Pre-Departure Checklist

As a general rule, your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date, but some visas and embassies require more. Always check the exact requirement for your visa type before applying, and renew early if there's any doubt. Processing times can be longer than expected.

DTV, LTR, Retirement, Education... Compare all options on our visa page. Want us to handle it? We review your situation, confirm the right category and send you a quote. Once approved, the best specialist for your case prepares and files your application, and we follow it with them until the answer.

Requirements vary by nationality, visa type and embassy: some ask for a police clearance or criminal record certificate, others don't. Since 31 August 2026, every DTV applicant must submit a police clearance or criminal record certificate, usually issued within the last 6 months, from your country of nationality or from the country where you are applying. This is now a systematic requirement for the DTV, not an exception. The LTR also requires one. Issuing times vary widely, from a few days to several weeks, and some countries require the document to be legalised or apostilled before use in Thailand. Request it as early as possible. This is one of the easiest steps to delay your application if left too late.

Some visas, including the LTR and Non-Immigrant O-A (Retirement), require proof of qualifying insurance as part of the visa application itself, so sort this before you apply. Compare our selected plans and find the one that fits your profile and budget. Requirements differ by embassy and visa type. Always confirm exactly what's required for your case. We're here to help if you're not sure.

Most long stay visas require evidence of sufficient funds held for a minimum period before your application. Check the minimum amount and the minimum holding period required for your visa type and make sure your bank statements reflect both before applying.

Once you have chosen your visa type and gathered all required documents, submit your application. Processing times vary depending on the visa and your country of application. If you are applying for the DTV, note that since 31 August 2026 you can only apply in a country where you are a citizen or a permanent resident, which closes the visa-run route through third countries. We recommend applying at least 2 months before your planned departure. Need help with your application? We connect you with the best specialist for your case.

Your options depend on your visa type. Some expats can open a Thai bank account, others use international alternatives. Find the right solution for your situation on our banking guide.

Let your bank know you are moving abroad to avoid blocked transactions. Ask about international transfer fees. Looking to reduce those fees? Our partner Wise offers some of the best rates available for international transfers.

No mandatory vaccinations are required to enter Thailand for most travellers. The one exception is yellow fever: if you are arriving from or have transited more than 12 hours through a country with yellow fever risk (parts of Africa and South America), proof of vaccination is required. For everyone else, several vaccinations are strongly recommended. Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Tetanus are the most common for long stay expats. Consult your doctor at least 6 weeks before departure as some vaccines require multiple doses.

Required by law to drive in Thailand. Apply at your local authority before leaving. Processing times vary so do not leave it to the last minute. Find out more on our transport guide.

Notify your bank, cancel subscriptions, organise your mail and inform relevant institutions of your upcoming move. The boring stuff that saves you headaches later.

If you are leaving a job to move to Thailand, check your contract for the required notice period. Give written notice as early as possible to leave on good terms and secure any outstanding payments or benefits.

If you are renting, check your notice period and inform your landlord in writing as early as possible. Most leases require one to three months' notice. Do not forget to arrange the return of your deposit.

Check which airport serves your destination city best. Bangkok has two international airports, Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK). Chiang Mai, Phuket, Koh Samui and other cities also have their own airports. Compare routes and prices before booking.

Stay connected the moment you land. Activate it before boarding and avoid the hassle of finding a SIM card on arrival. See our recommended options.

Land with your home already sorted. Tell us your budget, area and move-in date. We shortlist apartments, arrange the visit and handle the bilingual contract so nothing gets lost in translation.

Grab and Bolt for transport and food delivery, LINE for local messaging, Google Translate for daily life, XE Currency to track exchange rates, Google Maps offline for navigation, Wise for payments. Having these ready before landing saves you time on arrival.

Passport, visa approval, insurance certificate, bank statements. Store digital copies in Google Drive or iCloud. Keep physical copies in a separate bag from your originals.

Avoid taxi scams on arrival. We offer reliable airport pickup as part of our packages. No stress, no negotiation, someone waiting for you with your name on arrival.

Some countries require or recommend that citizens living abroad register with their embassy or consulate. This can be useful in case of emergency, for administrative purposes or to maintain access to certain services. Check the requirements for your nationality before leaving.

Many countries offer a free, voluntary registration for citizens living abroad, designed to help your embassy reach you in an emergency and simplify certain administrative procedures. Check what your own country offers.

The portal only accepts submissions within 72 hours (3 days) before your arrival, at tdac.immigration.go.th. It takes less than 5 minutes. If you have not completed it yet, do it now before you carry on.

Your landlord or host is legally required to declare your arrival to Thai immigration within 24 hours. We handle this automatically for all our housing clients.

If you ordered an eSIM before leaving, you're already connected and can skip this step. Otherwise, pick up a prepaid SIM at the airport. AIS and True both run tourist SIM counters in the arrivals hall, with data-only or call-and-data packages by the day or week.

Withdraw enough for your first week. Accommodation deposit, food, transport and daily expenses add up quickly. If you haven't sorted your banking yet, we can help you find the right solution for your visa. A Thai bank account, a fintech setup, or an offshore account in Cambodia for those who can't open a Thai one.

Connect with people who have been through the same experience. Search for expat groups on Facebook and Telegram for local tips, recommendations and events in your city.

Check whether your visa requires a periodic report to immigration. Some require one every 90 days, others just once a year. If it applies to you, set a calendar alert about two weeks before the deadline. Missing it means a fine and a mandatory in-person visit to immigration.