Thailand Visa

If you are planning to visit Thailand, you may need to obtain a visa depending on your country of origin and the purpose of your visit. A Thailand visa is an official document that allows foreign nationals to enter and stay in the country for a specific period of time. In this article, we will provide you with some basic information about the different types of Thailand visas available for Thailand, the application process, and the requirements you need to fulfill in order to obtain a visa. Whether you are traveling to Thailand for tourism, business, or education, understanding the visa requirements and process is essential to ensure a smooth and hassle-free travel experience.

Generally, a foreign citizen who wishes to enter the Kingdom of Thailand is required to obtain a visa from Royal Thai Embassy or apply visa on arrival. However, nationals of certain countries do not require a visa if they meet visa exemption requirements as follows:

(a) they are nationals of countries which are exempted from visa requirements when entering Thailand for tourism purposes. Such nationals will be permitted to stay in the Kingdom for a period of not exceeding 30 days.
(b) they are nationals of countries which hold bilateral agreements with Thailand on the exemption of visa requirements.

List of Thai visas for foreign nationals:

1. Thailand Tourist Visa - for tourism or leisure activities, short-term visa for single or multiple entries.
2. Thailand Transit Visa - for passing through to a third country of destination.
3. Thailand SMART Visa - for highly-skilled foreigners to work or invest in specific industries.
4. Thailand Non-Immigrant Visa - for reasons other than tourism or leisure, further categorized as:
   a. Thailand Work Visa - for paid employment.
   b. Thailand Student Visa - for academic pursuits.
   c. Thailand Business Visa - for business-related purposes.
   d. Thailand Marriage Visa - for those married to a Thai citizen.
5. Thailand Retirement Visa (Ten Year Visa) - for those over 50 who wish to retire in Thailand and have financial means to support themselves without working.

Thailand offers a variety of visas with different durations, including:

1. Thai Transit Visa: Up to three months for a single-entry visa; up to six months for a multiple-entry visa. However, you cannot stay in the country for longer than 30 days on either visa.

2. Thai Tourist Visa: Up to three months for a single-entry visa; up to six months for a multiple-entry visa. You cannot stay in the country for longer than 60 days on either visa.

3. Thai Non-Immigrant Visa: Up to three months, for single or multiple entries. Multiple-entry visas can also be issued for up to one year. If eligible, a one-year stay permit is available.

4. Thai Visas On Arrival: Issued for up to 15 days and cannot be extended.

Tourist Visa to Thailand

To enter Thailand for tourism, foreign visitors must obtain a Thailand Tourist Visa, which is a stamp or document placed in their passport. This visa can be obtained from a Thai embassy or consulate in their home country or upon arrival at the airport in Thailand. It should not be confused with the Visa Exemption stamp issued at the airport. The tourist visa can be extended while in Thailand if needed.

To apply for a tourist visa, certain documents must be provided, and a fee is paid at the time of application. The required documents include a passport with an expiry date of no less than 6 months, a filled-out visa application form, a recent 4 x 6cm photograph, proof of financial means, round-trip air ticket or e-ticket, and proof of hotel or private accommodation booking. Additional documents may be requested by consular officers if necessary.

The visa fee is currently US $30.00 per entry, subject to change. There is a 60-day Tourist Visa that can be extended for an additional 30 days, and a 90-day Special Tourist Visa (STV) that allows up to two 90-day visa extensions at the local immigration office. The STV has specific requirements but allows visitors to stay in Thailand for up to 9 months, and will be available until September 2022.

It is important to allow enough time to lodge the application, as processing times can vary, and requirements may change without prior notice. During the pandemic, online applications are available in some countries. Companies are available to assist with the application process.
For more information, please see Summary of Countries and Territories entitled for Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival to Thailand in the table as below:
Explanation:
15 = Can enter 15 days as tourists (Visa on arrival)
30 = Can enter 30 days as tourists
0  = Must apply for visa before travelling to Thailand.

3. To apply for a visa, a foreigner must possess a valid passport or travel document that is recognised by the Royal Thai Government and comply with the conditions set forth in the Immigration Act of Thailand B.E.2522 (1979) and its relevant regulations. In addition, the visa applicant must be outside of Thailand at the time of application. The applicant will be issued with a type of visa in accordance to his or her purpose of visit.

4. In general, applicants are required to apply for a visa in person. However, Royal Thai Embassies and Royal Thai Consulates-General in some countries and in some cases may also accept applications sent through representatives, authorised travel agencies or by post. Please enquire at the Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General where you intend to submit your application of acceptable ways of application.

5. Please note that the period of visa validity is different from the period of stay. Visa validity is the period during which a visa can be used to enter Thailand. In general, the validity of a visa is 3 months, but in some cases, visas may be issued to be valid for 6 months, 1 year or 3 years. The validity of a visa is granted with discretion by the Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General and is displayed on the visa sticker.

6. On the other hand, the period of stay is granted by an immigration officer upon arrival at the port of entry and in accordance with the type of visa. For example, the period of stay for a transit visa is not exceeding 30 days, for a tourist visa is not exceeding 60 days and for a non-immigrant visa is not exceeding 90 days from the arrival date. The period of stay granted by the immigration officer is displayed on the arrival stamp. Travellers who wish to stay longer than such period may apply for extension of stay at offices of the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok, located at Government Center B, Chaengwattana Soi 7, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Tel 0-2141-9889 or at an Immigration office located in the provinces.

Thai Visas for Americans

If you're a U.S. citizen, you can enter Thailand with a tourist passport and a return airline ticket without needing a visa. However, your passport must have at least six months of validity remaining. Once you arrive, immigration officials will stamp your passport allowing you a 30-day stay in Thailand by air or land. If you want to stay longer than 30 days, you can pay a 1,900 baht fee to extend your stay an additional 30 days at the Thai Immigration Bureau office. If you plan to stay for more than 90 days in a six-month period, it's recommended that you obtain a tourist visa before arriving in Thailand. You can apply for a tourist visa at a Thai Embassy or Consulate in the United States, which allows an initial stay of 60 days that can be extended for an additional 30 days. If you plan to stay in Thailand for longer than 90 days in any six-month period, you must obtain a valid Thai visa from an authorized embassy or consulate. It's important to check with the Thai Immigration Bureau for the latest visa requirements and regulations to avoid being denied entry to Thailand.

Thailand Visa for UK Citizens

British passport holders arriving by air or land can enter Thailand for 45 days without a visa (a ‘visa exemption’).
If you wish to stay in Thailand for more than 45 days, or wish to work in Thailand, you need a valid visa, which you must obtain before you travel. You are legally required to have a valid passport in Thailand. If you need to renew or apply for a new British passport, see Overseas British passport applications. If you have queries about visas or entry requirements, you can speak to either the Royal Thai Embassy, Thai Immigration Bureau, Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or local Immigration Office.If you plan to stay for more than 45 days or you will work in Thailand, you must get the appropriate visa before you travel. For more information, contact the nearest Thai Embassy or Consulate.

If you stay beyond the period of your visa (‘overstay’ your visa), you will be fined 500 baht per day up to a maximum of 20,000 baht. You also risk being held in detention, deported at your own expense, and banned from re-entering Thailand for up to 10 years. The enforcement of penalties for overstaying is strict, and conditions in detention centres can be harsh.

Requirements for Tourist Visa On Arrival to Thailand

(a) Hold the citizenship of a country on the list issued by the minister under the consent of the Council of Ministers of Thailand.
(b) Aim to enter Thailand for tourism for the period of not exceeding 15 days.
(c) Submit one headshot photo taken no longer than 6 months.
(d) Does not fall into the category of aliens prohibited from entering Thailand under the Immigration law.
(e) Possess the return ticket (flight) within 15 days. Open tickets do not qualify. Travelling overland out of Thailand by train, bus, etc to Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia (including en route to Singapore), Myanmar, etc is not accepted as proof of exiting Thailand.
(f) Truthfully notify the verifiable places to stay in Thailand.
(g) Present evidence of adequate finance, not less than 10,000 Baht (250US$) per person and 20,000 Baht (500US$) per family.
(h) Possess a passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months.
(i) A fee of 2,000 THB is payable upon entry and is subject to change without notice. It must be paid in cash and Thai currency only.

Where do I get the application form for the Visa on Arrival?

The TM88 is the form you need to apply for visa on arrival. You can download it here:
Application for Visa on Arrival

List of Thailand’s Immigration Checkpoints which provide facilities for issuance of visa on arrival:
• Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok
• Don Muang International Airport, Bangkok
• Chiangmai International Airport, Chiangmai
• Phuket International Airport, Phuket
• Hatyai International Airport, Songkhla
• U Tapao Airport, Rayong
• Mae Sai Immigration Checkpoint, Chiengrai
• Chieng Saen Immigration Checkpoint, Chiengrai
• Chieng Khong Immigration Checkpoint, Chiengrai
• Betong Immigration Checkpoint, Yala
• Sadoa Immigration Checkpoint, Songkhla
• Samui Airport, Surat Thani
• Sukhothai International Airport, Tak Immigration Checkpoint
• Bangkok Harbour Immigration Checkpoint, Bangkok
• Sri Racha Immigration Checkpoint, Chonburi
• Mabtaput Immigration Checkpoint, Rayong
• Nong Khai Immigration Checkpoint, Nong Khai
• Samui Immigration Checkpoint, Surat Thani
• Phuket Immigration Checkpoint, Phuket
• Satun Immigration Checkpoint, Satun
• Krabi Immigration Checkpoint, Krabi
• Songkhla Harbour Immigraion Checkpoint, Songkhla
• Chiangrai Airport Immigration Checkpoint, Chiangrai
• Surat Thani Airport Immigration Checkpoint, Surat Thani
• Sattahip Habour Immigration Checkpoint, Chonburi
• Khlong Yai Immigration Checkpoint, Trat
• Pong Nam Ron Immigration Checkpoint, Chanthaburi
• Aranyaprathet Immigration Checkpoint, Sakaeo
• Mukdahan Immigration Checkpoint, Mukdahan
• Tak Immigration Checkpoint, Tak
• Padang Besar Immigration Checkpoint, Songkhla
• Su-ngai Kolok Immigration Checkpoint, Narathiwat
• Nong Khai Immigration Checkpoint, Nong Khai
• Bueng Kan Immigration Checkpoint, Bueng Kan
• Phibun Mangsahan Immigration Checkpoint, Ubon Ratchathani
• Tha Li Immigration Checkpoint, Loei
• Nakhon Phanom Immigration Checkpoint, Nakhon Phanom
• Nan Immigration Checkpoint, Nan
• Ban Prakob Immigration Checkpoint, Songkhla
• Khuan Don Immigration Checkpoint, Satun
• Tak Bai Immigration Checkpoint, Narathiwat
• Bukit Tal Immigration Checkpoint, Narathiwat
• Samut Prakan Checkpoint, Samut Prakan
• Kanchanaburi Land Border Checkpoint, Kanchanaburi
• Prachup Khiri Khan Checkpoint at Hua Hin Airport, Prachup Khiri Khan
• Phusing Land Border Checkpoint, Sisaket
• Satun Checkpoint at Koh Lipe Marine Port, Satun
• Trang Airport, Trang

Travel Insurance for Visitors to Thailand