With several different visas on offer for entering the Kingdom of Thailand, especially for longer-term stays, things can get a little confusing. While the options for shorter stays are more straight-forward, there can also be the occasional misunderstanding for those looking to enjoy a one- or two-week holiday.
The type of visa available to you will depend on a few factors, including which passport you hold and what you plan to do once in Thailand, and wading through all the different categories of visas can be a little daunting. So, let’s run through the various visa options and try to clear up a few common misconceptions along the way to help make sure you make the correct choice and have a smooth, hassle-free trip to the Land of Smiles…
Short-Stay Visa Options
Most people venturing out to Thailand will be doing so on a short-term basis, for a one- or two-week holiday. While short-term visas are a little less complicated than longer-stay visas, there are still a few points that can cause a little confusion. The main point of contention is the difference between the Visa Exempt scheme and the Visa-On-Arrival scheme, so let’s clear that up first, then we can have a look at the Tourist Visa category:
Visa Exempt
Whether or not you are able to take advantage of the Visa Exempt scheme will depend on which passport you hold. Citizens from eligible countries will be allowed to enter the Kingdom without a visa and will receive a 30-day stamp in their passport upon arrival.
There are currently 62 countries whose citizens are currently allowed to enter Thailand under the Visa Exempt scheme, and it’s best to check the website of the Thai Embassy in your home country to see if your country is on the list. See the list here.
Visa On Arrival
The Visa-On-Arrival scheme is a little different, but many people entering the Kingdom on the Visa-Exempt scheme wrongly assume they have been issued a Visa-On-Arrival. The Visa-On-Arrival scheme only applies to people from the listed 15 countries. Those countries are as follows:
Bulgaria, Bhutan, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, and Vanuatu.
People from these countries need not apply for a visa in advance of travel, but upon arrival in Thailand, they will be required to fill out a form and queue up at the special Visa-On-Arrival desk. They will then have a 15-day visa stamped into their passports. Should you require a little longer, this visa can also be extended for a further 15 days by heading to the immigration office in Phuket Town.
Tourist Visa
For tourists looking to stay a little longer in Thailand, there is also the Tourist Visa. Tourist Visas need to be applied for before traveling to Thailand, and they grant you an initial 60-day stay in the Kingdom. Tourist Visas are available as single-entry or multi-entry visas. Each entry into the country will give you an initial 60-day permitted stay, and each of these can be further extended at an immigration office for a further 30 days.
If you plan on backpacking through Southeast Asia, a multi-entry visa may be your best bet. With such a visa, you can re-enter Thailand from neighboring countries like Laos, Malaysia, and Cambodia and get a new 60-day stamp as you pass through immigration control.
For Tourist Visas, it’s best to apply to the embassy or consulate in your home country, and it is recommended to apply for a visa at least 4–8 weeks before the travel date but no more than 3 months before your departure date. You should also bear in mind that with a Tourist Visa, you are prohibited from conducting work, business, or engaging in any form of employment.
Long-Stay Visa Options
If you are looking into being allowed to stay long-term in Thailand, there are a few more categories of visas, and, depending on your reasons for your intended stay, things can get a little more complicated. The main type of long-stay visa is called a Non-Immigrant Visa, and there are a few different categories, but there are also a few more long-term options for different situations.
So, let’s break down the myriad long-term visa options, starting with the main four different classes of Non-Immigrant Visas:
Non-Immigrant Visa (B)
The Non-Immigrant B Visa is the standard visa you will need if you plan to conduct business or to work in Thailand. To obtain a Non-Immigrant B Visa, you will need to submit a stack of supporting paperwork, including an offer of employment from your prospective Thai employer and the company’s financial records.
Initial Non-Immigrant B Visas give the holder a 90-day entry stamp, after which you can then leave the country and apply for a 12-month Non-Immigrant B Visa, although you may still need to leave the Kingdom every 90 days.
Once a 12-month visa expires, you can then apply for an Extension Of Stay at your nearest immigration office. When you have an Extension Of Stay, you will need to report to immigration every 90 days to confirm your address (this can be done online).
Non-Immigrant Visa (ED)
Many people come to Thailand each year to follow an educational program or course. In such circumstances, you can apply for a Non-Immigration ED Visa to cover the length of your studies. These education visas will allow you to stay in Thailand for between 90 days and one year.
Education Visas are offered to people looking to study in Thai universities, but they are also available to people looking to complete long-term Muay Thai training programs and also for long-term scuba diving courses. Check with your local Thai Embassy to see if your planned studies allow you to apply for this type of visa or not.
Non-Immigrant Visa (O)
Non-Immigrant O Visas allow for stays of up to 90 days and are granted to people who are looking to visit family in Thailand, to charity volunteers, and to retirees looking to spend no more than 90 days in the country.
Non-Immigrant Visa (O-A)
If you are retired and wish to longer than 90 days in Thailand, you may be eligible to apply for a Non-Immigrant O-A Visa. Commonly referred to as ‘retirement visas,’ these visas are valid for one year, and holders must report their address to immigration every 90 days.
In order to be able to apply for a one-year retirement visa, there are a few requirement to meet, including financial ones. You must be able to prove that you have 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account and that you receive a monthly pension income of 65,000 baht. After one year, you will then need to apply for a 12-month extension.
Marriage Visa
If you are married to a Thai national, you can apply for a marriage visa, which is a 12-month Non-Immigrant O Visa. When you apply for this visa, you will also have a list of paperwork that must be submitted.
Documents that you will need to submit include a copy of your marriage certificate (legalized or notarized and signed by the spouse); a copy of your Thai spouse’s passport and identity card (signed by the spouse); and proof of your Thai spouse’s financial status (they must submit bank statements showing at least 400,000 Thai Baht in total or a monthly income of 40,000 Thai Baht).
Long-Term Resident Visa
The Long-Term Resident Visa (LTR) is designed to attract highly skilled foreigners interested in long-term relocation to the country and, upon being issued, grants the holder a ten-year stay. Launched in 2021, the LTR Visa for Thailand is mainly aimed at foreigners with a high income and those possessing unique skills.
To be able to apply for an LTR Visa, you there are a number of requirements, most of which are financial. Holders of the LTR Visa are also permitted to bring up to four family members, such as their legal spouse and children under 20 years old, into the country when they arrive.
Elite Visa
Thailand’s Elite Visa is a long-term visa program that can be applied for by anybody who can afford to pay the (high) ‘membership fees,’ regardless of their nationality, profession, or age. Under this scheme, you may be eligible to receive a visa that will allow you to stay in the country for between five and 20 years, depending on the fee you pay.
The visa is aimed at wealthy individuals who are looking for a hassle-free way of straying in the country without the need to constantly re-apply for visa extensions and renewals. You should be aware, though, that the Elite Visa does not give you the right to work in the Kingdom. More info here.
Thai Permanent Residency
If you have really fallen in love with Thailand and never want to leave, you could also look into the option of becoming a permanent Thai resident. Although to be able to be granted residency, there are a few hoops to jump through.
The requirements for applying for permanent Thai residency are as follows:
- You have lived in the Kingdom for at least three years with a valid Non-Immigrant Visa or Extension of Stay.
- You have no criminal record in either Thailand or your home country.
- You have a stable income or proof of financial support.
- You have a good command of the Thai language, both written and spoken.
- You hold a Thai work permit or have invested a significant figure in Thailand.
Visa Extensions in Phuket
If you are in Phuket and are in need of a visa extension, there are a couple of options. Most people head to Phuket Town, where you can find the main immigration office. This is the best place to go, especially for those on long-term visas. Before you go, make sure you have the correct supporting documents and paperwork, including passport photos, and make sure you don’t accidentally overstay. Be aware that the office is not open at the weekend or during Thai national holidays.
For tourists looking to extend their visas, there is also a small immigration kiosk/booth along the Beach Road in Patong, not far from the bottom of Bangla Road.
