Thailand Visa and Passport Requirements

Passports

A passport valid for six months beyond the date of entry is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above. When applying for a visa on arrival, passports must be valid for more than 60 days.

Passport Note

Due to issues with 'bagpackers', Thailand now requires travellers to provide proof of sufficient funds (cash or traveller’s cheque equal to 20,000 Baht per person or 40,000 Baht per family) and a confirmed ticket to leave Thailand within the time of their entry stamp when entering the country. Please see the 'visa' section for more information.

Visas

Visas for Thailand are not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for touristic stays of up to 30 days if entering via an international airport. Those entering Thailand for tourism purposes through a land border checkpoint from neighbouring countries may stay for up to 15 days without a visa. Please check with the authority if you are entering via a sea port.

Exceptions to the visa requirements are:

1. Nationals of Bulgaria, Bhutan, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Uzbekistan and Vanuatu can apply for visas on arrival for stays of up to 15 days. Please see the information under the header Visa on arrival below.

2. Nationals of Croatia must apply for a visa in advance from the embassy or apply for an e-visa (thaievisa.go.th/).

Visa exemption to Thailand

To qualify for 30-day visa exemption, you must show the followings:
• Funds of at least 20,000 THB per person or 40,000 THB per family

• Passport with validity not less than 6 months
• Proof of onward travel (confirmed air, bus, train or boat tickets) to leave Thailand within 30 days of the arrival date (otherwise a tourist visa must be obtained)
• Foreigners who enter Thailand under this Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme may only do so for 30 days at one time with a maximum of two times in a year by flight and overland crossing

Please note: Nationals of the visa exempt countries listed above need to apply for an e-visa (thaievisa.go.th/) for stays with a duration longer than 14 days/ 30 days.

Visa on arrival in Thailand

Nationals from 18 countries can secure a visa on arrival in Thailand for tourism purposes only. These countries are Bhutan, Bulgaria, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Uzbekistan and Vanuatu. To qualify for a visa on arrival in Thailand, visitors must have the following:
• A passport valid for at least 30 days with at least two blank pages
• A confirmed onward ticket (open tickets do not qualify, travelling out of Thailand by bus or train to neighbour countries also do not qualify) usable within 15 days from the entry date
• Funds of at least 10,000 THB per person or 20,000 THB per family during your stay in Thailand
• A fee of 2,000 THB. This must be paid in cash and in Thai currency only. The amount is subject to change without notice

Nationals not referred to in the chart or above are advised to contact the Thai embassy to check visa requirements.

Types and Cost

On arrival: tourist visas cost TH฿2,000 (this may change without prior notice). In advance: single-entry tourist visa: GB£30 (US$40); multiple-entry tourist visa: GB£150 (US$200).

Non-Immigrant single-entry visa: GB£60 or US$80; Non-Immigrant multi-entry visa: GB£150 or US$200.

Validity

In advance: single-entry tourist visa is three months; multiple-entry tourist visa is six months. Non-immigrant single-entry visa: three months; non-immigrant multiple-entry visa: up to one year.

Transit

Some nationals require a transit visa; check with the embassy. Transit visas are valid for three months, allowing holders who are travelling via Thailand to other destinations to stay for a maximum of 30 days. This visa can be obtained in person at the Thai embassy for GB£25 or US$35. Nationals of some countries can obtain a transit visa via post, check with the embassy for more information. You can check with your nearest embassy via the Thai Embassy website: london.thaiembassy.org/en/index.

Application to

Travellers can apply in person at the nearest consulate (or consular section at an embassy). Nationals of some countries can obtain a visa on arrival and via post while others may have to apply online (thaievisa.go.th/). Check with the embassy to find out the requirements.

Temporary residence

Visitors to Thailand who wish to conduct business, work or study in the country can apply for a non-immigrant visa. The single-entry and multi-entry visas allow holders a stay for up to 90 days and one year respectively. In addition, to be able to work, visitors must hold a work permit issued by the Ministry of Labour.
Please see the information under ‘Types & Cost’ and ‘Validity’.

Working days

Visas usually take one working today to process. However, it varies depending on where and how you apply for your visa. The Thai embassy in the US issues visas within five working days (if applying in person), but the Thai embassy in Cambodia takes at least three working days.

Sufficient Funds

Due to issues with 'bagpackers', proof of adequate finances for the duration of your stay in Thailand is required at the point of entry into the country (please see the information under 'Visas').

Compulsary Registration

The arrival card TM6 needs to be filled in during the flight and shown to border officials on arrival and on departure. 

Extension of stay

If you wish to extend your stay, contact the Immigration Bureau (www.immigration.go.th). There is a TH฿1,900 fee for visa extensions.

Be wary of visa-run or visa extension services offering to renew your visa - these are illegal and each year a number of tourists are jailed, having turned up to border crossings with a fake Thailand visa or entry stamp in their passport.

Thailand visa extensions must be made before the current visa runs out. A lengthy overstay can incur a maximum penalty of time in jail before being deported and banned from returning to the country. If you wish to extend your stay, contact the Immigration Bureau (www.immigration.go.th).

Entry with children

Children travelling with one parent or alone must have a notarised letter of consent from one or both parents.

Entry with pets

Pets must first be microchipped with an ISO 11784 pet microchip. Pets must also be vaccinated against rabies (between 21 days and 12 months) before entering the country if they are from a country that has had any rabies incidents in the last 12 months.

An import permit from the Department of Livestock Development (DLD) is required for all pets.

All Pit Bull breeds must be spayed or neutered before entry to Thailand.

Embassies and tourist offices

Royal Thai Embassy in the USA

Mon-Fri: 0900-1230 and 1400-1700 (except holidays)

Consular section:Walk in service Mon-Fri 0900-1200; Phone service Mon-Fri 1330-1700

Royal Thai Embassy in the UK

Mon-Fri 0900-1230 and 1400-1700; Mon-Fri 0900-1200 (consular section); Mon- Fri 1100-1200 (visa collection)

British Embassy in Thailand

Office hours Mon-Thu 0800-1630; Fri 0800-1300