Which Long-Term Thai Visa Is Right for You?
Thailand has six main long-term visas: student (ED), retirement, marriage, DTV, Thailand Privilege and LTR. The biggest difference between them is how much money you have to show, from nothing for a student visa to a million dollars in assets for the LTR. Here is a side-by-side comparison of length, requirements and cost, so you can see in five minutes which one fits you.
4 min read
On this page
Comparison table
| Visa | Length | Savings or income | Age and conditions | Fees and costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student (ED) | 6-12 months, extended every 90 days | None | Study at a licensed school | From 27,200 ฿ for 6 months all-inclusive with us |
| Retirement (Non-O) | 1 year, renewed yearly | 800,000 ฿ or 65,000 ฿ a month | 50+ | 1,900 ฿ per extension |
| Marriage (Non-O) | 1 year, renewed yearly | 400,000 ฿ or 40,000 ฿ a month | Married to a Thai citizen | 1,900 ฿ per extension |
| DTV | 5 years, up to 180 days per entry | 500,000 ฿ | Remote work or a soft-power programme | 10,000 ฿ |
| Thailand Privilege | 5-20 years | None | Paid membership | From 900,000 ฿ |
| LTR | 10 years (5 + 5) | From USD 80,000 a year or USD 1M in assets | Wealthy individuals, pensioners, professionals | 50,000 ฿ |
Student visa: no financial requirement
Processed through a language school for 6 or 12 months. It is the only long-term visa with no bank statements and no proof of income: the package price is the whole financial requirement.
Who it suits: people spending a season or a year in Phuket, remote workers without documented income, anyone testing life in Thailand before a bigger move. Many take an ED visa two or three times in a row, then switch to a marriage or retirement visa.
With us: from 27,200 ฿ for six months and 47,400 ฿ for a year, every extension included. More in ED visa price and ED visa extension.
Retirement visa: age 50+
You need 800,000 ฿ in a Thai bank (held two months before applying and three months after) or 65,000 ฿ monthly income. Renewed every year. Work is not allowed.
Marriage visa: for spouses of Thai citizens
The marriage must be registered at least two months before you apply, plus 400,000 ฿ in savings or at least 40,000 ฿ monthly income. Immigration checks that you actually live together. You can apply for a work permit on this visa.
DTV: for remote workers
The Destination Thailand Visa is a five-year visa for remote employees, freelancers and participants in soft-power activities such as Muay Thai, Thai cooking or medical treatment. You need 500,000 ฿ in the bank. Each entry gives up to 180 days, after which you leave or extend.
Thailand Privilege: a paid 5-20-year visa
Formerly the Elite Visa. You buy a membership and get a visa for its full term, plus airport fast-track and help with 90-day reports. Since 30 September 2026 the cheapest tier, Bronze, is gone: entry now starts at 900,000 ฿ for five years.
LTR: for high earners and professionals
A ten-year Board of Investment visa in four categories: wealthy global citizens, wealthy pensioners, work-from-Thailand professionals and highly skilled professionals. The bar is high: from USD 80,000 a year in income.
Choose in three questions
- Do you have 400,000-800,000 ฿ you can park in a Thai bank? No: your route is the student visa. Yes: read on.
- Are you 50+ or married to a Thai? Then retirement or marriage; they are cheaper to maintain.
- Do you want a visa for years without yearly renewals? Then DTV, Thailand Privilege or LTR, depending on income and budget.
Summary
The right long-term Thai visa depends on your money, age and family situation. Without financial proof, only the student visa works: from 27,200 ฿ for six months, processed in a month. Retirement and marriage visas need 800,000 and 400,000 ฿ in the bank, the DTV 500,000 ฿, Thailand Privilege from 900,000 ฿ in fees, and the LTR at least USD 80,000 a year in income. Many people start on a student visa and switch after a year or two, once they know how island life works for them.
Message us on WhatsApp. Within 5 minutes we will tell you which visa fits your age, budget and plans.
