Tips and Tricks on How to Apply for a Visa to Thailand

Thailand is one of the world’s most visited countries for a reason. Its tropical weather, rich culture, pristine nature, glistening temples, ancient ruins, quaint floating markets and world-class cuisine, to name a few, are the magnets that draw in millions of tourists all around the world. That’s why a huge part of Thailand’s revenue as a country comes from its matured tourism industry, making Thailand a strong tourism hub within Southeast Asia year after year. 

Many first-timers consider Thailand to be the gateway to Asia, and right now, businesses in Thailand are coming back to provide the best experience for holiday goers. As the Covid-19 pandemic gradually fades, travel restrictions will ease and borders will once again open. Now, it’s time to travel the world once again!

“What do I have to do if I want to spend my holidays traveling in Thailand?”, you may ask. Of course, it wouldn’t be as easy as a walk in a park. The good news is that traveling is almost as easy as pre-Covid times, but there are certain guidelines to be followed and documents to be prepared and submitted before you board your long-awaited flight. Let’s not wait any longer, shall we? Here are some of our top tips and tricks on how to apply for a visa to Thailand.

First Things First

You’re considered a tourist when you visit Thailand for leisure, sightseeing, personal pleasure, and learning new cultures. However, what’s important to know is that a tourist is not allowed to work or conduct business in Thailand. 

According to the Royal Thai Embassy, to travel in Thailand, a tourist needs to obtain a tourist visa so he or she can travel in Thailand for a period of no longer than 60 days. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, most foreigners are now required to obtain a tourist visa from the Thai Embassy or the Thai Consulate in their respective countries.

What’s a Thailand Tourist Visa?

A Thailand tourist visa is a stamp or document you need before entering and staying in Thailand for the purpose of tourism for an extended period of time. A Thailand tourist visa is issued by a Thai Embassy or consulate in your country of origin, and will be stamped on your passport upon your arrival at any international airport in Thailand. The tourist visa can also be extended if necessary. Also, do keep in mind that the tourist visa should not be confused with the visa exemption stamp issued at the airport.

However, there are some countries that have made agreements with the Thai government so that their citizens are exempted from visa requirements, and are allowed to stay in Thailand for 45 days to 90 days as tourists without the need to apply for a tourist visa from the Thai Embassy.

Things You Need to Prepare Before Applying for a Thailand Tourist Visa 

Before applying for a tourist visa to Thailand, there are certain documents and fees you need to prepare. Please keep in mind that the documents and the fees are subject to change anytime and without prior notice, so be alert, and always inquire for the right information before getting on your flight to Thailand!

Due to the COVID 19 pandemic the issuance of the tourist visa can be made online, by mail, or in-person depending on the current regulation of the Thai Embassy in your country.

Here are the required documents to apply for a Thailand tourist visa, according to the Royal Thai Embassy:

Visa Application form(s) and photograph(s) 

Complete the Online Visa Application (OVA) at least 10 working days before the intended date of travel, and sign Visa Application form as well as recent photograph(s) size 3.5x4.5 cm.

Applicants from certain countries are required to present:

• 2 application forms and 2 photographs:  Nigeria
• 3 application forms and 3 photographs: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Cameroon, China, Central Africa Republic, Congo, Congo DRC, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, India, Iraq, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Nepal, North Korea, Pakistan, Palestine, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.
• 4 application forms and 4 photographs: Iran

Passport 

Your passport should be valid for no less than 6 months.

Travel tickets 

Prepare your travel ticket documents - the period of stay in Thailand is allowed for 60 days

Evidence of adequate finance 

An original bank statement which states bank contact information and deposits with the equivalent amount of not less than 20,000 THB per person or 40,000 THB per family for the last 3 months.

• For family members traveling together, documents showing family relations such as a copy of birth certificate or marriage certificate must be submitted.

Evidence of accommodation booking - Proof of accommodation arrangement after completing quarantine for the entire duration of the stay in Thailand.

A copy of health insurance 

Covers medical expenses including costs related to COVID-19 for the entire period of stay in Thailand at the amount of at least 100,000 USD.

Application fee

US $30.00 per entry or equivalent. The tourist visa fee is subject to change without prior notice, so it is a good idea to be updated by visiting the nearest Thai Embassy or consulate in your area.

Other documents

As may be requested by Consular officers in addition to the documents above. Please note that Consular officers reserve the right to require additional documents, or an interview with the applicant, as deemed necessary, without prior notice.

Apply for COE

Other than the Tourist Visa, a traveler must apply for a COE, or short for “Certificate of Entry” from your local Thai Embassy or Consulate. To apply for the COE, you’ll need to register online, and fill in your personal details, and upload the required documents such as a copy of your passport, a copy of the approved visa, and Covid-19 travel insurance. The Embassy will then consider and pre-approve the applicants who meet the standard requirements. 

Then, upload your flight information and hotel reservation for the second step. According to the Royal Thai Embassy, You must apply for the COE at least 5 to 15 days before your flight to Thailand. This is super important!

Checklist for Tourist Visiting Thailand

After receiving your Thailand tourist visa and COE from your local Thai Embassy or consulate, all travelers must prepare the following documents before traveling to Thailand:

• Certificate of Entry (COE)
• Valid visa in your passport
• Declaration Form
• Copy of confirmed Hotel reservation
• Copy of confirmed flight reservation
• T8 Health Form

Download the TAGTHAi App for an assured, smoother trip to Thailand!

Thailand Tourist Visa Validity and Permit to Stay

According to Thai Visa, the validity period of a Thai tourist visa can go from 3 months, and up to 6 months, depending on the number of entries you make across the Thai border or from the airport. If you arrive in Thailand through an international airport, you will be automatically given a 60-day period to stay as a tourist.

Furthermore, don’t be confused with the visa validity and the permit to stay. The visa validity is the time you have to use the approved visa to enter Thailand. The permit to stay is the actual number of days you are allowed to stay in Thailand as a tourist. You will receive the permit to stay when you arrive at the airport or border with a stamp on your passport.

Tourist Visa Extension in Thailand

Need to stay longer than 60 days in Thailand? 

Yep, it’s possible! According to the Thai Embassy, the permit to stay can be extended, but you will have to file an application for an extension at the Office of Immigration Bureau at the Government Complex on Chaengwattana Road in Bangkok. 

However, please keep in mind that the possibility of an extension depends on the discretion of the immigration officer approving your application. And there you have it! Getting a Visa to travel in Thailand may look tedious and a chore for some, but if you follow all the required steps, you’ll relatively be trouble-free to enter the Kingdom and enjoy all that Thailand has to offer.