Do You Need a Visa for Thailand?

beach in Thailand

Thailand is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches, rich cultural heritage, vibrant cities, and diverse attractions, which draw millions of tourists from around the world every year.

If you are planning a trip to Thailand, the good news is that citizens of many countries can visit Thailand for tourism purposes without the need for a visa for up to 30 days.

However, with over 1,500 miles of vast coastline, vibrant cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai, tropical forests and an abundance of wildlife, 30 days doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface to explore it all!

Therefore, if you visit Thailand as a tourist and plan to stay longer than 30 days you will need to apply for a Thai Tourist Visa.

With that in mind, let’s get to what you need to know about the Thai Tourist Visa!

What is the Thai Tourist Visa?

A Thai Tourist Visa is a type of visa that allows you to enter Thailand for the purpose of tourism and leisure activities and stay for a specified period.

The visa can be issued for single or multiple entries.

Single-entry Thai Tourist Visa

A single-entry tourist visa is valid for three months from the date it was issued.

With a single-entry tourist visa, you can typically stay for a maximum of 60 days.

Multiple-entry Thai Tourist Visa

With a multiple-entry tourist visa, you can enter and exit Thailand multiple times during its validity, which is typically valid for six months.

Each time you enter Thailand on a multiple-entry tourist visa, you can stay for up to 60 days.

In order to obtain a Thai Tourist Visa, it’s essential to ensure that you comply with the conditions of the visa and do not overstay your permitted duration.

Apply for Thailand Tourist Visa

Who is eligible for a Thai Tourist visa?

As long as you are an ordinary passport holder, you may be able to obtain a Thai Tourist Visa for 60 days.

An “ordinary passport holder” refers to someone who has a standard or regular passport, rather than a diplomatic or official passport. This means that this type of visa is for everyday tourists and travelers and not for official government business.

Note that there are two types of visas, a paper visa and an e-visa. The difference is that for the e-visa there is no physical paperwork involved and the process is all completed online.

Here’s the thing, although you may be eligible for a Thai Tourist Visa, you may not necessarily be eligible for an e-visa.

Read Also:
6 Great Ways to Embrace Thai Culture

How to apply for a Thailand Tourist Visa?

visa application

Typically to apply, you will first need to fill out a Thai Tourist Visa application form.

Next, you will have to provide the required documents and pay any fees due.

Then you will have to wait for the visa to be processed and approved, after which you will receive your documentation.

Thailand Tourist Visa application requirements

When applying for a tourist visa to Thailand, you will need certain documents and be required to pay a fee to obtain your visa.

The list of documents you will need to apply for this visa is as follows:

  • Passport (with a validity of no less than 6 months)
  • Visa application form
  • Photograph of the applicant
  • Confirmation of travel (flight tickets)
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Proof of financial means – at least 20,000 THB for a single-entry visa and 60,000 THB for a multiple-entry visa
  • Flight booking confirmation
  • Accommodation booking confirmation
  • Passport pages containing all travel records for the past 12 months
  • A photo of the applicant holding their passport opened on the bio page
  • Confirmation letter from employer, school, etc. or pension statement
  • Identity of the person inviting you to stay (Thai ID card, passport, etc.), if applicable

Please note that, this list of necessary documents can vary in different locations, so make sure you double-check this information in a relevant embassy website when you plan your trip.

How much does the Thailand Tourist Visa cost?

If you apply with a visa service like Visa First, the Thai Tourist Visa cost starts at €165.00.

How long is the Thailand Tourist Visa processing time?

The processing time for the Thai Tourist Visa can usually take between three to 10 days after submitting your application.

Can I extend my Thai Tourist Visa?

If you would like to stay longer in Thailand than your tourist visa has granted you, you can apply for an extension at the Office of Immigration Bureau in Bangkok or at https://www.immigration.go.th/.

The Thailand Tourist Visa can be extended by another 30 days.

To apply for a tourist visa extension, you will need the following documents:

  1. A passport copy
  2. An application form
  3. A photo – taken no longer than six months previously
  4. Visa fee – 1,900 THB

Do I need travel insurance?

For the most part, travel insurance is not mandatory for your visit to Thailand.

However, at the time of writing, you are required to have travel insurance if you are traveling from a country that requires an RT-PCR COVID test.

If you are planning to travel to Thailand, it’s best to check the Thai travel restrictions that are in place as these can change over time.

Note – although travel insurance may not be necessary, it’s highly recommended that you obtain it before your travels. With travel insurance you can have peace of mind that you are covered should anything go wrong, such as medical emergencies or lost luggage…

Thailand Market

Who can help me secure my Thailand Tourist visa?

You can apply for your tourist visa to Thailand yourself through the government website or you can choose a visa agency like Visa First!

At Visa First, we help you obtain your visa stress-free, so that you can focus on getting ready for your travels!

Why Visa First?

  • We have 20 years of experience in the visa and work permit application process
  • Our specialist visa agents will help you to prepare your visa application accurately
  • We will boost your chances of receiving your tourist visa successfully and without stress
  • We provide 24/7 online support

Start planning your next adventure with Visa First and experience all that Thailand has to offer.

*Reviewed by a visa expert.

About the Author

Timea Fodor

Timea is an enthusiastic author at Visa First with a Bachelor's in Psychology and a passion for writing. She aims to simplify complex topics and inspire others to navigate immigration with ease.

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