Visa for moving to Thailand The optimal visa setup for your emigration to Southeast Asia
If you are moving to Thailand, you need more than just a flight to Bangkok and accommodation. Without the right Thailand visa, you will lack the legal basis for a long-term stay, a work permit, customs clearance, and planning security. With a structured visa setup, you can secure your stay—whether as an employee, entrepreneur, retiree, or as part of a family move.
DACHSER & KOLB provides you with a practical overview of relevant visa categories, typical pitfalls, and the interplay between visas, household goods, and customs—for digital nomads to the exclusive Thailand Privilege Visa.
When is a visa-free stay or a tourist visa no longer sufficient in Thailand?
The following applies to a permanent move to Thailand with a change of residence, starting a new job, and household goods:
- Tourist visas or visa-free entry (Visa Exemption Program, as of: information from the Thai Embassy in Berlin) are only intended for vacations (currently 60 days, extendable to 90 days).
- Tourist visas and visa-free stays are only suitable for short-term, non-permanent stays (vacations, travel, limited business meetings).
- Border runs (short exits and re-entries) are increasingly being prevented by the authorities and do not offer any security for a move.
- Moving with a long-term perspective (work, family reunification, retirement, investment, children's schooling, household goods container) requires a non-immigrant visa or a special long-term visa (LTR/Elite).
Anyone moving to Thailand with complete home furnishings, a long-term rental agreement, or an employment contract should not enter the country on a tourist visa or visa-free.
Related topics
- Customs regulations in Thailand → Find out more now
- All the important information
- Bringing your pet with you? → Import rules
The visa system in Thailand – short stay vs. long stay
Short stays – Tourism & short visits
- Visa exemption
Citizens of certain countries (including Germany) can stay for a short period without a visa, currently up to 60 days per entry for tourism and certain business purposes.
- Tourist visa (TR)
Classic tourist visa, usually 60 days, often with the option of extending for another 30 days.
- Visa on Arrival (for certain nationalities, not for German citizens) – temporary short stays.
These categories are generally unsuitable for moving household goods, starting a new job, or retiring.
Long-term and non-immigrant visas – Living and working in Thailand
The Thai visa system essentially distinguishes between temporary non-immigrant visas and special long-term programs.
Non-Immigrant Visa – The traditional route
✓ Non-Immigrant O-A / O-X (Retirement): For retirees over 50 who can prove they have financial reserves or a pension.
✓ Non-Immigrant B (Business/Work): For employees who have a job offer from a Thai company or are starting a business.
✓ Non-Immigrant O (Family): For spouses of Thai citizens or foreigners who already have a valid visa.
✓ Non-Immigrant ED (Education) – for studying, attending school, language courses, and certain continuing education programs.
Special long-term visas (Long-Term Resident & Privilege)
✓ LTR Visa (Long-Term Resident): A 10-year visa for wealthy global citizens, retirees, highly skilled professionals, and remote workers with high incomes.
✓ DTV (Destination Thailand Visa): New since 2024 – ideal for digital nomads, freelancers, and participants in “soft power” activities (e.g., Muay Thai, cooking classes). Valid for 5 years (stay 180 days per entry).
✓ Thailand Privilege (formerly Elite Visa): A purchasable visa (membership) that offers residence rights from 5 to 20 years as well as VIP services.
6 steps to obtaining the right visa for moving to Thailand
Analyze your life situation and goals
Are you planning to retire, will you work locally, or will you work remotely for clients in Germany?
What role do family, children, schooling, property, and retirement planning play?
Check financial requirements
Almost all Thai long-term visas require proof of financial means (bank balance in a Thai account or monthly income). Check early on whether you meet the thresholds (e.g., 800,000 THB for retirees).
Onboarding sponsors and stakeholders
- Employers in Thailand (for Non-Immigrant B, L-A, LTR workstreams).
- Thai spouses or family members (for Non-Immigrant O Family).
- Banks, tax advisors, financial planners (for investment or retirement solutions).
- Early involvement of specialized visa/immigration lawyers or relocation experts, as requirements and documentation can be complex.
Prepare application documents
Depending on the type of visa, among other things:
- Valid passport, passport photos, completed application forms.
- Proof of financial means (e.g., minimum income or credit balance in a Thai bank account, especially for O-A/O-X/LTR visas).
- Employment contracts, company documents, extracts from the commercial register.
- Marriage and birth certificates (legalized/translated).
- Health insurance with minimum coverage (mandatory for certain long-stay and LTR visas).
- Police clearance certificate and, if applicable, medical certificates (especially for retirement visas).
Application, interview, and approval
- Applications are usually submitted via the Thai e-Visa system or directly to the relevant Thai diplomatic mission abroad.
- Processing times vary; embassies (e.g., Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich) typically state a processing time of up to 15 days.
- Depending on the type of visa, a personal interview or additional documents may be required.
Synchronize visa timing with relocation and customs
Ideal scenario:
- Your visa and, if applicable, work permit have been confirmed.
- Your arrival date and start date (start of job, start of school, rental agreement) have been set.
- Sea and air freight have been planned so that your belongings will arrive shortly after your arrival.
- Customs clearance and logistics processes have been coordinated with your residence status.
Which Thailand visa do you need for your long-term stay?
Personal reasons & family
Non-Immigrant O (Spouses/Children)
Job offer in Thailand
Non-Immigrant B (in combination with a work permit), Smart Visa (for startups/tech experts), depending on the professional: LTR visa (e.g., “Highly Skilled Professional,” “Work-From-Thailand Professional”)
Entrepreneurs & Investors
Non-Immigrant B (Business/Investment) as well as specific investment programs, LTR visa “Wealthy Global Citizen” / “Wealthy Pensioner” with minimum assets and minimum annual income.
Remote work & digital nomads
DTV (Destination Thailand Visa), LTR Work-from-Thailand Professional, Thailand Privilege / Elite Visa
Retirement
Non-immigrant O-A (1 year), non-immigrant O-X (5+5 years), LTR Wealthy Pensioner (10 years)
Study, school, and continuing education
Non-immigrant ED (Education), supplemented by accompanying family visas (non-immigrant O) for parents, if applicable.
Common mistakes when applying for a visa to move to Thailand – and how to avoid them
- Staying in Thailand permanently on a tourist visa
- Forgetting to report after 90 days (confirming residence with immigration)
- Ignoring re-entry permits
- Underestimating customs regulations (duty-free import of removal goods often not possible for retirees in Thailand)
- Choosing a visa category that does not match your actual living and working situation
- No coordination between visa, customs, employer, and moving service provider
How DACHSER & KOLB supports you with visa setup for your move to Thailand
Coordination and timing
Synchronization of visa processes, entry date, start of school for children, and transport times (sea and air freight), planning of shipping dates so that your removal goods arrive only after your residence status and entry have been secured.
Consulting
Thailand has complex customs regulations: Which goods (e.g., Buddha statues, certain electronics) are subject to import restrictions and what duties you can expect to pay depending on your visa status.
Collaboration
Close cooperation with your HR departments, legal and tax departments, relocation partners, and local schools/kindergartens.
Planning & Implementation
End-to-end planning of your move to Thailand: packing, transport, customs coordination, local delivery.
Visas & Customs – why your status is crucial for importing your household goods to Thailand
The visa status is the most critical factor when importing household goods to Thailand:
Work permit holders: Often have the right to import used household goods duty-free on a one-time basis (note deadlines: import must take place shortly after the work permit is issued).
Retirees & Privilege Visa holders: Under current legislation, they are usually not entitled to duty-free imports. In this case, import duties and VAT (value added tax) are levied on the current value of the furniture.
DACHSER & KOLB helps you calculate these costs in advance so that you don't experience any unpleasant surprises.
Legal notice
This page provides concise, practical guidance on visas for moving to Thailand. It is not a substitute for individual legal or tax advice. Only the latest information from the following sources is binding:
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Thai Immigration Bureau.
The relevant Royal Thai embassies and consulates (e.g., Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich).
The current customs regulations of the Thai Customs Department.
DACHSER & KOLB is your central point of contact for the operational implementation of your move to Thailand, including customs clearance and logistics.
FAQ – The most frequently asked questions about visas for moving to Thailand
What visa do I need for Thailand as a pensioner?
The most common option is the Non-Immigrant O-A Visa. You must be over 50 years of age and have approximately 800,000 THB (approx. 22,000 EUR) in a bank account or a monthly pension of approximately 65,000 THB (approx. 1,800 EUR), as well as health insurance.
What visa do I need to move to Thailand permanently?
For a permanent move, you will usually need a non-immigrant or long-stay visa (e.g., Non-Immigrant B, O, O-A/O-X, or LTR) that matches your purpose of stay (work, family, retirement, education). Tourist visas and visa-free stays are not sufficient for this purpose.
Is visa-free entry or a tourist visa sufficient if I want to emigrate to Thailand?
No. Neither visa-free entry nor a classic tourist visa is sufficient for emigration involving a change of residence, starting a new job, sending children to school, or importing household goods. These categories are intended exclusively for short stays.
Can I work as a digital nomad in Thailand?
Yes, the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) has been available since 2024. It allows remote work for foreign employers. It is valid for 5 years and allows stays of up to 180 days per entry (renewable).
What happens if I forget to submit the 90-day report?
Failure to submit the 90-day report (TM.47) is punishable by a fine (usually 2,000 THB). Repeated violations can cause problems with visa extensions.
Which visa is relevant if I want to work in Thailand?
For local employment, you will generally need a Non-Immigrant B (Business & Employment) visa, combined with a Work Permit. Depending on your profile, an LTR visa (“Highly Skilled Professional,” “Work-From-Thailand Professional”) may be a long-term alternative.
Wie lange dauert die Visumbeantragung für Thailand?
Die Bearbeitungszeit variiert nach Visumstyp und Auslandsvertretung. Thailändische Botschaften nennen für viele Standardvisa ca. 15 Tage Bearbeitungszeit, komplexe Longstay- oder LTR-Verfahren können deutlich länger dauern. Eine frühzeitige Planung (mehrere Monate Vorlauf) ist daher empfehlenswert.
Why DACHSER & KOLB is the right choice
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Sabrina Klier
Customer Service & Sales - AIR & SEA
