exempt entries to live in Thailand is not a lawful long stay strategy. | Residing in Thailand for more than 180 days in a tax (calendar) year makes a person a tax resident, per the Revenue Department. A resident is taxed on Thai source income and on foreign source income brought into Thailand. | Not a residence status. Visa exempt stays do not count toward permanent residence. Permanent residence is a separate Immigration Bureau process requiring at least 3 consecutive years on non-immigrant extensions in a qualifying category, such as employment. | Not a residence status. Naturalization under the Nationality Act requires domicile in Thailand for at least 5 consecutive years, in practice held through permanent residence. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Tourist visa (single entry and 6 month multiple entry) Tourist allowance | No income requirement. The application checklist asks for financial evidence of at least THB 20,000 per person (THB 40,000 per family), such as bank statements or a sponsorship letter. | Not applicable | USD 40 for the single entry tourist visa at United States posts (reported; the consular rate is THB 1,000 per entry, collected in local currency). THB 5,000 for the 6 month multiple entry tourist visa, per the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Extending the stay once in Thailand costs THB 1,900, per the U.S. Embassy in Thailand. | Applied for through the e-Visa system or an embassy before travel. The Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, DC instructs visa applicants to apply at least 30 working days before the intended date of travel. | Up to 60 days per entry | Extendable once in Thailand by up to 30 days at an Immigration office. A new visa or a different visa category is required beyond that. | Residing in Thailand for more than 180 days in a tax (calendar) year makes a person a tax resident, per the Revenue Department. A resident is taxed on Thai source income and on foreign source income brought into Thailand. | Not a residence status. Tourist stays do not count toward permanent residence. Permanent residence is a separate Immigration Bureau process requiring at least 3 consecutive years on non-immigrant extensions in a qualifying category, such as employment. | Not a residence status. Naturalization under the Nationality Act requires domicile in Thailand for at least 5 consecutive years, in practice held through permanent residence. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) Digital nomad | Financial evidence of not less than THB 500,000, such as a bank statement or a sponsorship guarantee. No separate monthly income threshold is published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. | Not applicable | THB 10,000 visa fee, set by the Ministry of Interior announcement that created the visa and announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Embassies and the e-Visa system collect the local currency equivalent, which varies by post. | Approximately 4 weeks per a Ministry of Foreign Affairs consulate information sheet; varies by post | Up to 180 days per entry. The visa is valid for 5 years with multiple entries. | Each stay can be extended once in Thailand through Immigration. After the stay and any extension end, the holder leaves and can re-enter on the same visa while it remains valid. The visa itself is not renewable; a new application is needed after the 5 years. | Residing in Thailand for more than 180 days in a tax (calendar) year makes a person a tax resident, per the Revenue Department. A resident is taxed on Thai source income and on foreign source income brought into Thailand. A DTV holder who uses the 180 day stay plus the extension will usually cross this threshold within one long stay. | Not a residence status. The DTV is a tourist visa, and time on it does not count toward permanent residence (reported consistently). Permanent residence is a separate Immigration Bureau process requiring at least 3 consecutive years on non-immigrant extensions in a qualifying category, such as employment. | No path from the DTV itself. Naturalization under the Nationality Act requires domicile in Thailand for at least 5 consecutive years, in practice held through permanent residence. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa, Wealthy Global Citizen Investor | At least USD 1,000,000 in assets held in the applicant name. The current Board of Investment criteria list no separate annual income threshold for this category. | At least USD 500,000 invested in Thailand in the applicant name, in Thai government bonds with a remaining maturity of at least 5 years, direct investment in companies registered in Thailand, Thai property, or a combination. The investment must already be made and held before applying. | THB 50,000 per person for the 10 year multiple entry visa when collected in Thailand, per the Board of Investment. Collection at an embassy abroad or by e-Visa can cost considerably more. | The Board of Investment states the qualifications endorsement result is notified within 20 working days of a complete application, followed by a pre-approval step of 1 to 3 working days. The visa must then be issued within 60 days of the endorsement letter. | 10 years in total. Permission to stay is granted for the first 5 years and can be extended for 5 more years if qualifications are met. | The second 5 year period requires that the holder still meets the category qualifications. Conditions must be maintained throughout; the visa can be lost if they are not. | Standard rule: residing in Thailand for more than 180 days in a tax year makes a person a tax resident. The Board of Investment lists an exemption from tax on overseas income as an LTR privilege. | The LTR is a long term visa, not permanent residence. Permanent residence is a separate Immigration Bureau process requiring at least 3 consecutive years on non-immigrant extensions in a qualifying category, such as employment. | No direct path from the LTR. Naturalization under the Nationality Act requires domicile in Thailand for at least 5 consecutive years, in practice held through permanent residence. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa, Wealthy Pensioner Retirement | Unearned or passive income of at least USD 80,000 per year, such as pension, rental income, dividends, interest, or realized capital gains. Earned income and salaries do not count. If passive income is at least USD 40,000 but under USD 80,000 per year, the applicant must also invest USD 250,000 in Thailand. | Only for the lower income band: USD 250,000 in Thai government bonds with a remaining maturity of at least 5 years, direct investment in companies registered in Thailand, or Thai property, held in the applicant name before applying. | THB 50,000 per person for the 10 year multiple entry visa when collected in Thailand, per the Board of Investment. Collection at an embassy abroad or by e-Visa can cost considerably more. | The Board of Investment states the qualifications endorsement result is notified within 20 working days of a complete application, followed by a pre-approval step of 1 to 3 working days. The visa must then be issued within 60 days of the endorsement letter. | 10 years in total. Permission to stay is granted for the first 5 years and can be extended for 5 more years if qualifications are met. | The second 5 year period requires that the holder still meets the category qualifications. Conditions must be maintained throughout. | Standard rule: residing in Thailand for more than 180 days in a tax year makes a person a tax resident. The Board of Investment lists an exemption from tax on overseas income as an LTR privilege. | The LTR is a long term visa, not permanent residence. Permanent residence is a separate Immigration Bureau process requiring at least 3 consecutive years on non-immigrant extensions in a qualifying category, such as employment. | No direct path from the LTR. Naturalization under the Nationality Act requires domicile in Thailand for at least 5 consecutive years, in practice held through permanent residence. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa, Work-from-Thailand Professional Digital nomad | Average personal income of at least USD 80,000 per year over the past 2 years. If average income is at least USD 40,000 but under USD 80,000, the applicant must also hold a master degree or higher, or equivalent qualifications such as intellectual property ownership. | Not applicable | THB 50,000 per person for the 10 year multiple entry visa when collected in Thailand, per the Board of Investment. Collection at an embassy abroad or by e-Visa can cost considerably more. | The Board of Investment states the qualifications endorsement result is notified within 20 working days of a complete application, followed by a pre-approval step of 1 to 3 working days. The visa must then be issued within 60 days of the endorsement letter. | 10 years in total. Permission to stay is granted for the first 5 years and can be extended for 5 more years if qualifications are met. | The second 5 year period requires that the holder still meets the category qualifications, including the employment and income tests. Conditions must be maintained throughout. | Standard rule: residing in Thailand for more than 180 days in a tax year makes a person a tax resident. The Board of Investment lists an exemption from tax on overseas income as an LTR privilege. | The LTR is a long term visa, not permanent residence. Permanent residence is a separate Immigration Bureau process requiring at least 3 consecutive years on non-immigrant extensions in a qualifying category, such as employment. | No direct path from the LTR. Naturalization under the Nationality Act requires domicile in Thailand for at least 5 consecutive years, in practice held through permanent residence. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa, Highly Skilled Professional Work | Average personal income of at least USD 80,000 per year over the past 2 years. If average income is at least USD 40,000 but under USD 80,000, the applicant must show added qualifications such as a master degree or higher in science and technology. Applicants working for Thai government agencies are exempt from the minimum income test. | Not applicable | THB 50,000 per person for the 10 year multiple entry visa when collected in Thailand, per the Board of Investment, plus THB 3,000 per year for the digital work permit if working in Thailand. | The Board of Investment states the qualifications endorsement result is notified within 20 working days of a complete application, followed by a pre-approval step of 1 to 3 working days. Work permit requests take 3 to 5 working days. | 10 years in total. Permission to stay is granted for the first 5 years and can be extended for 5 more years if qualifications are met. | The second 5 year period requires that the holder still meets the category qualifications. Conditions must be maintained throughout. | Residing in Thailand for more than 180 days in a tax year makes a person a tax resident. Highly skilled professionals receive a 17 percent personal income tax rate on qualifying income as an LTR privilege, per the Board of Investment. | The LTR is a long term visa, not permanent residence. Permanent residence is a separate Immigration Bureau process requiring at least 3 consecutive years on non-immigrant extensions in a qualifying category, such as employment. | No direct path from the LTR. Naturalization under the Nationality Act requires domicile in Thailand for at least 5 consecutive years, in practice held through permanent residence. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Retirement: Non-Immigrant O and O-A (age 50 and over) Retirement | For the 1 year retirement extension of stay, and for the O-A: a deposit of THB 800,000 in a Thai bank account, or income of THB 65,000 per month, or a combination of deposit and income totaling THB 800,000. Royal Thai Embassy guidance for O-A holders states the extension test as documented evidence of a money transfer or deposit account, or an income certificate, showing not less than THB 800,000, or an income certificate plus a deposit account totaling not less than THB 800,000. | Not applicable | USD 80 for the 90 day single entry Non-Immigrant O retirement visa at the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, DC. USD 200 for the O-A (reported; Thai embassy fee schedules list the 1 year multiple entry O-A at USD 200). Each 1 year extension of stay in Thailand costs THB 1,900 at an Immigration office. | The Non-Immigrant O and O-A are applied for through the e-Visa system; the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, DC instructs applicants to apply at least 30 working days before the intended travel date. The 1 year extensions are filed at an Immigration office in Thailand and are normally decided on the day of filing (reported). | Non-Immigrant O gives a single entry stay of up to 90 days, then the stay is extended in Thailand in 1 year increments. Non-Immigrant O-A is issued abroad and permits a stay of 1 year from the first entry. | The stay is extended 1 year at a time at an Immigration office in Thailand, each time against the same financial test, at the discretion of the immigration officer. Extensions continue for as long as the holder qualifies. | Residing in Thailand for more than 180 days in a tax (calendar) year makes a person a tax resident, per the Revenue Department. A resident is taxed on Thai source income and on foreign source income brought into Thailand. | Retirement is not one of the permanent residence categories. The Immigration Bureau grants permanent residence only in set categories (employment, investment, business, family, expert, and special cases), so retirement extensions lead to permanent residence only if the holder separately qualifies in one of those categories. | No direct path. Naturalization under the Nationality Act requires domicile in Thailand for at least 5 consecutive years, in practice held through permanent residence, which retirement status does not itself provide. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Retirement: Non-Immigrant O-X long stay (age 50 and over) Retirement | Either a fixed deposit of not less than THB 3,000,000 in a bank in Thailand, or a fixed deposit of not less than THB 1,800,000 plus fixed annual income of not less than THB 1,200,000. Under the second option the deposit must reach THB 3,000,000 within 1 year. | Not applicable | USD 400 at United States posts (reported; charged by the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, DC). | Applied for through the e-Visa system. The Washington, DC post instructs O-X applicants to apply at least 30 working days before the intended travel date (reported from the post application checklist). | Up to 10 years in total under the long stay O-X structure described by the Department of Consular Affairs | The first permission to stay runs 5 years. Holders report to Immigration once a year so the deposit, income, and insurance tests can be rechecked, and can extend once for a further 5 years on the same tests (reported). After 10 years a new application abroad is required. | Residing in Thailand for more than 180 days in a tax (calendar) year makes a person a tax resident, per the Revenue Department. A resident is taxed on Thai source income and on foreign source income brought into Thailand. | Retirement is not one of the permanent residence categories. The Immigration Bureau grants permanent residence only in set categories (employment, investment, business, family, expert, and special cases), so time on an O-X leads to permanent residence only if the holder separately qualifies in one of those categories. | No direct path. Naturalization under the Nationality Act requires domicile in Thailand for at least 5 consecutive years, in practice held through permanent residence, which the O-X does not itself provide. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Thailand Privilege Card (formerly Thailand Elite) Other | No income requirement. The program states there are no income or investment criteria and no health insurance requirement. | Not applicable | One time membership fee by tier, per the program official site: Bronze THB 650,000 (5 years), Gold THB 900,000 (5 years), Platinum THB 1,500,000 (10 years), Diamond THB 2,500,000 (15 years), Reserve THB 5,000,000 (20 years, invitation only). A THB 50,000 application fee is payable before the background check and is credited against the membership fee on approval (reported). | About 1 to 3 months in total (reported). The background check by the Thai authorities takes roughly 4 to 6 weeks; after approval and payment of the membership fee, the welcome package and membership ID follow within about 5 to 10 business days, and visa affixation takes a further 1 to 2 weeks. | Membership terms of 5, 10, 15, or 20 years depending on the tier, with a multiple entry visa for the term | Membership is bought for a fixed term and is not renewed automatically; continuing means a new membership or an upgrade. The Privilege Entry visa is issued 5 years at a time inside longer memberships. Each entry grants up to 1 year of stay, and a stay can be extended at an Immigration office by 1 year at a time for THB 1,900, per the program operator. | Residing in Thailand for more than 180 days in a tax (calendar) year makes a person a tax resident, per the Revenue Department. The program itself provides no tax exemption. | Membership is not residence. The Privilege Entry visa is a special tourist class visa, and time on it does not count toward permanent residence. Permanent residence is a separate Immigration Bureau process requiring at least 3 consecutive years on non-immigrant extensions in a qualifying category, such as employment. | No path from membership. Naturalization under the Nationality Act requires domicile in Thailand for at least 5 consecutive years, in practice held through permanent residence. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Work: Non-Immigrant B visa and work permit Work | No salary test for the visa itself. For the stay extension, Immigration tests the salary against a nationality table in Police Order 327/2557; United States nationals fall in the THB 50,000 per month band (reported from reproductions of the order). BOI promoted companies apply role based salary floors instead. | Not applicable | USD 80 single entry or USD 200 multiple entry for the Non-Immigrant B visa at United States posts (reported from consular fee schedules). Work permit, per the Department of Employment fee schedule: THB 100 application fee, plus THB 750 for a permit of up to 3 months, THB 1,500 for more than 3 to 6 months, or THB 3,000 for 1 year. Each 1 year extension of stay costs THB 1,900. | The visa is applied for through the e-Visa system before travel; United States posts instruct applicants to allow at least 30 working days. After entry the employer files the work permit application with the Department of Employment, which commonly decides within about a week on a complete file (reported); cases through the BOI One Stop Service Center can be completed the same day. | 90 days on the initial Non-Immigrant B entry. The stay is then extended in Thailand, normally 1 year at a time, in line with the employment and the work permit. | Extensions of stay are granted in line with continued employment and a valid work permit, normally 1 year at a time. | Residing in Thailand for more than 180 days in a tax (calendar) year makes a person a tax resident, per the Revenue Department. Employment income from a Thai source is taxable in Thailand regardless of residency. | Eligible to apply after at least 3 consecutive years of stay in Thailand on non-immigrant extensions in a qualifying Immigration Bureau category, such as employment. An annual quota of 100 applicants per nationality applies, and approval is discretionary. | Naturalization under the Nationality Act B.E. 2508 requires a domicile in Thailand for a consecutive period of not less than 5 years, good behavior, a regular occupation, and knowledge of the Thai language. In practice applicants hold permanent residence first, so the path runs well beyond 5 years of total stay. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Study: Non-Immigrant ED visa Study | Not applicable | Not applicable | USD 80 for the single entry Non-Immigrant ED visa at United States posts (reported from consular fee schedules). Each extension of stay in Thailand costs THB 1,900 at an Immigration office. Tuition is charged by the school and is separate. | Applied for through the e-Visa system before travel; Thai embassies instruct applicants to allow at least 30 working days before the intended travel date. Schools usually need several weeks to issue the supporting documents first (reported). | 90 days on the initial Non-Immigrant ED entry. Extensions in Thailand can add up to 1 year at a time for students in formal education, tied to the course and continued enrollment; short courses receive shorter periods. | Extensions are tied to continued enrollment and are granted in Thailand by Immigration. | Residing in Thailand for more than 180 days in a tax (calendar) year makes a person a tax resident, per the Revenue Department. | Study is not a qualifying category for permanent residence, and time on ED extensions does not count toward it. Permanent residence is a separate Immigration Bureau process requiring at least 3 consecutive years on non-immigrant extensions in a qualifying category, such as employment. | No path from study status. Naturalization under the Nationality Act requires domicile in Thailand for at least 5 consecutive years, in practice held through permanent residence. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
Route notes
Tourist visa (single entry and 6 month multiple entry): Applied for through the Thai e-Visa system or a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate before travel. The Tourism Authority of Thailand states the 6 month multiple entry tourist visa costs THB 5,000 and allows stays of up to 60 days per entry within its validity. Consulate application forms state a tourist stay can be extended only once, by up to 30 days, in Thailand. United States posts charge USD 40 for the single entry visa (reported).
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): For remote workers, digital nomads, and freelancers working for employers or clients outside Thailand, and for participants in Thai soft power activities such as Muay Thai, Thai cooking, sports training, and medical treatment. Spouses and children under 20 of DTV holders can apply as dependents, with the same THB 500,000 financial evidence. Apply from outside Thailand through the e-Visa system or an embassy; the visa is not issued inside Thailand. The DTV does not authorize work for a Thai employer. Processing time of approximately 4 weeks is stated on a Ministry of Foreign Affairs consulate information sheet and varies by post. There is no investment requirement; the THB 500,000 is a bank balance test, not money paid to or invested in Thailand.
Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa, Wealthy Global Citizen: One of four LTR categories screened by the Board of Investment. All LTR applicants must also hold health insurance covering at least USD 50,000, or receive social security benefits in Thailand, or keep at least USD 100,000 in a bank account in their own name for at least 12 months. Every condition, including investment amounts and insurance, must be maintained for the length of the visa. Spouse and children under 20 can apply as dependents, up to 4 dependents per holder. LTR privileges include a multiple re-entry permit, reporting once a year instead of every 90 days, and fast track airport service.
Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa, Wealthy Pensioner: For retirees aged 50 or older. One of four LTR categories screened by the Board of Investment. All LTR applicants must also hold health insurance covering at least USD 50,000, or receive social security benefits in Thailand, or keep at least USD 100,000 in a bank account in their own name for at least 12 months. Conditions must be maintained for the length of the visa. Spouse and children under 20 can apply as dependents, up to 4 dependents per holder. Reporting is once a year instead of every 90 days.
Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa, Work-from-Thailand Professional: For remote workers employed by well established overseas companies. The employer must be a public company listed on a stock exchange, a wholly owned subsidiary of one, or a private company operating for at least 3 years with combined revenue of at least USD 50 million over the last 3 years. All LTR applicants must also hold health insurance covering at least USD 50,000, or receive social security benefits in Thailand, or keep at least USD 100,000 in a bank account in their own name for at least 12 months. No Thai work permit is granted in this category because the work is for a foreign employer. Freelancers without a qualifying employer do not fit this category; the Destination Thailand Visa is the freelance route. There is no investment requirement in this category.
Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa, Highly Skilled Professional: For professionals or experts in targeted industries working for businesses, higher education institutes, research centers, or specialized training institutions in Thailand, or for Thai government agencies. The Board of Investment lists a 17 percent personal income tax rate for highly skilled professionals as a program privilege. All LTR applicants must also hold health insurance covering at least USD 50,000, or receive social security benefits in Thailand, or keep at least USD 100,000 in a bank account in their own name for at least 12 months. Holders who work for an entity in Thailand apply for a digital work permit through the LTR system; the Board of Investment states the work permit processing fee is THB 3,000 per year and the request takes 3 to 5 working days. There is no investment requirement in this category.
Retirement: Non-Immigrant O and O-A (age 50 and over): For applicants aged 50 or older who will not work in Thailand; employment is prohibited. The usual pattern is a 90 day Non-Immigrant O entry followed by 1 year extensions of stay at Immigration, or an O-A issued at an embassy abroad for a 1 year stay from first entry. O-A applications also require a medical certificate, a police clearance certificate, and health insurance; Thai embassy requirements set the insurance coverage at not less than USD 100,000 (about THB 3,000,000) including COVID-19 coverage. Holders must report their address every 90 days and need a re-entry permit to leave and return without losing the stay. Deposit seasoning periods depend on the office and the post. The Non-Immigrant O retirement visa fee is USD 80 at the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, DC (embassy page updated July 1, 2026); the O-A fee of USD 200 is reported from Thai embassy fee schedules.
Retirement: Non-Immigrant O-X long stay (age 50 and over): Open only to nationals of 14 listed countries, which include the United States, and only from age 50. The deposit must be maintained for at least 1 year, and after the first year the balance must stay at not less than THB 1,500,000, with withdrawals allowed only for spending in Thailand such as medical costs, a condominium, a vehicle, or children education. A Thai health insurance policy covering the whole stay is required, with outpatient coverage of not less than THB 40,000 and inpatient coverage of not less than THB 400,000. Working is not allowed, except volunteer work on the Department of Employment list. Spouses and legitimate children can apply as followers.
Thailand Privilege Card (formerly Thailand Elite): A membership program run by Thailand Privilege Card Company Limited, a subsidiary of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, founded in 2003. It is a paid membership with a special Privilege Entry visa, not an investment visa and not permanent residence. Membership does not authorize work in Thailand; the program page states Privilege provides no tax advantages. Family members can be added from the Platinum tier up for a supplementary fee per person (THB 1,000,000 Platinum, THB 1,500,000 Diamond, THB 2,000,000 Reserve, per the program site). The Reserve tier is by invitation only. The program also lists a Bronze tier as a limited offer.
Work: Non-Immigrant B visa and work permit: Summary level. Working in Thailand requires a Non-Immigrant B visa (the e-Visa system lists a Work and Business category covering employment and business) plus a work permit issued under Thai labor law; working on a tourist entry, the DTV, or a retirement visa is not allowed. Stay is extended in Thailand in line with the employment and the work permit. This is also the main qualifying base for permanent residence: the Immigration Bureau residence application requires evidence of at least 3 consecutive years of stay in Thailand, and the employment category adds work permit history and income tests set in the annual announcement. There is no personal investment requirement for the employee; the capital and staffing tests in the extension criteria fall on the employer.
Study: Non-Immigrant ED visa: Summary level. The e-Visa system lists a Studying category for study visits and training; study in Thailand is taken on a Non-Immigrant ED visa tied to the school or university, with extensions in Thailand tied to continued enrollment. The Tourism Authority of Thailand announced the Non-Immigrant ED Plus measure: graduates of Thai higher education institutions may stay 1 more year after graduation to find work, and if employed locally they can change to a Non-Immigrant B visa without leaving Thailand. Language school study has been heavily restricted in recent years; current official limits for private language study were not verified in this pass. There is no income requirement; the applicant shows acceptance by the school and evidence of funds for the study period, with the funds amount set by the post.