Thailand visa

Thousands of visitors flock to Thailand every year to experience this “Land of the Smiles”. Incredible beaches, delicious food, tuk-tuks, temples and floating markets—what’s not to love? Whether you’re visiting for business, leisure, or to join your family, here’s everything you need to know about the Thailand visa. 

Thailand Visa Overview 

Visa type Length of stay Number of entries Visa Fee
Transit visa (3 months validity) 60 days Single £25
Tourist visa (6 months validity) 60 days per entry Multiple £30
Non-Immigrant O-A 1 year Multiple £150
Non-immigrant O-X 5 years Multiple £300

What is a Thailand Visa? 

The Thailand visa is an electronic pass that allows visitors to enter and leave the country. Visa-exempt travellers can visit Thailand without a visa for no longer than 30 days. However, if you plan an extended stay, you should apply for your Thailand visa online. 

Travellers no longer need to submit original documents in person to the Royal Thai Embassy. Simply print your e-visa and present it to the airline and immigration officials as you travel. 

Types of Thailand Visas 

Thailand has nine types of visas, but most visitors require either a tourist visa or a long-stay visa. If your stay in Thailand is longer than a month, a tourist visa is the best option. It allows a maximum stay of 2 months, with the possibility of extension. The Thailand tourist visa is also suitable for medical treatments in Thailand and participating in meetings, conventions and exhibitions. 

There are two types of Thailand long-stay visas. The Non-Immigrant O-A is valid for 1 year and allows for a stay of 1 year. 

The Non-Immigrant O-X is valid for 5 years and provides a stay of 10 years in Thailand. You can extend both of these long-stay visas, and both apply for travellers aged over 50 years. 

Note: 

The 10-year visa has more advantages like you can buy a car, a house, and work as a volunteer in Thailand. However, you can only extend the 10-year visa after completing 5 years in Thailand. 

Requirements for Thailand Visa 

For a Thailand tourist visa, you need:  

  • A passport with at least 6 months validity remaining
  • A clear photograph taken within the last six months
  • Proof of travel, that is, your return ticket from Thailand  
  • Proof of finance that is 20,000 Baht per person or 40,000 Baht per family  

For a 1-year long-stay Thailand visa, you need: 

  • A passport with at least 6 months validity remaining
  • A clear photograph taken within the last 6 months
  • Proof of finance:
    • A bank statement and guarantee letter showing that your account holds at least 800,000 Baht; or,
    • An income certificate showing at least 65,000 Baht per month; or,  
    • A deposit account plus monthly income comes to at least 80,000 Baht per month total.
  • A notarized police clearance certificate issued within the last 3 months 
  • A medical clearance certificate issued within the last 3 months. This must state that the traveller is free from drug addiction, third stage syphilis, leprosy, elephantiasis, and tuberculosis. 

For a 10-year long-stay Thailand visa, you need: 

  • A passport with at least 6 months validity remaining
  • 3 clear 4x6cm photographs taken within the last 6 months to accompany 3 application forms
  • A notarized police clearance certificate issued within the previous 3 months 
  • Proof of finance: 
    • A bank statement from a Thailand-based account showing deposits of at least 3 million Baht
    • A bank statement from a Thailand-based account showing an annual income of at least 1.2 million Baht
    • Note: For the second option, you must accumulate the 3 million Baht by the end of your first year in Thailand. 
  • A medical clearance certificate, as described above.  
  • Proof of insurance: 
    • Outpatient insurance should cover at least 40,000 Baht
    • Inpatient insurance should cover at least 400,000 Baht. 

How Much Does a Thailand Visa Cost?

The cost of a Thailand visa depends on the type of visa, the number of entries, and the duration of your stay. A transit visa for Thailand costs £25, while a single-entry tourist visa costs £30. 

You can also get a multiple-entry tourist visa for £150 if you plan to tour Southeast Asian countries. A 1-year multiple entry Thailand visa costs £150, while a 10-year multiple entry Thailand visa costs £300. 

How to Apply for a Thailand Visa 

Remember that visa-exempt travellers can go to Thailand visa free if their stay is less than one month long. But if you want to stay for longer, apply for the Thailand tourist or long-stay visa online. The steps are pretty simple:

  1. Use a valid email address to open an account with the Thailand e-visa platform
  2. Fill in the visa application form with your passport details
  3. Upload all the supporting documents, preferably in PDF or JPEG format
  4. Pay the visa processing fee through your debit or credit card
  5. Receive your visa in your email

Note: Apply for your Thailand visa at least 4 weeks before your intended travel date.

Thailand Covid-19 Travel Requirements

At this time (December 2021), all travellers to Thailand can only arrive through one of the following airports: 

  • Suvarnabhumi
  • Don Mueang
  • Chiang Mai
  • Phuket
  • U-Tapao
  • Buriram

In addition, all travellers to Thailand, both nationals and foreigners, must have a negative RT-PCR test 72 hours before travelling, regardless of their vaccination status. 

Depending on your age and vaccination status, there are different Covid-19 requirements for travelling to Thailand. 

For Vaccinated Travellers

Vaccinated travellers aged over 18 must: 

  • Register for the Thailand Pass at least 7 working days before their departure to Thailand. The Thailand Pass application happens online only, and it requires: 
    • Your passport details 
    • Your vaccination certificate
    • Proof of travel insurance worth at least US$50,000
    • Receipt for your SHA+ Hotel or Alternative Quarantine reservation (fully paid for)
    • Thai visa where applicable   
  • Show a vaccination certificate indicating complete vaccination at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand. 
  • Show a vaccination certificate indicating one dose (partial vaccination) at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand.
  • Make a 1-night SHA+ or Alternative Quarantine reservation. This is where you’ll wait for your on-arrival RT-PCR test results.

Vaccinated travellers aged 12 to 17 years must: 

  • Show a complete vaccination or partial vaccination certificate if travelling to Thailand alone 
  • Register for the Thailand Pass with their vaccinated parents if travelling to Thailand as a family 
  • Note: Unvaccinated travellers under 12 should also register for the Thailand Pass with their fully vaccinated parents. 

For Unvaccinated Travellers

Unvaccinated travellers aged over 18 must: 

  • Book 10 nights at a SHA+ Hotel or Alternative Quarantine as they await their on-arrival RT-PCR test results
  • Have travel insurance worth US$50,000 or it’s equivalent in other currencies. 

Tip: Always stay updated with Thailand travel news to plan your trip according to the Covid-19 requirements. 

Get Your Fast and Easy Thailand Visa Process Today

For a hassle-free Thailand visa process, get in touch with us today. We guide all travellers to Thailand at every step of the visa application process, from gathering documents to booking a quarantine-approved hotel. Whether you’re travelling solo to enjoy the wonders of Thailand, joining your family, or plan to live, study or work in Thailand, it all begins with getting the proper visa to match your needs. Contact us today.