Free download — updated March 2026

The complete Phuket relocation checklist

100+ tasks organized by timeline — from the moment you decide to move, through your first month living in Phuket. Every form, every office, every step in the right order. The guide we wish we'd had six years ago.

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Interactive checklist

Your complete Phuket relocation checklist

Click items to check them off as you complete them. Your progress is saved in your browser. Last updated: March 2026.

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01

6 Months Before Departure

Research, decisions, and big-ticket preparations

12 tasks
Visa & Legal
Research which visa is right for you — Retirement (OA), Thailand Elite, LTR, or education visa
Critical
Read the full Phuket visa guide and decide on your path
Contact a Phuket visa agent if using assisted application (Thailand Elite, LTR especially benefit from this)
Agent
Check your passport is valid for at least 18 months from planned departure date
Critical
Health & Insurance
Get quotes for international health insurance — you need this before you arrive, not after
Critical
Get a health check and any vaccinations recommended for Thailand (Hep A/B, typhoid, rabies)
Request medical records from your GP/doctor — useful for Thai hospitals and insurance applications
Get dental work done at home — Phuket dental is good but varies; better to arrive with a clean bill of health
Financial Planning
Use our Phuket cost of living calculator to estimate your monthly budget
Open a Wise account — best rates for moving money to Thailand, no surprise fees
Wise
If doing retirement visa: verify you can accumulate 800,000 THB (~£18,000) in a Thai account
Research tax implications in your home country for becoming a non-resident
02

3 Months Before Departure

Logistics, housing research, and admin

14 tasks
Housing Research
Read all 8 area guides — Rawai, Bang Tao, Phuket Town, Patong, Kata/Karon, Kamala, Chalong, Surin
Decide on your target area (tip: don't sign a lease before visiting — book Airbnb first)
Book first month accommodation — Airbnb or serviced apartment while you look for a longer-term place
Contact Phuket real estate agents if you plan to buy (note: foreigners can own condos freehold in Thailand)
Realtor
Documents & Admin
Gather documents: passport photos (6+), birth certificate, marriage certificate if applicable, financial statements (3 months), police clearance
Critical
Get key documents apostilled/notarized if your visa requires it
Notify your home country's tax authority of your planned departure date
Set up mail forwarding service in your home country
Schools (if applicable)
Apply to Phuket international schools NOW — BISP, UWC, HeadStart, Kajonkiet all have waitlists
Don't delay
Request school records/transcripts from current schools
Practical Logistics
Decide what to ship vs sell vs store — international shipping to Phuket is expensive (see our movers guide)
Get shipping quotes from international movers if sending a container
Movers
Sell, donate, or store items you won't ship
Book flights (tip: one-way tickets look better for visa officers than round-trips in some cases)
03

First Week in Phuket

Land, orient, and handle the urgent admin

11 tasks
Day One
Get a Thai SIM card at the airport — AIS or DTAC tourist SIM first, then upgrade to 1-year plan once settled
Get airport transfer sorted — Grab app works at Phuket Airport, or pre-book transfer; avoid yellow zone taxis
Download Grab app and set up payment if not done already
Immigration
Report your address to immigration within 24 hours if staying privately (not hotel — hotels do TM30 for you)
Legal Req.
Set a reminder for your 90-day report if on a long-stay visa — Phuket Immigration at Phuket Town
Orientation
Explore your chosen area on foot — find nearest market, pharmacy, 7-Eleven, and hospital
Eat at a local market — the Rawai Seafood Market or Phuket Town Sunday Walking Street are both excellent
Identify the nearest hospital to your accommodation (Bangkok Hospital, Siriroj, or Vachira)
Join key Facebook groups: Phuket Expats, your specific area group, Phuket Buy Sell Trade
Get internet set up at accommodation — AIS Fibre, True Online, or NT are main providers
Rent a motorbike or car if you haven't sorted a vehicle yet (International driving permit + home license works initially)
04

First Month in Phuket

Build your life infrastructure

10 tasks
Banking & Finance
Open a Thai bank account — Kasikorn (KBank) or Bangkok Bank, bring passport + visa + address proof
Priority
Set up international transfers via Wise to your new Thai account
Wise
Driving & Transport
Convert your driving license at the Land Transport Office in Chalong — half-day process, costs ~505 THB per license type
Get vehicle insurance (compulsory: Por Ror Bor + strongly recommended: voluntary insurance)
Healthcare Setup
Register with a Phuket GP or international clinic as your primary doctor
Locate and visit your nearest pharmacy — most have English-speaking staff and basic consultations
Home & Lifestyle
Sign your long-term rental contract — have a lawyer or agent review before signing
Set up utilities: electricity (Provincial Electricity Authority), water, internet in your name
Find a local gym, fitness studio, or sports club — helps enormously with settling in
Attend a Phuket expat event or meetup — the social integration makes everything easier
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