From August 31, 2025, Thailand has simplified its non-immigrant visa system, reducing 17 categories to 7. Find out what new visa types are in effect, how to apply, what documents are required, and what has changed for travelers, students, workers, and businesses

Effective August 31, 2025, Thailand has significantly simplified its non-immigrant visa system, reducing 17 categories to 7. The goal of the reform is to reduce bureaucratic confusion and make the application process more understandable for travelers, students, workers, and businesses.

Previously, many visa categories overlapped, which often confused both applicants and embassy staff. Now the system has become more logical: similar categories have been combined into broader groups with clear names so that applicants can quickly determine which visa they need.

Read about Thailand’s new immigrant visa system in this article.

Thailand is becoming a popular destination for foreigners looking to work in a variety of fields, thanks to its culture and economic development. In this article, we tell you how to move to Thailand for work in 2025 and where most expats work and how much they earn in the country.

Why have the rules for non-immigrant visas in Thailand been changed?

The main goal of the reform is to simplify the procedure, not to restrict rights. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand emphasizes that all requirements for obtaining a visa remain unchanged. In other words, if you were previously eligible for a certain visa, your ability to obtain it has not disappeared - only the categories and their names have changed.

This is especially important for those planning to work, study or stay in the country for a long time. With the new system, applicants and consular officers will have less confusion, which should reduce the time for processing documents.

What has remained unchanged in the Thai non-immigrant visa system?

- Rights and conditions of stay for those who already have a visa.

- Document and qualification requirements for new applicants.

- Basic rules for who can apply for a particular category.

In other words, the reform does not complicate, but only structures the existing system.

New categories of non-immigrant visas in Thailand

- F (Official)

A visa for diplomats, civil servants and employees of international organizations. Allows you to perform official duties and participate in events at the state or international level. Previously, such visas could have different codes, which sometimes confused applicants.

- B (Business)

Designed for a wide range of business purposes: employment, investment, business trips, trade missions and company visits. It combined the old categories B, B-A, IM, IB and EX, which greatly simplified the choice for entrepreneurs and employees of foreign companies.

- ED (Education)

For students, teachers, researchers and participants in educational programs. Previously, ED, ED-A, R, R-A and RS had different codes, but now everything is combined. This helps to avoid errors when applying and makes it easier to plan your studies or teaching activities.

- M (Mass Media)

For journalists, reporters, film crews and media professionals. This visa guarantees proper accreditation to work in Thailand and allows you to perform professional duties in the fields of news, television, film and online media.

- O (Others)

A broad category for family reunification, dependents, retirees and long-term stay. Includes O, O-A (retirement) and O-X (10-year). This group now allows for easier consolidation of applications and reduces the number of separate processes.

- L-A (Labour)

For foreign workers who have formal employment in Thailand. Usually requires additional permits from the employer or government agencies. This helps the government control the labor market and ensure the legality of the workers' stay.

- O L-A

A special combined category for cases where the purpose of stay is both related to family and employment issues. For example, if an employee comes with his family and does not clearly fall under “O” or “L-A”.

Practical tips for applicants applying for a non-immigrant visa to Thailand

1. Before applying, carefully check which new category your purpose of stay falls into.

2. All documents, requirements and rights remain the same - only the category name changes.

3. For business and work, it is better to consult with your employer or visa agent to avoid mistakes due to new codes.

Basic documents for obtaining a non-immigrant visa to Thailand

To obtain a non-immigrant visa to Thailand, the applicant must provide the following documents:

- A passport that is valid for at least 6 months and has at least two blank visa pages. For a one-year visa, the passport must be valid for at least 18 months.

- A visa application form - completed and signed, available on the website of the embassy or consulate where the application is submitted.

- Passport-sized photograph with the following requirements: white background, taken within the last six months, neutral expression, looking straight ahead, full face visible, headgear is only permitted for religious reasons, as long as it does not cover the face, glasses are only permitted without tinted or thick frames.

- Proof of financial means: 20,000 Thai baht per person, 40,000 Thai baht for a family.

- Payment of the visa fee.

- Additional documents, depending on the purpose of stay (work, study, retirement, etc.).

How to apply for a Thailand non-immigrant visa?

Step 1 - Contact the Thai embassy or consulate in your country or visit their website for detailed information on opening hours and requirements.

Step 2 - Gather the necessary documents for the specific visa category.

Step 3 – Apply: in person at the consulate, by mail – with a prepaid envelope for the return of the passport.

Step 4 – Wait for the application to be processed.

Step 5 – Collect your passport with the visa affixed or receive it by mail.

Note: If you are already in Thailand on another visa, you can apply for a change of category at the Immigration Department in Bangkok, except for visas on arrival.

Can I get a non-immigrant visa to Thailand upon arrival?

No, you cannot. A visa on arrival to Thailand is issued for tourist purposes only and is for a non-extendable period of up to 15 days.

What to do after entering Thailand on a non-immigrant visa

After arriving in Thailand on a non-immigrant visa, you must report every 90 days to your local Immigration Department office, depending on the purpose of your stay. This means that regardless of whether your address has changed or not, you must prove your residence for the entire period of your stay.

The exception is holders of the Thai SMART visa - they report once a year, not every 90 days.

In 2025, Thailand introduced significant updates to its Long-Term Resident (LTR) program to make it easier for foreigners to move. Read here who will be interested in obtaining an LTR permit and what the rules for obtaining a permit are relevant in 2025.

Extending a Thai non-immigrant visa

Non-immigrant visas are usually issued for a maximum of 90 days. If you plan to stay in Thailand longer, you must apply for a one-year extension at the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok.

Before your visa expires, you can apply for a one-year extension, provided you meet the requirements for an extension.

After staying for three months within three years on an extended visa, you can apply for a permanent residence permit in Thailand.

Cost of a non-immigrant visa to Thailand

The fee for a non-immigrant visa depends on the currency, the validity of the visa, and the embassy or consulate where the application is made. In general, the approximate amounts are as follows:

- 2,000 Thai baht - single-entry visa for 3 months

- 5,000 Thai baht - multiple-entry visa for 1 year

To avoid mistakes in the visa application process and not waste time rewriting documents, we recommend contacting experienced migration lawyers. They will help you correctly determine the visa category, prepare documents in accordance with the new rules and ensure a smooth process of obtaining a residence permit in Thailand.

Qualified specialists of Visit World - your reliable support during migration abroad!

The reform does not complicate the lives of travelers and expats, but on the contrary - makes the system more transparent and logical. Fewer categories mean less confusion, faster processing of applications and more comfortable planning of your stay in Thailand.

Let us remind you! In 2025, Thailand will abolish the ETA system and introduce a digital arrival card (TDAC) for visa-free tourists. We have already told you who needs a new card, how to apply for it, the validity period and the main changes in the entry rules.

Photo – Freepik

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