Foreigners wishing to enter Thailand for sightseeing, vacation or other leisure activities have to apply for a Thai Tourist Visa, depending on their nationality.
While the Thailand tourist visa is just for short-term purposes, the holder is not allowed to engage in any form of employment or other economical activity during their stay.
Below are the details for those who want to know more about the Thailand Tourist Visa: who needs one, how to apply, types of visa, documents required, application fees, and other related questions.
Types of Thailand Tourist Visas
There are three types of Thailand Tourist Visas:
- Single-entry visa, which is valid for 3 months. No re-enter is allowed after leaving the country, even when you haven’t used up the entire number of days.
- Multiple-entry visa, which is valid for 6 months. It allows the holder to leave and re-enter the country multiple times during the approved time.
- Thai Visa On Arrival, which is valid for 15 days of stay and be only available for citizens of certain countries.
Who Needs a Thailand Tourist Visa?
You must apply for a Thailand Tourist Visa unless:
- You are from a country that is exempt from visa requirements
- You are planning to apply for a Thai Visa On Arrival
Citizens from Argentina, South Korea, Brazil, Chile, and Peru are eligible to travel to Thailand without a visa for up to 90 days. Nationals of several other countries are exempted from a Thailand visa for stays of up to 30 or 14 days.
Who Can Get a Thailand Tourist Visa on Arrival?
If you are from one of the following countries, you do not need to apply for a Thailand Tourist Visa before travelling to Thailand – you can obtain it on arrival at one of the designated ports:
- Bulgaria
- Bhutan
- People’s Republic of China
- Cyprus
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Georgia
- India
- Kazakhstan
- Malta
- Mexico
- Nauru
- Papua New Guinea
- Romania
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Taiwan
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
Thailand Visa On Arrival is only valid for 15 days, after that you will have to leave the country and not be able to get any extension.
How to Apply for a Thai Tourist Visa?
A Thailand Tourist Visa can be obtained at one of the diplomatic missions of Thailand abroad (Embassies or Consulates). The application process is as follows:
- Make an appointment with a Thailand Embassy or Consulate in your country or the one nearest to you.
- Learn about the opening hours and their preferred method of Thai visa fee payment.
- Prepare for the required documents for Thai Tourist Visa application
- File all the documents with the Embassy. Depending on which Embassy/Consulate you apply in, you can submit the application:
- In-person
- By mail (pre-paid and self-addressed envelope)
- Wait for approval
- Collect the passport and visa. If you applied by mail, they will be mailed back to you.
Once the Thailand Tourist Visa is approved, you have to enter the country within the time stated on your visa, otherwise, it will expire.
How long does it take to process a Thailand Tourist visa?
The processing time for Thai Tourist Visa application relies upon the particular Embassy or Consulate through which you apply. You will have to wait for around 5-10 working days from the time they accept your application, although some diplomatic missions claim to issue visas in as little as 2 working days.
Be that as it may, with the fact that there is no a solid time for the whole process, you have to apply 2 or 3 weeks ahead of the time you plan to travel. If you are applying by mail, also take into account the time it will take for your document to be mailed to the embassy and back to you.
What documents you need for Thai Tourist Visa application?
Below are the documents that you need for a Thailand Tourist Visa application:
- Your passport with a valid date for at least 6 months and has at least 2 blank visa pages
- Photocopy of the personal information page of your passport
- A confirmed return travel ticket, proving your intention to leave Thailand after your visa expires
- A completed Thailand Visa Application Form with your signature
- Two recent passport-size pictures, with the following specifications:
- Dimensions: 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm
- White background
- Taken within the last six months
- You must have a neutral facial expression, staring straight ahead
- Your entire face must be fully visible
- Headgear is only allowed for religious purposes and only when it does not cover the face
- Glasses are allowed only if they do not cover your eyes and do not have heavy frames
- Proof of sufficient financial funds to cover the duration of your stay, such as bank statements or salary proof (within the last 3 months)
- Proof of accommodation in Thailand (hotel booking, invitation letter from a local friend, etc).
- Proof of payment of the Thai Visa fee.
- If you are visiting family/friends in Thailand: Proof of relationship
- Letter of Invitation
- If you’re applying for a multiple-entry visa:
- Proof of employment, such as employment letter from your company; company’s business registration document if you are self-employed; admission letter from your school if you are going for studying.
- Any other documents attesting to your need for a multiple-entry visa
Note:
The Thai Embassy or Consulate in which you apply may ask for additional documents whatever they see fit. The documents also vary depending on the purpose of your travel.
The documents which are not in English have to be translated and certified.
How Much Is the Thailand Tourist Visa Fee?
Your Thailand Visa fee will vary depending on the country from which you are applying as well as the currency rate. However, for general cases, the cost of a Thai Tourist Visa ranges at about $30 to $50 for single-entry visas and about $150 – $250 for multiple-entry visas.
What Is the Duration of a Thailand Tourist Visa?
A Thai Tourist Visa is issued for the following duration:
- Single-entry Thai Tourist Visa: Valid for 3 months and a single entry. You can stay in Thailand for up to 60 days within 3 months. If you leave, you cannot re-enter even if you haven’t spent the maximum duration of days.
- Multiple-entry Thai Tourist Visa: Valid for 6 months, during which time you can enter multiple times, but for only up to 60 days per entry.
- Thai Visa On Arrival: Up to 15 days.
Can I Apply for An Extension for a Thailand Tourist Visa?
Yes, you can, unless you are having a Thai Visa On Arrival. If you holding a regular Tourist Visa in Thailand, and you want to stay for longer than the date stated on your visa, you can apply for an extension at the Office of the Thailand Immigration Bureau in Bangkok before the visa expires. It is advised to apply for the extension 4 working days before it expires. Extension is available for up to 30 – 60 days depending on your nationality but the decision is ultimately up to the Immigration Officers.
To apply for an extension, you need:
- Your valid passport
- Photocopies of your passport’s information page, your current Thai visa, and the entry and exit stamps
- The Thai Visa Extension Application Form, which you can download online or get at the Immigration Office
- Enough money to pay the Thai visa Extension fee (1,900 Thai Baht which is about USD 62)
- A passport-sized picture
Thai Visas On Arrival, however, issued for up to 15 days, is not available for extension. If you know you need to stay for longer than 15 days, you have to apply for a regular Thai Tourist Visa from one of the Embassy / Consulate of Thailand.
What Happens If I Overstay in Thailand with a Tourist Visa?
If you overstay in Thailand, you will be fined. The fines for overstaying start from 500 Thai Baht per day, and can reach as high as 20,000 Thai Baht per day if you overstay for more than 30 days.
For overstay of more than 90 days, you will have to face risk of being detained in the local prison if you are caught on the street or even at the border. You will be deported and banned from re-entering Thailand for 1 to 10 years, depending on how many days you have overstayed.
Read this article for more about what will happen when you overstay in Thailand and the solution.
Can I Apply for a Thailand Tourist Visa Online?
For now, almost all foreign nationals are eligible to apply for a Tourist Visa via Thailand’s online port at here. However, you still have to check with the rules and regulations with regard to your nationality.
Can I Work under a Thailand Tourist Visa?
No, anyone who is holding a Thailand Tourist Visa is not allowed to work even if he is self-employed. Any foreigner who wants to work or do business in Thailand must apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa category B. Additionally, if you want to take up paid employment, you also need a Thai Work Permit obtain from your employer.