Thailand is a beautiful country. Long regarded as the jewel of Asia, its tropical weather and rich culture act as natural magnets for those around the world. Year after year, visitors return for affordable holidays and unique experiences.
A large part of Thailand’s commerce is tourism. As the tourism hub of Asia, millions of travelers help generate revenue each year. Businesses cater to providing the best experience for holidaymakers, and as Covid fades, travel restrictions ease and borders open. It is time to once again venture into the world.
Travel is almost as easy as it was before the pandemic, but like pre-Covid times, there are certain guidelines and processes for entering Thailand. This page will show how you can visit Thailand for an extended holiday.
Visiting Thailand as Tourist
Visiting Thailand is easy. Many nationalities can visit the Land of Smiles without a visa under the Visa on Arrival rule or Visa Exemption scheme. These options allow visitors to stay from 15 up to 30 days.
Tourists are travelers who visit the country for leisure. It is important to note that a tourist cannot work or conduct business while in the country. If a visitor is traveling for a purpose other than leisure, they will need to look at other visa options.
For holiday makers who know 30 days is never long enough, they can apply for a Tourist Visa at a local Thai Embassy or Consulate in their country.
What is a Thailand Tourist Visa?
A Thailand Tourist Visa is a stamp or document placed in your passport. It is needed to enter Thailand for tourism. It is issued by a Thai embassy or Consulate in your country and stamped on your passport upon arrival at the airport in Thailand. A tourist visa can be extended while in Thailand if you want to stay longer. The tourist visa should not be confused with the Visa Exemption stamp issued at the airport.
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
- Validity: Usually valid for entering Thailand within 3 months from the date of issue.
- Duration: Once you enter Thailand, you can stay for up to 60 days.
- Extension: It’s possible to apply for an extension of stay for another 30 days at an immigration office in Thailand, making the total potential duration of stay up to 90 days.
Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa
- Validity: Allows multiple entries into Thailand over a 6-month period from the date of issue.
- Duration: Each entry allows a 60-day stay, meaning you can come and go as many times as you want during the 6-month validity, but each stay can’t exceed 60 days.
- Extension: Like the Single-Entry Tourist Visa, each entry can potentially be extended for an additional 30 days at a Thai immigration office.
Thailand Tourist Visa Requirements
When applying for a tourist visa with a valid passport, there are certain documents needed, and a fee may be required on application. The documents and fee can change anytime and without prior notice, so contact your local embassy before organizing your application before your arrival in Thailand. Some countries allow for the Thai E-Visa and you can apply for the E visa online. The Thailand E visa is a very fast method for obtaining your tourist visa online.
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Thailand Tourist Visa Requirements
- Passport or travel document with an expiry date of no less than 6 months
- Visa application form (filled out)
- One(1) recent 4 x 6cm. photograph of the applicant
- Round-trip air ticket or e-ticket (paid in full)
- Proof of financial means (10,000 baht per person/20,000 baht per family) such as bank statement
- Proof of Hotel or private accommodation booking
Consular Officers reserve the right to request additional documents if deemed necessary. It is advisable to allow enough time before traveling to lodge your application as there is an influx of travelers applying now that Covid is less of a priority.
Visa Fee
- US $30.00 (or equivalent) per entry. The Tourist Visa fee is subject to change, so it is recommended to contact the nearest Thai Embassy or consulate in your area before lodging your paperwork.
Thailand tourist visa applications could be lodged online in certain countries. Contact your local Thailand Embassy to confirm if you need to apply in person.
Length of Stay
There is a 60-day entry Tourist Visa that can be extended for additional 30 days at the local immigration office.
It is easy to apply for a Tourist visa, but if you would like help with the paperwork and processes to streamline your approval, there are companies that can assist.
Siam Legal Visa Application Assistance
Package: 200 USD (for countries with e-Visa service only)
- Unlimited Online Visa Consultation
- Extensive checklist of required documents
- Assistance in e-visa application (tourist visa category)
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Covid and Vaccination Requirements
As of today, travelers can enter Thailand without COVID restrictions. You are no longer required to be vaccinated or have completed an RT-PCR or Pro-ATK test (if unvaccinated) before entering Thailand.
Tourist Health Insurance for Visitors to Thailand
With travel restrictions eased, Thailand removed the need for travelers to provide proof of a valid Covid Insurance policy. It is important to note that foreign visitors are not eligible for free medical care while in Thailand. If a foreigner requires medical attention, they will need to cover any expenses themselves.
Having a Tourist health insurance is a wise choice for people traveling abroad. It not only covers Covid-related incidents but also:
- Medical emergencies
- Personal injury & accidents
- Missed or delayed flights
- Damage to belongings
- Lost luggage
To ensure you have the best cover possible while visiting Thailand and to avoid potential exclusions or conditions, choose Travel Insurance that is designed for Thailand.
AXA Thailand: AXA Sawasdee Thailand
AXA Sawasdee Thailand is a well-known and respected insurance company in Thailand that caters to travelers from around the world. Their policies are straightforward, approved in minutes, and trusted by Thai authorities and medical institutions.
For the best Travel Insurance, a holidaymaker can have in Thailand, check AXA Thailand.
Checklist for Tourists Visiting Thailand
After receiving your Thailand tourist visa from the Thai Embassy or consulate, a traveler should prepare the following documents before traveling to Thailand:
- Valid visa in your passport
- Printed Travel Insurance certificate (if any)
- Copy of confirmed hotel booking
- Copy of confirmed flight reservation
- Printed Tourist e-visa with QR code or visa sticker (if any)
Validity of the Tourist Visa and Permit to Stay
The validity of a tourist visa ranges from 3 months to 6 months, depending on the number of entries you make across a land border or airport. If you arrive in Thailand through an international airport, you will be stamped with 60-day permission to stay for a normal Tourist Visa.
The validity of the visa as stated on your visa sticker is the time you have to use the visa or enter Thailand. The permit to stay is the number of days you may legally stay in Thailand. The permit to stay is the stamp you receive when you arrive at the airport or border.
Are you a high networth individual who wants to stay in Thailand? You may consider joining the exclusive Thailand Elite Visa membership program.
Tourist Visa Extension in Thailand
If you enter Thailand via airport or land border, you will be stamped with a 60-day permission to stay at the immigration post. You must exit the country before the stamp expiry date.
However, the permit to stay can be extended if you want to spend more time in Thailand. You can apply for an extension to stay at a local Immigration Office. A 60-day Tourist visa can be extended for another 30 days. The cost for both extensions is 1,900 baht.
Remember, an extension of stay approval is at the discretion of the immigration officer processing your application.
Summary for the Thailand Tourist Visa
Thailand tourist visas are easy to acquire before visiting Thailand. The Thai government and its immigration officers are ready to welcome foreign nationals and visitors back and provide the unique, memorable experiences it is famous for during your period of stay. Please check with the website of your local Royal Thai Embassy or Thai Consulate for Thai Visa updates before departing to Thailand.
- Thai Visa for UK Citizens: https://uk.siam-legal.com/thailand-visa/
- Thai Visa for US Citizens: https://usa.siam-legal.com/thailand-visa/
- Thai Visa for Australian Citizens: https://australia.siam-legal.com/thailand-visa/
- Thailand Elite Visa for long term visa in Thailand with more privileges.
For information about visa exemption and the visa on arrival:
- https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-visa/visa-on-arrival
- https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-visa/thai-visa-exemption-and-bilateral-agreement
