Resources and information about moving to Chiang Mai

Moving To Chiang Mai Checklist

We know…

Moving.

Is.

Hard.

Even just moving down the street can turn our worlds upside down, so when you add moving across the world… to a new country… with an entirely new culture to the equation, things start to pile up and can become overwhelming! HOWEVER, so many folks, including myself, believe that moving to Chiang Mai was the best decision they could have made for their life. So let’s work together to make the move a bit easier! This article is intended to lighten the load a bit by laying things out in an easily digestible way so your move can be a bit more Sabaii Sabaii (a beautiful Thai word for “chill” and one you’ll use often once you’ve acclimated to life here.)

So let’s get movin’ shall we?

Step One. Before your move.

Depending on your personal situation, these steps can all look slightly different, but there are some main goal posts that will be universal.

  • Prepare your stuff.
    • Will you be getting rid of your belongings and moving to Thailand with nothing but a backpack? Or are you looking to bring your whole life here? There’s no right or wrong answer here. It’s all about what works best for you. Keep in mind that Chiang Mai has pretty much anything that you could need. The things that I wouldn’t forget are your personal belongings that make home feel like home. Such as photos, sentimental items, or even a pet*. 
    • Do you need to sort out your house or apt in your home country? Can you have someone sublet, rent, or take care of your place while you see if Thailand is right for you? I personally had friends stay in my house for the first year I was in Thailand and it really helped lighten the load when we were prepping for the move. We left all of our furniture as it was and didn’t have to store everything we owned before the move. It can be a big help and it also takes off the pressure if you need to go back for whatever reason. 
    • Do you have a car / vehicle? Can you rent it to a friend? Sell it? I rented my car to a friend, she paid the car note for me and it was nice to be able to help her out with some much needed transportation. 
  • Prepare your documents.
    • What you’ll need:
      • Valid Passport
      • A second form of photo ID (You will need two kinds of ID for opening a bank account here)
      • International Drivers License if you intend to rent a car.
    • Be Prepared with your Thailand Digital Arrival Card
      • This is an updated requirement as of 2025.
    • Visa:
      • Choosing the right visa for you is a very personal thing and is very much determined on your circumstances, family members, and intentions. Over the past 2 years, I’ve personally been on a Tourist Visa (60 days + 90 day extension), Language Visa (Where you go to school to learn Thai as a part of your visa), and The new DTV (Digital Nomad Visa). Visas change often, so clicking the link below and getting started with researching the options will help you choose what option works best for you.
      • These are the visas available to a US citizen in Thailand:
        • Visa Exemption:
          • U.S. citizens can enter Thailand for tourism purposes without a visa for a stay of up to 30 days. 
        • Tourist Visa:
          • For stays longer than 30 days, a tourist visa is required. It typically allows a stay of up to 60 days, which can be extended for an additional 30 days. 
        • Non-Immigrant Visas:
          • Non-Immigrant Visa: This is a broad category for those entering Thailand for purposes other than tourism, such as work, study, business, retirement, or family matters. 
          • Non-Immigrant B Visa: For those engaging in business or working in Thailand. 
          • Non-Immigrant O/OX Visa: Long-term visas for those married to a Thai national or for retirement purposes. 
          • Non-Immigrant ED Visa: For those studying in Thailand. 
        • Long-Term Resident Visas:
          • LTR Visa:
          • This 10-year visa targets wealthy global citizens, retirees, work-from-Thailand professionals, and highly skilled professionals. 
        • Thailand Elite Visa:
          • A long-term visa with options for 5 to 20 years, offering various privileges and benefits. 
        • Other Visa Options:
          • SMART Visa: For those in specific industries like technology and healthcare. 
          • Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): Designed for remote workers, digital nomads, and freelancers, allowing stays of up to 180 days per entry within a 5-year period. 
        • Important Considerations:
          • Passport Validity: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay. 
          • Onward/Return Ticket: You may need proof of onward travel (or return ticket) when entering Thailand, even under the visa exemption. While you may be intending to stay long term, this will ensure them you will not overstay your visa or visa examption. You can always cancel the flight or hotel after entry.
          • Financial Requirements: You may need to show proof of sufficient funds to support your stay in Thailand. Different visas have different financial requirements.
          • Online Registration: While Thailand Pass is no longer required, it’s wise to check for any other online registration requirements before traveling. 
          • Where to Apply:
          • Thai Embassies/Consulates:
          • You can apply for most visas at a Thai embassy or consulate in your home country.  If your country has a visa exemption, you can enter Thailand without a visa and travel to a nearby country to obtain a visa that requires application outside of Thailand. For example, one of the families that came in from the United States entered on a Visa Exemption and then went next door to Laos to apply for their long term visas. There are visa agencies and tour trips that can coordinate visa travel for you if you would like someone else to handle the details.
          • E-Visa: Thailand has an e-visa system for certain visa types, which can be applied for online. 
          • Visa on Arrival: Certain nationalities may be eligible for a visa on arrival, but this is not always guaranteed and may have restrictions.
  • Prepare your heart
    • Despite being SO READY to get to Thailand, I found myself having several good cries in the arms of my loved ones and community in the weeks leading up to my move. I recommend having friends over for packing parties. Leverage your community and spend quality time with your people before you make the big move. 

Step Two. You’ve Arrived!

Sawasdee Kha!!! 🙏You made it to Thailand! The first few weeks and months can be a bit hectic, so let’s break it up into easy to digest chunks.

  • Where to live
    • One of the great things about Thailand and Chiang Mai specifically is that there are SO MANY affordable housing options. Both temporary and permanent. Depending on your budget and situation, you could crash in a hotel, airbnb, or hostel while you search for your new home. My first year I used Expat Homes and found their staff to be extremely helpful and kind during the process. Though I will say, working with a realtor, you will most likely pay more than if you do the digging yourself. In December my partner and I were lucky to find a home on a facebook group: “Home in Chiangmai – Rental properties” and now I pay less than half of what I paid for the home that we found with the realtor. Both great processes, just different means of research, cost, and support. There are many facebook rental groups for Chiang Mai. A simple search on Facebook should lead you to several.
    • I recommend spending some time in a temporary housing situation so you can get to know the different neighborhoods in the area. Each neighborhood has a vastly different feel, so take your time catching the vibes. 
  • Where to work
    • If you’re working remotely from Thailand and prefer a coworking space, you’re in luck because there are SO many options from places with spas, pools, and DJ’s to more focused spaces with great coffee. You’ll find there’s no shortage of coworking spaces here in Chiang Mai. 
  • Where to play
    • There’s a place for just about every hobby here in Chiang Mai from pottery, to tennis, to improv, to ecstatic dance, to archery, to drag shows – CNX has it all. 
    • There are What’s app groups for tons of different interests and once you start digging you’ll be overwhelmed with all of the options. 
    • The What’s On Chiang Mai and LGBT+ Chiang Mai groups on Facebook are good places to start your search.
      • For better or worse… Facebook and WhatsApp are a bit of a requirement when it comes to information in Chiang Mai. 
  • Where to shop
    • Grocery stores:
      • Rimping – Higher end import grocery store. If you miss something from home, you will likely find it here. Imported goods come at a higher cost than buying local staples.
      • Lotus – basic neighborhood super market, fewer import foods
      • GO
      • Local Markets – This is one of the highlights of Thailand – there are fresh farmers markets EVERYWHERE. If you are anywhere near the city center you are likely to be able to walk to several fresh markets and get super fresh produce at up to half the cost of the grocery stores.
      • Macro – a bulk buying store similar to Costco. This has a better price on many import staples such as dairy products which are quite costly here.
      • Tops – basic neighborhood super market, fewer import foods
    • Malls – back home I hardly ever went to the mall. Here I end up at the mall weekly because they serve so many practical needs. They often have a grocery store and food court on the bottom level and a higher end food court a few floors up. They have pharmacies and drug stores and your local cell phone provider. Malls here are multi story and each floor is organized around the kinds of goods sold – for instance their is an electronics floor, a clothing floor, and a food court floor in most malls.
      • Maya Mall
      • Central Airport
      • Central Festival
    • Home Decor
      • HomePro
      • Index Shopping Mall
      • Baan Tawaii woodworking Village
      • Don’t forget to wander the city on foot and find local shops which will sell home goods at a fraction of the price of Index and Home Pro. There are really two economies here: the pricier one that caters to the upper class and expats with higher incomes and the economy that locals with more average salaries use. The more you can use the economy providing affordable prices for everyday folks, the lower your bills will be.
  • Where to heal
    • Chiang Mai is a bit of a healing mecca. With organizations offering all different modalities, there’s something for practically everyone. Lots of places have listings on google maps, but you can also utilize FB groups to ask for recommendations and search past conversations about different places. 

Step Three. Settling In.

Let’s say you’ve been here for a few weeks on the Tourist Visa, and things are feeling good. Your jet lag wore off, you’ve found some great local spots you enjoy, and you’re ready to commit to a Visa. As mentioned before, there are many options and it’s really up to you to decide what route you want to go. There are services that can help you with your visa process. Feel free to reach out to us for connections to local Visa agencies. One option you can google is Thai Visa Assist.

Getting around – the Grab and Bolt apps are fantastic options for getting around town – and for ordering food. In theory, you could always use Grab or Bolt and be just fine getting just about anywhere, but  If you’d like to start driving, you can get your drivers license or motorbike license by taking the course, passing the test, and getting your license. The process takes a week or so and you do need some specific paperwork, so be sure to check this article when you start the process. Both cars and motorbikes are always for sale on Facebook Marketplace, but purchasing from a dealer is always an option as well. If you choose to motorbike, just don’t forget to get a great helmet!!