Thailand is a Southeast Asian country famed for its ancient ruins, water canals, floating water markets, sandy beaches, numerous temples and contemporary cityscapes. In 2018, it greeted a record 38.27 million tourists from the world, many of them were most likely here on a Thai Tourist Visa.

This article will go through the application procedure for a Thailand visa and the many types of Thailand visas, requirements, and other commonly asked topics. Foreigners visiting Thailand may need to apply for a Thailand visa beforehand.

Types of Visas for Thailand:

There are a number of visas available for those travelling to Thailand, depending on the visit's purpose and duration of stay. The most common visa types include tourist, Non-Immigrant Visas, transit, and Diplomatic/official.

• Thailand Elite Visa:

  Thailand Elite Visa is a long-term visa that falls under the Privilege Entry Visa category. In exchange for a membership fee, it grants residents of Thailand residency and perks ranging from 5 to 20 years, depending on their selected package. The Elite Visa is multiple entrances, a 5-year renewable visa with an optional one-year

• Tourist Visa:

  This is a multiple-entry or single-entry 60-day tourist visa for Thailand that a visa run can extend for an additional 30 days. You can change the visa to a non-immigrant visa if you wish to prolong it beyond 30 days, but you'll have to travel to a neighbouring city or nation.

• Non-Immigrant Visa:

  Typically, this is a single-entry visa for Thailand with a 90-day validity period. You can extend your stay by performing a visa run to the border or a neighbouring city/country, just like with the tourist visa. It is feasible to create a bank account and get a work permit.

• Non-Immigrant Visa for One Year

  This visa is frequently a multiple-entry visa to Thailand, which is good for one year. You are permitted to stay for 90 days at each entrance; thus, you must visit the border every 90 days to have your visa stamped there (visa run).

• Business Visa:

  This visa is intended for those wishing to do legitimate business in Thailand. The term "Non-Immigrant Business Visa" is also used. You can apply for a work permit and open a bank account, but you must still run your visa every 90 days.

• Permanent Resident Visa

  You must have spent three consecutive months in Thailand with one-year visa extensions in order to be eligible for this visa. You must make 30,000 Baht per month if you have been married to a Thai for five years. You must complete at least 80,000 Baht each month if you are single. To get eligible for a Permanent Resident Visa in Thailand, you only need to produce your three years' worth of personal tax returns demonstrating your ability to meet the aforementioned income standards.

Documents required For Visa Application

In order to apply for a Thai visa, travellers must provide various documents as part of their application. These typically include passport photographs, valid passports or travel documents good for at least six months after arrival date in Thailand, proof of sufficient funds to support oneself during the stay in Thailand (such as bank statements), evidence that the applicant will be leaving Thailand before the expiration date stated on the visa (such as return airline tickets), and any other documentation requested by the Thai Embassy or Consulate.

Following are the general documents required for a variety of different visas:

• Passport: Please submit a clear colour copy of your passport's identity page that is at least six months past the visa's expiration date.
• Photographs: One colour digital passport-sized picture. The image has to:
  • white as the background
  • Take this picture without your glasses on.
  • Be taken no more than six months ago.
  • A jpg file after being uploaded
• Invitation Letter: A letter of invitation is required. The organization issues the invitation you will be visiting. The letter needs to:
  • Be printed on letterhead business paper.
  • Include the organization or individual you are visiting's, an entire local address and a phone number.
  • Request a visa with the same duration as in the business cover letter.
  • Give details about how many entries you want on your visa.
  • Be approved and signed.
• Evidence of Sufficient Funds: You must show evidence that you have enough money. Your banking information must:
  • Please include a copy of your most recent bank statement with your complete name prominently displayed on it. Bank account printouts must have the traveller's name to be allowed.
  • The most recent month's bank statements are required (six months for a multiple-entry visa)
  • You must have a minimum balance of $700.00 to qualify for single-entry visas.
  • You must have a minimum balance of $7,000.00 for multiple-entry visas.
  • If multiple families are applying, each family must have a minimum balance of $1,500.00.
  
  

  Note: For visas allowing multiple entries, the letter must specify the dates of at least two visits to Thailand, both arrival and departure.

• Documentation of Your Travel Plans: You must show documentation of your travel plans for the length of your trip. Specifics of your proposed agreements must include the following:
  • Include a copy of your round-trip itinerary or electronic ticket with your destination's entrance and exit dates.
  • Show the whole name of the traveller (as printed in his or her passport)
• Status evidence: A photocopy of immigration documentation from the nation where you are living, such as a resident card, work permit, or study permit.
• Confirmation of a hotel: A confirmation of your hotel bookings is required. It should include the following information.
  • Include your expected dates of stay: These are the general document required for Visas, however vertain vis atypes require additional documentation affixed with your application form. Following are the additional documentation explained for other visa types:

Requirements for Visa On Arrival:

If you are a foreign national who meets the requirements for a Thailand visa on arrival, you will require the following paperwork:

• Your passport, which is still valid for at least 30 days after the entrance date
• Thai Visa On Arrival Application Form printed
• Self-portrait put onto the application form.
• A confirmed return ticket with a departure date at most 15 days away.
• Evidence of lodging in Thailand. You must provide a confirmed, legal Thai address, such as the location of a hotel or apartment. You may provide your hotel reservation.
• Evidence that you have enough money to last the duration of your vacation. If you are going alone, you will require 10,000 or 20,000 Thai Baht.

Requirements for International Visa for Students:

You require the following supplementary papers to enrol in a school in Thailand:

• A letter of acceptance from your Thai school, written to the Thai embassy or consulate where you want to apply.
• a Ministry of Education approval if the school is a private institution.
• The registration papers for the Thai institution or school
• Evidence that you have enough money to last the duration of your vacation. If you're going alone, you'll need 20,000 Thai Baht, while a family of four will require 40,000 Thai Baht.

If your programme lasts more than a year: Police Certificate signed by a Notary Public and issued by the police department in your nation of citizenship.

Requirements for a Business Visa:

• A letter from your company outlining your job, length of employment, income, and the rationale behind your trip to Thailand.
• An invitation letter from the Thai firm
• Documents attesting to communications with your Thai business partners.
• Documents from the Thai firm that invited you, including:
• Their company registration and licence
• The shareholders' list for the business
• The business profile
• The specifics of how the business is run
• Balance sheets, income tax returns, and business tax returns for the company from the previous year
• A map of the company's location
• Evidence that you have enough money to last the duration of your vacation. If you're going alone, you'll need 20,000 Thai Baht, while a family of four will require 40,000 Thai Baht.

Documents for Thailand Spouse Visa:

The following extra paperwork is required if you're applying for a Thailand Marriage Visa:

• A certified/notarized copy of the marriage licence that both parties have signed
• a copy of your Thai spouse's identity card and passport (signed by the spouse)
• Evidence of the financial standing of your Thai spouse. They must provide bank statements proving a monthly income of at least 40,000 Thai Baht or a total income of at least 400,000 Thai Baht.

Requirements for a Tourist Visa:

You need the following extra documentation if you visit Thailand for tourism:

• Proof of having enough money to last the duration of your visit (e.g. bank statements)
• A hotel reservation, or a letter of invitation from a friend serving as proof of accommodations in Thailand.
• If you are travelling to Thailand to see relatives or friends:
• A record of the connection
• Invitational Letter

If you're requesting a visa with numerous entries:

• evidence of employment
• If you are employed, a letter from your employer
• If you are self-employed, a self-assessment or your company's registration paperwork
• If you're a student, a letter from your school
• evidence that you require a multiple-entry visa

Process of Applying for Visa:

Anyone not exempt from the need for a visa or not qualified to obtain one upon arrival must apply for a Thai visa at one of Thailand's diplomatic missions overseas, such as an embassy or consulate. The following is the application procedure for a Thai visa:

• Speak with the Thai embassy's representative in your nation.
• Gather the necessary paperwork.
• Submit the visa application for Thailand.
• Wait while the application is processed.
• Obtain a visa and passport.

Costs of Thailand Application Visa:

The cost and process for obtaining a Thai visa type varies depending on the type of visa requested. Thailand Tourist Visas are generally the least expensive, while Non-Immigrant Visas may require additional Thailand visa fees such as processing and handling costs. Additionally, transit visas have a different fee structure than other types of visas, while diplomatic/official visas may be free depending on the individual's circumstances. It is important to note that all fees must be paid prior to applying for your Thailand visa.

By understanding these types of visas available and being aware of the required documentation, visitors can ensure their application is complete and submit it in an efficient manner. With this knowledge in hand, travellers can more easily obtain the necessary Thai visa and start planning their trip to Thailand.

Frequently asked questions