All 12 long-stay and short-stay pathways for 2026 — side by side. Filter by your situation, see the real financial requirement, then let the engine match you in minutes.
We summarise this here to help you plan your whole move. For every Thailand visa with official sources, document checklists and embassy notes, see our dedicated guide, Pattaya Visa Help — the authority we maintain for exactly this.
| Visa | Best for | Validity | Stay / entry | Key requirement | Gov fee | Work? |
|---|
Tap any column header to sort. Requirements are 2026 estimates sourced from official Thai government, BOI, MFA and Immigration publications via Pattaya Visa Help — always verify current rules before applying.
Answer 6 quick questions and the engine matches your best-fit visa — plus your cost of living, schools and a full move plan.
Build my free plan →DTV (Destination Thailand Visa). The breakout visa of the decade — 5 years, multi-entry, 180 days per stay, for remote workers and soft-power students. Around ฿500,000 in savings, no Thai sponsor. If you earn online, this is usually the answer.
Non-O Retirement. The classic Pattaya retiree route for the over-50s: ฿800,000 in a Thai bank or ฿65,000/month income, renewed yearly at Jomtien immigration. Cheap and well-trodden.
LTR (Long-Term Resident). The 10-year elite visa for high earners ($80k+/yr) or the genuinely wealthy ($1M assets). Work permit included and — for most categories — a foreign-income tax exemption under Royal Decree 743.
Thailand Privilege (Elite). Pay-to-stay. No income proof, no annual extensions, concierge and fast-track — from ฿650,000 for 5 years up to ฿5,000,000 for 20. The hassle-free option for those who'd rather write a cheque than file paperwork.
Non-O Marriage. For spouses of Thai citizens — lower financials than retirement (฿400,000 bank or ฿40,000/month) and a path to a work permit.
Only some. The LTR, SMART, Non-B (with a separate work permit) and Media visas permit work. The DTV allows remote work for foreign employers only — not Thai employment. Retirement, Privilege, tourist and education visas do not permit work.
Generally after 180+ days in Thailand within a calendar year. Tax treatment of foreign income is nuanced and changed in recent years — most LTR categories carry an exemption, but you should take qualified tax advice for your situation.
No. Many of these you can do yourself, and we never take agent commissions. Where an agent genuinely saves you time or risk we'll say so — and you pay them directly.
The Tourist eVisa and DTV are fully online and quick. Thailand Privilege is fast once paid. Retirement and marriage visas involve in-country steps and bank seasoning, so plan several weeks.