Thailand is a dream destination for many travelers! From the stunning mountains in the north to the idyllic islands in the south, the country is just filled with places to explore.
As one of the most visited countries in Asia, Thailand welcomes visitors from all over the world year after year. But like any other destination, it has its own requirements and entry rules. With that said, allow me to guide you through the entire process of getting your Thai tourist visa!
Types of Tourist Visas in Thailand
There are many types of Thai visas you can apply for, but here I’ll only talk about the two types of tourist visas.
If, however, you have a different purpose for your visit, you can head over to these official government websites for information on the type of visa you’ll need:
1. Single-Entry Tourist Visa
A Single-Entry Tourist Visa is ideal for short-term travelers staying for less than 60 days. This visa lets you enter the country once, and after you leave, it will immediately be marked as void.
- Validity period: Within three months from the date of issue.
- Length of stay: Up to 60 days.
2. Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa
If you’re planning several visits to Thailand, the Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa is what you’ll want to apply for. This visa lets you come and go as you like during its six-month validity.
- Validity period: Within six months from the date of issue. Allows multiple entries.
- Length of stay: Each entry lets you stay up to 60 days.
For both visa types, it’s possible to apply for a 30-day extension at a Thai immigration office once you’re in the country. Another common practice among tourists wanting to stay longer is to do a ‘visa run’, which means crossing the border for a few hours and re-entering to get another 30-day visa.
Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival to Thailand
Visa Exemption
The Visa Exemption Scheme lets you enter Thailand without a visa for up to 60 days, depending on your nationality.
To qualify, you’ll need to meet these requirements:
- Be a citizen of a qualifying country.
- Have a passport with at least six months of validity.
- Be visiting Thailand solely for tourism.
- Have proof of accommodation, such as a hotel booking or apartment address.
- Have proof of funds for your stay (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family).
- Have a return ticket showing you’ll leave Thailand (open tickets don’t count, and your destination can’t be a neighboring country).
Immigration officers may ask to see your return ticket once you arrive at the airport. If you can’t prove that you’ll be leaving Thailand within 60 days, you can still be denied entry to the country.
For those arriving by air, there’s no limit to how many times you can enter visa-free. But, if you’re entering by land or sea with a regular (non-diplomatic) passport, you’re only allowed visa-free entry twice yearly. Malaysian citizens are an exception to this rule and can enter Thailand through the land border as often as they like.
Visa on Arrival
The Visa on Arrival Scheme lets you enter Thailand without needing to apply for a Tourist Visa at a Thai Embassy or Consulate. You can apply for it at the Thai airport once you arrive.
To qualify for a Visa on Arrival, you’ll need to meet these requirements:
- Be a citizen of a qualifying country.
- Have a completed Visa on Arrival form.
- Have a recent passport-sized photo taken within the last 6 months.
- Have a passport with at least 30 days of validity left.
- Be visiting Thailand solely for tourism.
- Have proof of accommodation in Thailand, such as a hotel booking or apartment address.
- Have proof of funds to support your stay (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family).
- Have a return ticket showing you’ll leave Thailand (open tickets don’t count, and your destination can’t be a neighboring country.
Like the visa exemption scheme, immigration officers might ask to see your return ticket upon arrival. If you can’t prove that you’ll be leaving Thailand within the 15-day period, you can still be denied entry.
There’s also a non-refundable entry fee of 2,000 THB, which will be paid in cash at the checkpoint.
Thailand’s E-Visa
The Thai E-Visa is a quicker way to apply for your tourist visa, but it’s only available for some countries.
The entire application process is done online and your visa fee is paid through the E-Visa portal when you submit your application. Once the visa is paid for, it is no longer refundable.
If your nationality is eligible or you want to find out if you qualify, you can go to their official website here: https://thaievisa.go.th/
General Application Process for Thailand Tourist Visas
Here’s a breakdown of the steps for processing your visa:
1. Check eligibility
Start by confirming whether you actually need a tourist visa based on your nationality. Thailand has different visa exemptions, so it’s worth seeing if your country qualifies for visa-free entry. If your country isn’t on the list, you’ll need to apply for a tourist visa before you travel.
2. Prepare Your Documents
For a tourist visa, you’ll need these documents:
- Your passport. Make sure it’s valid for at least 6 months from your entry date into Thailand.
- Photos of your passport pages.
- Passport-sized (4 x 6 cm) photos of yourself with a white background.
- Proof of financial means. Bank statements or financial documents showing you have enough funds to cover your stay (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family).
- A round-trip ticket or a ticket showing your departure from Thailand.
- Proof of accommodation. This could be hotel bookings, an apartment address, or an invitation letter from someone you’re staying with.
- Proof of residency in your home country.
Officers can request additional documents if they think it’s necessary.
4. Complete the Application Form
You can find the visa application form on the website of your local Thai embassy or consulate. Fill out the form and make sure all the information is accurate to avoid delays.
If you’re applying for an e-visa, you can do so on the official website: https://thaievisa.go.th/
5. Pay the Visa Fee
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, you’ll need to pay 2,000 Baht for a single entry and 5,000 Baht for multiple entries. It’s a good idea to check with your local Thai Embassy or Consulate before submitting your application.
Payments are usually made in local currency, either in cash or via bank transfer, depending on the consulate’s payment options. Be sure to confirm the exact amount and the payment method ahead of time.
7. Wait for Processing
Usually, processing your application takes around 5 to 10 working days. But the wait time can vary depending on the type of visa you’re applying for and where you submit your application.
8. Receive Your Visa
Once your visa is approved, you’ll either receive it in your passport via mail or you’ll need to pick it up in person. If you applied for an e-visa, your confirmation document will be sent to you by email.
Make sure to double-check the details of your visa, including validity dates and entry permissions, to ensure everything is in order for your trip.
Vaccination Requirements
Travelers can enter Thailand without any COVID-related restrictions. You don’t need to be vaccinated or show a negative RT-PCR or Pro-ATK test (if unvaccinated) before arrival.
What to Do When You Land at the Airport
Pre-approved E-Visa/Visa
- If you already have an approved e-visa or visa from a Thai embassy, you can directly head to the immigration counters. You don’t need to go to the visa-on-arrival counter if your visa is pre-approved.
- Have your passport, e-visa approval notice (printed or digital), and any other required documents ready. You may also need to show your completed arrival/departure card.
- At the immigration counter, show the officer your passport and e-visa.
- After your documents are checked, you will receive an entry stamp in your passport indicating the duration of your stay.
- Head to the baggage claim area to collect your luggage.
- Pass through customs and declare any items if needed.
Visa Exemption
- If you’re coming in under the visa exemption scheme, look for the visa exemption or immigration counters.
- Have your passport, completed arrival/departure card, and other documents ready.
- Present your passport and completed arrival/departure card. You might need to show your return ticket and proof of sufficient funds.
- The immigration officer will check your documents and stamp your passport, indicating the duration of your stay under the visa exemption policy.
- Proceed to the baggage claim area to pick up your luggage.
- Pass through customs and declare any items if needed.
Visa on Arrival
- If you’re entering with a visa on arrival, go to the visa-on-arrival counter.
- Have your passport, completed visa application form, passport-sized photo, proof of onward travel, proof of sufficient funds, and the visa on arrival fee (if applicable) ready.
- Fill out the visa application form at the counter and submit it with your documents and payment.
- Once approved, you’ll receive a visa sticker on your passport. This visa will have the permitted length of stay.
- After collecting your visa, go to the immigration counters and show your passport with the visa sticker and the completed arrival/departure card.
- The immigration officer will process your visa and stamp your passport with the entry date.
- Go to the baggage claim area to collect your luggage.
- Pass through customs and declare any items if needed.
Tips for an Easy Application Process
Getting your Thailand tourist visa doesn’t have to be stressful. Here are some helpful tips:
1. Double-check your documents before you apply
Make sure everything is up to date and filled out correctly. This includes checking that your passport meets the required validity, your photos are the right size, and your accommodation details are clearly outlined. Taking the time to double-check your documents now can save you from delays later on.
2. Start your visa application early
You’ll want to start the visa application process in advance to avoid last-minute hassles. I suggest submitting everything 3 months before your travel date to allow for any possible delays in processing. Each embassy or consulate may have different timelines, so applying early will give you a buffer in case anything unexpected pops up.
3. Be up to date with policy changes
Visa rules can change, so you’ll want to check for updates from the Thai embassy or consulate in your area to avoid surprises.
Applying for a Thailand Tourist Visa can be pretty straightforward — and I hope the process becomes hassle-free with this step-by-step guide. I’d love to hear about your experience! Feel free to share in the comments below : )
