Whether you're enticed by Thailand's inviting beaches and ancient sites or eager to experience the unique floating markets, anyone wishing to visit must apply for an official Thailand visa first. With welcoming hospitality shown through 38 million visitors in 2018 alone, it is clear why this country lures so many tourists. To help with your journey plans, we have outlined which types of visas are available as well as their requirements - making sure everything will be predictable! We also list some important exceptions on who doesn't need extra paperwork – notably, those from certain countries may receive preferential treatment when entering Thai borders. So make sure to check our guide if that applies to you before getting started!

At a time when social distancing was of utmost importance due to the epidemic, Thailand put a lot of time and effort into developing its E-Visa system. Many countries do not need to visit Embassies and Consulates since their system enables tourists to apply for single and multiple-entry tourist visas online. The process of application is quite simple and almost everyone can apply on its own.

Types of Visas:

Visitors travelling to Thailand have many visa categories available - the Tourist Visa, Transit Visa, SMART Visa, Nonimmigrant Visa, Work Visa, Business Visa and Student Visa

• Tourist Visa: The Tourist option allows entrance for leisure or tourism purposes, with both single entry and multiple entries being an option.
• Transit Visa:If you're passing through on your way to another destination, then a Transit visa is ideal, as it's valid only for this purpose.
• Smart Visa:If you'd like to work in one of ten target industries, such as medicine, robotics, or biotechnology, consider applying for the SMART status that offers greater convenience throughout your stay.
• Non-Immigrant Visa:Thailand offers a Non-Immigrant Visa, which caters to those travelling for other purposes besides tourism. The type of visa you'll need depends on your reason for entering Thailand – whether it be paid employment, education, business or marriage!
• Work Visa: A Work Visa is available if you plan on earning in the country during your stay.
• Student Visa: a Student Visa enables foreigners to further their studies within Thai institutions.
• Business Visas: Business Visas are issued when attending meetings or negotiations, while Marriage Visas make it possible for individuals married to Thai citizens to visit together

Can you apply for a Thailand Visa online?

You can apply for Thailand visa online through the Thai e-Visa application website. The website is available in English and Thai, and you will need a valid passport, a recent passport-sized photo, and a credit or debit card to apply. The visa costs USD $$, and you will need to provide your travel itinerary as well as your contact information. Once your application is accepted and approved, you will receive an email with your e-Visa, which you will need to print out and bring with you when you travel to Thailand.

How to Apply for Thailand Visa?

There are two ways to apply for a Thailand eVisa:

• One through visiting the embassy
• Other route is to apply through website for eVisa
  • Through Physically Visiting Embassy: Applying for a Thai visa is an easy process! Anyone can use it for the visa process, as it is a very swift process. First, you'll need to contact the Thailand diplomatic mission in your area. Then there's some paperwork involved - make sure to gather all necessary documents before submitting your application. After that, wait while they review it and…voila! You're on your way with a passport and visa, ready for adventure or business in beautiful Thailand!

  • Through Online Applications: Online visa applicants must register and submit their applications on an individual basis. Individuals will require the following paperwork after the account has been created:

    (Single Entry) A valid passport with at least 2 blank pages and a minimum validity of 6 months. (Only one submission). The given name(s) and last name(s) used in applicants' online visa applications must match those in their passports.

    (Multiple Entry) A current passport with at least 2 blank pages and a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of departure from Thailand The given name(s) and last name(s) used in applicants' online visa applications must match those in their passports.

People will enter the following data after creating an account:

• Submit a personal application
• Request a new visa
• determine eligibility
• Select the category of tourist visa.
• For biodata, provide a copy of your passport.
• Enter your contact details, such as your home location, phone number, nationality, birthdate, and marital status.
• Add your employment information.
• Travel details in full, including lodging and flights (if booked)
• Upload the aforementioned supporting documentation.
• Submit
• Go to the safe payment website now.

Documents required for applying for a Thailand Visa:

Ready to take a trip to Thailand? Before packing your bags and heading off, make sure you have all the required documents for obtaining a visa. Following are the documents you need to have to apply for Thailand Visa.

• Passport

  All travelers must possess a passport which has validity of at least 6 months from the date of arrival in Thailand. Your passport must also have at least 2 blank pages in order for the visa to be issued.

• Photograph

  You will also need to submit a recent passport-style photograph with your visa application. The photograph must have been taken within the last 6 months and should be 2 inches by 2 inches in size.

• Application Form

  Applicants are advised to visit e visa websites for online application form. Each applicant will receive an online application form on signing up for the application. Print out this application when the apply process is finished as you will have to display the proofs to border authorities.

• Proof of onward travel

  When applying for a visa to Thailand, you will need to give a proof of onward travel out of the country. This can be in the form of a flight itinerary or a confirmed ticket out of Thailand.

Application process

The application process for a Thailand visa is relatively simple. Once all of the required documents have been gathered, the application can be submitted online or in person at a Thai embassy or consulate. It typically takes around two weeks for the visa to be processed and approved.

Submission of the application:

You can submit Thailand visa application form in one of the following two ways, depending on the embassy or consulate you're using:

• personally, on the scheduled appointment day
• Via mail, in which case you must also provide a stamped, self-addressed envelope so the embassy may return your passport and visa to you.

How long will it take to get a visa for Thailand?

The visa application process for Thailand can take from few days to a few weeks. The exact time frame depends on the country of origin and the type of visa being applied for.

For example, citizens of the United States can apply for a tourist visa online and receive their visa within a few days. However, citizens of other countries, such as India, may have to apply for their visa in person and wait several weeks for their application to be processed.

Validity of Thailand Visa:

Visas to Thailand can be obtained for the following periods of time:

• Thai Transit Visa: Single-entry visas are valid for three months; multiple-entry visas are valid for six months (you cannot stay in the country for longer than 30 days, on either visa)
• Thai tourist visa: single-entry visas are valid for up to three months; multiple-entry visas are valid for up to six months (you cannot stay in country for longer than 60 days, on either visa)
• Up to three months, single or multiple entries, Thai non-immigrant visa. Visas with multiple entries may also be granted for up to a year. You can apply for a one-year stay permit if you meet the requirements.

The fee for a Thailand Visa:

Different Thailand Visas have different fees. Following is the list of visa types with their respective fee mentioned.

• Tourist visa: If you are planning on staying in Thailand for less than 30 days, you will have to apply for a tourist visa. The visa fee for a single-entry tourist visa is --- THB (approximately $$ USD).
• Non-immigrant visa: If you are planning to stay in Thailand for a time period more than 30 days, you will need to apply for a non-immigrant visa. The visa fee for a single-entry non-immigrant visa is --- THB (approximately $$ USD).
• Multiple-entry tourist visa: If you are planning to travel to Thailand multiple times within 12 months, you can apply for a multiple-entry tourist visa. The fee for a multiple-entry tourist visa is --- THB (approximately $$ USD).
• Multiple-entry non-immigrant visa: If you are planning on staying in Thailand for a period of time or travel to Thailand multiple times within a 12-month period, you can apply for a multiple-entry non-immigrant visa. The fee for a multiple-entry non-immigrant visa is ---- THB (approximately $$ USD).

If you are planning to travel to Thailand, you will need to obtain a Thailand visa in advance. There are different types of Thailand visas available, so be sure to research which one is best for your specific trip. Once you have obtained your visa, be sure to familiarize yourself with the requirements and regulations so that you can avoid any problems during your stay. Whether you are looking for a leisurely vacation or an extended stay, we provide all the information and resources you need to know about different types of visas and the application process. With these tips in mind, your journey to Thailand can be as stress-free as possible.

Happy travels!

Frequently asked questions