The SMART Visa is a Board Of Investment (BOI) initiative to boost Thailand’s economy through innovation. The aim is to attract highly qualified individuals in specific areas of industry, to help the country grow through new talent and technology. In this post, we’ll take at deep dive on the SMART Visa categories and their eligibility…Read More
Does My Child Need a Visa? Easy FAQ for Parents
Whether or not you need a visa for Thailand depends on how long you intend to stay, and what you intend to do there: work, retire, volunteer, etc. But what about children, do they require a visa to enter Thailand for a holiday or stay long term? And what about attending school? Here’s the answer…Read More
How to Get a Residence Certificate in Thailand
A residence certificate provides proof of your permanent or semi-permanent address in Thailand. There are a number of reasons you might need one, such as when buying a car or motorbike or when applying for a driver’s license. Some banks may require one to open an account, too. So the question is: how do you…Read More
The Thailand Tourist Visa Guide (Single & Multiple Entry)
The majority of foreign nationals are able to enter Thailand on a visa exemption stamp. This means that you get a stamp at the immigration desk that allows you to stay for 30 days. But what if you want to stay for 6 weeks, or 2 even months? In this case, you can apply for…Read More
O-A Long-Stay Visa Guide: Benefits, Requirements, Reporting
The O-A visa is issued to those over 50 years old and provides a long-stay option in Thailand. It’s often referred to as a “retirement visa”. This visa is applied for in your home country, at a local Thai embassy or consulate. The application can usually be done by mail and takes a minimum of…Read More
How to Get a Thailand Education Visa & What You Can Study
If you want to study in Thailand, you will need an education visa, officially known as a Non-Immigrant O Visa (ED). This visa applies to those studying Thai, training to become a Buddhist monk, interning at a company, or attending a training or university course. While there are multiple options for study, learning Thai at…Read More
A Guide to the New Mandatory Health Insurance Rules for Retirees
If you’ve got questions about the mandatory retirement visa health insurance requirement (O-A visa), this FAQ will answer those questions, and much more. Please also note that as of late 2021, the requirement has been extended (in some countries) to those applying for a Non Immigrant O Visa too. More on that later on. In…Read More
A Straight-Talking Guide to Visa Exemption Stamp Rules
In the past week I have heard from two people who have been refused entry into Thailand at a border crossing. The reason given by the immigration officer was having too many in/out border runs. This can be a distressing situation, particularly if you have a loved one waiting for you inside Thailand, or all…Read More