Practical Guides
Thailand for Expats

First step before any trip: fill out your Thailand Digital Arrival Card. This form has been mandatory since 2024 and replaces the old paper TM.6. It must be completed online before each entry into Thailand, regardless of your visa type. Our service helps you avoid errors and speeds up processing (1 to 4 hours on average).

Choosing the right visa depends on your profile: tourist, digital nomad (DTV), retiree (OA/OX), or worker (Non-Immigrant B). Each visa has its own conditions for duration, income, and renewal. Many nationalities benefit from a 60-day exemption for tourism, but a long-term visa is essential for settling permanently.

Opening a Thai bank account makes daily life much simpler: local payments, PromptPay, proof of funds for the retirement visa. On the tax side, the 180-day rule determines your tax residency, and since 2024 income transferred to Thailand in the same year may be taxable. Plan your transfers with tools like Wise to optimize fees.

Driving license, housing, cost of living — all topics to prepare before settling in. Your international driving permit is valid for 3 months, after which a Thai driving license is required. For housing, expect 15,000 to 50,000 THB/month for a condo depending on the city. The cost of living remains attractive: a comfortable budget is around 50,000 THB/month (~$1,485) for a couple.