✈️ “Visas in Thailand: How Much Does It Really Cost to Stay Legally?”

Selim Shlomi Benbasat
Jul 11
5 min read

Updated: Jul 15

Your Practical Guide to Staying Longer Without Losing Your Mind

🕒 5 min read

Let’s talk about Visas....The unsexy but absolutely critical part of making Thailand your home — whether it’s for a month, a year, or a lifetime.

After relocating ourselves and helping dozens of families, nomads, and retirees do the same through SHIFFTT, one thing is clear: nobody really knows what they’re doing when they first look into Thai visas. And that’s totally fair — there are options, hidden fees, fine print, and more than a few “I heard you can just…”.

So here’s the clear, friendly, no-nonsense version of everything I’ve learned. Let’s break down your visa options and the estimated costs.

🏝️ Tourist Visa (TR + Extension)

Ideal for: First-timers, short stays, scouting trips

Single Entry TR (60 days + 30-day extension):
🧾 Embassy Fee: THB 2,000–2,500
⏱️ Extension Fee: THB 1,900
💸 Total: ~THB 4,000
Tourist Enjoying in Krabi, Thailand
Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV – 6 months validity):
🧾 Embassy Fee: THB 5,000–6,000
🛂 Requires border runs
💸 Realistic cost (incl. trips): ~THB 10,000–15,000

✳️ Visa Exemption (30 or 60 days for some nationalities):

💸 Free at the airport (extendable once for THB 1,900)

🧘‍♂️ Education Visa (ED Visa)

Ideal for: Language learners, Muay Thai, meditation, cooking, retirees “in disguise”

1 Year (renewable):
🧾 School Fee: THB 20,000–600,000/year depending on the type of education
📚 Visa Fee: THB 1,900/90-day check
💸 Total: ~THB 30,000–670,000/year

✳️ Includes options for:

Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary Schools, accredited International Schools and some preschoolsThai language schools
Accredited universities
Muay Thai Schools
Cultural or religious study centers

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Marriage & Family Visas

Ideal for: Married to Thai citizens, raising Thai children

Mixed Couple Applying for Thai marriage visa

Non-O Marriage Visa:
🧾 Embassy Fee: THB 2,000
🏦 Proof of income: THB 40,000/month
💸 Total: ~THB 2,000–5,000 + financials
Guardian Visa (parent of Thai student):
💸 Budget: ~THB 4,000–6,000/year
✳️ Often used by foreign parents of kids in international schools

👴 Retirement Visa (Non-OA or Non-O)

Ideal for: Age 50+, no work, wants peace and mangos

Financial Requirement:
🏦 THB 800,000 in Thai bank OR
🧾 Income of THB 65,000/month

Visa & Insurance:
💊 Health Insurance: ~THB 8,000–30,000/year
💸 Estimated Total: ~THB 10,000–15,000 in first year + deposit

✅ Background check required if applying from abroad (OA)

💻 Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa – Thailand’s VIP Pass for Life Shifters

Ideal for: High earners working remotely, digital consultants, expat professionals

Let’s be honest — for many of us dreaming about a long-term life in Thailand, the paperwork can feel like a deal-breaker. That’s where the LTR Visa comes in — a 10-year, multiple-entry solution designed for digital nomads, remote workers, retirees, investors, and families who want to make Thailand more than just a stopover and finally call it home.

It’s not for everyone — but if you qualify, it can seriously change the game.

✈️ Applying Outside Thailand? Here’s the Full Picture:

When applying from abroad (e.g. your home country or nearby country like Malaysia or Singapore), expect:

💸 Total Estimated Cost per Applicant:

• THB 60,000–90,000

— Includes visa fee, document preparation, translations, health insurance, and optional legal/relocation support

• Processing time: 7–15 working days from complete document submission

📌 What You’ll Need:

• Approval through the BOI’s official LTR portal

• Appointment at a Thai Embassy/Consulate to stamp your visa

• Entry into Thailand with your new LTR in hand

🌴 Already in Thailand? No problem.

If you’re already living in Thailand (on a tourist, ED, or other visa), you can:

Leave briefly to a nearby country (like Malaysia or Laos)
Finalize your LTR visa at a Thai Embassy or Consulate
Re-enter legally for the next 10 years — no more monthly visa games

👩‍❤️‍👨 Married? Bring Your Partner (and Kids Too)

The LTR Visa allows “tag-alongs” — your spouse and children (under 20) can apply under your approval:

💰 Dependent Visa Cost:

• Same application fee: THB 50,000 per person

• Health insurance required: minimum USD 25,000 per dependent

• No need for them to meet income or work requirements

💡 This makes it a great option for couples or families relocating together. Your visa unlocks long-term stability for the whole household.

✅ Eligibility at a Glance:

• Income: USD 80,000/year (or USD 40–80k with advanced degrees, investments, or IP rights)

• Age: varies by category (e.g. 50+ for retirees)

• Categories:

– Wealthy Global Citizen

– Wealthy Pensioner

– Work-from-Thailand Professional

– Highly Skilled Expert

– Dependents (Spouse + kids under 20)

🩺 Health Insurance or Thai Bank Deposit Required:

• Main applicant: USD 50,000 insurance or THB 3 million deposit

• Dependents: USD 25,000 insurance or THB 1.5 million deposit (per person)

✳️ Benefits Include:

• 10-year multiple-entry visa (5 + 5 years)

• Fast-track lanes at major airports

• No 90-day reporting

• Optional digital or company-sponsored work permit

• Tax perks (17% flat income tax for eligible experts)

• Legal peace of mind — no more hopping borders or stressing about extensions

🎯 Who This Is Perfect For:

If you’re a remote worker with a solid income, a semi-retired expat couple, or a family looking to settle down legally and comfortably — the LTR Visa offers long-term peace of mind with real perks.

At SHIFFTT, we help you figure out if you qualify, guide you through every step, and even help you organize everything from insurance to appointments. You focus on the life part — we handle the paperwork.

🏢 Business, Work & BOI Visas

Ideal for: Entrepreneurs, startup founders, employees of Thai companies

Non-B Visa + Work Permit:
💼 Company registration required
🧾 Work Permit: ~THB 3,000–5,000
💸 Setup Total: ~THB 25,000–70,000+
BOI Visa:
🧠 Tech/startup companies with government BOI approval
💸 Higher setup cost, but big long-term benefits

✳️ 👷‍♂️ Smart Visa (Tech, Innovation, Investment)

Ideal for: Foreign experts, investors, executives, and startups

Smart-T / Smart-I / Smart-E / Smart-S:
🧠 For specialists in targeted industries (tech, robotics, biotech, etc.)
🧾 Up to 4 years without work permit
💸 Application + agency fees: ~THB 20,000–60,000