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Thailand Visa Types and Requirements
30 day Visa ExemptionThere are a number of Thailand visa types for entry and residence in the Kingdom but the great majority of visitors enter without a visa under a "Tourist Visa Exemption." Citizens of 45 countries do not need to apply before traveling and will receive a rubber stamp in the passport allowing 30 days entry into Thailand. This is at the discretion of the immigration officer at the port of entry. Before stamping the passport, the officer may ask for proof that you have an onward ticket and/or the financial resources to support yourself while visiting. It is possible to leave the country for a short period (sometimes just minutes) and re-enter for another 30 day exemption but a recent change in immigration rules limits the visitor to no more than two of the exemption stamps in any six month period. This new requirement affects longer term visitors who must now apply for a visa or limit their stay. Working or operating a business based in the kingdom is not allowed under this type of entry. A list of nationals allowed the exemption is available on the website of the Royal Thai Consulate in your country of residence.
Tourist Visa – 60 or 30 DaysApplying for a Tourist Visa must be done (usually in person) at a Royal Thai Consulate outside of Thailand. You may apply for either a 30 or 60 day Thailand visa and the visa will generally be valid for entering Thailand any time in the following three months although longer valid periods can be requested. The fees for the visa are set in the local currency by each consulate. After entering Thailand and staying the 30 or 60 days allowed it's possible to extend for another 30 days by visiting an office of the Immigration Bureau before the expiration of the allowed time. The fee for the extension is usually 1,900 Baht.
Non-Immigrant VisaThailand Visa regulations require a non-immigrant visa for persons planning a longer stay than a tourist visa allows. It is also required for work in the kingdom. Applications must be made at a Royal Thai Consulate in your home country or a Royal Thai Embassy in a neighboring country. If you are in Thailand on a tourist visa or 30-day visa exemption stamp it is not possible to transfer to a non-immigrant visa. You will have to to leave the country and re-apply. People in the following, categories will need to apply for a non-immigrant visa. Anyone: * intending to work (teacher, employee or opening a business) * intending to carry out volunteer work * intending to study * who is a dependent (or child) of a foreign spouse who is already working in the country, * who is married to a Thai citizen * who is 50 years old or above and wishing to retire in Thailand The three most common types of non-immigrant visa are ........Non-immigrant B – for working either as an employee, a company director or teacher. ........Non-immigrant O – for working as a volunteer, a dependant of a Thai national, dependant of a foreign spouse or parent who already holds a non-immigrant B visa and a Thai work permit. ........Non-immigrant Ed – an educational visa for those studying at a recognized Thai school or university.
Retirement Visa RequirementsThe procedure for applying for a retirement visa (Non-immigrant O-A) is quite straight forward providing you have the necessary finances to qualify. You must be 50 years old or over and show proof of a 65,000 Baht monthly income from outside Thailand or a fixed sum deposited in a Thai bank (currently 800,000 Baht). Again these regulations are subject to change, so check for updated information. Changes in immigration rules have been common in the last few years. If you will be applying for a long term visa it would be a good idea to check for updates at either the Immigration Bureau or a Royal Thai Embassy website in your country.
Thai Visa.com
is a private website with excellent up-to-date information on changes in visa regulations.
Visa Informational NotesA visa applicant’s passport must have at least a 6 - month validity on the application date. All documents submitted to the Consulate must be original and in the absence of required documents, a letter of explanation must be provided. Documents in foreign languages must be translated in English and should be notarized by a notary and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Consular officers reserve the rights to request for additional documents as deemed necessary Please note that the period of visa validity is different from the period of stay. The Thailand visa validity is a period during which a visa can be used to enter the kingdom. Generally, the validity of a visa is 3 months, but in some cases, visas may be issued to be valid for 6 months, 1 year or 3 years (Special visa, Diplomatic or Official visa). The validity of a Thailand visa is granted with discretion by the Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General and is displayed on the visa sticker. Transit visa - up to 30 days from the date of entry. Tourist visa - up to 60 days from the date of entry. Non-Immigrant visa - up to 90 days from the date of entry. A visa entitles the holder to travel to Thailand; it does not guarantee entry which is entirely at the discretion of the authorities of the port of entry. Offices of the Immigration Bureau,Soi Suan Plu, South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120Tel 02-2873101-10(or at an Immigration office in the provinces) Website :
http://www.immigration.go.th/special/
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