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Thai Non-Immigrant Visa Sub-Types: B, ED, O, M, EX Matrix
Thailand's Non-Immigrant visa categories under Immigration Act §34 cover business, education, family, retirement, media, research, and specialist work — each with distinct eligibility, document, and renewal rules. This guide is the practical comparison table.
TL;DR
Thailand's Non-Immigrant Visa (วีซ่าประเภทคนอยู่ชั่วคราว) under Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979) §34 covers long-stay categories beyond the tourist visa. Sub-types include Non-B (business and work), Non-O (family / retirement / volunteer), Non-O-A (retirement from abroad with insurance), Non-O-X (10-year retirement programme), Non-ED (education and training), Non-M (media and journalism), Non-RS (research and scientific), Non-EX (specialist work, BOI-endorsed), Non-IB (BOI investment). Initial issuance is 90 days; 1-year extensions are filed at Immigration Bureau offices on Form TM7 with category-specific evidence. Most work-related categories require a separate work permit.
The Sub-Type Matrix
| Sub-type | Purpose | Key requirements | Extension target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-B | Business / Employment | Sponsoring company, capital + Thai-employee ratio, work permit | 1 year via TM7 |
| Non-O (retirement) | Long-stay 50+ | THB 800,000 in Thai bank for 2 months OR THB 65,000 monthly income (or combination of THB 800,000/year) | 1 year |
| Non-O (Thai family) | Spouse / parent of Thai national or Thai child | Marriage certificate / birth certificate; financial evidence (commonly THB 400,000 for Thai-spouse) | 1 year |
| Non-O-A | Retirement from abroad | Applied at Thai embassy abroad; mandatory health insurance USD 100k+ for inpatient cover (current rule) | 1 year, renewable |
| Non-O-X | 10-year retirement | Nationals from listed countries; significant financial threshold; insurance | 5 years initial, 5-year renewal |
| Non-ED | Education / training | Accredited institution acceptance letter; financial evidence | 1 year per academic year |
| Non-M | Media / journalism | MFA Information Department endorsement | 1 year |
| Non-RS | Research / scientific | Recognised institution endorsement | 1 year |
| Non-EX | Specialist work | BOI / specialist body endorsement | Aligned with promotion |
| Non-IB | BOI investment | BOI promotion certificate | Aligned with promotion |
Initial Application vs Extension
- Initial visa: applied at Thai embassy / consulate abroad with category-specific documents. Issuance is typically single-entry, 90 days.
- Extension of stay: filed at the Immigration Bureau office serving your registered address. Form TM7 with evidence pack. Decision on the day in most cases.
- Multiple-entry endorsement: re-entry permit (single TM8 or multiple) is typically purchased separately to preserve status when leaving Thailand.
Common Mistakes
Avoid these traps:
- Confusing Non-O retirement (in-country application) with Non-O-A (embassy application from abroad, mandatory health insurance).
- Applying for Non-B without a sponsoring company already meeting the capital and Thai-employee ratio.
- Missing the bank-deposit seasoning requirement (commonly 2 months) before retirement-visa extension.
- Engaging in employment on Non-O (Thai family) without obtaining a work permit.
- Leaving Thailand on extension status without a re-entry permit — voids the extension.
FAQs
1. Can I change sub-type without leaving Thailand?
Some changes (e.g., Non-O to Non-B with employer change) can be processed in-country at Immigration. Other changes require leaving and re-applying at a Thai embassy abroad. The Immigration Office advises case-by-case.
2. Which sub-type is best for digital nomads?
The newer DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) addresses many digital-nomad cases. Non-O (specific volunteer / family) or Non-ED (study) are alternatives for in-country presence; work for foreign employers from Thailand is a regulatory grey zone outside DTV.
3. How does Non-O-A insurance work?
USD 100,000 inpatient cover with a Thailand-recognised insurer is the standard requirement for Non-O-A retirement. Coverage must be maintained throughout the visa term.
4. Are there age limits for Non-O retirement?
50+ for retirement-based Non-O. Spouse-based Non-O has no age requirement.
5. Can I have multiple sub-types simultaneously?
No — one visa status applies at any time. Multiple-purpose stay typically uses the sub-type matching the dominant purpose.
Related Reading
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