v256.0 · relocation checklist · IN → TH · verified 2026-04
India to Thailand — relocation checklist
15-step ordered checklist covering visa, banking, healthcare, housing, taxes, schooling, shipping, and pets. Written for the Indian remote worker / retiree / digital nomad on LTR, Elite, Education, or Non-Immigrant B visa.
From
To
Total cost
THB 200,000-700,000 (USD 5,500-19,000) — visa, deposits, setup
Timeline
6-14 weeks pre-arrival, 4-6 weeks post-arrival
Typical profile for this pair
Indian remote worker / retiree / digital nomad on LTR, Elite, Education, or Non-Immigrant B visa
Step-by-step checklist (15 steps)
Pre-departure (10-14 weeks out)
- Choose visa — LTR (Long-Term Resident, 10-year, high-income/HNW/retiree/skilled), Thailand Elite (THB 900K-5M membership, 5-20 year), Non-Immigrant B (work), Education ED, Retirement O-A (50+, THB 800K bank/THB 65K monthly income)
Pre-departure (8-10 weeks out)
- LTR: BOI online application — 3-4 weeks typical; Elite: membership application via authorized agent — 2-3 months
Pre-departure (6-8 weeks out)
- PCC from local Indian police + MEA apostille (if required for visa type)
Pre-departure (4-8 weeks out)
- Tax planning — IT-30; LRS USD 250K/year strategy; Thailand 2024 worldwide income taxation change (effective Jan 2024)
Pre-departure (2-4 weeks out)
- Housing research — Bangkok (Sukhumvit, Sathorn, Phrom Phong), Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hua Hin popular; THB 15,000-50,000/month 1BR
- Ship sea freight Mumbai/Chennai to Laem Chabang/Bangkok 14-21 days, USD 3,000-7,000 for 20ft
Pre-departure (1-2 weeks out)
- Pet — Thailand requires rabies vaccine + microchip + import permit; relatively expat-friendly
Arrival (Week 1)
- 90-day reporting requirement begins (TM30) — register address with Immigration Bureau via app or in-person
Arrival (Week 1-2)
- Open Thai bank — Bangkok Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, Kasikornbank (LTR-friendly); USD 3,000-5,000 initial deposit typical
Arrival (Week 2-3)
- Apply for work permit if non-LTR (Non-B visa); LTR includes pre-approved work permit
- Set up utilities + mobile (AIS, dtac, TrueMove H) + internet
Arrival (Week 3-4)
- Set up health insurance — LTR includes mandatory health insurance USD 50K coverage; private alternatives Cigna, Pacific Cross, Bupa Thailand
Arrival (Month 2)
- Children school enrollment — international schools widely available (NIST, ICS Bangkok, KIS, Patana)
Arrival (Month 3-6)
- Indian ITR partial year; Thai tax return due March 31 (worldwide income taxation since Jan 2024 if Thai tax-resident 180+ days)
Ongoing
- LTR renewable; permanent residence after 3 years (THB 80K monthly income); Thai citizenship after 5 years residence
Cost breakdown
| LTR visa application | THB 50,000 |
| Thailand Elite membership | THB 900,000-5,000,000 (5-20 year) |
| Retirement O-A visa | THB 2,000-15,000 |
| Bank deposit requirement (Retirement) | THB 800,000 |
| First month rent + 2-month deposit (Bangkok 1BR) | THB 45,000-150,000 |
| Shipping (sea freight 20ft) | USD 3,000-7,000 |
| Pet relocation | USD 500-1,500 |
⚠ Gotchas + watch-outs
- Thailand worldwide income taxation since January 2024 (if 180+ days Thai tax-resident)
- LTR includes pre-approved work permit + tax incentives (17% flat for some categories)
- Elite visa NO right to work — purely residence privilege
- 90-day reporting (TM30) mandatory — fines for missing
- India-Thailand DTAA (1985, revised 2015) prevents double taxation
- LTR mandatory health insurance USD 50K minimum
- Some banks require physical presence + work permit for full-feature accounts
Official sources
- Thailand BOI (LTR) — https://ltr.boi.go.th/
- Thailand Elite — https://www.thailandelite.com/
- Thailand Revenue Department — https://www.rd.go.th/english/
See also: India profile · Thailand profile · all relocation checklists · Thailand digital nomad visa · Thailand healthcare
Last verified 2026-04. Immigration, tax, and banking rules change frequently — verify with official sources before acting.