Non-Immigrant Visas
There are 10 different kinds of Non-Immigrant visa. All are issued by Thai embassies outside of Thailand to foreigners wishing to enter the Kingdom of Thailand to study, retire, conduct business, invest, or a variety of other purposes.
There are 10 different kinds of Non-Immigrant visa. All are issued by Thai embassies outside of Thailand to foreigners wishing to enter the Kingdom of Thailand to study, retire, conduct business, invest, or a variety of other purposes.</p>
Benefits
- Appointment required
- Valid for 90 days from date of issue
- Can be renewed once
- Extendable once for 7 days
- Certain types (i.e. “O”) grant holder 12-month extension option
Upon issue, successful applicants have 90 days to get their butts to Thailand or the visa is canceled and a new application must be filed. Once in Thailand, holders of Non-Immigrant “O” visas (and a few “B” exceptions) can stay up to a maximum of 90 days.
IMPORTANT! 90-Day Non-Immigrant visas are single-entry products which means leaving Thailand for that quick little gambling holiday in Cambodia voids the visa. If at the end you require a few more days to get your affairs in order, an application can be made for a maximum 7-day extension. Once expired, holders of this class of visa must leave Thailand and apply for the same (or potentially different) visa option from a Thai embassy or consulate in another country.
We Love You Long-Term
Length of stay for standard “ED” visas is 6 months. All remaining Non-Immigration visas — including Chiang Mai Buddy’s Self-Defence visa — are all good for 12 months.
REMEMBER! Any visa solution which allows you to stay more than 90 days now places you in the “Long-Term” category. The price for this extended love affair is a mandatory requirement for all holders to report their whereabouts (address) to Thai immigration every 90 days. This 90-Day reporting business is serious stuff so make certain to learn the rules if you now fall in the “Long-Term” category.
Option to Extend to 1-Year
Certain Non-Immigrant visas (i.e. work, marriage, retirement, etc.) grant holders an option to apply for a 1-year extension to their 90-day visa with multiple re-entry privileges — a process which can be facilitated by Chiang Mai Buddy from inside of Thailand. For the complete range of extension services available from Chiang Mai Buddy, click here.
| Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Category “F” | To perform official duties |
| Category “B” | To conduct business/to work; attend business conferences; scuba diving courses; to teach kick boxing courses (Muay Thai) and massage courses |
| Category “IM” | To invest with the concurrence of the Thai Ministries and Government Departments concerned |
| Category “IB” | To invest or perform other activities relating to investment, subject to the provision of the established laws on investment promotion |
| Category “ED” | To study, to come on a work study tour or observation tour, to participate in projects or seminars, to attend a conference or training course, to study as a foreign Buddhist monk |
| Category “M” | To work as a film producer, journalist or reporter with permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand |
| Category “R” | To perform missionary work or other religious activities with the concurrence of the Thai Ministries or Government Departments concerned |
| Category “RS” | To conduct scientific research or training or teaching in a research institute |
| Category “EX” | To undertake skilled work or to work as an expert or specialist |
| Category “O” | To stay with the family; to perform duties for the state enterprise or social welfare organizations; to stay after retirement for the elderly; to receive medical treatment; to be a sport coach as required by Thai Government; to be a contestant or witness for the judicial process |