Thailand Tourist Visa – Application, Fees and Validity

How long does a Thailand Tourist Visa last? What are the requirements for applying? And how much does it cost? You may need answers to the questions when planning a visit to Thailand for tourism. Fortunately, you will find the answer in this write-up.

Thailand has become one of the top destinations for tourists around the globe. The country offers visitors a variety of attractions, from its beautiful beaches to its exotic wildlife. If you plan on visiting Thailand, you’ll need a valid passport, proof of sufficient funds, and a tourist visa.

Find out the information you need about a Thailand Tourist Permit: the requirements, the application process, duration, processing time, and fees. Plus, where to apply.

What is Thailand Tourist Visa?

A tourist visa allows foreigners to stay in Thailand for up to 30 days. There are two types of tourist permits: single entry or multiple entries. Both require a fee and a processing time.

A single-entry visa allows holders to stay in Thailand for 30 days in three months. It only permits you to enter the country once within its validity period.

On the contrary, a multiple-entry visa allows you to visit Thailand multiple times within the permit’s validity period. You can stay in the country for up to 30 days in each entry.

Eligibility for a Thailand Tourist Visa

You can qualify for a Thailand Tourist Permit if you don’t belong to the groups below. They include:

1. You are from a visa-exempt country
2. You are from a country that qualifies for a Thailand visa on arrival

Thailand visa-exempt countries

Citizens of the following countries do not need a tourist visa to enter Thailand. However, the number of days you will stay in the country varies according to nationality. They include:

90 days exemption

You will be exempted from a Thailand Tourist Visa for up to 90 days if you are from the countries below. They include:

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Chile
• South Korea
• Peru

30 days exemptions

You don’t need a tourist permit to visit Thailand if you come from the following countries:

• Andorra
• Australia
• Austria
• Bahrain
• Belgium
• Brunei
• Canada
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Indonesia
• Ireland
• Israel
• Italy
• Japan
• Kuwait
• Laos
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Macao
• Malaysia
• Maldives
• Mauritius
• Monaco
• Mongolia
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Oman
• Philippines
• Poland
• Portugal
• Qatar
• Russia
• San Marino
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• South Africa
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Turkey
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Vietnam

14 days exemptions

In addition to the countries above, nationals of the following countries can stay in Thailand without a visa for 14 days. They include:

• Cambodia
• Myanmar

Exemptions for non-ordinary passport holders

Non-ordinary passport holders of some countries can travel to Thailand for tourism. Similarly, the number of days they will stay depends on the passport you hold.

90 days exemptions

You can stay in Thailand for up to 90 days if you hold a diplomatic or service passport from the countries below. They include:

• Albania
• Argentina
• Austria
• Bangladesh
• Belarus
• Belgium
• Bhutan
• Brazil
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• El Salvador
• Estonia
• France
• Georgia
• Germany
• Hungary
• India
• Israel
• Italy
• Japan
• Kosovo
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Luxembourg
• Malaysia
• Mexico
• Montenegro
• Morocco
• Netherlands
• Nepal
• Panama
• Peru
• Philippines
• Poland
• Romania
• Russia
• Serbia
• Slovakia
• South Africa
• Spain
• Sri Lanka
• Switzerland
• Tajikistan
• Tunisia
• Turkey
• Ukraine
• Uruguay

30 days exemptions

You will not need a visa to stay in Thailand for up to 30 days if you are a diplomatic or service passport holder of the following nations. They include:

• Brunei
• Cambodia
• Canada
• China
• Ecuador
• Hong Kong
• Indonesia
• Kazakhstan
• Laos
• Macau
• Mongolia
• Myanmar
• Oman
• Pakistan
• Singapore
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Vietnam

Thailand Tourist Visa on arrival

Nationals of the countries below can obtain a Tourist permit on arrival at a designated airport. It enables them to stay in the country for up to 15 days. They include:

• Bulgaria
• Bhutan
• China
• Cyprus
• Ethiopia
• Fiji
• Georgia
• India
• Kazakhstan
• Malta
• Mexico
• Nauru
• Papua New Guinea
• Romania
• Russia
• Saudi Arabia
• Taiwan
• Uzbekistan
• Vanuatu

Requirements for a Thailand Tourist Visa

You will need the following documents to obtain a Thailand Tourist permit. They include:

#1. A valid passport

When you arrive in Thailand, your passport must be valid for at least six months. in addition, it must be in good condition. Plus, it must have at least a blank page.

#2. Photocopy of the personal information page of your passport

In addition to the travel document, you will also provide the persona;l page of your valid passport.

#3. Thailand Tourist Visa Application Form

You must complete an application form for a Tourist visa to Thailand. You will provide certain information about yourself and your travel plan.

#4. Return travel ticket

A roundtrip ticket will show proof of your intention to return once your visa expires. However, it can be a flight reservation.

#5. Two recent passport-size pictures

Your photos will be of the same size and colour. In addition, they will have the following specifications. They include:

• Dimensions: 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm
• White background
• Must be taken in the last six months
• Your face must be neutral and straight
• Your full face must be visible
• No headgear except for a religious purpose
• Glasses must not cover your eyes

#6. Proof of sufficient financial funds

You must have enough money to cover the duration of your stay in Thailand. It can be a bank statement from the last six months.

#7. Proof of accommodation in Thailand

Your proof of accommodation can be a hotel reservation, a letter of invitation from a friend or any document showing you have a place to stay in the country.

#8. Proof of payment of the Thailand Tourist Permit fee

You must pay for your Thailand Tourist Visa. Otherwise, you cannot receive your permit from the Thai authorities.

#9. Letter of Invitation

Perhaps, your family member or friend is a resident of Thailand. You will need a letter of invitation. In addition, you must provide proof of relationship with the person.

#10. Proof of employment

Sometimes, you will need proof of employment to visit Thailand for tourism if you apply for multiple visas. It can act as proof of financial means.

Steps to apply for Thailand Tourist Visa

Applicants who meet the requirements for a Thailand Tourist permit can apply using the steps below. They include:

#Step 1. Contact a Thailand Embassy or Consulate in your country

Firstly, you will contact the Thai embassy in your country of origin. Once you get them, you will get the information about your tourist visa, including the requirements and application process.

#Step 2. Collect the documents for a Thailand Tourist Visa

Secondly, you will gather all the documents you need for the tourist permit, including the application form, passport photos, and the requirements above.

#Step 3. Submit the Thailand Tourist Visa application

Thirdly you can submit your application in two ways depending on the Thai embassy near you. They include:

• In-person
• Through the post (using a pre-paid and self-addressed envelope)

#Step 4. Wait for the processing

Fourthly, you will wait for the processing of your tourist visa by the embassy. Once it is ready, the consulate will notify you. Then, you can collect your passport and permit.

Also Read: Thailand Transit Visa – Requirements, Duration, and Fees

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the processing time for a Thailand Tourist Visa?

Generally, it takes between five and ten days to process a Thailand Tourist permit. However, depending on the diplomatic mission, you can obtain your permit two days after submitting your application.

Meanwhile, you can apply for a visa about three weeks before your travel schedule to avoid unnecessary delays in the processing.

What is the processing fee for a Thailand Tourist Permit?

There is no unique fee for a Thailand Tourist visa. It depends on your nationality. However, you will expect to pay between $30 and $50 for single-entry permits. And from $150 to $250 for multiple-entry tourist visas.

You can pay the fee in cash or through a mobile transfer. It depends on the Thai embassy processing your tourist visa.

How long is a Thailand Tourist visa valid?

The duration of a Tourist visa in Thailand depends on the type of permit. Thus, it will have the following validity period. They include:

Single-entry visa: 30 days within three months. However, you can stay up to 60 days in a single entry. Once you leave Thailand, it becomes invalid.

Multiple-entry visa: It is valid for six months. You can stay in the country for up to 60 days in a single entry.

Tourist visa on arrival: It is valid for up to 15 days.

Can I renew my Thailand Tourist Permit?

Apart from a visa on arrival, you can extend other tourist visas in Thailand. You will apply for an extension at the Office of the Thailand Immigration Bureau in Bangkok before your current permit expires. Your extension can only last for 30 days,

You will need the following documents for a visa extension in Thailand. They include:

• A valid passport
• Photocopies of your passport information page
• Your current Thai visa
• The entry and exit stamps
• The Thai Visa Extension Application Form
• Thai visa extension fee
• A passport-sized photo

Conclusion

In conclusion, before you visit Thailand this year for tourism, you need a Thailand Tourist Visa. It is the only document that will grant you access to the country. Therefore, you need the information in this article to obtain your entry permit without stress.