Checklist
Moving to Thailand Checklist
The complete checklist for a long-term or permanent move — pre-departure planning and post-arrival setup. Use the links to jump between phases or print the full document.
Phase 1Pre-Departure (1–3 months before)
📄Documents & Legal
- Renew passport — ensure at least 18 months validity remainingPriority
- Obtain the correct visa for your situation (tourist, DTV, retirement, education)Priority
- Get international driving permit if you plan to drive or rent vehicles
- Obtain police clearance certificate (required for retirement/marriage visas)
- Get certified copies of birth certificate, marriage certificate if applicable
- Gather educational certificates (for teaching jobs or university enrolment)
- Make 2–3 certified photocopies of every important document
- Store digital copies of all documents in cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud)
- Update beneficiaries and inform your bank of international relocation
💰Finances
- Open Wise or Revolut account for low-fee international transfers
- Notify home country bank of your move and set up international wire transfer access
- Plan how you will meet Thai bank account balance requirements (฿800,000 for retirement visa)
- Cancel or pause subscriptions you won't use abroad
- Check your country's tax treaty with Thailand and understand your obligations
- Set up a pension/retirement contribution pause or redirect if applicable
- Arrange access to emergency funds (a credit card with good international terms is essential)
🏥Health
- Visit your doctor for a full check-up before departure
- Get recommended vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Japanese Encephalitis (if rural)
- Ensure routine vaccines are up to date: Tetanus, MMR, COVID-19
- Obtain 3–6 month supply of any prescription medications with doctor letter
- Get dental check-up and treatment before leaving (cheaper but worth doing at home first)
- Research and purchase international health insurance before arrival
- Research hospitals in your destination city (Bumrungrad, Bangkok Hospital, Samitivej for Bangkok)
📦Shipping & Possessions
- Decide what to ship, store, sell, or discard — Thailand has cheap everything
- Get 3 international shipping quotes (DHL, Agility, Allied Pickfords) for sea/air freight
- Understand Thai customs import rules — personal effects brought within 6 months of arrival are usually exempt
- Do not ship: firearms, Buddha images (restricted), pornography, medications without documentation
- Sell or donate large furniture — not worth shipping; Thai furniture is cheap
- Digitise important documents, photos, and media
- Cancel utilities, subscriptions, memberships at home
- Set up mail forwarding or postal address for home country correspondence
👨👩👧Family & Relationships
- Research schools for children (international schools, Thai schools, homeschooling rules)
- Inform children's current schools and obtain school records/transcripts
- Research visa options for each family member — each person needs the correct visa
- Brief elderly parents or dependants on your new contact details and time zone difference
- Plan how you will handle home country matters (taxes, property, legal documents)
Phase 2After Arrival (First 4 weeks)
🏡Accommodation
- Book short-term accommodation for first 2–4 weeks while apartment huntingPriority
- Search Facebook groups, DDProperty, FazWaz for long-term rentals
- Inspect multiple apartments — check water pressure, internet speed, AC condition
- Confirm lease terms: notice period, deposit amount, pet policy
- Take timestamped photos of unit condition before moving in
- Ensure landlord files TM.30 (notification of your stay) with immigrationPriority
🏦Banking & Money
- Open Thai bank account (Kasikorn Bank or Bangkok Bank recommended)Priority
- Transfer initial settlement funds from home country
- Set up internet banking and mobile app
- Register for PromptPay (instant transfer via phone number) for local payments
- Set up Wise for ongoing international transfers
🛂Visa & Immigration
- Confirm visa expiry date and plan extension or next stepsPriority
- Visit local Immigration office — get TM.7 form for extension if needed
- Understand 90-day reporting requirements for your visa type
- Research long-term visa options if on short-term entry
- Keep departure card (TM.6) safe — you need it when leaving Thailand
🏥Healthcare & Insurance
- Activate international health insurance policyPriority
- Register with a local clinic or hospital
- Find a pharmacy near your accommodation
- Locate the nearest hospital with English-speaking staff
- Research dental clinics for regular care
📡Connectivity & Utilities
- Get a long-term Thai SIM (AIS, True Move H, or DTAC)
- Set up home internet (AIS Fibre or True Online recommended)
- Download essential apps: Grab, LINE, Google Maps, Google Translate
- Join local Facebook expat groups for your city
- Set up a Thai mailing address for parcels (Thailand Post or Kerry Express)
🤝Integration & Community
- Start Thai language lessons (Duolingo, italki, or local tutor)
- Attend local expat meetup (InterNations, local Facebook group events)
- Find a gym, sports group, or hobby community
- Learn basic Thai greetings and numbers — huge help in daily life
- Explore your neighbourhood on foot or by motorbike
- Eat at local restaurants and markets — Thai home cooking is extraordinary
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