Tourist Visa in Thailand

Experience Thailand’s beauty with a Tourist Visa.

Why Choose The Thaiger?

Travelling abroad involves a lot of preparation to meet the requirements set by the local government. Learn about the basic information about tourist visas so when arriving in Thailand you can enjoy a stress-free trip.

What is a Tourist visa?

Thailand is a fascinating country. With its tropical weather, natural beauty, and rich culture, it’s no wonder that it has become a major tourist magnet. As a foreigner, you need a tourist visa to travel to Thailand if you want to enjoy a holiday in the country.

You can apply for a Tourist Visa from a Thai Embassy or Consulate. The single entry Tourist Visa (SETV) is valid for 3 months to enter Thailand. The multiple entry Tourist Visa (METV) is valid for 6 months to enter Thailand. On entry of the above Visa types, you are granted a stay of 60 days. If you want to stay longer in Thailand you can extend your stay for a further 30 days, and a further 60 days to visit Thai family/Spouse.

Please note, with a tourist visa, you are not allowed to conduct business, work, or take up any sort of employment. You can only use it for tourism purposes, including leisure, travel, a short visit to see relatives or participating in non-business MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions).

How to Prepare For Your Tourist Visa Application

Applying for a visa may seem like a long and complicated process, but it doesn’t have to be. With careful preparations, the whole process can be more painless.

Purpose of Travel

Determining the purpose of your travel and length of stay will help you know what type of visa you need. If you’re only coming to Thailand for tourism purposes and not for business or work, then you’re on the right track.

Entry Type

First find out if you are eligible to enter Thailand via a bilateral agreement, visa-exempt or visa on arrival program. Alternatively, you may choose to apply for the Single Entry or Multiple Entry Tourist Visa if available from your Thai Embassy or Consulate.

Documents

Knowing what documents are needed for your visa application will help save time. Please keep in mind that you must submit all of the needed documents at the same time.

Provide as much evidence as possible

Make sure you check your local Thai Embassy or Consulate websites for the required documents and how to apply.

Apply at the right time

We advise you don’t apply too early, as you may find your visa expiring before your visit even starts. Make sure to apply and obtain your Visa a full two weeks before your departure date.

Quick Facts about entering Thailand as a Tourist.

Understanding the various ways to enter Thailand as a Tourist and what it entails may seemdifficult, but we’ve simplified it for you. Take a moment to read and understand these quick facts about tourism.

Not Everyone Needs a Tourist Visa

The Thai Government has a visa exemption rule for citizens of 64 countries. A visa exemption essentially means that you don’t need to apply for a visa to travel to and stay in Thailand as a tourist if your country has an agreement with the Thai government for this method of entry you are permitted to stay for 30 days on entry.

Bilateral Agreements

Thailand has bilateral agreements with 2 Countries permitting entry and a stay of up to14 days. A further 6 Countries permitting entry and a stay of up to 30 days and a further 5 Countries permitting entry and stays up to 90 days.

Visa on arrival

Visa on arrival is available for citizens of 18 countries. This means that if you are a citizen of one of the listed countries, you don’t need to apply for a visa before you depart to Thailand. This type of entry permits you a stay of 15 days on entry at designated immigration checkpoints.

Thai E-Visa on Arrival

With the visa on arrival, you need to bring lots of required documents and possibly wait in a long queue at the designated immigration checkpoint. If you don’t fancy waiting, E-Visa on arrival can help. With this option, you can apply online and have your visa approved and collect within minutes of arrival.

Visa Before Arrival

If you want to stay longer than the 30 day entry from visa exempt or 15 day entry from a visa on arrival, then you should check if your are eligible to apply for a tourist visas at a Thai Embassy or Consulate before you depart to Thailand. There are two types of tourist visas. The Single Entry Tourist Visa (SETV) and Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV).

SETV and METV Validity

The SETV is valid for up to 90 days to enter Thailand. The METV is valid for six months to enter Thailand. Each permits a stay of 60 days on entry.

Tourist Visa Extension

You may be able to extend your stay granted on entry from a Tourist Visa for a further 30 days, or an additional 60 days for visiting Thai family/Spouse. at a local Immigration office.

Additional information on the Tourist Visas for Thailand

Each type of visa will allow you to stay in Thailand for a specific period of time. There are three main types of tourist visas to choose from, each with its own set of requirements and a variety of other factors to consider. The following is a list that explains these various factors.

*Please note that the price and requirements may vary depending on your country.*

You can now get your Visa on Arrival in advance, online. The program is called eVisa for Visa on Arrival. You can apply for the E-Visa 1 to 30 days before you arrive in Thailand. It normally takes 1 to 3 days for you to get the E-Visa approval for Visa on Arrival.

With E-Visa applications for Visa on Arrival, you will receive a travel authorisation from the Immigration Bureau of Thailand before your departure. When you arrive at the airport, you only have to present your passport and the approved authorisation. Your visa will then be issued quickly, so you don’t have to stand in queues.

Note that you can only use E-Visa on Arrival at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok Don Mueang Airport, Phuket International Airport, Chiang Mai International Airport, and Krabi International Airport.

Key Points:

  • You can apply online up to 30 days before your entry to Thailand.
  • Maximum of 3 days to complete the process.
  • Allows you to avoid long queues by taking a special e-visa lane, so you can get through the immigration line quicker.

With a Single Entry Tourist Visa (SETV), you can enter Thailand for 3 months. You must apply for this visa before arriving in the country and on entry you will be granted permission of stay for 60 days.

You must use SETV within 90 days of the issue date. If you leave Thailand before the validity of your visa ends, or before 60 days, then you forfeit the remaining days. This means that you have to apply for a new visa if you want to go back to Thailand.

Key Points:

  • Must be used to enter Thailand within 3 months from the date of issue.
  • On entry you are granted permission of stay for 60 days.
  • The permission of stay can be extended for a further 30 days and an additional 60 days for visiting Thai family/Spouse.

Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) is valid to enter Thailand for 6 months from the date of issue. Allows you to exit and re-enter Thailand for travel as much as you want via land or air within the 6 month validity of the visa. On each entry, you will be granted permission of stay for 60 days.

Key Points:

  • Enter Thailand as many times as you want within the 6 month validity of the visa
  • Allows you to stay in the country for up to 60 days on each entry.
  • The permission of stay can be extended on each entry for a further 30 days and an additional 60 days to visit Thai family/Spouse.

Don’t waste time and energy on your tourist visa.

Deciding which Tourist visa to choose to visit Thailand and how to apply can be the most stressful part of preparing for a holiday. For further information about extending your stay beyond 60 days you can join the Thaiger Talk forum and ask questions in the Immigration section.

Top tip: Gather information on the requirements you’ll need and have them ready before you apply to make the process go faster.

What are the standard requirements for a Thai Tourist Visa?

Requirements can vary slightly from the Thai Embassies or Consulates in specific Countries and can be subject to change without prior notice. Therefore, it would be a good idea to inquire beforehand about the right information. In general, the documents you need to prepare are as follows.

• Completed visa application form.
• Two passport-sized photos.
• Passport or travel document that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of application.
• Flight booking information.
• Accommodation booking information.
• Evidence of adequate finance.
• Visa application fee.

Are you planning a trip to Thailand for your next vacation? The Thaiger is offering insurance packages for Thailand’s re-entry.

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Other Interesting Services

Thailand has the distinction of being one of the world’s best tourist destinations. To stay and enjoy the beauty of Thailand to the fullest, check out the services below.

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Travel Insurance

Travel insurance will provide coverage from any misfortune and financial loss if your trip gets cancelled, or you become stranded due to travel delays, or if you become ill while on vacation.

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Entry Package to Thailand

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Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ)

To stop the spread of Covid-19 in Thailand, you must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine called Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ). Make sure your quarantine is enjoyable.

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Other Common Visa Types for Thailand

Below are some of the most common alternative visa types for staying in Thailand for the purpose of retirement, working, studying, staying with Thai family/Spouse or long term Visas.


Employment

Whether you intend to work for an employer or starting a business, the Non-Immigrant B Visas are for foreign nationals interested in working, starting a business or investing in Thailand. Annual extensions of your permission of stay granted on entry are available at local Immigration offices. Work permits are also required to work legally in Thailand.

Education/Study

If you want to study, participate in projects, seminars, internships, or attend training courses you should start with the Non Immigrant Education Visa from your Thai Embassy. 90 day extensions of your permission of stay granted on entry are available at the local Immigration
offices.

Thai Family/Spouse

If you intend to stay in Thailand due to marriage to a Thai national, or Thai children, then you should start with the single or multiple entry Non Immigrant O type Visa from your Thai Embassy. Annual extensions of your permission of stay granted on entry are available at local Immigration offices.

Business

Whether you intend to work for an employer or starting a business, the Non-Immigrant B Visas are for foreign nationals interested in working, starting a business or investing in Thailand. Annual extensions of your permission of stay granted on entry are available at local Immigration offices. Work permits are also required to work legally in Thailand.

Retirement

The Thai Elite Visa allows you to reside in Thailand for long-term (5, 10, or 20 years). It comes with many benefits as well. If you are an investor or a businessman who travel to Thailand multiple times a year, this visa is ideal for you.

Other Visa Types

Looking for other visa types not listed above? We’ve got you. Thailand offers many options for its visitors, and we strive to help you access those options more easily.

Other Visa Services

If you need to extend your stay in Thailand, 90-day reporting, cancellation, change the type of Visa, or even a visa run while in Thailand, we are always ready to help. Let us help make your stay in the Land of Smiles more convenient.

Thailand Elite Visa

Thailand can be your second home with the Thailand Elite Visa, which is valid for 5 to 20 years. With the Thailand Elite Visa, you’ll be granted permission to stay for 1 year at a time. You can extend your stay for the validity of the Visa, either by applying for a 1 year extension at your local Immigration office or by exiting and re-entering the Country. You must submit 90 day reports. For Bangkok residents only – contact Thai Elite who can arrange annual extensions and 90 day reports on your behalf.

With the Thai Elite Visa, you only have to complete one visa run each year or extend your stay for another year at Immigration offices. It’s an ideal choice for digital nomads and retirees who don’t want to be apart of the existing complicated rules that change regularly. Thai elite visa will also suit investors and business people who travel to Thailand multiple times a year as well.

Besides allowing you to stay in Thailand for up to 20 years, the Thailand Elite Visa also grants you various privileges, such as first-class accommodations, airport service, priority treatment at Thai immigration, investment opportunities, healthcare benefits, and even a prestigious golf club memberships. Your family members can also get some of these privileges, including an airport fast track service.

Frequently Asked Questions about Tourist Visa

Once with the single entry Tourist Visa. Multiple times during the validity of the multiple entry Tourist Visa.

In general, a tourist visa must be used within 3 months of the date of issuance to enter Thailand and provides for an initial stay of 60 days.

Upon arrival in Thailand, you can extend your stay once for an additional 30 days at the discretion of an immigration officer, and an addition 60 days in the case of visiting Thai Family/Spouse.

Not necessarily. Nationals of certain Countries can enter via a bilateral agreement or Visa exempt for a period not exceeding 14, 30, or 90 days. This depends on your nationality. If you are a citizen of one of the visa exemption countries, you might not need a visa to travel to Thailand for tourism purposes.

The visa exemption countries include the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Monaco, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.

This could vary but on average no more than the equivalent of 1,500 TBH payable to the Thai Embassy or Consulate where you apply.

Currently there are 2 types of tourist visas: The single entry Tourist Visa and the multiple entry Tourist Visa.

– The single entry is valid to enter Thailand for 3 months.
– The multiple entry is valid to enter Thailand for 6 months.

No. The fees for a Tourist Visa application will be stated on the Thai Embassy or Consulate website where you apply.

When applying for a tourist visa, certain documents and fees are required to obtain one. The paperwork and fees are subject to change at any time and without advance notice, so it would be a good idea to check your local Thai Embassy or Consulate websites for the latest requirements before travelling to Thailand.

The application process from varying Countries. You should check your local Thai Embassy website for their application process. Sometimes it can be applied for online, by post, in person only, or a combination of the three.

Usually the processing time takes between 5 – 10 working days

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