The best Thailand visa for your family

Thailand now offers various long-term visa options, giving you and your family numerous opportunities to live in the country and build a life in the Land of Smiles! Among the most popular options are the Thailand Privilege Visa, the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV Visa Thailand), and the Long-Term Resident Visa (LTR Visa Thailand).

In this article, we will explain what these visas are and what advantages they offer families, so that you can decide which visa best suits your needs, long-term plans, and lifestyle in Thailand.

What are the advantages of the LTR visa, the DTV visa, and the Thailand Privilege visa for families?

Each of these long-term visas offers different benefits to family members. Some grant the right to work in Thailand or access to exclusive perks, while others focus on easy and flexible entry.

Visa for Thailand (DTV)

The Destination Thailand Visa, also known as DTV, was designed for remote workers and digital nomads who plan to visit the country frequently or stay there for extended periods. However, individuals participating in Thai cultural activities can also apply for this visa.

You will receive a five-year multiple-entry residence permit for Thailand. This means you can enter and leave Thailand as often as you like without having to apply for a re-entry permit each time. However, the stay per entry is limited to a maximum of 180 days, with the option to extend.

If you meet the requirements for the DTV visa, you can include any number of close family members on your visa by having them apply for the DTV visa in the "Dependents" category. This includes your spouse and all unmarried children under 20 years of age.

Although it is the cheapest of the three options, it offers no advantages beyond a long-term residence permit in Thailand and is subject to certain eligibility requirements that not everyone can meet. This means that while you and your family can live in Thailand, you will not be allowed to work for a Thai company or study at a university.

Long-term residence visa (LTR visa)

The long-term residence visa, also known as the LTR visa, was designed for investors, retirees, digital nomads and skilled professionals working in Thailand.

This is a 10-year visa with no restrictions on re-entry or length of stay. As the primary holder of the LTR visa, you can now, thanks to a recent rule change, include any number of close family members in the "dependents" category of your visa. These include your spouse, unmarried children under 20, and your parents or your spouse's parents.

The LTR visa offers numerous benefits that you and your family members can use together, such as:

  • Accelerated immigration processing at international airports in Thailand
  • Annual registration with the immigration authorities is required, unlike the usual 90 days required for other Thailand visas.
  • The right to obtain a work permit and work for a local company (provided they meet the requirements).
  • A fixed income tax rate (only for skilled workers)
  • Thai income tax exemption on foreign income (only category "remote workers")

    • Depending on the chosen category, you must meet certain requirements regarding annual income, work experience, or the employer's annual turnover. However, the requirements for the LTR visa were relaxed in 2025, making it accessible to a wider range of people.

    Thailand Privilege Visa

    The Thailand Privilege Visa is available through membership in the Thailand Privilege Program. This visa is designed for individuals and families seeking a hassle-free, long-term stay in Thailand with benefits that make life there more comfortable, affordable, and enjoyable. It is available in five membership tiers with stay durations ranging from 5 to 20 years and includes a multiple-entry visa, allowing you to enter and leave Thailand as often as you like without needing to apply for a re-entry permit each time.

    This visa does not entitle you to work for a Thai company. However, you and your family can continue to work from home as long as your clients are not Thai nationals or companies based in Thailand.

    You can include an unlimited number of family members in your main membership package at a discounted membership fee, making it a convenient option for larger households.

    The full list of benefits of the Thailand Privilege Visa is too long to include in this article. However, below is a brief overview of the main benefits you and your family can enjoy:

  • Elite Personal Assistant (EPA) services
  • Discounts at international schools, in shopping centers and for culinary experiences
  • Assistance with completing the 90-day report at the immigration office
  • Access to the Thailand Privilege Points System, which allows you to redeem discounts and benefits such as free spa treatments, golf lessons, boat and car rentals, hotel stays and much more.

    • Of the three visa options, the Thailand Privilege Visa is the easiest to apply for and obtain, requiring minimal paperwork and a straightforward application process. The main requirements for the Thailand Privilege Visa are passing a simple background check and paying the membership fee. To further simplify the process and maximize your chances of approval, you can contact a General Sales and Services Agent (GSSA). These organizations work with the government and offer free assistance with your Thailand Privilege Visa application. They will help you gather all the necessary documents, verify their accuracy, and submit the application on your behalf to the relevant government agencies.

    Which long-term visa for Thailand is best suited for families?

    Which visa is most suitable depends on your family's long-term plans, as each visa is tailored to different lifestyles. Here are some typical scenarios where one visa is more practical:

    For long-term work in Thailand

    If you plan to work remotely or for a company in Thailand long-term, the LTR visa allows you to do so with additional benefits:

  • For employees in Thai companies, these advantages include cheaper and easier-to-obtain work permits, as well as a fixed income tax rate of 17%, compared to the progressive tax rate in Thailand, which can be as high as 35%.
  • For remote workers, the most noticeable advantage is the complete exemption of foreign income from Thai taxes, meaning that all income transferred to Thailand is exempt from Thai taxes.

    • To facilitate the transition to Thailand, your family can work or study there, provided they meet certain requirements. Although these requirements are more difficult to meet, the LTR visa offers unparalleled advantages for building a new life with your family in Thailand.

    For frequent trips to Thailand without a long-term commitment

    If you and your family plan to spend only part of the year in Thailand, or stay for several months at a time, the DTV (Divisional Vacation Visa) may be a better option, as it offers the flexibility to enter and leave as you please. It is a low-commitment option, and the application process does not require proof of investment or long-term employment in Thailand.

    However, you and your family will not receive any immigration benefits (such as expedited processing and the right to work in Thailand) and must report to the immigration authorities every 90 days of continuous stay, unlike LTR visa holders who must report annually and Thailand Privilege visa holders who receive assistance with their reporting.

    For uncomplicated long-term stays with the best benefits

    If you are planning to settle in Thailand or spend an extended period of time there with your family, the Thailand Privilege Visa offers the most convenient and rewarding way to secure a long-term stay in the country. It is by far the easiest to apply for, as there are hardly any requirements beyond a simple background check by the government.

    The Thailand Privilege Visa offers you and your family access to a wide range of exclusive benefits for a comfortable lifestyle in Thailand. As mentioned previously, this includes assistance with entry formalities, healthcare services, school discounts, and various rewards that make every day in Thailand an adventure.

    If you wish to enroll your children in school, you can apply for a Thailand ED visa for them, which allows them to study legally in Thailand. Although they cannot hold two visas simultaneously, the Thailand ED visa still grants them the benefits of the Thailand Privilege visa.

    Employment with a Thai company is not permitted, but remote work is allowed, provided your clients are based outside of Thailand and are not Thai companies.

    Professional support in applying for a Thai visa

    To simplify your family's entry into Thailand, contact Siam Legal International. As a full-service law firm and visa consultancy with over 20 years of experience assisting clients worldwide with their Thai visa applications, we have the necessary knowledge and expertise to find the optimal solution for you and your family.

    Our team of bilingual Thai visa consultants will guide you through the entire application process for the DTV, LTR, or any other Thai visa of your choice, providing expert advice along the way. Our services streamline your process, maximize your chances of approval, and minimize delays.

    As a state-approved GSSA, we have extensive knowledge of the procedure for applying for the Thailand Privilege Visa and will support you with your application free of charge, whether you are abroad or in Thailand.

    For a smooth entry into Thailand with your family, without stress or entry hurdles, don't hesitate to contact Siam Legal and arrange a consultation appointment now!