Finding the right Visa for your Stay in Thailand

Finding the right Visa for your Stay in Thailand

Choosing your Visa Type

Thailand has a wide range of Visa's available and it is important to make sure you are on the appropriate type of visa to stay in the country legally.

For short term stays the options are generally simple between a tourist visa, or if applicable a visa on arrival or visa exempt stay. 

Visa Exemptions require no application with no fee payable. These are available for  nationals of certain countries and will be issued normally for 30 days stay,  although some nationalities may receive 14 or 90 days.

Nationals of certain countries may apply for visa upon arrival in Thailand. Travellers with this type of visa are permitted to enter and stay in Thailand for a period of not exceeding 15 days. They will need to pay a visa fee on arrival.

Travellers coming from/through countries which have been declared Yellow Fever Infected Areas must acquire an International Health Certificate verifying the receiving of a Yellow Fever vaccination. For more information, please see List of Countries which are Declared Yellow Fever Infected Areas.

Staying for 6-12 months can be possible on tourist visas, but you will need to leave the country every 1-3 months. This is a grey area and the regulations change frequently, with entry decisions often down to the immigration officers discretion. 

Buying tourist visas from a Thai embassy in a neighbouring country will be more accepted, but you will need 2-3 days outside of Thailand to apply for these tourist visas.

Making border bounces to renew a previously issued multiple entry visa is always fine, but a border bounce to obtain a visa exempt entry will increase the risk of issues after 2 times in a calendar year. Immigration officers have the right to reject entry at land crossings, which is not what you want with all your belongings left in a hotel inside Thailand!

If you want to stay for 1 year or more, then one of the longer stay visas will be needed, most of which fall under various "Non-Immigrant" categories. These are easily available if you work in Thailand, are married to a Thai or are over 50. If none of these criteria apply then volunteer or education visas can be an option.

You can quickly view your suitable visas by selecting the best matching answers above. Make sure to answer all questions to get the correct result. This is just a guide - rules change and additional requirements apply, so make sure to conduct additional research into your preferred visa as well.

Applying for a Visa

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. For more information on types of visas and general requirements for each type of visa, please see Types of Visa and Issuance of Visa.

Nationals of certain countries are required to apply for a visa only at the Royal Thai Embassy or the Royal Thai Consulate-General in the applicant’s country of residence, or at the Royal Thai Embassy which has jurisdiction over his or her country of residence. Travellers are advised to enquire about authorised office for visa issuance at any Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General before departure. 

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.

Using Your Visa

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.

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 any Immigration offices within Thailand.

Extending Your Visa

Extension of Stay - The most official form of extension, these can be issued by immigration officers within Thailand. Various categories for extension exist, some with formal requirements and some open to most people. Long stay 1 year extensions will need a suitable category such as business, marriage or education. However tourists can also apply for 1 extension within the country to extend their permitted stay temporarily. Depending on your visa situation temporary extensions of stay can range from 7-30 days.

Border run - This is when you leave Thailand to a nearby country by land transport or on foot and then come back with a visa exemption. To do this you must either have a valid multiple entry visa, or be eligible for visa exempt entries.

Visa run - This involves leaving Thailand and then coming back in with a tourist visa or Non Immigrant visa that can be obtained from the Thai embassy in different countries. The most popular place is Laos or Malaysia, which can be done by yourself or arranged by various agencies. They will be able to come back with a 60 day tourist visa or 3 month Non immigrant visa  ( for tourist visa you can request for a 30 day extension of stay)  this can be done for almost every nationality (if only applying for a tourist visa) If applying for a non-immigrant visa, it can only be obtained if you are a national on the list of governments that allow you to do so. If you hold Chinese or Indian nationality, this is not possible. you will have to go back to your country only to apply for a visa from the Thai embassy in your country. To make it easy, many people choose to change their visa type in Thailand rather than going back to their country.

 

Available Downloads
Visa On Arrival by country

A visa exemption is not technically a visa, since it is a situation where a visa is not needed for certain nationalities visiting for a short period.
It is commonly mistaken as a "visa on arrival" but they are actually completely separate, a visa on arrival only applies for a few countries who are not eligible for visa exempt entry.
30 days entry are issued when you arrive, which can be extended at an immigration office inside Thailand for an extra 14 days (1900 THB fee for extending).

A visa exemption is not technically a visa, since it is a situation where a visa is not needed for certain nationalities visiting for a short period.
It is commonly mistaken as a "visa on arrival" but they are actually completely separate, a visa on arrival only applies for a few countries who are not eligible for visa exempt entry.
Either 14, 30 or 90 days entry are issued when you arrive, depending on your nationality. Unlike the standard Visa Exemption these cannot be extended within Thailand.

This is a visa that is issued when arriving into Thailand. Unlike visa exempt visitors, a visa on arrival is subject to a 2000 THB fee which must be paid in cash using Thai Baht.
A stay of up to 15 days will be permitted.

Tourist visas may be purchased from any Thai embassy or consulate around the world.
For countries ineligible for a visa exempt entry or a visa on arrival then purchasing a tourist visa is required.
Tourists who are eligible for an exempt entry can choose to purchase a tourist visa for it's longer permitted stay.
You will be granted 60 days when you arrive, which can be extended at an immigration office inside Thailand for an extra 30 days (1900 THB fee for extending).
You are not permitted multiple entries so leaving Thailand and returning will invalidate your tourist visa, but you may be able to enter under a visa exempt agreement, depending on your nationality.

A multiple entry tourist visa is just like a single entry tourist visa, except you are able to purchase 2 (sometimes more) entries.
Each entry will grant 60 days from the date of entry.
Border runs are available where you travel to the nearest land border, cross to the neighbouring country and then return back to Thailand to activate the new entry.
You can also travel out by plane or sea, returning on the same date or later.
The visa will have an "enter by" date which is the last date you can enter Thailand, but the 60 days can extend beyond this date.

This is the most common type of visa for people working in Thailand.
They are typically issued as a 3 month single entry visa, which can then be extended at 1-2 year intervals from inside Thailand.
You will need a Thai company offering you employment to receive the initial visa and you will need a valid work permit to receive an extension.

If you will be working as a teacher in an authorised school then you will receive a Non-B visa under Teachers category.
This is similar to a Non-B (Business and employment) but has additional requirements based on your teaching qualifications and license.

This is not actually a visa, but listed here to explain the options if you will receive a temporary work permit after arriving in Thailand.
This is often used for technicians coming to repair special equipment without qualified personell in Thailand, or speakers at events.
There must be a Thai company sponsoring the worker and a valid reason for needing to hire a foreigner.
The working period must be no longer than 15 days.
If this applies then you can enter on any visa including tourist visa, with the normal working restrictions waived once you receive the temporary work permit.

A Non-O visa under marriage category is available for foreigners who are married to a Thai national.
They are typically issued as a 3 month single entry visa, which can then be extended at 1 year intervals from inside Thailand.
You will need to show 400,000 THB in a Thai bank to receive in country extensions, with these funds subject to a minimum balance checks prior to renewal

A Non-O visa under retirement category is available for foreigners who are over 50 years of age.
They are typically issued as a 3 month single entry visa, which can then be extended at 1 year intervals from inside Thailand.
You will need to show 800,000 THB in a Thai bank to receive in country extensions, with these funds subject to a minimum balance checks prior to renewal

A Non-O visa under retirement category is available for foreigners who are over 50 years of age.
They are typically issued as a 3 month single entry visa, which can then be extended at 1 year intervals from inside Thailand.
You will need to show 800,000 THB in a Thai bank to receive in country extensions, with these funds subject to a minimum balance checks prior to renewal

The O-X retirement visa allows nationals of 14 countries to stay in Thailand for up to 10 years.
Applicants must be over 50 years of age and demonstrate either 3M THB deposited in a Thai bank or 1.8 M THB deposited with an income of 1.2 M THB per year.
In addition you will be required to hold medical insurance at or above approved minimum levels.

A Non-O visa under Thai Family category is available for foreigners who have Thai children or dependants.
They are typically issued as a 3 month single entry visa, which can then be extended at 1 year intervals from inside Thailand.
You will need to show 400,000 THB in a Thai bank to receive in country extensions, with these funds subject to a minimum balance checks prior to renewal

Available for volunteers or NGO workers and their spouses or children.

Education visas are available for anyone enrolled in programs that are approved by the ministry of education.
This includes children at local or international schools, but can also apply to adults studying approved programs such a Thai language, Muay Thai, English, computing etc.
They are typically issued as a 3 month single entry visa, which can then be extended at 1 year intervals from inside Thailand.
You may need to demonstrate attending classes and progress in your subject matter to receive renewals.

For Wealthy individuals holding at least USD 1 million in assets.
Must hold at least $1M USD in assets.
Must have a personal income of over 80,000 USD per year for the past 2 years.
Must invest at least 500,000 USD in Thai government bonds, foreign direct investment or Thai property

For Retirees aged 50 years and older who have an annual pension or stable income.
Must have a personal income of over 80,000 USD per year at time of application.

Remote workers working for well-established overseas companies.
Must have a personal income of over 80,000 USD per year for the past 2 years.
Current employer must be public company on a stock exchange, or private company in operation for at least three years with combined revenue at least USD 150 million in the last three years.
At least five years of work experience in the relevant fields of the current employment over the past 10 years.

Professionals or experts in targeted industries working for business entities or higher education institutes or research centers or specialized training institutions in Thailand or Thai government agencies
Must have a personal income of over 80,000 USD per year for the past 2 years.
Current employer must be a business in any targeted industries such as Higher education institution, Research institution, Specialized training institution, or Thai government agency.
At least five years of work experience in the targeted industries except for applicants with a PhD or above in the relevant fields of the targeted industries or applicants working for Thai government agencies.

Spouse and children under 20 years old of LTR visa holders or LTR visa applicants with the maximum of 4 dependents in total per one LTR visa holder/applicant

Thailand Elite offers visas from 5 to 20 years, with minimal requirements, making them easily accessible to those that can afford them.
Prices start at 600,000 THB for 5 years up to 2 million for 20 years.
Additional privileges including fast-track airport access, airport transfers, golfing and spas are available depending on the plan.

For Work permit holders - Religious / Missionary works (R)

For Media production or Filming

Non-Thai nationals who need to receive medical treatment in Thailand, including their accompanying persons, except for treatment for COVID-19

Persons or representatives of foreign governments or agencies performing officials duties in Thailand that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gives permission pertaining to necessity.

Persons on diplomatic or consular missions or under International organizations, or representatives of foreign governments or agencies performing their duties in Thailand, or any other persons in international agencies, that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gives permission pertaining to necessity, including their spouse, parents, or children

Persons on diplomatic or consular missions or under International organizations, or representatives of foreign governments or agencies performing their duties in Thailand, or any other persons in international agencies, that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gives permission pertaining to necessity, including their spouse, parents, or children
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