Thailand Immigration Service: Strict Regulations with Elements of Showmanship
The Thailand Immigration Service operates like clockwork — and like a mine. These clocks are well-tuned, and even all the mechanism's screws work fine UNTIL SOMETHING GOES WRONG..
If you fall into the "right procedure," everything goes by the book: stamp, extension, report—Thailand is a dream come true. If not, the "demonstration of strictness" kicks in along with excessive adherence to the law.
This contrasts sharply with Indonesia’s approach, where you simply pay money. Read about how Indonesia's immigration service works - https://bali-legal.com/en/proverka-immigracii-en.
In Thailand, almost everything follows a predetermined template. However, this template can change depending on the officer, mood, or... rainy season.
Formally, you may do everything correctly. But in practice, they might turn you away, reject your application, delay it, or confuse you..
What happens if you overstay your visa?
Just remember these three key markers regarding timeframes:
Overstay from 1 to 90 days: Fine of 500 THB per day (but only up to 20,000 THB maximum);
Overstay more than 91 days: Deportation and ban on entry ranging from 1 to 10 years (depending on circumstances);
Caught during street checks with any period of overstay: Immediate blacklisting and deportation.
An overstay here isn't just a formality—it's grounds for expulsion. "The authorities don't check anyway" — this is the biggest mistake. They do check, and it's serious business.
Immigration raids serve as an intimidation tactic. They occur regularly, primarily targeting major tourist hubs in Thailand such as Phuket, Pattaya, and Samui.
During one raid in 2023, 120 people were detained—and over 70 of them simply didn't know their stamps had expired. ALL WERE DEPORTED. ATTEMPTING TO NEGOTIATE ON THE SPOT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. BUT IT'S CHEAP THAT WAY.).
What types of visas exist, and who are they suitable for?
Most Thai visas are obtained outside the country, typically at embassies or consulates in neighboring countries such as Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
As of 2025, the eight most common and widely used visa types among foreigners are considered. Each visa has its advantages, but they're grouped according to the principle: "THE MORE YOU PAY, THE FEWER PROBLEMS YOU HAVE."
| Type of Visa | For Whom | Duration | Extension |
| Tourist TR | "Come and Stay" | 60 days | +30 days |
| Education ED | Courses, Language Schools | 90 days | +3–6 months |
| Business Non-B | Work, Own Business | 90 days | Up to 1 year |
| Marriage Non-O | Брак с гражданином Таиланда | 90 days | Up to 1 year |
| Retirement Non-OA | Retirees aged 50+ | 1 year | Annually |
| Elite Visa | 1 year | 5–20 year | Not required |
| LTR Visa | Remote Work, Investments, IT | 10 years | 5 + 5 |
| DTV Visa NEW! | Digital Nomads, Creative Fields, Lifestyle | 5 years | Up to 2×180 days per year |
Approximate Annual Costs for Different Types of Visas
I'm not going to explain that your type of visa should match your status and purpose of stay in Thailand. I sincerely hope we've already played enough with illegal employment and living in Southeast Asia, where people are simply imprisoned for such mismatches.
| Type of Visa | What Is Included | Annual Cost |
| TR (Tourism) | Fees, extensions, visa runs every 2-3 months | 12,000–20,000 THB |
| ED | Courses (35,000–60,000 THB) + fees | 60,000–90,000 THB |
| Non-B | Company setup (~40,000 THB), reports | 150,000–250,000 THB |
| Marriage | Financial requirement: 400,000 THB balance | 15,000–25,000 THB |
| Retirement | Deposit: 800,000 THB or income of 65,000 THB/month | 20,000–30,000 THB |
| Elite Visa | Contribution: starting from 600,000 THB for 5 years | 120,000–200,000 THB* |
| LTR Visa | Fee 50,000 THB + proof of income, Digital Work Permit | 60,000–90,000 THB |
| DTV Visa | Fee 10,000 THB + 2 renewals (each 5,000 THB) + deposit 500,000 THB (proof of funds) | 50,000 THB + deposit |
Generally speaking, the biggest headache for foreigners is the constant obligation to submit regular reports to the immigration office.
One of the most unpleasant requirements is submitting Form TM.47 every 90 days. BY THE WAY, THIS IS WHERE FOREIGNERS OFTEN ENCOUNTER BUREAUCRATIC HASSLES, ADDITIONAL TAX AUDITS, AND REFUSALS TO EXTEND VISAS.
Even worse is completely ignoring this requirement. If you're not yet tired of hearing the word "deportation," I'll add it here too.
Which visa suits your lifestyle best?
1 - Simply live stress-free
Elite Visa — pricey but convenient. No lines, no extensions, no TM.47 (special form confirming foreigner's residence every 90 days).
Have a budget of 600,000 THB for 5 years? Congratulations—you’re free.
2 - Working remotely and seeking legal status
LTR Visa — ideal for those earning at least 80,000 USD annually. → Reduced PIT, Digital Work Permit, and official status.
Important: If you're withdrawn from the LTR visa program, your Digital Work Permit, all privileges, and status will be instantly canceled.
What does "with drawn" mean?
The company you work for has shut down;
BOI certificate of the company has been revoked;
Documents provided turned out to be fake;
You decided to "switch to another visa" but did not complete the process.
In such cases:
Your Digital Work Permit is cancelled;
Resident status is SIMPLY ERASED;
The visa in your passport becomes worthless—you must leave the country or quickly change the basis.
It's better to have a Plan B and lawyers who know how to respond.
DTV Visa — an alternative option without requiring LTR or BOI (what are these? - https://bali-legal.com/en/biznes-v-tajlande-vs-na-bali-en
→ 5 years, up to 360 days per year. Just verify 500,000 THB in your account. → No right to work, but with the possibility of living in the status of a "legitimate freelancer".
3 - Married
Marriage — Cost-effective, but requires: 400,000 THB in the account or monthly income of 40,000 THB.
4 - Want to retire by the sea
Retirement — Age 50+, deposit of 800,000 THB.
→ The advantage is that there's no need to work at all.
5 - Want to try Thailand
ED — Courses, student visa. Affordable, but attendance is mandatory.
TR — Short visit, +30 days. Only for initial exploration.
6 - Want to run a business in Thailand
Firstly, you need to establish a company. Details about this procedure are available here - https://bali-legal.com/en/osobennosti-biznesa-polnyij-gajd-2024-en.
Non-B — Requirement: 4 locals per each visa holder. Legally eligible to work in virtually any position and relatively affordable.
How are visas extended and what are the issuance periods?
| Type of Visa | Renewal Process | Frequency | Important Details |
| TR | Immigration Office | Once every 30 days. | Rejection possible without reason |
| ED | Through school | Every 90 days | School attendance critical |
| Non-B | Through company | 90–180 days | Reports, finances (see guide for details) - https://bali-legal.com/en/osobennosti-biznesa-polnyij-gajd-2024-en |
| Marriage | Immigration Office | Yearly | Minimum financial requirement of 400,000 THB |
| Retirement | Immigration Office | Yearly | Deposit or income (easy to meet criteria) |
| Elite | None | – | Live freely |
| LTR | Automatic renewal | 5 years | Conditions remain valid throughout term |
| DTV | Up 2×180 days per year | Twice yearly | Fee + deposit verification |
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