Thailand’s Non-Immigrant Visas are the best option for people interested in staying in the country for a long time. This includes working, studying, volunteering, or retiring in Thailand. The cost of a Thai Non-Immigrant Visa depends on whether you apply for a single-entry or a multiple-entry visa and which country you apply for it in.
Some foreign visitors are eligible for a Single-Entry Non-Immigrant Visa. Other foreigners are eligible to apply for a Multiple-Entry Non-Immigrant visa due to special circumstances (discussed more below). In this post, we’ll take a look at different situations that would entail a single- or multiple-entry visa and how much these long-term visas cost.
How much does a Thai Non-Immigrant Visa cost?
UPDATE: As of 1 April 2019, the cost of a Non-Immigrant Visa has increased in several countries. The new prices are reflected in this post.
The cost of a Thai Non-Immigrant Visa depends on whether on how many entries you need (single or multiple) and which country you apply in.
| NOTE: You cannot apply for a Thai visa in Thailand. You must apply for it at a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate General in another country. |
Cost of a Thai Non-Immigrant Visa in Major Countries
| Country | Single-Entry Non-Immigrant Visa Fee | Multiple-Entry Non-Immigrant Visa Fee |
| Australia | 110 AUD | 275 AUD |
| Canada | 100 CAD | 250 CAD |
| China | 450 RMB | 1,200 RMB |
| France, Germany, Italy | 60 EUR | 150 EUR |
| India | 4,000 INR | 10,000 INR |
| Japan | 9,000 JPY | 22,000 JPY |
| UK | 60 GBP | 150 GBP |
| USA | 80 USD | 200 USD |
If you need to apply for a multiple-entry visa, you must apply for it at the Royal Thai Embassy in your home country or country of permanent residency.
However, if you’re already in Thailand but don’t have plans to travel back to your home country, you can apply for a single-entry Non-Immigrant Visa in one of Thailand’s neighboring countries. For those of you who have permanent residency or citizenship from one of these countries, you can apply for a Multiple-Entry Non-Immigrant Visa.
Cost of a Thai Non-Immigrant Visa in Thailand’s Neighboring Countries
| Thailand’s Neighboring Country | Single-Entry Non-Immigrant Visa Fee | Multiple-Entry Non-Immigrant Visa Fee |
| Cambodia | 80 USD | 200 USD |
| Myanmar (Burma) | 80 USD | 200 USD |
| Malaysia | 300 RM | 750 RM |
| Laos | 2,000 THB | 5,000 THB |
| Vietnam | 80 USD | 200 USD |
Difference between a Single- and Multiple-Entry Visa
There are two categories of Thai Non-Immigrant Visas: single- and multiple-entry.
Single-entry Non-Immigrant Visa: Grants non-Thai visitors one 90-day entry into Thailand.
Multiple-entry Non-Immigrant Visa: Gives non-Thai visitors multiple 90-day entries into Thailand within a one-year window. (The “window” matches the expiration date stamped on the visa).
| NOTE: You don’t have to stay the full 90 days per entry. You can stay up to, but not exceed 90 days for any entry into Thailand. |
Who uses a Single-Entry Non-Immigrant Visa?
A single-entry Non-Immigrant Visa is most commonly used by people in the following situations:
- Foreigners who are volunteering for 90 days or less
- Foreigners who are visiting Thai family members for 90 days or less
- Teachers (who will later apply for a visa extension)
- Students who are enrolled in a course that’s 90 days or less OR who are enrolled in a longer course but will later apply for a visa extension
- Foreigners who are working for a non-teaching company in Thailand (who will later apply for a visa extension)
- Dependents (spouse, child, or parent) of foreigners who work, study, volunteer, or are retired and have a single-entry Non-Immigrant Visa
- Spouses of Thai people
This is not a complete list. However, it includes the major instances where international visitors use single-entry Non-Immigrant Visas.
Who uses a Multiple-Entry Non-Immigrant Visa?
A multiple-entry Non-Immigrant Visa grants non-Thai visitors multiple 90-day entries into Thailand. This category of visa is most commonly used by:
- Foreigners who want to retire
- Foreign visitors who are working for a Thai business that requires frequent international travel
- Foreigners visiting Thai family members for more than 90 days
- Dependents (aka spouse, children, or parents) of foreigners who also have a Multiple-Entry Non-Immigrant visa
- Spouses of Thai people who do not meet the year-long financial requirements
Are there other costs?
Yes, there are “hidden” costs to keep up your Thai Non-Immigration Visa after you initially buy it. These maintenance costs include money spent on:
- A visa to enter a foreign country with the purpose of applying for a visa at a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate
- Accommodation and transportation while traveling to and from a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate
- Extending your visa at a Provincial Immigration Office inside of Thailand
- Accommodation, transportation, and/or visa of another country to do a “border run” and activate the next entry on a Multiple-Entry Non-Immigrant Visa
- Using a visa service to help speed up your paperwork and make sure it’s correct
We’ll elaborate more on the hidden costs of maintaining a visa, whether it’s a Thai Tourist or Non-Immigrant Visa, on another post in the near future.
Can i apply the Non immigrant O dependents Visa?? My husband is living in thailand right now cause he got his retirement visa. ME and our Son will be follow there soon as soon as possible so that we will live together. hope you can help me what to do. Thank you!
This really clears it up for me. I was confused about multiple entry visas.
Thanks Chris and Angela for all your wonderful article
Hi Chris and Angela. My partner and I have really enjoyed your posts. We were wondering if you were going to keep blogging, as it has been quite a while since your last update (and we were looking forward to your insight on maintaining visas (e.g., extension procedures and costs, renewal). Hope all is well!
Thanks Chris and Angela for all your wonderful information/consultation at the start of 2018 in preparation for our 6 month stay in Chiang Mai. It was a life changing experience for all of us. Our 12 year old son has a geeky fascination with South East Asian history now. We plan to return in 2020 and do another 6 months. Has the non immigrant visas changed? Because when we went we had the MEV and we were given 60 days but had to extend the visa for the extra 30 days in CM. Do you get a straight 90 days… Read more »
Hello again! The METV is the same as when we last spoke. You get a 60-day entry stamp when you arrive at a Thai int’l airport or border, then extend it for another 30 days at a local Thai Provincial Immigration Office. There is no straight 90 days on a METV. Then you have to do a border run to get another entry stamp. You can do that upwards of 9 months beofre the visa expires and you have to apply for a new one. HOWEVER, On a non-immigrant visa (for work, education, volunteering, etc) you do get 90 days… Read more »
This really clears it up for me. I was confused about multiple entry visas.
You’re welcome!
After entering with 90 day Visa can I extend my stay by buying Visa in Malaysia consulate? I see no longer can get OA Visa from Malaysia
You can extend you stay in Thailand by applying for a visa extension at any Provincial Immigration Office inside of Thailand.
Or, you can apply for an entirely new visa at the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate in Malaysia.
You can only get a Non-Immigrant O-A Visa at the Royal Thai Embassy in your home country. This has been the rule for a while.
If I wanted to plan a relatively inexpensive trip to thailand, about how much should I save up?
How long do you want to visit for and where are you traveling from? Also, are you a budget traveler, mid-range traveler, or luxury traveler?
My brother lives in Bangkok and for the past 7 years has been the sole minder of his 9 year old son. He is married to a Thai lady but they will be divorced soon. He has been told by immigration that his 30 day visa run has to stop. He has no job and is supported by his European family. What does he need to be successful with a Parental visa ? Thanks for any advice you can give
First, your brother’s name must be on the birth certificate for him to eligible to receive a Non-Immigrant O Dependent Visa. Second, he must have a minimum bank balance or monthly stipend/income to show he can financially support his child if he wants to continue living in Thailand.
Wonderfull work. Useful and clear.
Only one question: you mark “7. Spouses of Thai people”, as people who uses a Single-Entry Non-Immigrant Visa.
Does it mean that foreingn spouses of Thai people only need a Single-Entry Non-Immigrant Visa, even if they are going to stay longer than 90 days, or if they are travelling abroad sometimes?
Good question! Spouses of Thai people need a Single Entry Non-Immigrant Visa even if they want
1) to stay longer than 90 day – in this case, apply for a visa extension at your local Provincial Immigration Office and submit the required visa extension paperwork
2) travel abroad – in that case, apply for a Re-Entry Permit prior to exiting Thailand so that you don’t void your visa
Nice breakdown guys. We head to Chiang Mai in under 3 weeks. Should be 2 months so we will just extend at immigration, at the mall. What a lean, efficient operation. Extended last year and it took 30 minutes. Easy peasy. So different from the madhouse immigration by the airport from years ago LOL.
The Chiang Mai Immigration office has moved YET AGAIN. It is back near the airport in its own big grey building and no longer in the mall. But yes, nothing like the two-time-ago madhouse immigration jam-packed into that tiny building with no AC and icky bathrooms. Hope your extension is as painless as it can be.