Thinking of taking a trip to the “land of smiles” and getting a Thailand Visa? This guide will help you figure out what kind of visa you need to enter Thailand and how to get it.
This depends on your nationality. In general, most foreigners will be required to obtain a visa before entering Thailand. But citizens of some countries might be able to receive a visa on arrival that will allow them to stay in Thailand for 15 days. Some may enter for short periods for tourism without a visa.
Read on to see what’s required of you.
Tip: Remember, to apply for a visa, you must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 more months, and you must apply outside of Thailand.
Quick access to:
Thailand Visa: Types and Issuance
Transit Visa
If you are just passing through Thailand on your way to another country, you can apply for a transit visa quite easily. Your period of stay in Thailand can’t exceed 30 days, and you’ll have to show proof of your onward journey.
Thailand Visa Exemption
These nationals (including passport holders of Australia, Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand, the UK and the US), are considered “exempt.” It means they can stay maximum 30 days in the Kingdom without any Thailand visa.
For a full list of exempt countries, see the official list at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Tourist Visa
For any tourism trip to Thailand longer than 30 days, you’ll need to apply for a tourism visa at a Thai embassy or consulate before arriving in Thailand.
You’ll be allowed 60 days in the country, with the option to extend your stay for another 90 days once you’re in Thailand.
Thailand Visa on Arrival
Citizens of some countries can apply for a tourist visa at the port of entry without applying for a Thailand visa beforehand. A Thai “visa on arrival” allows a stay of up to 15 days in the country.
This option is available for citizens of China, India, Taiwan and several other countries.
Non-Immigrant (non-B) Visa
This type of Thailand visa is given to foreign nationals who want to stay in Thailand for a wide variety of reasons, but not for tourism.
These include studying, conducting research, conducting business, volunteering, visiting Thai family members, living in Thailand as the spouse or family of someone who works there, performing official duties, working as a journalist or media professional, and more.
These types of visas must be applied for outside of Thailand at an embassy or consulate general, and there is quite a bit of supporting documentation that is required. We’ll talk about the most common of these, the non-immigrant business visa, below.
For more details on any type of non-immigrant visa, check the Thailand visa page at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Retirement Visa
This is also a non-immigrant visa, but it has its own designation and supporting set of documents.
Foreign nationals who are 50 years of age or older and who have either a savings of at least 800,000 baht or a monthly income of at least 65,000 baht are eligible to apply for a retirement visa, or Non-Immigrant O-A visa.
Tourist visa application
How to apply for a Tourist Visa from the USA
If you are a US national, you are exempt from needing to apply for a tourist Thailand visa for stays of 30 days or less.
Simply present your passport (with at least one-half empty page and validity of at least 6 more months) and a completed arrival and departure card to the immigration official at your port of entry. You’ll be granted 30 days in the Kingdom. But if you would like to stay for longer, you can apply for a single entry, 2-month (60 day) tourist visa that can be extended for a total of 3 months (90 days), or a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa that is good for 6 months (180 days).
Requirements: To apply, go to your closest Thai embassy or consulate with all supporting materials. It takes about 2 days to process a tourist visa if you do it in person. Or, if you’d prefer, you can also mail your passport, all supporting documents, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate, and they will process your request in 10 days, plus mailing time.
Documents: Your passport that is still good for at least 6 months, two passport photos, a copy of your flight itinerary in and out of Thailand, a copy of your hotel information, evidence that you can cover your expenses while in Thailand (a bank statement showing more than $750 in your account or $1,500 for your whole family) and a completed visa application. You can download the Thailand visa application form here.
Fees: $40 for a 2-month visa, and $200 for a 6-month visa. You must pay in cash or money order. (Credit cards, debit cards and personal checks won’t be accepted!)
Validity: Both types of tourist visas must be used within 90 days of issuance.
Period of stay: Both types of tourist visas can be extended for an additional 30 days.
Extension of stay: To extend your stay, bring your passport, the extension fee and two passport photos to an Immigration Office. Fill out an extension form and submit your application.
How to apply for a Tourist Visa from Australia
If you are an Australian national, you are exempt from needing to apply for a tourist visa for stays of 30 days or less.
Simply present your passport (with at least one-half empty page and validity of at least 6 more months) and a completed arrival and departure card to the immigration official at your port of entry. You’ll be granted 30 days in the Kingdom.
But if you would like to stay for longer, you can apply for a single entry, 2-month (60 day) tourist visa that can be extended for a total of 3 months (90 days), or a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa that is good for 6 months (180 days).
Requirements: To apply, go to your closest Thai embassy or consulate with all supporting materials. It takes 3 working days to process a tourist visa if you do it in person. Or, if you’d prefer, you can also mail your passport, all supporting documents, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate, and they will process your request in 2 weeks, plus mailing time.
Documents: All documents submitted must be in A4 paper size only. You’ll need to submit your passport that is valid for at least 6 months, a photocopy of the personal ID page of your passport, a passport photo and a recent bank statement showing a balance of at least AUD$8,000, and a completed visa application form. Download the Thailand visa application form here.
Fees: AUD$45 for a single-entry, 2-month visa. AUD$225 for a multiple-entry, 6-month visa. You must pay in cash or money order. (Credit cards, debit cards and personal checks won’t be accepted!).
Validity: Both types of tourist visas must be used within 90 days of issuance.
Period of stay: Both types of tourist visas can be extended for an additional 30 days.
Extension of stay: To extend your stay, bring your passport, the extension fee and two passport photos to an Immigration Office. Fill out an extension form and submit your application.
How to apply for a Tourist Visa from the UK
If you are a UK national, you are exempt from needing to apply for a tourist visa for stays of 30 days or less.
Simply present your passport (with at least one-half empty page and validity of at least 6 more months) and a completed arrival and departure card to the immigration official at your port of entry. You’ll be granted 30 days in the Kingdom.
But if you would like to stay for longer, you can apply for a single entry, 2-month (60 day) tourist visa that can be extended for a total of 3 months (90 days), or a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa that is good for 6 months (180 days).
Requirements: To apply, the Royal Thai Embassy recommends sending your passport and application by post, which takes just 3 to 5 working days to process. Mail your passport and documents to:
Visa Section, Royal Thai Embassy,
29 – 30 Queen’s Gate, London,
SW7 5JB
Or, if you prefer, you can visit your closest Thai embassy or consulate with all supporting materials in person.
Documents: To apply by post for a single-entry tourist visa, submit your passport that is valid for at least 6 months, 2 passport photos, a self-addressed stamped envelope, the visa fee, a 10 pound processing-by-post fee, and your completed visa application form. To apply by post for a multiple-entry tourist visa, include the items already listed, plus a bank statement showing a balance of at least 5,000 pounds, a letter from your employer, a copy of your flight details in and out of Thailand, and a copy of your hotel details. Download the Thailand tourist visa application form here.
Fees: 25 pounds for a single-entry 2-month visa (or 3 months with extension), and 125 pounds for a 6-month multiple entry tourist visa. When applying by post, include an additional 10 pounds for processing. Fees must be submitted by Postal Order made out to the Royal Thai Embassy.
Validity: Both types of tourist visas must be used within 90 days of issuance.
Period of stay: Both types of tourist visas can be extended for an additional 30 days.
Extension of stay: To extend your stay, bring your passport, the extension fee and two passport photos to an Immigration Office. Fill out an extension form and submit your application.
How to apply for a Tourist Visa from Canada
If you are a Canadian national, you are exempt from needing to apply for a tourist visa for stays of 30 days or less.
Simply present your passport (with at least one-half empty page and validity of at least 6 more months) and a completed arrival and departure card to the immigration official at your port of entry. You’ll be granted 30 days in the Kingdom.
But if you would like to stay for longer, you can apply for a single entry, 2-month (60 day) tourist visa that can be extended for a total of 3 months (90 days), or a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa that is good for 6 months (180 days).
Requirements: To apply, go to your closest Thai embassy or consulate with all supporting materials. It takes about 2 days to process a tourist visa if you do it in person. Or, if you’d prefer, you can also mail your passport, all supporting documents, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate, and they will process your request in 10 days, plus mailing time.
Documents: Your passport that is still good for at least 6 months, a recent passport photo, a copy of your flight itinerary in and out of Thailand, your visa fee and a completed visa application. You can download the Thailand visa application here.
Fees: CAD$40 for a single-entry 2-month visa (or 3 months with extension), and CAD$200 pounds for a 6-month multiple entry tourist visa. Whether applying in person or by post, your fee must be paid by money order made out to the Royal Thai Embassy.
Validity: Both types of tourist visas must be used within 90 days of issuance.
Period of stay: Both types of tourist visas can be extended for an additional 30 days.
Extension of stay: To extend your stay, bring your passport, the extension fee and two passport photos to an Immigration Office. Fill out an extension form and submit your application.
Business visa application (non-immigrant “B” visa)
How to apply from USA for a Non-B Visa
If you are an American business person and you are traveling to Thailand for business, you can apply for a single-entry Non-Immigrant “B” visa that will allow you to stay in the Kingdom for 90 days.
Or, if you travel to Thailand frequently on business, the Non-Immigrant “B” visa also comes in a 1-year multiple-entry option, which allows you to stay in the Kingdom for 90 days at a time for up to 1 year.
Requirements: You may apply for a Non-Immigrant “B” visa in person or through the mail. Your passport will need to be valid for at least 6 months if you’re applying for the 90-day B visa. If applying for a 1-year multiple-entry visa, your passport must be valid for at least another 18 months.
Documents: You’ll need a business letter on company letterhead from a Thai employer explaining the purpose of your visit. It should include the name of the company or organization, as well as its address in Thailand. You’ll also need a letter from your current employer explaining your business in Thailand. In addition, include your flight itinerary in and out of Thailand, a completed visa application form, your visa fee and your passport. You can download the Thailand visa form here.
Fees: US$80 for a single-entry, 90-day B visa. US$200 for a multiple-entry, 1-year visa.
Validity: A single-entry non-immigrant visa for business travel must be used within 90 days of the date of issuance. A multiple-entry non-immigrant visa must be used within 1 year of the date of issuance.
Period of stay: When you present your visa at your port of arrival, you’ll be granted a stay of 90 days.
Extensions: For the 1-year option, you will initially be granted a 90-day stay on the “B” visa, then you’ll need to extend the validity of your visa to 1 year at an Immigration Office once you’re in Thailand. However, you will have to leave the country and re-enter every 90 days.
How to apply from Australia for a Non-B Visa
If you are an Australian businessperson and you are traveling to Thailand for business, you can apply for a single-entry Non-Immigrant “B” visa that will allow you to stay in the Kingdom for 90 days.
Or, if you travel to Thailand frequently on business, the Non-Immigrant “B” visa also comes in a 1-year multiple-entry option, which allows you to stay in the Kingdom for 90 days at a time for up to 1 year.
See http://thaiconsulatesydney.org for more info
Requirements: You may apply for a Non-Immigrant “B” visa in person or through the mail. Your passport will need to be valid for at least 6 months if you’re applying for the 90-day B visa. If applying for a 1-year multiple-entry visa, your passport must be valid for at least another 18 months.
Documents: All documents submitted must be in A4 paper size only. You’ll need to submit your passport, a photocopy of the personal ID page of your passport and a passport photo. You’ll need a business letter on company letterhead from a Thai employer explaining the purpose of your visit. It should include the name of the company or organization, as well as its address in Thailand.
You’ll also need a letter from your current employer explaining your business in Thailand. In addition, include your flight itinerary in and out of Thailand, a completed visa application form, your visa fee and your passport. If you’re applying for a multiple-entry visa, you’ll also need to provide a photocopy of the Thai organisation’s license or registration in Thailand, as well as a list of its shareholders, its company profile, its balance sheet and its statement of Income Tax. You can download the Thailand visa form here.
Fees: AUD$90 for a single-entry Non-Immigrant “B” visa. AUD$225 for a multiple-entry Non-Immigrant “B” visa. The visa fee must be paid in cash, bank cheque or money order. Credit cards, personal cheques and company cheques will not be accepted.
Validity: A single-entry non-immigrant visa for business travel must be used within 90 days of the date of issuance. A multiple-entry non-immigrant visa must be used within 1 year of the date of issuance.
Period of stay: When you present your visa at your port of arrival, you’ll be granted a stay of 90 days.
Extensions: For the 1-year option, you will initially be granted a 90-day stay on the “B” visa, then you’ll need to extend the validity of your visa to 1 year at an Immigration Office once you’re in Thailand. However, you will have to leave the country and re-enter every 90 days.
How to apply from UK for a Non-B Visa
If you are a UK-national businessperson and you are traveling to Thailand for business, you can apply for a single-entry Non-Immigrant “B” visa that will allow you to stay in the Kingdom for 90 days.
Or, if you travel to Thailand frequently on business, the Non-Immigrant “B” visa also comes in a 1-year multiple-entry option, which allows you to stay in the Kingdom for 90 days at a time for up to 1 year.
See www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/4 for more info
Requirements: You may apply for a Non-Immigrant “B” visa in person or through the mail. Your passport will need to be valid for at least 6 months if you’re applying for the 90-day B visa. If applying for a 1-year multiple-entry visa, your passport must be valid for at least another 18 months.
Documents: You’ll need to submit your passport, two passport photos, a bank statement showing a balance of at least 20,000 baht per person or 40,000 baht per family, a letter of acceptance from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare in Thailand, and a business letter on company letterhead from a Thai employer explaining the purpose of your visit. It should include the name of the company or organization, as well as its address in Thailand.
You’ll also need a letter from your current employer explaining your business in Thailand. Also include your flight itinerary in and out of Thailand, a completed visa application form and your visa fee. If you’re applying for a multiple-entry visa, you’ll also need to provide a photocopy of the Thai organisation’s license or registration in Thailand, as well as a list of its shareholders, its company profile, its balance sheet and its statement of Income Tax. You can download the Thailand visa form here.
Fees: 50 pounds for a single-entry 90-day Non-Immigrant “B” visa. 125 pounds for a multiple-entry 1-year Non-Immigrant “B” visa. If applying in person, visa fees will be accepted in cash only. If applying by post, include an additional 10 pounds for processing. Fees must be submitted by Postal Order made out to the Royal Thai Embassy.
Validity: A single-entry non-immigrant visa for business travel must be used within 90 days of the date of issuance. A multiple-entry non-immigrant visa must be used within 1 year of the date of issuance.
Period of stay: When you present your visa at your port of arrival, you’ll be granted a stay of 90 days.
Extensions: For the 1-year option, you will initially be granted a 90-day stay on the “B” visa, then you’ll need to extend the validity of your visa to 1 year at an Immigration Office once you’re in Thailand. However, you will have to leave the country and re-enter every 90 days.
How to apply from Canada for a non-B Visa
If you are a Canadian businessperson and you are traveling to Thailand for business, you can apply for a single-entry Non-Immigrant “B” visa that will allow you to stay in the Kingdom for 90 days.
Or, if you travel to Thailand frequently on business, the Non-Immigrant “B” visa also comes in a 1-year multiple-entry option, which allows you to stay in the Kingdom for 90 days at a time for up to 1 year.
Requirements: You may apply for a Non-Immigrant “B” visa in person or through the mail. Your passport will need to be valid for at least 6 months if you’re applying for the 90-day B visa. If applying for a 1-year multiple-entry visa, your passport must be valid for at least another 18 months.
Documents: You’ll need a business letter on company letterhead from a Thai employer explaining the purpose of your visit. It should include the name of the company or organization, as well as its address in Thailand. You’ll also need a letter from your current employer explaining your business in Thailand. In addition, include your flight itinerary in and out of Thailand, a completed visa application form, your visa fee and your passport. You can download the Thailand visa form here.
Fees: CAD$80 for a single-entry Non-Immigrant “B” visa. CAD$200 for a multiple-entry Non-Immigrant “B” visa.
Validity: A single-entry non-immigrant visa for business travel must be used within 90 days of the date of issuance. A multiple-entry non-immigrant visa must be used within 1 year of the date of issuance.
Period of stay: When you present your visa at your port of arrival, you’ll be granted a stay of 90 days.
Extensions: For the 1-year option, you will initially be granted a 90-day stay on the “B” visa, then you’ll need to extend the validity of your visa to 1 year at an Immigration Office once you’re in Thailand. However, you will have to leave the country and re-enter every 90 days.
Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates
Thai embassies and consulates in the US
New York: 351 E 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022 Tel. (212) 754-1770
Los Angeles: 611 N.Larchmont Blvd., 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90004. Tel. 323.962.9574
Chicago: 700 North Rush Street Chicago, IL 60611-2504. Tel. (312) 664-3129
Boston: 41 Union St, Boston, MA 02108, Tel. 617-720-8424
Houston: JPMorgan Chase Tower, 600 Travis St #2000, Houston, TX 77002, Tel. 713-229-8733
Miami: 2525 Ponce De Leon Blvd #300, Coral Gables, FL 33134, Tel. (305) 445-7577
Thai embassies and consulates in Australia
Sydney: Level 8, 131 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Tel. (02) 9241 2542
Melbourne: 301/566 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3004, Tel. (03) 9533 9100
Brisbane: 344 Queen St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Tel. +61 7 3493 6464
Perth: 28-42 Ventnor Ave, West Perth WA 6005, Tel. +61 8 9226 2288
Thai embassies and consulates in the UK
London: 29-30 Queen’s Gate, London SW7 5JB, Tel. +44 20 7589 2944
Liverpool: 35 Lord St, Liverpool L2 9SQ, Tel. +44 151 255 0504
Edinburgh: 4 Woodside Place, Glasgow G3 7QF, Tel. +44 141 353 5090
Cardiff: 9 Mt Stuart Square, Cardiff Bay CF10 5EE, Tel. +44 29 2046 5777
Hull: Saxon Way, Hessle HU13 9PB, Tel. +44 1482 581668
Thai embassies and consulates in Canada
Ottawa: Royal Thai Embassy, 180 Island Park Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 0A2, Tel. 1 (613) 722-4444
Toronto: 17 Isabella St #100, Toronto, ON M4Y 1M7, Tel. +1 416-850-0110
Montreal: 1100 Boulevard René-Lévesque O, Montréal, QC H3B 4N4, Tel. +1 514-878-4466
Vancouver: 1040 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2R9, Tel. +1 604-687-1143
Edmonton: 10544 114 St, Edmonton, AB T5H 3J7, +1 780-439-3576
We know applying for a Thailand visa can be a confusing process. We hope this shed a little light on how to arrange your personal travel plans. If you’ve run across any issues applying for a Thailand visa, please share your experience with us and our readers by commenting.
