Procedures for applying for a tourist visa to Thailand

Thailand, known for its stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and great cuisine, is a popular destination for many tourists. If you plan to visit the "Land of Smiles," you may need to obtain a tourist visa beforehand. This article with Asia King Travel will walk you through the procedures of applying for a tourist visa to Thailand, giving you all of the necessary information to guarantee a smooth application process.

What is a Thailand Tourist Visa?

A Thailand Tourist Visa is a mark or document added to your passport, required for entry into Thailand for tourism purposes. It is granted by a Thai embassy or consulate in your home country and is stamped into your passport when you arrive at a Thai airport. If you wish to stay longer, this tourist visa can be extended while you are in Thailand. Keep in mind that the tourist visa is different from the Visa Exemption stamp that is issued at the airport for eligible nationalities.

What is a Thailand Tourist Visa?

Thailand offers both multiple-entry and single-entry tourist visas for foreigners who wish to visit the country for tourism purposes. Here’s a general breakdown of the two:

Single-Entry Tourist Visa

• A validity period of three months from the date of issuing. 
• Duration: Once in Thailand, you can stay for up to 60 days. 
• Extension: At an immigration office in Thailand, you can ask for a 30-day extension of stay, bringing the total potential stay to 90 days. 

Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa

• Valid for six months from the date of issue, allowing for numerous entry into Thailand. 
• Duration: Each admission permits for a 60-day stay, which means you can come and go as many times as you like throughout the 6-month validity period, but each stay cannot exceed 60 days. 
• Extension: Similar to the Single-entrance Tourist Visa, each entrance can be extended for an extra 30 days at a Thai immigration office.

Read more: What to do on Thailand 5-day tour in Chiang Mai?

Thailand Tourist Visa Requirements

When applying for a tourist visa with a valid passport, certain documents are necessary, and a fee may be charged upon application. The documentation and fees may change at any moment and without warning, so consult your local embassy before planning your application prior to your arrival in Thailand. Some countries accept Thai E-Visas, and you may apply for them online. The Thailand E visa is an extremely fast way to get a tourist visa online.

The Thailand E-visa is an extremely fast way to get a tourist visa online (cre: thaiembassy.com)

Documents Required

• Passport or travel document with an expiry date of at least six months.
• Visa application form (completed)
• A current 4 x 6 centimeter picture of the candidate.
• Round-trip plane ticket or an e-ticket (paid in full)
• Proof of financial means (10,000 baht per person/20,000 baht per household), such as bank statements.
• Proof of Hotel or Private Accommodation Booking

Consular Officers maintain the right to seek further documentation as considered essential. It is recommended that you give adequate time before flying to submit your application, since there is an increase in the number of people submitting now that Covid is no longer a priority.

Thailand Tourist Visa Requirements

Visa Fee

• US $30.00 (or equivalent) each entrance. The Tourist Visa charge is subject to change, therefore please visit the nearest Thai Embassy or consulate in your region before submitting your application.
• Thailand tourist visa applications may be submitted online in several countries. Please contact your nearest Thailand Embassy to clarify whether you need to apply in person.

Length of stay

• There is a 60-day entrance Tourist Visa that may be renewed for another 30 days at the local immigration office.
• It is simple to apply for a tourist visa, but if you want assistance with the paperwork and processes to expedite your acceptance, there are firms that can help.

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Health policies when traveling to Thailand

Travelers can enter Thailand without any COVID limitations. You no longer need to get vaccinated or undergo an RT-PCR or Pro-ATK test (if unvaccinated) before visiting Thailand.

Thailand has launched a new free health insurance program for foreign visitors from January to August 2024

On February 15, the Ministry of Tourism and Sport (MOTS), in collaboration with the National Institute of Medical Emergencies (NIEM), under the authority of the Ministry of Public Health, announced that it had set up a medical fund worth 50 million bahts (about €1.3 million) to assist international tourists who get injured while in Thailand.

Free health insurance for tourists in Thailand

In case of death, coverage is one million baht (approximately 25,630 euros), treatment costs for accidental injuries are covered up to five hundred thousand baht (around 12,850 euros) and permanent disability such as loss of vision or an internal organ will be compensated at three hundred thousand baht (over 7,560 euros). However, refund requests will be refused in cases of willful negligence or intentional violation of laws by the tourist.

For more information: 2024: Tourists in Thailand are entitled to free health insurance during their vacation

Checklist For Tourists Visiting Thailand

After acquiring your Thailand tourist visa from the Thai Embassy or consulate, a visitor should prepare the following papers before visiting Thailand:

• Valid visa in your passport.
• Printed travel insurance certificate (if applicable).
• Copy of a confirmed hotel booking
• Copy of the confirmed flight reservation.
• Printed tourist e-visa with QR code or visa sticker (if applicable).

Validity of the Tourist Visa and Permit for Stay

A tourist visa is valid for three to six months, depending on how many entries you make over a land border or airport. If you arrive in Thailand through an international airport, you will be granted a 60-day tourist visa.

Validity of the Tourist Visa and Permit for Stay

The validity of the visa, as indicated on your visa sticker, is the period you have to utilize it or enter Thailand. The permit to remain specifies the number of days you can lawfully stay in Thailand. The permit to remain is the stamp you obtain upon arrival at the airport or border.

Tourist Visa Extension in Thailand

If you enter Thailand by airport or land border, you will be granted a 60-day stay at the immigration station. You must leave the country before the stamp's expiration date.

If you wish to stay in Thailand for a longer period of time, you can extend your stay permission. You can request for an extension of stay at your local Immigration Office. A 60-day tourist visa can be extended for an additional 30 days. The cost of both additions is 1900 baht.

Remember that an extension of stay is at the discretion of the immigration officer reviewing your application.

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