What is a Thailand Tourist Visa
The Kingdom of Thailand grants foreigners a Thai Tourist Visa when their sole purpose of entering the country is tourism. This can include any form of tourism, such as leisure, visiting cultural or historical sites, or visiting friends and family. The Thai Tourist Visa is designed to facilitate short-term stays. There are primarily two types of tourist visas: Single Entry and Multiple Entry. The purpose of Tourist Visas is to promote international tourism and cultural exchanges while making sure that visitors are adhering to the regulations for their temporary stay in Thailand.
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Who Needs a Thailand Tourist Visa?
Citizens of many countries are eligible to enter Thailand without applying for a visa beforehand. If your country is NOT listed below, you are required to apply for a Thailand Tourist Visa before arrival.
The following countries are EXEMPT from needing a visa to enter Thailand for 90 days or less: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, South Korea, and Peru.
The following countries are EXEMPT from needing a visa for up to 30 days: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Monaco, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam.
The following countries are EXEMPT from needing a visa for up to 14 days: Cambodia, and Myanmar.
The following countries are eligible to apply for a Visa on Arrival: Bulgaria, Bhutan, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu.
Thailand Tourist Visa Application
Thailand Tourist eVisa:
Applying Online for a Thailand Tourist e-Visa
If you are eligible to apply online, your next step is to create an account on this website. This is a simple process that will require personal details from you, such as your name and email address.
You will be prompted to fill in the visa application form. Make sure you fill in every required section of this to avoid the possibility of your visa application being rejected. Fill in the information accurately and truthfully.
You will be required to upload various supporting documents when applying for your e-Visa. These documents include your current, valid passport. It must have at least 6 months of validity beyond your intended departure date from Thailand and at least two blank pages available. You are also required to submit your visa application form, travel booking confirmation, proof of accommodation in Thailand, proof of financial means, and confirmation of legal residence in the country where you are applying for the visa.
You will be required to pay the visa fee, which will vary based on the type of Tourist Visa you are applying for, whether it be Single Entry or Multiple Entry, and your nationality. The price is typically between 30 to 80 USD.
Once you have submitted your application, you must wait for it to be processed. You can sign into your account to track what step of the process your visa is in.
You will receive your approved visa via email. It is important to ensure that all of the information on your visa is correct, including your name, passport number, and that the validity dates align with your travel plans. You should print your visa out so you have it when entering Thailand.
Now that you have your visa, it is time to go to Thailand. Make sure you bring your passport and a printed copy of your visa. Follow all instructions given to you by Thai immigration officials when you arrive and be sure to follow the regulations of your visa and do not overstay its expiration date.
Applying in Person for a Thai Tourist Visa
Visit the official website of the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate where you plan on applying. Review the specific requirements for the Tourist Visa, including whether you will be applying for a Single Entry or Multiple Entry, the required documents, and the eligibility criteria.
Download and fill out the visa application form. This form can be found on the embassy or consulate’s website. Provide accurate and complete information and be sure to follow any specific instructions provided.
Get all of the documents you will need to apply together. This will likely include your valid passport, passport-size photos, flight itinerary, proof of accommodation, and proof of financial means. You can find the specific requirements for your nationality outlined by the embassy or consulate where you will be applying.
You will likely be required to schedule an appointment for your visa submission. Check the official website to find out if appointments are necessary and how to schedule an appointment. If your embassy or consulate does not take appointments, they may have specific walk-in hours for visa applications.
On the scheduled date of your appointment or the walk-in hours, bring all of your visa application documents to the embassy or consulate. Make sure to arrive on time and have everything prepared neatly and organized in the order requested by the embassy or consulate.
When you arrive at the embassy or consulate, you may be required to provide biometric data. This might include fingerprints or photographs taken of you. Make sure to comply with everything requested of you at the appointment.
Pay the applicable visa fee. The fee will vary based on your nationality and whether you are applying for a Single Entry Visa or a Multiple Entry Visa. Check the accepted payment methods before your appointment to ensure you are able to pay it.
After submitting your application and paying the fee, make sure you collect your receipt or acknowledgment of your application. This will contain details about how you can collect your passport with the affixed visa and will provide documentation in case any unforeseen issues arise.
Based on your nationality, you may be required to attend an interview in order to be eligible for visa approval. Be prepared to answer questions related to your travel plans and your personal background. Be confident and provide any additional information that is requested.
Processing times will vary, so it is advised to check with your embassy or consulate about specific processing times. This can vary based on the workload the embassy or consulate is experiencing and if you have any unforeseen circumstances arise when processing your visa application.
Once your visa has been approved, you can return to the embassy or consulate on the designated date to collect it. Verify that all of the details on your visa are accurate, such as your name, passport number, and that the validity dates align with your travel dates.
Now that you have your visa in hand, it is time to travel to Thailand. Make sure to follow any instructions given to you by Thai immigration officials once you arrive. Be sure to follow the guidelines per your visa about what you are permitted to do and do not overstay past its validity date to avoid legal consequences.
Thailand Tourist Visa Requirements
Valid Passport
You will be required to submit a valid passport when applying for your visa. It must have at least six months of validity beyond the date you plan on exiting Thailand. Your passport must also have at least two blank pages available.
Completed Visa Application Form
You must sign and complete the visa application form. You can find the form on the official website of the relevant Thai embassy or consulate. Make sure you fill this out completely and accurately and double-check every section before you submit it.
Passport-Size Photos
You will need to provide two passport-size photos. They need to be clear and recently taken with a white background. You can find the official photo requirements on the official website of the Thai embassy or consulate.
Travel Itinerary
You are required to provide confirmation of the dates you will be entering and exiting Thailand. This can be with round-trip flight tickets or a booking confirmation from a transportation company.
Proof of Accommodation
You must have evidence of accommodation arrangements throughout your stay in Thailand. This can be shown as reservations for a hotel, hostel, guesthouse, etc. or as a letter of invitation from a host living in Thailand.
Proof of Financial Means
You are required to have documentation demonstrating that you have the financial ability to support yourself during your stay in Thailand. This can be proven with bank statements, income statements, or a letter of financial support from someone else.
Visa Fee
You must have proof that you provided payment of the applicable visa fee. This fee will vary based on your nationality and the duration of stay but you should obtain documented proof that you paid.
Travel Insurance (if Required)
You may be required to provide proof of travel insurance that will be valid during your entire stay in Thailand. If this is required, then you must also show that it also includes medical coverage.
Biometric Data (if Required)
Based on your embassy or consulate, you may be required to provide biometric data. This will be collected during the application process. Biometric data may include fingerprints or photographs.
Thailand Tourist Visa Fees
The cost of the Thai Tourist Visa varies based on your nationality and whether you have opted for a single entry or a multiple entry visa. On average, the price typically ranges from around 30 USD to 50 USD for single entry visas and around 150 USD to 250 USD for multiple entry visas. It is advised to check the official website of your country’s Thai embassy or consulate to find the most up-to-date and accurate information about the fee for your nationality.
Where to Apply
Thailand Tourist Visa Processing Time
The processing time for the Thai Tourist Visa varies whether you apply online or in person. The process is typically quicker when applying online for an e-visa, and may even take as little as 3 business days. You can expect your visa to be processed in between 3 and 10 business days, though an e-visa will likely be closer to 5 and an in-person visa may be closer to the 10-day mark. This may be affected if your embassy or consulate is experiencing delays, if you are missing documentation, or if something needs to be verified within your application. It is advisable to apply well in advance before your trip in case you face any unforeseen circumstances delaying the process
Approved Visa Applications
Once your visa has been approved, you can travel to Thailand. If you applied online, you will be notified that your visa is ready. You can then download it, and you should print it out to bring with you to Thailand. If you applied in person, you must go pick it up in person at the embassy or consulate where you applied. You should ensure that all of the information in your visa is accurate. Make sure to comply with the regulations of your visa once you arrive in Thailand.
Thailand Tourist Visa Validity
The most common Tourist Visa allows for single entry and is valid for 90 days from the point of issue, but you are eligible to stay in the country for a total of 60 days. If you opt for the multiple entry visa, you can enter and reenter the country multiple times during the 6 months, but still, you are only eligible to be in the country for a total of 60 days at one time.
Thailand Tourist Visa Extension
Thai Tourist Visas generally can be extended for a total of 30 days. If you wish to extend, you must visit the nearest immigration office in Thailand. You will need to submit a completed application form, a copy of your passport, proof of accommodation, and proof of financial means to support your extended stay. It is essential that you apply for the extension or renewal well before the expiration of your current visa. Overstaying your stay in Thailand can result in legal penalties such as fines or deportation.
Denied Visa Applications
If your Thailand Tourist Visa application is denied, the first thing you should do is understand the reason for the denial. Carefully review the documentation submitted and if you have any questions you should consult the embassy or consulate for further clarification. In most cases, you have the option to reapply. Address the issues that led to the initial denial and provide additional support documents when reapplying.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are no specific age restrictions when applying for this visa. All individuals of nationalities that require a visa to enter Thailand must have a visa, regardless of their age. Minors may have additional requirements, such as parental consent forms.
The Tourist Visa is not intended for those coming to the country to work remotely. If you plan on working remotely, it is best to explore visa options that allow for employment or consider other appropriate work permits.
Yes, you are eligible to apply if you are not currently employed. This may affect the assessment of your financial means. It is advised to provide alternative proof of financial support.