How to Stay in Thailand Long-Term: Every Visa Option Compared (2026)

Thailand is easy to visit. Staying is the hard part. You land at Suvarnabhumi, breeze through immigration with a 60-day stamp, settle into a Chiang Mai apartment for 8,000 baht a month, and suddenly three weeks have evaporated. You love the food. You love the cost of living. You love the fact that a solid coworking space costs less than a single lunch in London. And then it hits you: your 60 days are running out, and you have no idea how to stay legally.

I have been through this exact cycle. Multiple times. I have done the border runs, enrolled in Thai language schools I barely attended, stacked visa exemptions until an immigration officer gave me the look, and eventually figured out the right visa for my situation. This guide is everything I wish someone had told me before I started cobbling together half-baked plans from Reddit threads and Facebook groups.

Here is every legal option for staying in Thailand longer than 90 days, compared honestly -- what each visa actually costs, how hard it is to get, what the grey areas are, and who each one is really best for.

---

The Master Comparison Table

Before we dive into the details, here is how every option stacks up side by side:

| Visa Type | Max Stay | Total Cost | Difficulty | Renewable? | Work Allowed? | Best For | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Visa Exemption + Extensions | 90 days per entry (60+30) | 1,900 THB (~$55) extension fee | Easy | Re-enter to reset | No (officially) | Short-term travelers testing the waters | | Tourist Visa (TR/SETV) | 90 days (60+30 extension) | 1,000-1,500 THB (~$30-45) + 1,900 extension | Easy | Apply again from abroad | No | Planned trips, non-exempt nationalities | | METV | 6 months (60 days per entry) | 5,000 THB (~$145) | Medium | No (single issuance) | No | Frequent visitors, snowbirds | | DTV | 360 days (180+180 extension) per entry, 5-year validity | 10,000 THB (~$285) + 10,000 extension | Medium | Multiple entries over 5 years | Remote work for foreign employers only | Digital nomads, remote workers | | ED Visa | 12-15 months | 35,000-60,000 THB (~$1,000-1,700) total | Easy-Medium | New enrollment required | No | Budget long-stayers, language learners | | Thailand Elite | 5-20 years | 650,000-5,000,000 THB (~$18,500-$143,000) | Easy (if you have the money) | Depends on tier | No (but often paired with other arrangements) | Wealthy long-stayers who want zero hassle | | Retirement Visa (O-A) | 1 year, renewable | 800,000 THB deposit + insurance | Medium | Annual renewal | No | Retirees 50+ | | Work Permit + Business Visa | 1 year, renewable | 50,000-500,000+ THB setup | Hard | Annual renewal | Yes (legal employment) | Employed professionals, business owners | | Volunteer Visa | 3-12 months | Varies by organization | Medium | Limited | Volunteer work only | NGO workers, gap-year volunteers |

Now let us break down each option in detail.

---

1. Visa Exemption + Extensions (The Backpacker Classic)

This is where most people start and where a surprising number of people get stuck for years.

How it works: Citizens of 93 countries get stamped in for 60 days on arrival. Walk to any immigration office before day 60, pay 1,900 THB, fill out a TM.7 form, and you get an additional 30 days. That gives you 90 days on a single entry. As of November 2025, a second extension of 7 days is also possible, pushing the absolute maximum to 97 days.

The reality: 90 days is plenty for a backpacking trip. It is not enough to settle in anywhere. If you want to stay longer, you need to leave the country and re-enter to reset your 60 days. This is the classic "border run" strategy, and in 2026, it is riskier than it used to be.

What it costs:

• Entry: Free
• 30-day extension: 1,900 THB (~$55)
• 7-day second extension: 1,900 THB (~$55)
• Border run transport: 800-3,000 THB depending on route

The catch: Thailand's immigration bureau announced in November 2025 that officers can now deny entry to travelers who use visa exemptions more than twice per calendar year without justifiable reason. Since early 2025, approximately 2,900 foreigners have been refused entry due to this pattern. This is not a hard legal limit -- there is no law saying "maximum two entries" -- but immigration officers have discretion, and they are using it.

For the full breakdown on extensions, see our Thailand Visa Extension TM.7 Guide. For border run specifics, check our Thailand Border Run Guide.

Best for: First-time visitors, backpackers on 1-3 month trips, anyone testing whether Thailand is right for them before committing to a longer visa.

---

2. Tourist Visa (TR / Single Entry Tourist Visa)

The Tourist Visa is essentially the same as visa exemption but applied for in advance at a Thai embassy or consulate. You get 60 days on entry plus the option to extend for 30 more days in-country.

Why bother when visa exemption exists? A few reasons:

• Your nationality is not on the 93-country exemption list
• You want documentation showing pre-approved entry (useful if you have had entry issues before)
• You are entering by land and want to avoid any potential land-border complications
• Some immigration officers view a proper visa more favorably than a visa exemption stamp, especially if you have a history of multiple entries

How to apply: Through the Thai e-Visa system at thaievisa.go.th. Processing takes 5-10 working days. You will need your passport, a recent photo, proof of accommodation, proof of onward travel, and evidence of funds (20,000 THB per person or 40,000 THB per family).

What it costs:

• Visa fee: 1,000-1,500 THB (~$30-45), varies by embassy
• 30-day extension: 1,900 THB (~$55)

Best for: Non-exempt nationals, travelers who want a cleaner immigration record, anyone entering via land borders who wants to avoid questions.

---

3. METV (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa)

The METV is a 6-month visa that allows multiple entries of 60 days each. Every time you leave and re-enter Thailand within the 6-month validity period, you get a fresh 60-day stamp. Each entry can be extended by 30 days at immigration.

How it works in practice: You could theoretically stay for the full 6 months by doing border runs every 60-90 days. Fly to Kuala Lumpur for a weekend, come back, get a new 60-day stamp. Repeat twice more. In practice, most METV holders use it for trips that involve visiting neighboring countries anyway -- Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos loop with Thailand as the home base.

Requirements:

• Apply at a Thai embassy or consulate in your home country (this is important -- most embassies will not issue an METV to applicants who are not residents of that country)
• Proof of funds: At least 200,000 THB (~$5,700) in your bank account
• Confirmed accommodation for each visit
• Return flight out of Thailand

What it costs:

• Visa fee: 5,000 THB (~$145)
• Each 30-day extension: 1,900 THB (~$55)

The catch: You must apply from your home country in most cases. The financial requirement is higher than a standard tourist visa. And with the 2025 crackdown on repeated entries, even METV holders should be aware that immigration officers might question you if your pattern looks like you are living in Thailand rather than visiting.

Best for: Travelers doing a multi-country Southeast Asia trip with Thailand as their base. Snowbirds who spend a few months in Thailand each winter. People who cannot get a DTV but need more than 90 days.

---

4. DTV -- Destination Thailand Visa (The 2024 Game-Changer for Nomads)

This is the visa that changed everything. Launched in June 2024, the DTV is a 5-year, multiple-entry visa that gives you 180 days per entry with the option to extend for another 180 days. That is up to 360 continuous days in Thailand before you need to leave and re-enter.

Who qualifies: Two categories -- remote workers (employees, freelancers, business owners earning from outside Thailand) and "soft power" participants (Muay Thai training, Thai cooking courses, yoga retreats, medical tourism, cultural workshops).

The financial bar: You need to show 500,000 THB (~$14,300) in savings or income. That means bank statements for the last 3 months with an ending balance of at least 500,000 THB, plus salary slips or income proof for the last 6 months.

What it costs:

• Application fee: 10,000 THB (~$285)
• 180-day extension: 10,000 THB (~$285)

For a 5-year visa, that is remarkably cheap. The total cost for a full year of stay is 20,000 THB (~$570) -- less than most people spend on coffee in a year.

The work situation: This is the first Thai visa that explicitly allows remote work for foreign employers. You cannot get a Thai work permit with a DTV. You cannot work for Thai companies or invoice Thai clients. But working on your laptop for your company in Berlin or freelancing for clients in New York? That is now officially legal.

Important 2026 updates:

• Applications must be submitted from outside Thailand through the Thai e-Visa system
• Since May 2025, you need to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) at least 3 days before arrival
• Thai language school enrollment alone no longer qualifies under soft power -- it must be part of a broader cultural program

Tax note: If you stay more than 180 days in a calendar year, you become a Thai tax resident. The DTV itself does not change your tax obligations. Many digital nomads structure their year to stay under 180 days in Thailand specifically for this reason, even though the visa allows up to 360 days.

We have a full deep-dive on the DTV in our Thailand DTV Digital Nomad Visa Guide.

Best for: Digital nomads, remote employees, freelancers earning from abroad, anyone who can show 500,000 THB in savings and wants the most flexible long-stay visa Thailand has ever offered.

---

5. ED Visa -- Education Visa (The Grey Area Option)

The ED visa has been the long-stay workhorse for budget travelers and aspiring expats for years. Enroll in a Thai language school, Muay Thai camp, or cooking program, and you get a Non-Immigrant ED visa that can last 12-15 months with extensions.

How it works: You enroll in an MOE-approved school, they handle the paperwork with the Ministry of Education, and you get a 90-day visa that can be extended up to 4-5 times for a total of roughly 12 months. You must attend at least 70-80% of classes (minimum 8 hours per week) and do 90-day reporting.

The honest truth about ED visa schools: A significant number of Thai language schools in Chiang Mai and Bangkok exist primarily as visa factories. Everyone knows this -- the schools, the students, immigration. You sign up, attend the minimum classes (sometimes less), and get your visa renewed every 90 days. The teaching quality ranges from genuinely excellent to barely functional.

That said, Thailand has been tightening enforcement. Schools that do not maintain proper attendance records or that have too many students who never show up are losing their MOE approval. If you go the ED visa route, pick a legitimate school with a good reputation, actually attend classes, and treat it as a genuine learning opportunity. You will get more out of it, and you will not be sweating every time you go for your 90-day extension.

What it costs (total first year):

• Tuition: 20,000-45,000 THB (~$570-1,285) depending on school and location
• Visa application fee: 2,000 THB (~$57)
• Each 90-day extension: 1,900 THB (~$55)
• Re-entry permit (if you leave Thailand): 1,000 THB single / 3,800 THB multiple
• Total: roughly 35,000-60,000 THB (~$1,000-1,700)

Popular ED visa programs:

• Thai language schools -- The most common route. Chiang Mai and Bangkok have dozens of options. Classes are usually 2-4 days per week, 2-4 hours per session.
• Muay Thai camps -- Train at a registered Muay Thai gym. Some camps in Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Bangkok offer ED visa sponsorship.
• Thai cooking courses -- Less common but available. Must be a multi-month structured program, not a one-day class.
• University programs -- The ED PLUS visa for degree-level study. More legitimate, more demanding, but also grants multiple re-entry and post-graduation job search permission.

The catch: You cannot legally work on an ED visa. At all. Not remotely, not freelancing, not for foreign employers. In practice, plenty of ED visa holders work on their laptops, and enforcement is essentially nonexistent for quiet remote work. But technically, it is not allowed, and if you are transparent about working remotely, the DTV is the legal option now.

Best for: Budget long-stayers who want to actually learn Thai or train Muay Thai. People who do not qualify for a DTV (cannot show 500,000 THB in savings). Anyone who wants a year in Thailand for under $2,000 in visa costs.

---

6. Thailand Elite Visa (The "Throw Money at It" Option)

Officially rebranded as the Thailand Privilege Visa, this is the premium long-stay option for people who want zero immigration headaches and have serious cash to spend.

Current tiers (2026):

| Tier | Duration | Cost | Privilege Points/Year | |---|---|---|---| | Bronze | 5 years | 650,000 THB (~$18,500) | 0 | | Gold | 5 years | 900,000 THB (~$25,700) | 20 | | Platinum | 10 years | 1,500,000 THB (~$42,850) | 35 | | Diamond | 15 years | 2,500,000 THB (~$71,400) | 55 | | Reserve | 20 years | 5,000,000 THB (~$143,000) | 120 (invite only) |

What you get: A multiple-entry visa that lets you stay for up to 1 year per entry without extensions, border runs, or reporting to immigration every 90 days. You also get VIP airport fast-track service (someone meets you at the gate and walks you through immigration), concierge assistance for government paperwork, and access to a member lounge.

The Bronze tier was introduced in November 2024 as the most affordable entry point. Applications for Bronze are being accepted until March 31, 2026 -- after that, the minimum entry price jumps to the Gold tier at 900,000 THB.

What it costs in real terms: The Bronze at 650,000 THB for 5 years works out to 130,000 THB (~$3,700) per year, or about 10,800 THB (~$310) per month. That is expensive for a visa, but if you value simplicity and have the budget, it eliminates every immigration-related hassle. No extensions, no border runs, no paperwork, no school enrollment.

Who actually gets this: Retirees with money who want more flexibility than the retirement visa. Business owners who spend significant time in Thailand but do not want to set up a Thai company. Investors. Wealthy digital nomads who are tired of dealing with visa bureaucracy. Families who want long-term stability (you can add dependents to Platinum and above for 500,000 THB each).

The catch: The Elite visa does not grant work permission. Holders cannot legally work in Thailand. It also does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship. And despite the hefty price tag, 90-day reporting is still technically required (though the concierge service handles it for you).

Best for: People with money who value convenience above all else. Long-term residents who do not need to work in Thailand. Anyone who wants a guaranteed multi-year visa with no renewal hassles.

---

7. Retirement Visa (Non-Immigrant O-A)

The retirement visa is Thailand's oldest long-stay option and remains one of the most popular for anyone over 50.

Requirements:

• Age 50 or older on the day of application
• 800,000 THB (~$22,850) deposited in a Thai bank account, OR monthly income of at least 65,000 THB (~$1,860), OR a combination totaling 800,000 THB
• Health insurance that meets Thai government minimums (inpatient coverage of at least 400,000 THB and outpatient coverage of at least 40,000 THB)
• No criminal record
• Medical certificate showing you are free from certain diseases

The deposit rules: This trips people up. The 800,000 THB must be in a Thai bank account for at least 2 full months before your extension application and must remain above 400,000 THB for 3 months after renewal. You cannot deposit the money, get your visa, and immediately withdraw it.

What it costs:

• Visa fee: ~$200 (multiple entry)
• Thai bank deposit: 800,000 THB (this is your money -- you keep it, but it is tied up)
• Health insurance: 15,000-40,000 THB per year (~$430-1,140)
• Annual extension: 1,900 THB (~$55)

Important note for Americans: The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok and Consulate in Chiang Mai have not issued income affidavit letters since 2019. If you hold a U.S. passport, the bank deposit method is effectively your only option.

The O-X alternative: For those with more capital, the O-X visa offers a 10-year stay (5 years per entry). It requires 3 million THB in a Thai bank, or 1.8 million THB in deposits plus annual income of at least 1.2 million THB. Significantly more expensive but much less hassle over a decade.

Best for: Retirees over 50 who can park 800,000 THB in a Thai bank. People with guaranteed pension income of at least 65,000 THB per month. Older digital nomads or early retirees who meet the age requirement.

---

8. Work Permit + Business Visa (Non-Immigrant B)

If you want to work legally for a Thai company or start a business in Thailand, this is the path. It is also the most complex and expensive option.

How it works: You apply for a Non-Immigrant B visa at a Thai embassy, enter Thailand, then apply for a work permit through the Ministry of Labor. The work permit ties you to a specific employer and a specific role. Change jobs and you need a new work permit.

Routes in:

Employment by a Thai company: Your employer handles most of the paperwork. The company must have a 4:1 ratio of Thai to foreign employees and paid-up capital of at least 2 million THB per foreign employee.

Starting your own company: You can form a Thai Limited Company, but foreigners are generally limited to 49% ownership under the Foreign Business Act. BOI-promoted companies can have 100% foreign ownership if the business is in a targeted industry (tech, fintech, robotics, health tech, etc.).

BOI promotion: The Board of Investment fast-tracks visas and work permits for companies in targeted sectors. If your business qualifies, this is by far the smoothest path. The BOI's Single Window system processes visas and work permits together, cutting weeks off the timeline.

SMART Visa: For high-skilled experts (SMART-T), senior executives (SMART-E), investors (SMART-I), and startup founders (SMART-S). The SMART visa grants up to 4 years of stay without needing a separate work permit and is exempt from the 4:1 Thai-to-foreign employee ratio.

What it costs:

• Non-B visa: 2,000-5,000 THB
• Work permit: 3,000 THB processing + 750-3,000 THB annual fee
• Company formation (if applicable): 30,000-150,000 THB in legal fees, plus 2 million THB minimum paid-up capital per foreign worker
• BOI application: Significant time investment but reduces other costs
• Total realistic cost for company formation + work permit: 100,000-500,000+ THB in the first year

Best for: People with job offers from Thai companies. Entrepreneurs serious about building a business in Thailand. Tech workers in BOI-eligible industries. Anyone who needs to invoice Thai clients or serve the Thai market.

---

9. Volunteer Visa

A niche option, but worth mentioning. The volunteer visa (Non-Immigrant O for volunteer work) is issued to foreigners working with registered NGOs, charities, or religious organizations in Thailand.

How it works: A registered Thai organization sponsors your visa application. You get a Non-Immigrant O visa, typically valid for 90 days with the possibility of extensions up to 1 year. You must be doing genuine volunteer work -- immigration does check.

What it costs:

• Visa fee: 2,000 THB (~$57)
• Extensions: 1,900 THB (~$55) per 90 days
• Most costs covered by sponsoring organization

The catch: Options are limited. The organization must be registered with the Thai government as an NGO or charity. You cannot just volunteer at a hostel or animal sanctuary and call it a volunteer visa. The organization has to specifically sponsor your application. Paid work is not allowed.

Best for: Gap-year travelers who want to do meaningful volunteer work with established NGOs. People with specific skills (teaching, medical, engineering) that Thai organizations need. Anyone who wants long-term stay with a sense of purpose.

---

10. Border Run Cycling (The Unspoken Strategy)

Let us talk about what a lot of people actually do, even though it is increasingly risky.

Border run cycling means using visa exemptions or tourist visas, leaving Thailand before they expire, and immediately re-entering for a fresh stamp. For years, thousands of foreigners lived in Thailand this way -- fly to Kuala Lumpur every 60-90 days, spend a weekend, fly back. Or take the bus to the Cambodian or Laotian border, step across, turn around, step back.

The 2025-2026 reality: Thailand's immigration bureau has explicitly cracked down on this. The November 2025 enforcement changes mean:

• Immigration officers can deny entry after 2 visa exemption entries per calendar year without justification
• Land border same-day turnarounds are now red flags
• Officers are checking travel histories going back multiple years
• Approximately 2,900 people were denied entry in early 2025 for pattern abuse

Does it still work? Sometimes. Plenty of people still do border runs, especially by air. Flying to a neighboring country for a genuine trip (not a same-day turnaround) and coming back a few days later is less suspicious. But the days of popping across the Cambodian border at Poipet for 30 minutes and coming back are effectively over for frequent visitors.

My honest assessment: If you are planning to be in Thailand for more than 6 months in any calendar year, get a proper long-stay visa. The DTV costs 10,000 THB. An ED visa costs 35,000-60,000 THB for a full year. The stress and risk of denied entry at the border is not worth the savings.

For detailed border run strategies and which crossings still work, see our Thailand Border Run Guide. For what happens if things go wrong, read our Thailand Overstay Fines and Bans Guide.

---

90-Day Reporting: The Universal Requirement

No matter which long-stay visa you hold -- DTV, ED, retirement, work permit, even Thailand Elite -- if you are in Thailand for more than 90 consecutive days, you must report your current address to immigration every 90 days. This is not an extension. It is a notification. Miss it and you face a 2,000-5,000 THB fine.

How to do it:

• In person: Go to your local immigration office with your passport and the TM.47 form. Takes 15-60 minutes depending on the office and queue.
• Online: File through tm47.immigration.go.th. Takes 5 minutes. Not available for your first report -- you must do the first one in person.
• By mail: Send documents to your immigration office at least 15 days before your due date with a stamped return envelope.
• Through an agent: Many visa agents will handle 90-day reporting for 500-1,500 THB.

The filing window: You can report as early as 15 days before your due date or up to 7 days after. Set a calendar reminder for day 75 to give yourself time.

Clock reset: If you leave Thailand, even for a day, the 90-day clock resets from your re-entry date. This is why some people combine a weekend trip with their 90-day reporting -- leave the country, come back, clock resets.

2026 update: Since May 2025, the TM.47 is linked to the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system. Make sure your TDAC record is current, as the online system will reject filings without a valid TDAC record.

---

Setting Up Your Life: Practical Logistics by Visa Type

Thai Bank Account

Getting a Thai bank account makes life dramatically easier -- paying rent, receiving domestic transfers, using QR payment (which is everywhere in Thailand).

• Visa exemption / tourist visa: Nearly impossible at major banks. Some Bangkok Bank branches will open accounts for tourists with a residence certificate from your embassy, but success varies by branch.
• ED visa / DTV / work permit: Most banks will open accounts with your visa, passport, and proof of Thai address. Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn are the most foreigner-friendly.
• Retirement visa: Required -- you need a Thai bank account for the 800,000 THB deposit.
• Thailand Elite: The concierge service assists with bank account opening.

Phone SIM

Getting a Thai SIM is easy and cheap. Any 7-Eleven or phone shop will sell you a prepaid SIM for 50-300 THB with passport registration.

• AIS, DTAC/True, and True Move are the main carriers
• Unlimited data plans run 300-600 THB/month (~$8-17)
• Postpaid plans (monthly contract) require a work permit or long-stay visa at most shops, though some branches are flexible
• Your phone number is important -- it is tied to your Thai bank account, mobile banking, and many government systems

Health Insurance

Thailand does not have universal coverage for foreigners. Your insurance needs depend on your visa:

• Retirement visa (O-A): Mandatory. Minimum 400,000 THB inpatient and 40,000 THB outpatient coverage from an approved insurer.
• DTV: Not officially required, but strongly recommended. Thai hospitals are excellent and affordable, but a serious accident or illness can still cost hundreds of thousands of baht.
• ED visa / tourist visa / Elite: No official requirement, but you would be foolish to go without coverage.
• Work permit: Your employer typically provides group health insurance.

Budget options: SafetyWing and World Nomads are popular among digital nomads. For longer stays, consider Thai domestic insurance -- Pacific Cross and AXA Thailand offer affordable plans.

Accommodation

Long-stay accommodation in Thailand is cheap and easy to find:

• Monthly apartments: 5,000-15,000 THB in Chiang Mai, 8,000-25,000 THB in Bangkok, 7,000-20,000 THB in islands/beach towns
• Contracts: Month-to-month is common. Some places want 2-month minimum. Expect a 1-2 month deposit.
• Finding places: Facebook groups, local agents, or just walk around your target neighborhood and look for signs

For digital nomads setting up a base, see our Chiang Mai Digital Nomad Guide -- it covers coworking spaces, neighborhoods, and the full nomad infrastructure.

---

My Recommendation by Situation

After years of navigating Thailand's visa system, here is what I actually recommend depending on who you are:

"I am a digital nomad or remote worker"

Get the DTV. It is 10,000 THB for a 5-year visa. You get 180 days per entry, extendable to 360. Remote work is explicitly legal. This visa was literally designed for you. If you can show 500,000 THB in savings, there is no reason to use any other option.

"I am on a gap year with limited funds"

Start with visa exemption (60+30 days). If you fall in love with Thailand and want to stay longer, enroll in a Thai language school for an ED visa. Total cost for a year is around 40,000-60,000 THB, and you will actually learn Thai, which transforms your experience. The DTV requires 500,000 THB in savings, which many gap-year travelers do not have.

"I am over 50 and want to retire here"

Retirement visa (O-A). Park 800,000 THB in a Thai bank, get your health insurance sorted, and you have a straightforward annual renewal. If you have more money and want less hassle, look at the Thailand Elite Bronze (650,000 THB for 5 years) or the O-X (10-year retirement visa for 3 million THB in deposits).

"I have money and want zero hassle"

Thailand Elite Bronze or Platinum. Bronze at 650,000 THB for 5 years is the best value if you just want the visa problem to disappear. Platinum at 1,500,000 THB for 10 years is better per-year value if you are committed long-term. Apply before March 31, 2026 to get the Bronze tier before it potentially closes.

"I want to start a business in Thailand"

Non-Immigrant B + work permit. If your business is in a BOI-eligible sector (tech, digital services, robotics, renewable energy), go through the BOI for streamlined processing and 100% foreign ownership. Otherwise, prepare for the complexity of Thai company formation with local partners. Consider the SMART-S visa if you qualify as a startup founder.

"I just want to stay a few extra months"

METV or two back-to-back visa exemptions. The METV gives you 6 months of flexibility with 60-day entries. If you only need 4-5 months total, two visa exemptions with a quick trip to a neighboring country in between can work -- just be aware of the 2-entry-per-year scrutiny.

"I want to train Muay Thai full-time"

ED visa through a registered Muay Thai camp, or DTV under soft power. The ED visa is cheaper and gives you a structured training program. The DTV is more flexible if you also want to work remotely between training sessions.

---

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overstaying your visa. Even one day triggers a 500 THB/day fine (capped at 20,000 THB). Longer overstays lead to bans -- 1 year overstay means a 5-year ban from Thailand. Never, ever overstay. See our Overstay Fines and Bans Guide for the full breakdown.

Forgetting re-entry permits. If you hold an ED visa, retirement visa, or work permit and leave Thailand without a re-entry permit, your visa is canceled. You will need to start over. Single re-entry permits cost 1,000 THB. Multiple re-entry permits cost 3,800 THB. Get one at the airport before you fly or at any immigration office.

Working on the wrong visa. Technically, only the work permit (via Non-B visa) and certain SMART visas allow employment in Thailand. The DTV allows remote work for foreign employers only. Working on a tourist visa, ED visa, or retirement visa is illegal. The reality is that enforcement against quiet laptop work is minimal, but if you are earning significant income and want to be fully above board, get the right visa.

Not completing the TDAC. Since May 2025, every arrival needs a Thailand Digital Arrival Card filed at least 3 days before entry. Forget this and you could face delays at immigration. Complete it at tdac.immigration.go.th.

Assuming rules stay the same. Thailand's immigration policy shifts regularly. The 60-day visa exemption (up from 30) was only introduced in July 2024. The DTV launched the same month. The government is currently reviewing whether to reduce the exemption back to 30 days. Always check current rules before making plans.

---

Planning Your Budget

Use our Budget Calculator to estimate your monthly costs by city and lifestyle. As a rough guide:

• Budget backpacker: 25,000-35,000 THB/month (~$715-1,000)
• Comfortable nomad: 40,000-60,000 THB/month (~$1,140-1,715)
• Premium lifestyle: 80,000-150,000+ THB/month (~$2,285-4,285+)

For a general overview of costs, check our Thailand Budget Breakdown. For visa-specific costs and trip planning, try the Visa Checker Tool.

---

Final Thoughts

Thailand's visa landscape has changed dramatically since 2024. The DTV alone has transformed the equation for digital nomads -- what used to require grey-area workarounds now has a legitimate, affordable path. The crackdown on visa run cycling means the old "stay indefinitely on tourist stamps" strategy is dying. And the Thailand Elite Bronze tier has made the premium route more accessible than ever.

The right visa depends on your age, income, savings, work situation, and how long you actually want to stay. But here is the good news: Thailand genuinely wants long-term visitors. They have created more legal pathways in the last two years than in the previous two decades. Pick the one that fits, get your paperwork sorted, and enjoy your pad thai in peace.

For a general overview of all entry requirements, start with our Thailand Visa and Entry Requirements Guide. And if you are specifically looking at the nomad angle, do not miss our Chiang Mai Digital Nomad Guide -- it covers everything about setting up a base in Thailand's digital nomad capital.

---