How to get Thailand Tourist Visa

Thailand is a magnet for tourists! We know many of you might be craving a glimpse of sunlight, a night out indulging in street food, your wonderful moment at the sunny beach, and so on. We know you’ve drafted your travel plan, a bunch of checklists for one day, not to mention a week or more. How about the Thailand tourist visa you need to apply for visiting the Land of Smiles? 

Don’t worry! We have gathered all the details you need to know in this one article.

How Many Types of Thai Visa Are There? 

The very first thing you need to know about visas is the types of it. Traveling is not the only reason people visit a country. Likewise, people come to Thailand for various reasons. We have listed and summed them up for you.

• Thai Elite Visa: A so called “VIP Visa” for foreigner. This type of Visa is tailored for anyone who lives or regularly visit Thailand. With this, you are allowed to stay in Thailand from 5 years and up to 20 years.
• Non-Immigrant Visa: This allows for temporary stay. However, it’s a single-entry type which is valid only for 90 days. There are also sub types which depend on the purpose of the stay.
• Marriage Visa and Retirement Visa: As straightforward as it is. These are for those married to a Thai national or those over 50 years old.
• Business Visa: This type of Visa also known as Non-Immigrant Business Visa, crafted for businesspersons or who want to work legally in Thailand.
• Permanent Resident Visa: To get this type of Visa, there’s a few steps to be qualified. 3 consecutive years of residency with 1-year visa extension each time. There are some more specific details to go on, depending on the marital status.
• Tourist Visa: Suitable for travelers, this type of Visa offers 60 days of stay. It could be single or multiple-entry. If you wish to stay longer, there’s also a way to achieve it.  

Thailand Tourist Visa, Can I just go for it? 

Your plan to spend holidays in Thailand starts with getting a Thailand tourist visa. If your purposes for visiting are tourism, leisure, or medical, this is exactly what you need. However, there are a few more things you should know to select the right type of visa. Are you planning for one long stay, or do you want to wander around Southeast Asia with multiple entries into different countries?

Well, your travel plans are impacted by the type of Thailand tourist visa you need to apply for. Long story short, there are two types of Thailand tourist visas: single-entry and multiple-entry. Both give 60 days of stay or, in the case of multiple entries, 60 days per visit. A slight difference exists in the validity period. A single-entry tourist visa has a 3-month validity period, while a multiple-entry tourist visa has a 6-month validity period. This means you can visit Thailand whenever you want within this period.

Getting your Thailand Tourist Visa

Now it’s time to get to the point; how to apply for Thailand tourist visa? Good news! You can do this online. The very first step to do is to visit https://thaievisa.go.th/, and you can just easily take off by creating an account individually. Thailand tourist visa requirements consist of:

• Single Entry: A current passport has no less than 6 months
• Multiple Entry: A current passport has no less than 6 months of validity beyond the date of departure from Thailand
• Have at least 2 blank pages in the passport
• Complete online visa applications with the given name(s) and surname that match the passport
• A passport-style photo to be uploaded
• Intended date of travel
• Proof of accommodation in Thailand
  • Single Entry: Financial evidence showing earnings equivalent to 10,000 THB for individuals or 20,000 THB for families. (cost ranges: about 30-50 USD.)
  • Multiple Entry: Financial evidence showing a balance of 200,000 THB. (cost ranges: about 150-250 USD.)

After a complete application is received with all the required documents submitted correctly, it will take around 5-10 days for processing. You’ll receive a reference number by email, which you can use to monitor your application. What a breeze! Once your Thailand tourist visa is approved, a confirmation email will be sent to your inbox. 

Where to go for a visa extension? 

Can’t fit all the attractions you wish to see within 60 days? Since traveling is never enough, here’s a way to extend your stay. Overstaying does no good for you. No one wishes for fines or a note on the passport, which can influence visa applications in the future. Sounds like a nightmare, doesn’t it? 

For those who have a Thailand tourist Visa, just go to a local immigration office to apply for an extension. This procedure provides 30 more enjoyable days in Thailand with a 1,900-baht fee. Beware that it has to be done before your current Thailand Tourist Visa expires. 

There will be some documents you’ll need for this step. And remember, the immigration offices are closed on weekends, so make sure you go there on weekdays. If you are considering extending your stay, ensure that all necessary preparations are made in advance to enjoy more time in Thailand.