Phuket is regarded as one of the best tropical destinations in the world, and this Thai province has many dreaming of it as their end-goal location to live or even retire in.
Although it is mainly known as a vacation spot to many, the Southeast Asian island life hotspot has become a viable option for those looking to move far away from home. With attractive real estate prices, a lower cost of living, and limitless business opportunities, it’s easy to see why Phuket is on the radar for moving demographics, especially in the case of expats.
If you’re a professional looking to turn your everyday routine into something a bit more exciting, it’s certainly worth keeping Phuket in mind. However, moving to Thailand’s world-famous province is completely different from simply booking a vacation as it takes a whole lot of research, preparation, and contemplation.
Fortunately, it isn’t unheard of for expats to pack their bags and call this destination home. To help you have a much smoother transition to your new destination, here’s everything you need to know about moving to Phuket:
Getting A Visa
Before you even think about moving to Phuket and starting a new life there, you’ll need to first think about applying for a visa that will allow you to stay, in the first place.
If you’re going to do regular, temporary, or voluntary work in the province for a finite period, then you’ll need to apply for a non-immigrant visa from the Thai embassy or consulate in your home country.
It’s important to note that the requirements you’ll need to submit will greatly depend on the type of work you’ll be doing and exactly how long you intend to stay. These are the various prices that you can expect to pay depending on the visa type you’re getting and your target duration:
- 1,000 THB: Single-entry tourist visa with a three-month validity
- 2,000 THB: Single-entry non-immigrant visa
- 5,000 THB: One-year multiple-entry visa
- 10,000 THB: Three-year multiple-entry visa
For the smoothest experience possible when applying for a Phuket visa, you must ask your future or current employer to prepare supporting documents for you. Once you pass all requirements, you’ll need to wait between two to four weeks before you’re issued a document that will allow you to finally move.
How To Arrive
Generally, Phuket is reachable by plane, car, or ferry through Krabi, Phi Phi Don, and Yao islands ports, the first of the three being the fastest and most straightforward.
When you arrive at the province’s airport, you’ll need to take a 13-mile drive to the actual town proper, which is likely where your temporary or permanent residence will be. Fortunately, taxi drivers and shuttles are approachable and more than ready to help bring you where you need to go!
Island Lodging
Compared to vacations, moving to Phuket can be different when it comes to knowing where you can stay because there are so many options to choose from. Although hotels don’t exactly provide long-term stays, there are always rental units and long-term dorms available all over the province.
If you’re looking to make your stay as relaxing as possible, then it’s best to look through pages of highly-rated properties and villas, all of which can easily accommodate longer stays that span from months to years. Riverhouse Phuket, for instance, offers a combination of serene natural backdrops in the most sought-after residential area of Phuket with loft-style living.
Conclusion
Phuket is an excellent base to settle in for expats. With this guide, you can have the smoothest relocation possible so you can start living the tropical paradise work-life to the fullest ASAP.
If you want to stay at a gorgeous residential villa in Phuket, Riverhouse Phuket offers you the home of the future. We use renewable energy to power our villas, set right beside tranquil mountains and panoramic views. Book a room with us today!