[email protected]
Two Pacific Place Building, 142 Sukhumvit Road, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Thailand
Tourist Visa in Thailand. Thailand attracts millions of visitors every year, and while many nationalities enjoy visa-free entry for short stays, a Tourist Visa remains the main legal pathway for longer leisure travel, family visits, and non-business short-term stays. The rules are not complex in principle, but in practice they vary by nationality, embassy, and local immigration office. This article explains the different types of tourist visas, who needs one, how they are applied for and extended, the conditions attached, and the practical issues travelers encounter.
The first distinction is between visa exemption and a Tourist Visa:
Visa exemption: Nationals of over 60 countries can enter Thailand without a visa for a set period (commonly 30 days by air, 15 days by land, though extended to 45 days in certain promotional periods). This is not a visa but an exemption stamped on arrival.
Tourist Visa: For nationals who do not enjoy exemption, or for those wanting a longer permitted stay from the outset, a tourist visa is required. It is applied for at a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate before travel.
The two are not interchangeable: visa-exempt entry cannot always be “converted” to a visa in-country, while a Tourist Visa provides a more formal and sometimes longer basis for stay.
Valid for a single entry into Thailand.
Duration: typically 60 days permitted stay.
May be extended in-country once, usually for 30 days, at a local Immigration Office.
After exit, the visa is used up; a new application abroad is required for another stay.
Valid for six months from the date of issue.
Allows multiple entries; each entry gives 60 days permitted stay.
Each 60-day entry can be extended by 30 days at Immigration.
This visa is more expensive and has stricter eligibility requirements (proof of funds, employment, residence in the country of application).
During COVID-19 and other special programs, Thailand occasionally introduced special tourist visas (STV) with extended validity. While not always permanent, these demonstrate the flexibility of Thailand’s visa regime to attract longer-term travelers.
Nationals without visa exemption agreements must apply for a tourist visa before travel.
Nationals with exemptions who want to stay longer than the exemption period (e.g., Europeans wanting more than 30–45 days) often apply for a tourist visa instead of relying on multiple exits and re-entries.
Travelers seeking a multiple-entry stay over several months often prefer the METV.
Applicants generally need:
Completed application form.
Passport valid at least 6 months beyond date of entry.
Recent passport photographs.
Evidence of travel plans (airline ticket in and out of Thailand).
Proof of accommodation (hotel bookings, rental agreements, or invitation letters).
Financial evidence (bank statements; requirements vary — e.g., METV often requires proof of funds equivalent to THB 200,000 in savings).
Visa fee (varies by country, approx. USD 30–40 for SETV, USD 150–200 for METV).
Many embassies now require online appointments or e-visa systems, where documents are uploaded digitally and passports submitted by mail or in person.
Changing from visa-exempt entry to a Tourist Visa is not routinely permitted; it is case-dependent and often requires leaving Thailand to apply abroad. However, extensions of stay for existing Tourist Visas are standard and handled at local Immigration Offices.
Standard SETV: 60 days + 30-day extension = 90 days maximum per entry.
METV: each entry 60 days, plus 30-day extension. With careful planning, a traveler can remain for nearly 9 months across multiple entries during the visa validity.
Visa-exempt entries: 30 or 45 days (depending on nationality/policy at the time) + 30-day extension = up to 60–75 days.
Extensions are granted at Immigration Offices for a fee (currently THB 1,900) and usually require evidence of ongoing travel or accommodation.
Purpose: Tourist Visas are strictly for leisure, family visits, and informal travel. Paid work, employment, or business activities are not permitted.
Funds: Immigration officers may ask for evidence of sufficient funds (e.g., THB 20,000 per person).
Overstay: Overstaying leads to fines (THB 500 per day), blacklisting, or deportation depending on length of overstay.
Re-entry permits: SETV holders cannot re-enter once they leave. METV holders do not need re-entry permits because multiple entries are included.
Border discretion: Immigration officers have discretion to question travelers who appear to be “border runners” or long-term stayers abusing tourist visas. Frequent back-to-back visa runs may result in denial of entry.
Supporting documents: At land borders, travelers are sometimes asked for proof of exit tickets, cash, or accommodation details. Air arrivals usually face less scrutiny but should still be prepared.
Extensions: Immigration officers sometimes ask why an extension is needed; “continued tourism” or “visiting friends/family” is normally sufficient.
Travelers often compare the Tourist Visa with other visa types:
Education visa (Non-ED): for study or language courses.
Retirement visa (Non-O/A or O-X): for retirees over 50.
Marriage visa (Non-O): for spouses of Thai nationals.
Business visa (Non-B): for employment.
Each has stricter requirements but allows long-term residence and in some cases work. For short visits, however, the Tourist Visa remains the simplest.
European long-stay visitor: A German traveller plans a 5-month backpacking trip. He applies for an METV in Berlin, showing savings of €8,000 and return tickets. He uses three entries of 60 days each, extending one by 30 days — giving him nearly 7 months in total.
American visiting family: A U.S. citizen visiting Thai relatives applies for a SETV at the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles. She enters for 60 days, extends once at Immigration in Chiang Mai for 30 days, and then departs.
Australian attempting border runs: An Australian relies on repeated visa-exempt entries through Laos. After the fourth run in six months, Immigration denies entry, noting suspected abuse. He is advised to apply for a tourist visa or other category instead.
Know the difference between visa exemption and a Tourist Visa.
SETV: 60 + 30 days; METV: multiple 60 + 30 days over six months.
Always check your local Thai embassy’s requirements: financial evidence, ticketing, insurance.
Avoid overstays and repeated visa runs; Immigration tracks history.
Tourist Visas are flexible, but they are not a pathway to work or permanent residence.
Thailand’s Tourist Visa regime is designed for short-term, leisure-focused visits but offers significant flexibility through extensions and multiple entries. The difference between visa exemption and visa categories often confuses first-time travellers, but careful planning, understanding the entry rules, and respecting the conditions will allow visitors to enjoy extended stays without legal complications.
