UAE Visa from Thailand
Employment residence via MOHRE, self-sponsored Golden Visa (10-year) and Green Visa (5-year), freelance permits, and family sponsorship — plus Emirates ID and post-arrival medical & biometrics.
Quick Answer
Short visits may be simple, while work residence is filed by the employer. Golden Visa routes depend on property, salary or professional criteria that must be documented clearly. Fees, visa-free rules and processing times change often, so confirm the current figures with the embassy or official portal before you apply. We prepare and translate documents; we do not guarantee a decision.
Categories
| Category | Who | Validity | Fee (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa on arrival | Thai tourists ≤ 30d + 30d ext | 60 d total | Set by the embassy — verify the current rate |
| Employment Residence | Employer sponsor + MOHRE | 2–3 yr renewable | Set by the embassy — verify the current rate |
| Golden Visa (property) | Investor AED 2M+ property | 10 yr self-sponsored | Set by the embassy — verify the current rate |
| Golden Visa (talent) | Salary AED 30k+ / bachelor + 5yr | 10 yr self-sponsored | Set by the embassy — verify the current rate |
| Green Visa | Freelance AED 15k+/mo or skilled | 5 yr self-sponsored | Set by the embassy — verify the current rate |
| Family sponsorship | Sponsor salary AED 4–20k+/mo | Tied to sponsor | Set by the embassy — verify the current rate |
Post-arrival compliance
- Medical fitness test at DHA (Dubai) or DoH (Abu Dhabi) — HIV, TB, syphilis, Hep-B/C. The fee is set by the health authority — confirm it when booking. Reactive result → cancellation & deportation.
- Emirates ID biometrics at ICP centres — fingerprints, facial scan. ID card mailed in 5–7 days.
- Labour contract signed at MOHRE (Mainland) or Free-Zone Authority — bilingual Arabic/English.
- Residence stamp in passport — visa activation. Absence > 6 months voids residence unless re-entry permit obtained.
FAQ
- Do Thai passport holders need a visa for the UAE?
- Yes — Thai passport holders receive visa on arrival for 30 days (extendable +30) for tourism. For work, residency, family reunion, freelance, Golden Visa or property investor visa, apply through the sponsoring employer / free-zone / ICP portal before or after entry.
- Employment (residence) visa — process?
- Employer files Entry Permit (pink permit) via MOHRE + ICP → arrival in UAE within 60 days → medical fitness test (DHA/DoH) + Emirates ID biometrics → labour contract signed → residence stamped in passport. Total ~ 15–25 working days. Visa validity 2 yr (Mainland) or 2–3 yr (Free Zone).
- Golden Visa — who qualifies?
- 10-year renewable residence with no employer sponsor, no need for annual visit. Categories: (1) Investor AED 2M in property or business, (2) Skilled Professional salary ≥ AED 30k/mo with bachelor + 5yr exp, (3) Outstanding Student, (4) Entrepreneur (approved project ≥ AED 500k), (5) Talent (culture/science/arts). Includes spouse + kids + domestic staff.
- Freelance / Green Visa?
- Green Visa (2019+): 5-year self-sponsored residence for freelancers (permit from MOHRE + monthly income ≥ AED 15k), skilled employees (salary ≥ AED 15k + bachelor), and investors. Freelancer permit issued by TECOM/Dubai Media City/twofour54 in Abu Dhabi.
- Timeline & cost?
- Fees depend on the documents, destination and urgency. Send your documents for a written quote after review — no prices are published. Any government or embassy fees are set by the authority; verify them directly before filing.
- Family sponsorship — salary threshold?
- Male sponsor must earn ≥ AED 4,000/mo (+ housing) or AED 5,000 all-in to sponsor spouse/children. Female sponsor must earn ≥ AED 10,000/mo + be in approved profession (doctor, engineer, teacher, nurse) unless special approval. Parents: AED 20,000/mo + medical insurance ≥ AED 3M coverage.
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Official sources — visa & work permit
The information on this page follows the official sources below. Always check the latest version before you file.
- สำนักงานตรวจคนเข้าเมือง — วีซ่า รายงานตัว 90 วัน TM.30— Immigration Bureau
- Thai e-Visa Official Portal— MFA Thailand
- Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)— Immigration Bureau
- กรมการจัดหางาน — ใบอนุญาตทำงานคนต่างด้าว— Department of Employment
- สำนักงานคณะกรรมการส่งเสริมการลงทุน (BOI) / LTR Visa— Thailand Board of Investment
- กรมการกงสุล — บริการรับรองเอกสาร (นิติกรณ์)— กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the DTV and who realistically qualifies?
- The Destination Thailand Visa is a five-year multiple-entry visa allowing stays of up to 180 days per entry, extendable once per entry by a further 180 days at an immigration office. It targets remote workers employed or contracted outside Thailand, freelancers with foreign clients, and participants in Thai soft-power activities such as Muay Thai training, cooking courses or medical treatment, and it requires evidence of the current official rate in available funds.
- How is the LTR visa different from the DTV?
- The Long-Term Resident visa is a ten-year visa administered by the Board of Investment for wealthy global citizens, wealthy pensioners, work-from-Thailand professionals and highly skilled professionals, and it bundles a digital work permit, a flat 17% personal income tax rate for the skilled-professional category and annual instead of 90-day reporting. The DTV is cheaper and faster but grants no work permit for Thai-sourced work and no tax privileges.
- Can I work in Thailand on a tourist or DTV visa?
- No — any work performed inside Thailand requires a work permit or an equivalent digital work authorization, regardless of where the employer or client is located. The DTV is intended for work delivered to foreign employers and clients; taking on Thai clients or a Thai employer requires switching to a Non-B or LTR pathway with proper authorization.
- What most often causes a Schengen or UK visa refusal from Thailand?
- The dominant causes are weak evidence of ties to Thailand, bank statements that show a sudden unexplained deposit shortly before filing, inconsistencies between the application form and supporting documents, insufficient or non-compliant travel insurance, and an itinerary that does not match the stated purpose. Refusals are recorded, so a re-application must directly address the refusal ground rather than simply resubmit the same file.