Work for a BOI-promoted enterprise under the investment-promotion visa and work-permit service.
Thailand
Thailand sits in South-Eastern Asia. Its immigration system runs 68 distinct routes — led by work, talent & merit and family, each set out in official law. 66 of them cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.
- Immigration routes
- 68across 18 route categories, each set out in official law
- Source-cited routes
- 66 of 68cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
- Largest category
- Work8 of the 68 routes — see them under Work below
- Region
- South-Eastern Asia
- Capital
- Bangkok
- Population
- 71,619,863
- Official language
- Thai
- Currency
- THB
- Time zone
- UTC+07:00
Immigration routes
All 68 routes, grouped by purpose — 66 of 68 cite an official government source directly. Any route below without one says so on the route.
Work
8 routes
The category is for remote work for a qualifying foreign employer.
The route is for approved employment under the bilateral MOU migrant-worker process.
The activity must fall within a recognised necessary, urgent or ad-hoc work category.
Employment with a qualifying employer in Thailand.
Work in Thailand as a film producer, journalist or reporter.
The route is for permitted temporary or seasonal employment in a designated border area.
For a senior executive with a bachelor degree or above and at least 10 years of relevant experience, appointed to a top management post such as Chairman or Managing Director in a certified targeted-industry company in Thailand, earning at least THB 200,000 a month.
Investment
6 routes
The applicant must qualify under the Wealthy Global Citizen category.
Investment or approved activity under investment-promotion law.
Investment supported by the competent Thai ministry or government department.
The applicant must meet the permanent-residence investment-category conditions.
For an individual investing at least THB 20 million in a technology-based business in a Thai targeted industry, directly or through a Thai venture capital company, and maintaining the investment throughout the visa validity.
The route is the Flexible Plus investment-based conversion to an employment-authorised basis.
Business & self-employment
2 routes
Conduct qualifying business activity in Thailand.
The applicant must establish a certified startup in Thailand in a targeted industry.
Talent & merit
8 routes
The applicant must serve as a qualifying foreign executive in an approved EEC business.
The applicant must serve as a qualifying foreign professional in an approved EEC business.
The applicant must serve as a qualifying foreign specialist in an approved EEC business.
The applicant must work in a targeted industry or hold expertise recognised by the current LTR programme.
Undertake skilled work or serve as an expert or specialist.
Conduct scientific research or training, or teach in a research institute.
The applicant must qualify within the permanent-residence expert category.
For a highly skilled science and technology expert working in a Thai targeted industry whose expertise is endorsed by a Strategic Talent Center network agency, earning at least THB 100,000 a month, or THB 50,000 for startup employees and endorsed retired experts.
Study
4 routes
The period may be used to seek employment, travel or undertake other activities permitted by the programme.
Study at an accepted Thai educational institution.
Participate in the accepted training, observation, project, seminar or conference.
The applicant must pursue a bachelor's degree or higher in Thailand.
Family
7 routes
The route is for accompanying a principal DTV holder.
The route is for accompanying a qualifying EEC S, E or P principal.
The route is for accompanying a principal LTR holder.
Live with a qualifying foreign family sponsor in Thailand.
Live with or support a qualifying Thai family member.
The applicant must qualify within the humanitarian/family permanent-residence category.
The route is for accompanying a current SMART S principal.
Independent means
5 routes
The applicant must qualify under the Wealthy Pensioner category.
Retirement in Thailand.
The visa is for long-stay retirement.
The visa is for long-stay retirement.
The route provides membership-based long-stay access under the Privilege Entry programme.
Digital nomad
1 route
— No eligibility summary published for this route yet
Residence-based status
1 route
The applicant must meet the permanent-residence working or business conditions.
Youth mobility
2 routes
The primary purpose is a holiday with incidental temporary work.
The primary purpose is a holiday with incidental temporary work.
Cultural, religious & volunteer
3 routes
Study as a foreign Buddhist monk.
Perform the accepted state-enterprise, social-welfare or volunteer duty.
Perform missionary work or another approved religious activity.
Short stay & visit
6 routes
— No eligibility summary published for this route yet
— No eligibility summary published for this route yet
The visa is for repeated tourism visits.
The visa is for tourism.
Visa on arrival is for tourism.
The current exemption covers tourism and short-term business engagements.
Humanitarian protection
3 routes
The route is for screening for Protected Person status under Thailand's National Screening Mechanism.
— No eligibility summary published for this route yet
The route is for a person seeking international protection through UNHCR refugee-status determination.
Ancestry & return
1 route
For a foreign national who previously held Thai nationality and can prove that former status officially.
Medical treatment
2 routes
Medical treatment is an expressly listed DTV purpose.
Receive medical treatment in Thailand.
Sports
2 routes
Serve as a sports coach required by the Thai Government.
Participate in a sporting event in Thailand.
Transit
2 routes
Perform duties as crew of a conveyance arriving in Thailand.
Transit through Thailand to a third destination.
Other & special
5 routes
Undertake a special visit accepted under the courtesy-visa framework.
Assume diplomatic or consular duties or an accredited international-organisation assignment.
The route is for official duties.
Perform an officially sponsored government or institutional assignment.
The application must fall within the published extra-circumstances category.
Official sources
- Thailand Immigration BureauGovernment
- Thailand e-Visa MFAGovernment
- Department of Employment Work PermitGovernment
- LTR Visa Board of InvestmentGovernment
- กระทรวงการต่างประเทศGovernment
- smart-visa.boi.go.thGovernment
- [NSO] National Statistical OfficeGovernment
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