Royal Thai Immigration Bureau
Royal Thai Immigration Bureau (Immigration Bureau) is the structural Thai immigration authority under the Royal Thai Police. Administers visa issuance, visa-on-arrival, visa-exempt entry, residence permits, work-permit linkage, and deportation operations. Operates 134 international immigration checkpoints including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai airports, and key land-border crossings. Manages the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa programme, Smart Visa, BOI-linked visa privileges, and Thailand Elite. Coordinates with Ministry of Foreign Affairs on visa-policy frameworks. Key regulatory counterparty for expatriates, digital nomads, retirees, and foreign investors seeking long-stay visas.
Snapshot
Headline numbers a buyer checks first.
International arrivals processed
35M+ in 2024
2024
Checkpoints
134 international immigration checkpoints
Current
Long-stay visas managed
LTR, Smart Visa, Thailand Elite, BOI-linked
Ongoing
Parent authority
Royal Thai Police under Ministry of Interior
Current
Profile overview
Royal Thai Immigration Bureau (Immigration Bureau) is the structural Thai immigration authority under the Royal Thai Police. Administers visa issuance, visa-on-arrival, visa-exempt entry, residence permits, work-permit linkage, and deportation operations. Operates 134 international immigration checkpoints including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai airports, and key land-border crossings. Manages the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa programme, Smart Visa, BOI-linked visa privileges, and Thailand Elite. Coordinates with Ministry of Foreign Affairs on visa-policy frameworks. Key regulatory counterparty for expatriates, digital nomads, retirees, and foreign investors seeking long-stay visas.
Visa categories and key compliance requirements
Tourist, visa-exempt, VOA
Thailand allows visa-exempt entry for 65+ nationalities (30-day standard, 60-day extension possible). Visa-on-arrival for an additional 19 nationalities. Tourist visa (TR) allows 60 days extendable at Immigration.
LTR Long-Term Resident Visa
10-year LTR visa for wealthy pensioners, remote workers, high-potential professionals. Managed jointly by BOI and Immigration Bureau. Comes with 90-day reporting (now annually for LTR holders) and multiple re-entry.
Smart Visa and BOI-linked stay
Smart Visa (4-year, multiple re-entry) for STEM talent, startup founders, executives in targeted industries. BOI-promoted company staff get extended Non-Immigrant B stays and expedited processing.
90-day reporting and TM28/TM30
Foreign residents must report every 90 days to Immigration (TM47 form) and landlords must file TM30 within 24 hours of housing a foreigner — compliance requirements that generate ongoing interaction with Immigration offices.
Key Thai visa categories for long-stay foreigners
Tourist (TR)
Duration
60 days, +30 extension
Key conditions
No work permitted; most common visitor entry
Non-Immigrant B (work)
Duration
90 days, renewable 1 year
Key conditions
Tied to work permit; 4 Thai employees, $57,971 capital per foreigner
Non-Immigrant O (retirement)
Duration
Renewable 1-year
Key conditions
Age 50+, $23,188 bank deposit or monthly income proof
LTR (Long-Term Resident)
Duration
10 years, renewable
Key conditions
Wealth, remote-work, pensioner, specialist categories; BOI-screened
Smart Visa
Duration
4 years
Key conditions
STEM talent, investors, founders in BOI target industries; DEPA or BOI endorsement
Thailand Elite
Duration
5-20 years (product-dependent)
Key conditions
Paid membership programme; $17,391–2M fees; no work, lifestyle long-stay
| Visa type | Duration | Key conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist (TR) | 60 days, +30 extension | No work permitted; most common visitor entry |
| Non-Immigrant B (work) | 90 days, renewable 1 year | Tied to work permit; 4 Thai employees, $57,971 capital per foreigner |
| Non-Immigrant O (retirement) | Renewable 1-year | Age 50+, $23,188 bank deposit or monthly income proof |
| LTR (Long-Term Resident) | 10 years, renewable | Wealth, remote-work, pensioner, specialist categories; BOI-screened |
| Smart Visa | 4 years | STEM talent, investors, founders in BOI target industries; DEPA or BOI endorsement |
| Thailand Elite | 5-20 years (product-dependent) | Paid membership programme; $17,391–2M fees; no work, lifestyle long-stay |
Where this profile is featured
Reports that reference this entity in their operator concentration or analysis.
Featured in
LTR Long-Term Resident Visa and Thailand Elite Visa: Foreigner Path...
Royal Thai Police body issuing entry-stamps and 90-day reporting compliance.
Featured in
Smart Visa: Tech-Talent and Startup-Founder Pathway
Royal Thai Police body issuing entry-stamps and 90-day reporting compliance.
Featured in
Thai Visa Reality: Tourist Visa, Education Visa, Marriage Visa, Ret...
Royal Thai Police body issuing entry-stamps and 90-day reporting compliance.
Featured in
Work Permit and Foreign Quota: 4-Thai-Employee Rule and Capital Floors
Royal Thai Police body issuing entry-stamps and 90-day reporting compliance.
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Reports featuring this profile
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Royal Thai Police body issuing entry-stamps and 90-day reporting compliance.
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Royal Thai Police body issuing entry-stamps and 90-day reporting compliance.
Open report →
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competitor
Minor International
Thailand's largest listed hotel group — 550+ properties across 56+ countries via NH Hotel Group, Anantara, and Avani.
competitor
Airports of Thailand
Thailand's gateway monopoly — every international visitor flies through an AOT airport.
competitor
Bangkok Airways
Regional premium carrier with structural Samui-Airport pricing power.