Mission & Worship
Religious Visa (Non-R) – Thailand
Religious mission or study of Buddhism (2026)
What is the Religious Visa?
The Non-Immigrant R (Religious) Visa is reserved for foreigners wishing to engage in official religious activities in Thailand, sponsored by a recognized organization.
Who is this visa for?
Compatible Profiles
- • Ordained monks and nuns.
- • Missionaries with official sponsorship.
- • Religious scholars with institutional invitation.
- • Long-term religious volunteers.
Non-Compatible Profiles
- • Spiritual tourists without affiliation.
- • Casual meditation practitioners.
- • People without official religious sponsor.
Validity and Extensions
Initial Validity
90 days
Max Extension
1 Year (Renewable)
Profiles and Conditions
- Be sponsored by a religious organization registered in Thailand.
- Approval from the Department of Religious Affairs or the National Bureau of Buddhism.
- Formal commitment not to receive a salary.
- Proof of residence within the religious institution.
Work and authorized activities
Paid Work Prohibited
The Religious Visa does not allow any paid work activity. Activities must be exclusively religious and non-profit. Any monetary compensation is strictly prohibited.
Renewal and extensions
Annual extensions require renewed sponsorship from the religious organization and continued approval from the Department of Religious Affairs.
Limitations and points of attention
Sponsor Dependency
The visa is strictly tied to the sponsoring organization. If you leave the institution or lose sponsorship, the visa is revoked immediately.
Need specific assistance?
The religious visa requires complex documentation and coordination with authorities.